Continuing on with Ben Hogan’s five golfing fundamentals, today we will briefly go over the stance and posture.

Fundamental 2: Stance and Posture

Many golfers make the sizable error of thinking of the stance as that preparatory part of the swing in which the player merely lines himself up on the target he’s shooting at.

So ask yourself… when you step up to the tee, are you simply lining up your shot, or do you think about the other effects your stance is going to have?

The proper stance and posture enable a golfer to be perfectly balanced and poised throughout the swing. Only then will his legs, arms, and body be able to carry out their interrelated assignments correctly.

Ben Hogan says he is convinced of one basic stance, and I agree. Your back foot (right foot for a right handed golfer) should be pointing straight ahead (perpendicular to the direction you are aiming). Your front foot should be turned about 22 degrees towards the green (also starting perpendicular to the direction you are aiming).

Your posture should be that of a semi-sitting position:

When he assumes the semi-sitting position, the upper part of the payer’s trunk remains relatively erect as he bends at the knees. The knees point in.

For more detailed descriptions of both principles, take a look at stance and posture, stance & posture, golf stance for women, and proper golf posture.