The golf swing setup is the foundation of a great swing. As a beginner, practicing things like long drives and putts that roll into the hole can be a ton of fun! However, if you can’t get the setup down, all of that fun is most likely not going to result in a successful swing.
The good news is there are a few key elements of a great swing setup, and if you can set yourself up with a mental checklist and hit these 7 checkpoints, you’ll be a better golfer because of it! We’ve also included relevant YouTube videos to help provide you with more visual context for some of the steps.
Step 1: The Stance
The golf stance refers to how far apart your feet are from each other, from the ball, and the exact position of your feet as well. The main goal of a great golf stance is to have the feet shoulder-width apart creating a balanced setup.
A wide stance provides stability, while a narrow stance can lead to a loss of balance. In addition, stance width can change from one club to the next, so keep reading to learn how to adjust for each.
Here are the basics to remember:
- For the most part, a shoulder-width stance is best, with weight balanced between your feet.
- For the driver, a wider stance will give you more stability for the faster swings.
- With wedge shots, the stance can be narrower to control distance.
- Let your arms hang naturally so you are not reaching for the ball and still have room to swing.
- Try to keep an “athletic” position, not too much knee flex but a slight bend at the hips, keeping you nimble and ready for movement.
Step 2: Ball Position
Once you have your feet in place, you want to make sure you also put the ball in the correct position. The ball placement changes depending on the shot you are hitting.
| Club Type | Recommended Ball Position | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Inside the lead heel (promotes upward strike) | Placing the ball too far back leads to low, weak shots |
| Irons | Slightly forward of center (middle for shorter irons, progressively forward for longer irons) | Placing the ball too far forward leads to thin shots; too far back can cause fat shots |
| Wedges | Center or slightly back for crisp contact | Placing the ball too far forward reduces spin and control |
Step 3: The Grip
The grip is your only physical connection to the golf club, so it has to be perfect if you plan on hitting a great shot. A neutral grip with hands not rotated too far left or right on the grip is the best for beginner golfers to adapt to.
A strong grip is used to promote a draw, whereas a weak grip will promote a fade ball flight. In addition to aiming for a more neutral grip, beginner golfers should also consider the type of grip they have on the club.
The three options are interlocking, overlapping, and the 10-finger baseball grip. The interlocking grip is good for smaller hands looking for a bit more power, while the 10-finger grip is good for new players who struggle with control.
Overlapping is a common or traditional grip for most golfers.
Grip is a complex topic, so if you need more clarification, take a look at this blog post, which explains the complete guide to gripping a club for beginner players.
Step 4: Alignment
Now that your feet and hands are in the right place, we want to make sure you are aiming at your target. Aiming is an important part of golf that beginners often underestimate.
Your clubface, feet, hips, and shoulders should parallel the target line. One of the most common mistakes is to aim too far to the left (or right), and because of this, you’ll make compensations in the swing that become habits.
Practice first with shorter targets, ensuring you understand how to set your feet parallel to the target line. From there, the distance of the target will increase.
Step 5: Weight Distribution
Next, you want to make sure your weight is in the correct place. While the general rule is to put 50% of your weight on your lead foot and 50% on the trail foot, there are some nuances depending on the club you have in your hands.
- Driver: Slight weight favor on the trail foot (promotes upward strike).
- Irons: Balanced weight (slight lead-side favor for solid contact).
- Wedges: More weight on the lead foot for better control.
Also, pay attention to how much weight you are putting on your heels or toes. It is important to keep a more balanced position in the center of your foot.
Step 6: The Club Position
The last physical checkpoint of the golf swing is checking your club position. The golf club should sit flush on the ground, and the clubface should be pointed square at the target (where you want the ball to go) while your body should be parallel to the target.
The hand position should be in line with the ball and slightly more forward for the wedge shots to help promote a downward strike. Don’t manipulate the clubhead at setup to work on issues in your swing; learn to fix the issues instead of compensating.
Step 7: Mental Preparedness
We can’t forget the final piece of the puzzle: You have to make sure your brain is on board to hit a great golf shot. A clear mind will lead to a confident and smooth swing.
As you improve at golf, you’ll learn to visualize the shot you want to hit. Take a deep breath, commit to the shot and the club you have in your hand, and trust the setup you just put together. Overthinking is a problem that many beginners and amateurs struggle with, so try to avoid it by thinking positively about your shot.
A Strong Golf Swing Setup = SUCCESS
A strong setup is similar to the foundation of a home. Without a good foundation, the house will crumble. The same can be said for your golf game and swing if you are not careful. While the golf setup may not be the most engaging thing to practice, beginners who focus their time and attention on these details will have a much quicker learning curve and a more successful golf career.
