5 Tips to Perfect Your Golf Stance

Famous golfer Jack Nicklaus once said, "If you set up correctly, there's a good chance you'll hit a reasonable shot, even with a mediocre swing."

Improve your golf stance, and you may notice a big difference in your game. You can enjoy a first-rate golf experience instead of fretting about your game. The right stance gives you power to hit the ball and control the direction of the shot.

Here are some tips to improve your golf stance.

1. THE PROPER WIDTH OF YOUR STANCE
Your legs are the foundation of your golf stance. Your knees should be flexed.

For your starting position, your legs should be shoulder width apart. If you are using a middle iron, this is your stance.

Widen your stance for longer clubs such as drivers or woods.

For short irons or wedges, bring your stance in by an inch or two. You don't need a wide stance for shots like chipping or pitching.

2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR TOES AND FEET
Toes are also vital to your golf stance. Do not point them at too much of an angle.

The front foot should angle outward slightly toward your target. Turn your back foot at about a 90-degree angle from the target.

Proper foot placement improves your flexibility and body rotation speed.

3. CHECK YOUR BALANCE
You should spread your weight evenly between your toes and heels.

To get more power for shots, you should shift your balance slightly.

With shorter irons and clubs, your weight should slightly favor the target-side foot, which is usually the left foot for right-handers. Middle iron shots should be divided evenly on both feet.

When using long clubs, place slightly more weight on your back foot, which is the right foot for right-handers.

Proper balance will also improve the angle of your backswing.

4. IT'S ALL ABOUT POSTURE
The center of your upper spine, your knees, and balls of your feet should line up on top of each other. Your back knee should be slightly turned inward pointing at the target.

Don't bend at your waist - use your hips! You will feel your buttocks stick out slightly in the proper stance.

Turning your shoulders on the backswing will dictate your power. Keeping your spine straight equals longer drives and more consistent shots.

5. THE BALL PLACEMENT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Make sure your arms are not reaching out but are hanging down comfortably. You also do not want your arms too close to your body. You don't want to be too far or too close to the ball.

Ball placement also varies depending on your club.

• Play the short irons in the middle of your stance.
• For each of the longer clubs, place the ball about a half an inch toward your front foot.
• Place the ball slightly inside the front foot using a driver.

The ball position matters because each club length is different.