In golf, there are some things you just don’t do: stepping in front of a birdie, walking across someone’s line or forgetting to tip the club are just a few of the unwritten rules that most golfers abide by.
In addition to the etiquette rules that most of us already follow, there are a few learning basics that belong on the list. While we could spend hours listing them, there is one in particular that stands out. Recently, GOLF Top 100 Teacher and PGA Tour putting consultant Stephen Sweeney shared one of his putting rules, and it’s something every golfer should keep in mind.
“I have yet to see a world-class athlete do well with a closed stance,” Sweeney said.
“There are some things that are non-negotiable for me,” he continued. “The only thing I hate to see is any kind of closed posture with open legs and shoulders.”
In a recent lesson with GOLF’s Jake Morrow on the debut episode of The Lab with Stephen Sweeney, presented by Baird, Sweeney explained that a closed stance often causes players to inadvertently aim straight, leading to compensations that reduce consistency on the green. Fortunately, the fix is easy.
Square your stance
As Sweeney points out, an easy way to adjust your stance is to place your feet shoulder-width apart and then let your arms hang loosely. Next, slide your toes down until they rest on your kneecaps. This position should help everything settle down.
“In an ideal world, we’d have everything in shape: knees, hips, shoulders, chest,” Sweeney said.
From there, you may notice that your head or eye position feels slightly different, perhaps a little further forward or above the ball. This is intentional. This drill also helps your head and eyes get into the right position at address.
“I want you to get to a point where you feel like your eyes are on the golf ball,” Sweeney said.
While Sweeney uses lasers to help Morrow settle into a proper setup, a positioning mirror or even an alignment rod works just as well. The key here is to develop a square and consistent set-up – one that puts you in position to launch the ball into your target line.
For more from Sweeney, you can watch the full video below. You can subscribe to GOLF’s YouTube channel here.
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