The Pros and Cons of an Open Stance Golf Swing

Remember when you were just starting out with golf and it was nearly impossible for you to get your feet, clubface squared and all parts of your body working together?

You would never have thought that you would return to these alternate stances with your feet open or shut after a little bit of practice in the game.

The open stance golf swing can be a tremendous tool for players when it’s done right. It is important to understand what an open-stance golf swing is, how it works, and what impact it has on ball flight.

Keep reading – we have the answers you need to give this a try on the range today.

 

What is Open Stance Golf Swing?

An open stance golf swing means that your toes will be pointed left of your target while the clubface will remain squarely down the target line. An open stance golf swing means that your toes are parallel to your clubface but your heels are not. This is how it looks: A golfer aiming their hips and toe line to the left of the target.

The swing plane is key to a good open stance golf swing. The swing plane is the same as if your feet are pointing left of the target.

The clubface will dictate the swing plane and the path, not the feet. This will impact the ball flight, spin and overall distance of your shot.

There are both positives as well as negatives to the open stance swing. Open stance swings are a great way to fix any issues you might have on the course or get you out of trouble.

 

There are many benefits to having an open attitude in your golf swing

Open stance swings and swing paths have the greatest advantages. This means a higher ball flight. There are also benefits to the ability to work with the ball and help players who struggle with their swing rotation.

Higher Ball Flight

Your left foot and right feet should be aimed to the left of a target line. The clubface will appear slightly open relative to your stance. A more open clubface results is a higher ball flight.

This higher ball flight can be very helpful for golfers who have difficulty getting their golf ball up in the air. I know that a higher ball flight is more effective than a low, penetrating one.

Softer Landing On Approach Shots

Approach shots to the fairway are all about getting it close. You will have realized at some point in your career that just getting the ball on the fairway is not enough. You must be able to put the ball on the green. To be able to attack pins, you need to have a higher overall flying ball with a bit more spin.

Consider the angle from which many of your approach shots land on green. Are they coming in high, dropping to the ground, and then stopping? Are they moving across the green like a line drive towards center field? It is important to be able change ball flight and plan for a soft landing.

Fade – Easy Way to Hit It

The draw-and-fade equation can get a bit complicated. Players try to change their grip and adjust their swing path to get the ball to move just a few feet. Many great players will relax their stance and watch the ball disappear.

The open stance encourages a more outward swing path. If the feet are aimed to the left, it will result in a high fade. Don’t feel the need to make this game any more complicated than it is!

Senior Golfers Can Benefit From Rotational Issues

If you are feeling pressure or pain in your hips when you swing through the ball, it’s likely that your left leg is making things more difficult. As we age, our ability to move and our power decreases. This creates a move that attempts to create power with a less flexible physique, which is why many golfers end in pain.

Sometimes, by opening our stance a little, we can make it easier to swing through the ball, transfer the weight, and look straight down at our target. For players that struggle to get to the left side or don’t feel comfortable turning with speed, the open stance is a game changer.

 

Cons of having an open attitude in your golf swing

As with all things in golf there are negatives to make. Most players prefer to play in a square stance. This is because the ball performs best from this position. The downsides of the open stance are few, and can all be controlled by changing the angle at which you open your position.

Can Promote a Slice of or Fade Spin

A player who sets up with an open posture can promote a slice or fade. This is a good move for many golfers. But if you overdo it, your face angle may be too extreme, and the slices or fades could get out of control.

Loss In Distance

The distance can be a problem with open stance golf swings. The shots can sometimes be shorter due to the open face angle and the setup to your left of the target. Closed stances and clubfaces that are slightly closed can increase the ball’s spin, which increases the distance and the amount of the ball.

Ball Will Be Subject To Wind

High ball flight is great until the wind blows. You shouldn’t open your stance or increase the ball flight if you’re playing golf in windy conditions. Instead, you should learn to play both an open and closed stance so that you are ready for any situation.

Can Cause Swing Plane Problems

Open stance golfers tend to struggle to determine where the club should be in the backswing. Sometimes the club can go a little too far from the target line. This is difficult to fix. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth mentioning again that adjustments to the golf swing, like an open stance, should be subtle. Don’t go crazy with this; it’s not going to help you.

 

Other types of stances

There are two other types in golf: the open stance and the closed stance. We wish that we could tell each of you that it is enough to learn one. If you don’t want your game to stagnate at a certain point, and you don’t want to move to lower handicaps, you might stick with a square stance.

Great players will work hard to improve their golf skills. These tools are not necessarily clubs, but shots that can be hit with the equipment you already own.

Square

Square stance refers to a standard golf stance in which your feet, hips and shoulders are all aligned with the target line. Square stances are ideal for a perfect swing plane and straight golf shots.

Although a square stance won’t guarantee you hit a golfball straight, it will give you the best chance. Every golfer is unique and can have different stances. Sometimes the ball will hit the right or left.

Closed

The closed stance is basically the opposite of the open stance. Closed stance means that your golf club will still be square to the target, but that your feet will be pointed right at the target. Because the swing plane is generally a little more inside-out, shots can be left of the target due to the closed stance.

If a golfer is having trouble with a slice, one of the best things to do is to lower their stance and try straightening the ball flight. The clubface should close slightly. The path will encourage you to release your golf club.

 

Which type of golf stance is best?

Wouldn’t it be great if there was one type of golf stance that you could learn as a beginner and have that take you throughout your entire golf career? Golf is not that easy.

The most popular stance is the square. However, once you have the square stance down, it’s time to start looking at the open stance and closed stance as additions to your game. These stance options are easy to learn and can be learned in a single afternoon at the range.

My best tip for starting is to do it slowly. Don’t overdo it, as it can cause an undesirable shot. Start by turning your toes slightly to the left. This will impact your flight. You may be able to hit shots you never thought possible.