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With regards to the stance, the left foot is essentially constant for every swing toed out
about 20 degrees to the left, driver through wedge. Changing the width of the stance can
be achieved by adjusting the right foot. Basically, the stance narrows as the club gets
shorter. With most woods and long irons the stance will be slightly greater than
shoulderwidth apart. With most middle irons the stance will be approximately shoulder
width apart. Finally, with the short irons the stance will be slightly less than shoulder
width apart. With the driver, the right foot is toed out about 20 degrees to the right. With
the rest of the clubs a bit less toed out. If the right foot is straight, it’s difficult to turn the
body on the backswing. The essential reason for changing the right foot is to promote or
restrict hip turn. A shorter club requires a more vertical swing, with less body pivot and
more arm swing. Generally, a square stance is used for most shots. A square stance is
simply where both feet are parallel with the target line. Opening or closing the stance can
be achieved by adjusting the right foot. An open stance is where your right foot is placed
forward (closer to the target line) and a closed stance is where your right foot is placed
backward (further away from the target line).
I advocate varying your ball position. The hitting zone is from the middle of the stance
forward, and that’s where you should put the ball. The longer the club, the further
forward you play the ball. For a normal shot with a wood the ball should be opposite the
left heel. For a long iron the ball should be an inch back of the heel. For a middle iron
the ball should be another inch back. Finally, for the short iron the ball should be in the
center of the stance. You move the ball back in your stance for a shorter club because
you make a more descending swing. You cannot hit down on the ball effectively if it is
off your left heel. It should be noted that if the ball is too far forward in your stance, your
shoulders have a tendency to aim left of the target, causing an outtoin swingpath. If the
ball is too far back in your stance, your shoulders tend to aim right of the target,
promoting an intoout swingpath (Figure 9).
[Figure 9]