Chris Gotterup is a big name in golf right now. He is confident, aggressive, and when he runs, it looks almost effortless.
But if you’ve watched him closely during a broadcast, you’ve probably noticed something when he’s set up to hit a shot. There are times when he looks like he’s aiming 20 meters away from the target. It seems almost wrong, but it’s working.
Here’s why it does, why it works, and whether or not you should try it.
Why is Chris Gotterup targeting the left?
First, let’s clarify the most important point. His body is facing left, but that doesn’t mean his face is facing.
Gotterup plays a controlled fade on most shots. When you want the ball to start left and return to the target, your alignment often reflects that intention.
You will usually see:
- Open legs
- Hips slightly open
- The shoulders open in relation to the final target
This alignment supports a path that moves slightly to the left of the target. If the clubface is just a touch to the right of that fairway, the ball starts left and falls gently back.
What his club face looks like at the top
At the top of the backswing, Gotterup’s clubface is generally square to slightly wide compared to his leading forehand. You don’t see a dramatically bent, closed position.
His lead wrist is quite neutral, sometimes a little elongated. If he coupled that left reach with a tightly closed face, he would be in danger of being pulled. Instead, his face is stable and controlled and he is able to spin through the ball with speed and power.
In simple words:
- The body is aligned to the left
- The road slightly left
- Face just to the right of the path
This produces the controlled fading you see on TV.
Why it works for him
Gotterup plays a strong check and that plays a big factor in why this stretch works for him.
The strong grip makes it easier for the clubface to come into natural shape without too much manipulation at the end of the swing. He does not have to “save” the blow with his hands. The club can roll with his body instead of fighting it.
He also makes a complete athletic turn. It shifts strongly to its main side. It continues to spin through the impact. There is no stall.
It’s a very different motion from the average golfer who swings through the ball and leaves the face open. If that player adds a more open alignment without understanding what the clubhouse is doing, the result is usually a bigger loss.
Should you try it?
If you’re watching Gotterup make six birdies in a row and thinking to yourself, “I’ll aim a little left when I play later,” I will stop you now.
This scope is not the whole picture. And, for most golfers, duplicating that part will not produce the same result. It’s easy to focus on because it’s obvious, but it won’t work for every player.
What you can’t see as easily (like the left layup) is how stable the clubface is, how hard it’s rolling through the ball, and how comfortably it’s launching the ball left of the target.
If you naturally play a controlled fade, one that starts slightly left and falls back, opening your reach a touch can help you commit to that shape. But if you already struggle for a piece or struggle to control the face, aiming more left usually just makes the mistake bigger. The ball will continue to bend.
My take
I’ve always believed that you should build your movement around what works for you.
I always scored a draw. This is my natural shot. When I was younger, I used to work with someone who wanted to change everything so I could play a fade full time. I tried and it never felt right.
Can I hit a fade? Of course. Most good players can swing it both ways. But as my stock shot, it didn’t feel natural and it wasn’t something I trusted when it mattered.
This is what stands out to me about Gotterup.
It’s not trying to look textbook, and it’s not forcing a neutral structure just because it’s supposed to look that way. He’s just found what works for him and it’s good enough to win more than once on the PGA Tour.
Main photo caption: Chris Gotterup often places his feet to the left of the target. (Twitter/Jamie Kennedy)
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