How to Close Your Stance in Golf

Struggling to finally get rid of that persistent slice, or maybe you're ready to learn the coveted skill of shaping the ball from right to left with a powerful draw? A simple adjustment in how you stand to the ball - closing your stance - might be the fundamental change you need. This article provides a comprehensive guide on exactly what a closed stance is, why it's so effective for promoting a draw, and a step-by-step tutorial on how to implement it into your own setup, along with drills to help you perfect it.

What Exactly is a Closed Stance in Golf?

Before we go any further, let's establish a clear definition. A golf stance is considered "closed" when your trail foot (your right foot for a right-handed golfer) is pulled back, away from the ball and further from the target line than your lead foot. Imagine two parallel lines: one is the target line, running from your ball directly to your target. The other is your stance line, running across the tips of your toes. In a square stance, these two lines are perfectly parallel. In a closed stance, your stance line points to the *right* of your final target (for a righty).

Here’s a simple way to picture it:

• Square Stance: Imagine you’re standing on railroad tracks. The ball is on the right rail (the target line), and your feet are on the left rail. Both rails run parallel straight ahead.
• Open Stance: Your lead foot (left foot) is pulled back, so your body is "open" to the target. Your stance line points to the left of the target. This is often used for fades or delicate pitch shots.
• Closed Stance: Your trail foot (right foot) is pulled back. Your body is "closed off" to the target. Your stance line points to the right of the target. This is the setup we're focusing on.

This closed body alignment inherently encourages your club to follow a path that moves from inside the target line to outside the target line on the downswing - the essential ingredient for hitting a draw.

The "Why": Top Reasons to Close Your Stance

Changing your stance might feel odd at first, so understanding the benefits is what will help you commit to practicing it. A closed stance isn’t just a stylistic choice, it serves very specific purposes that can unlock new shots and consistency in your game.

1. To Hit a Controlled Draw (And Cure a Slice)

This is the number one reason golfers learn to close their stance. A slice - that frustrating shot that curves weakly to the right - is almost always caused by an "over-the-top" swing path. This means your club approaches the ball from outside the target line to inside it, imparting left-to-right spin on the ball.

By closing your stance, you physically make it easier for the club to approach the ball from the inside. Your body is pre-set in a position that encourages the club to travel on an in-to-out path through impact. When this path is combined with a clubface that is slightly closed to that path (but still square or slightly open to your final target) at impact, you produce the highly sought-after right-to-left ball flight of a draw.

2. To Generate More Power

A closed stance can also be a significant source of power. Because you've pulled your trail foot back, you create more space behind you. This allows for a deeper and freer hip and shoulder turn on the backswing. A bigger turn creates a wider swing arc and builds more potential energy, often called "torque." As you unwind through the downswing, this stored energy is released into the ball. For many players, especially those who feel physically restricted in their backswing, closing the stance can be a revelation for adding 10-20 yards to their drives.

3. For Strategic Shot Shaping

Golf is a game of angles, and sometimes the hole doesn't present a straight line to the pin. For a left-to-right dogleg, being able to hit a high, drawing drive that starts down the right side of the fairway and curves back to the middle is a massive strategic advantage. Likewise, if a tree is blocking a direct line to the green, a closed stance gives you the best foundation to swing from the inside and curve the ball around the obstacle. It turns a defensive, forced punch-out into an offensive scoring opportunity.

How to Close Your Stance Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adopting a closed stance is simple in theory, but getting the details right is what makes it so effective. Rushing this process can lead to new swing problems. Follow these steps methodically on the practice range.

Step 1: Aim the Clubface at Your Final Target

This is the most important step. Before you do anything with your body, place the clubhead behind the ball and aim the clubface directly where you want the ball to finish. Do not aim it down the right side where your body will be pointed. Remember the golden rule of ball flight: the clubface sends it, and the swing path bends it. Your ball will start roughly where the face is pointing at impact, and then curve based on your swing path.

Step 2: Set Your Feet Square to the Target Line

Initially, set up just as you normally would, with your feet, hips, and shoulders all parallel to the target line. This gives you a familiar and neutral starting point to make from your adjustment.

Step 3: Pull Your Trail Foot Back

Keeping your lead (left) foot planted, simply pull your trail (right) foot straight back from the target line by a few inches. How much? Start small. A 3-4 inch adjustment is plenty for a gentle draw. For a more significant curve, you might pull it back 6 inches or more. Your feet should now form a line that points noticeably to the right of your target.

Step 4: Let Your Hips and Shoulders Match Your Feet

This is where many golfers go wrong. Once your feet are closed, allow your hips and shoulders to a line with them. They should also feel like they are aimed slightly to the right of the target. If you close your feet but keep your shoulders square to the target, you create a "crossed-up" alignment that restricts your turn and defeats the whole purpose of the change.

Step 5: Trust the Path and Swing Along Your Body Line

Now, everything is set. Your only swing thought should be to swing the club along the line created by your feet and shoulders. Don't try to manipulate the clubface or re-route the club to get it back to the target. Just make a normal, smooth swing along your body's a-lignment. The setup you've created will naturally guide the club on an in-to-out path. Let it happen.

Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

• Mistake 1: Aiming the clubface right. As mentioned, the clubface should point at the ultimate target, not where your body is aimed. Fixing this is as simple as making it your first priority in your setup routine: target, clubface, then body.
• Mistake 2: Closing the stance too much. Overdoing it can cause you to get "stuck" on the downswing, leading not to a draw but to a big push to the right or a wild snap hook. If your shots are going way right or left, simply reduce how much you pull your back foot away from the target line.
• Mistake 3: Forgetting about the ball position. When you close your stance, your trail foot moves backward. This can inadvertently shift the ball position further forward in your stance. Ensure the ball remains in its correct position relative to your lead foot (e.g., inside the lead heel for driver, middle for mid-irons) to ensure a clean strike.

Drills and Practice Tips to Master the Closed Stance

"Feel" isn’t always real in golf. Use these drills to get objective feedback and groove the correct movements.

The Alignment Stick Gateway

This is the best drill for visualizing what you're trying to do.

1. Place one alignment stick on the ground just outside your golf ball, pointing directly at your target. This is your target line.
2. Place a second alignment stick on the ground along the tips of your toes after you’ve set up in your closed stance. This is your stance line.
3. The two sticks should form a "V" shape that opens toward the target. This provides clear visual confirmation that you have a closed stance that encourages an in-to-out path. Your goal is to swing the club parallel to the second stick (your body line).

Start-Line Gate Drill

This drill helps build trust that the ball will start right and curve back. Place a headcover, a cone, or another alignment Caddie a few feet in front of your ball and slightly to the right of your target line. Your goal is to swing with your closed stance and start the ball on the *right* side of this "gate," watching it curve back toward the target in the air.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to close your stance is an empowering skill that can help you finally conquer a slice, add distance by improving your turn, and unlock the ability to strategically shape shots on the course. Remember to start small, align your entire body together, and always aim your clubface first before adjusting your stance.

Getting your setup just right for every shot is tough, especially when you're on the course trying to hit a specific shape. This is where modern tools can help take the guesswork out of it. With an app like Caddie AI in your pocket, you have a 24/7 golf coach you can ask anything. If you’re facing a tough dogleg or have a weird lie in the rough and wonder if closing your stance is the right play, you can get instant, expert advice. You can even snap a photo of your ball's lie, and we’ll analyze the situation to give you a clear, simple strategy, helping you commit to every shot with more confidence.