PGA Tour Pros- closed stance at address

[physasst]

So, I’ve noticed something in my own game. I’ve struggled with an early release (especially on a tee box-mental?) which leads to all kinds of other bad compensation movements

at times. I often just can’t turn the hands over. I release early, get stuck and held off, and well, y’all know the rest... I’ve started to move towards a closed stance and I noted that I am hitting the ball much more solid, shallowing much better, better contact, longer distance, seems to work for me. I know that both Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer were famous for playing with the clothes dance. Anybody else? This isn’t an instruction thread, I have a coach, more interested if there are other PGA tour pros who play this way??

[sg91]

Luke Donald plays from slightly shut. So does Hovland.

[Righty to Lefty]

Are you talking about with driver or irons?  Also be advised that instead of your stance you should be monitoring your shoulder line/ plane because your stance is not responsible for setting the plane of your swing because the club is being held in your hands, your shoulder line is.  

[physasst]

4 hours ago, Righty to Lefty said:

Are you talking about with driver or irons?  Also be advised that instead of your stance you should be monitoring your shoulder line/ plane because your stance is not responsible for setting the plane of your swing because the club is being held in your hands, your shoulder line is.  

 

My shoulders and hips are always on the same line. Something I learned as a junior golfer decades ago. Wherever my hips point...my shoulders do as well. I'm about 30-35* closed now. 

 

M

[mat562]

Rocco Mediate has long used a closed stance to accommodate his ailing back and make it easier to turn in the backswing.

 

Bobby Locke used to set up markedly closed and enjoyed a fantastic career hitting what was essentially a habitual push-hook.

 

 

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by mat562

[gvogel]

The great Ben Hogan's stance became more closed as he moved to his longer clubs, and with his driver he actually had his right foot a bit back of the target line (or parallel left target line).  But since he played a fade, he was lined up left of the middle of the fairway.  So I am going by his initial target line.

[Potatohead]

Kuchar has done it forever 

 

I'd say more guys are open than closed but whatever works for you 

[KNOWMOREDOUBLES]

Jim Venetos

[m d g]

I play very closed on tee shots and it got to be too much.

 

If I got over the top I would hit it a mile left.

 

I am gradually getting back to neutral and the left misses are fewer...

[Krt22]

15 minutes ago, KNOWMOREDOUBLES said:

Jim Venetos

lol he never a pga tour pro, not even close

[KNOWMOREDOUBLES]

14 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

lol he never a pga tour pro, not even close

I know. I was joking.  But he is the closed stance guru.

[Ferguson]

More players of the past and present - slightly closed: 

 

J Parnevik

JM Olazabel 

R Mediate

K Perry 

G McDowell 

S Kendall

 

 

[nikeblades00]

17 hours ago, physasst said:

So, I’ve noticed something in my own game. I’ve struggled with an early release (especially on a tee box-mental?) which leads to all kinds of other bad compensation movements

at times. I often just can’t turn the hands over. I release early, get stuck and held off, and well, y’all know the rest... I’ve started to move towards a closed stance and I noted that I am hitting the ball much more solid, shallowing much better, better contact, longer distance, seems to work for me. I know that both Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer were famous for playing with the clothes dance. Anybody else? This isn’t an instruction thread, I have a coach, more interested if there are other PGA tour pros who play this 

Alignment is EVERYTHING.  Alot of good players don't align well and wonder why they are hitting pulls and weak shots right, it's because they are intent on hitting a draw with open shoulders and open clubface. 

It pays to get Alignment checks done often by someone who is good. Video doesn't capture Alignment properly. 

[Righty to Lefty]

16 hours ago, physasst said:

 

My shoulders and hips are always on the same line. Something I learned as a junior golfer decades ago. Wherever my hips point...my shoulders do as well. I'm about 30-35* closed now. 

 

M

Perfect...just making sure!

[iBanesto]

 

Edited August 16, 2022 by iBanesto

[acemandrake]

Nicklaus once said:  "I setup so I can't hit a hook & then I try to hit a hook."

 

I believe he was talking about hitting a fade.