Something for the Weekend: Narrow your stance at address

Lee Kopanski, the British-born head PGA pro at his own golf academy at Loipersdorf Golf Club, a 27-hole course in Styria, Austria, has worked with some of the best coaches in Europe and offers free online golf lessons at www.golfswingzone.com. In the last of his Something for the Weekend series takeover, Lee offers advice on making the best of your stance at address.

Narrow that stance

While a wide stance at address may offer greater stability and a solid base from which to make your golfswing, it can be the cause of golfers suffering with lower back strains and injuries.

Many golfers tend to take a stance outside their shoulder width and swing their hands and arms back and forth around their bodies but by doing so some may start to feel the build-up of tension in their lower back

A wide stance is not as stable as you may think. Try the same exercise with your feet together and you will immediately notice you have more control over your upper body compared to a wide stance, which can  block the natural rotation of your body and force your backswing either to turn over your left leg (reverse pivot) or sway too far to the right off the ball.

If you Reverse Pivot or from a position too far off the ball, your downswing will have to include several creative compensations to get back squarely to the ball. It makes your swing inconsistent and drags your body through a range of motions that tease your tendons and joints to find the weakest link.

From a stance inside your shoulder width your body functions in line,  the way you naturally stand and balance on two feet. In a more agile and receptive position your body turns more freely and promotes a far better connection with your hands, arms and trunk.

And no, you won’t fall flat on your face but your golfswing will be more powerful and consistent. Legends like Bobby Jones, Annika Sorenstam, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman all practised for hours hitting balls with their feet together to develop a natural balance.

Want more?

Head to our Something for the Weekend index. Remember to let us know how you get on and share your own tips with us in the forum and on our Facebook page. You can also tweet us @Golfmagic.

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