Feet Position Basics: How to Build a Solid Golf Stance

TL;DR

Feet position in golf sets your stance width, weight balance, and alignment, changing slightly by club type and shot to improve consistency and accuracy.

Key Takeaways

• Feet should be shoulder-width apart for balance.
• Ball position changes by club (forward for driver, centered for wedges).
• Closed stance = draw, open stance = fade.
• Consistency matters more than “perfect” position.

Basic Principles of Feet Position

The basic principles of feet position in golf are stance width, weight distribution, and alignment with the target line. These three elements form the foundation of a solid setup and directly affect balance, swing consistency, and shot direction.

• Stance Width: A shoulder-width stance gives you stability without restricting movement. Too narrow and you’ll lose balance, too wide and your swing feels restricted.
• Weight Distribution: At address, your weight should be spread evenly between both feet. Some golfers prefer a slight favor toward the balls of the feet rather than the heels for better athletic posture.
• Alignment: Your feet should run parallel to the target line, like train tracks. The ball sits on one “track,” while your feet are on the other, pointing toward the target without twisting or closing off.

These simple fundamentals create a stable base that allows the rest of your swing mechanics: hips, shoulders, and arms, to work naturally.

Feet Position by Club Type

Feet position changes depending on the club you’re using, because each club has a different length, loft, and swing arc. A good stance adapts to the shot while keeping balance and consistency.

Driver

• Stance Width: The widest stance in your bag, usually a bit wider than shoulder-width. This gives you stability for the longer, more powerful swing.
• Ball Position: Inside the lead heel (left heel for right-handed golfers). This allows you to hit the ball on the upswing.
• Feet Alignment: Parallel to target line, sometimes slightly flared with the lead foot to help with hip rotation.

Irons

• Stance Width: Around shoulder-width for mid-irons (7, 6, 5 iron). Slightly narrower for short irons.
• Ball Position: Middle of stance for short irons, moving gradually forward (toward lead foot) as you go up to long irons.
• Feet Alignment: Square to the target line, keeping everything balanced and neutral.

Wedges

• Stance Width: Narrower stance, often less than shoulder-width. This encourages control and precision over distance.
• Ball Position: Centered or slightly back in the stance to promote a steeper angle of attack, creating more spin and stopping power.
• Feet Alignment: Can be slightly open to the target line for pitch and chip shots, helping the clubface cut under the ball cleanly.

Key takeaway:

• Driver = wide stance, ball forward.
• Irons = balanced stance, ball progressively forward with longer clubs.
• Wedges = narrow stance, ball center or back for control.

Adjustments Based on Shot Type

Once you’ve mastered the standard stance for each club, small adjustments to your feet position can help shape the ball flight. The way you set your feet influences swing path, clubface angle, and ultimately whether the ball curves left, right, or stays straight.

Draw (Right-to-Left Shot for Right-Handed Golfers)

• Feet Alignment: Slightly closed to the target line (aim your feet and shoulders a bit right of the target).
• Ball Position: Normal, but sometimes just a touch back to help promote an inside-out swing.
• Effect: Encourages the club to swing from inside to outside, creating a gentle right-to-left curve.

Fade (Left-to-Right Shot for Right-Handed Golfers)

• Feet Alignment: Slightly open to the target line (aim your feet and shoulders a bit left of the target).
• Ball Position: Normal, sometimes a touch forward to make it easier to hold the face open.
• Effect: Promotes an outside-in swing path, producing a controlled left-to-right ball flight.

Specialty Shots (Punch, Lob, etc.)

• Punch Shot: Narrow stance, ball farther back in the stance, weight favoring the lead foot. Keeps the trajectory low and under control.
• Lob Shot: Open stance with the lead foot flared, ball slightly forward, weight balanced. Helps the clubface slide under the ball for high, soft landings.

Key takeaway:

• Close stance = promotes a draw.
• Open stance = promotes a fade.
• Specialty shots use narrower or more open positions to control height and spin.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the basics in mind, many golfers slip into habits that weaken their setup and cost them accuracy. Here are the most common footwork mistakes to watch out for:

• Feet Too Narrow or Too Wide: A stance that’s too narrow leads to poor balance and inconsistent strikes, while a stance that’s too wide restricts your hip and body rotation.
• Over-Rotated Feet Angles: Pointing both feet too far outward or keeping them too square can limit your ability to rotate naturally. Ideally, the trail foot stays mostly square while the lead foot flares slightly for easier hip turn.
• Poor Alignment with the Target Line: Many golfers unknowingly aim their feet right or left of the target. This misalignment forces compensations during the swing, leading to slices or hooks.
• Weight on Heels or Toes: Standing too much on your heels causes a flat, restricted swing, while leaning on your toes makes balance unstable. Keep weight centered over the balls of your feet.
• Inconsistent Setup Routine: Changing your stance width or alignment from shot to shot creates inconsistency. A repeatable setup routine keeps your feet position reliable under pressure.

Quick tip: Before every shot, do a feet-check routine, stance width, alignment, weight balance. It takes 3 seconds and prevents most of these mistakes.

Drills to Improve Feet Position

Practicing your feet position doesn’t require fancy equipment—just consistency and awareness. These simple drills help you build muscle memory and keep your setup reliable on the course.

1. Alignment Stick Drill

• Place two alignment sticks (or golf clubs) on the ground: one along your target line, the other parallel where your feet will be.
• Step into your stance using the sticks as guides.
• This visual aid trains your body to recognize correct alignment and stance width.

2. Step-In Routine

• Stand behind the ball, pick your target, and walk into your stance.
• Step your lead foot into place first, then adjust your trail foot for stance width.
• Repeat this before every shot—building a consistent pre-shot routine ensures your feet are always in the right spot.

3. Mirror or Video Feedback

• Practice swings in front of a mirror, focusing on how wide your feet are and where your weight sits.
• Alternatively, record short clips on your phone from the front and down-the-line angles.
• Reviewing your stance helps you spot mistakes like over-rotated feet or poor weight balance.

Pro tip: The goal of these drills is not to find a “perfect” stance, but to create a repeatable setup that matches your swing style and keeps your shots consistent.

FAQs About Feet Position in Golf

How far apart should my feet be in golf?

Generally, about shoulder-width apart. Wider for drivers, narrower for wedges.

Should my feet point straight ahead or flare out?

Your trail foot (back foot) should stay mostly square, while your lead foot can flare slightly outward to help hip rotation.

Where should my weight be on my feet?

Keep it balanced between both feet and slightly toward the balls of your feet, not on your heels or toes.

Does feet position change with every club?

Yes. Drivers require a wider stance and forward ball position, irons are balanced, and wedges use a narrower stance with the ball centered or slightly back.

How does feet position affect shot shape (draw or fade)?

Closing your stance promotes a draw (right-to-left for right-handers), while opening your stance encourages a fade (left-to-right).

What’s the most common mistake golfers make with feet position?

Poor alignment, aiming feet left or right of the target without realizing it. Using alignment sticks during practice can fix this.