RBC Heritage

Harbour Town Golf Links



Instruction

Better wide than narrow

By Jim Flick Photos by Dom Furore
June 13, 2007
instruction-2007-05-inar01_flick0705.jpg

Kick in your right knee and arch out your left knee for stability.

Bob Toski and Jack Nicklaus have played a significant role in my approach to teaching and playing the game. Though they have very different body types and golf swings, they both have told me a wide stance is better than a narrow one. I find this especially true with longer clubs and when hitting hybrids from the rough. A stance just wider than your shoulders:

Gives you a stable platform over which you can turn your upper body.

Encourages your hips to stay level throughout the swing; the left hip is likely to drop when your stance is too narrow, causing mis-hit shots.

Lowers your center of gravity so playing in the wind is easier— are less likely to get blown off balance.

Pre-set your right knee slightly inward at address, and keep it there to the top of the swing. You'll find that promotes greater stability, a correct angle of attack and consistently solid contact.