Playing with the right golf stance is a must.
However, the average golfer will not know how to choose the best golf stance leading to issues with performance.
It is important to avoid making mistakes when you are optimizing your golf stance. Otherwise, you are going to fall over during the golf shot or simply not generate enough power to get the golf ball to go where you want it to.
During this process, you will want to compare a wide stance vs a narrow stance in golf.
A wide stance tends to be a few inches outside shoulders’ width and offers improved rotation and a more compact swing. In comparison, a narrow stance is a few inches inside shoulders’ width and offers a better downswing and free-flowing swing.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to selecting a stance in golf.
You have to figure out what will work for your particular golf swing. There are PGA golfers with narrow stances and PGA golfers with wide stances on the tour.
This guide is going to advantages of a wide golf stance, the advantages of a narrow golf stance, how to choose between a narrow and wide golf stance, and which stance PGA golfers use on the tour.
What Is A Wide Stance In Golf?
A wide stance in golf refers to standing a few inches outside shoulders’ width. This means spreading the feet out for a more robust base to swing from. The wide stance benefits include improved rotation and a stronger base.
Whether it is a wide stance for pro golfers or a wide stance for seniors, it is a merited option that does get used throughout the world of golf.
Playing golf with a wide stance is common.
It’s an option that is used by golfers that want to make sure their swing is robust and smooth.
What Is A Narrow Stance In Golf?
A narrow stance in golf refers to standing a few inches inside shoulders’ width. This allows a golfer to have a more free-flowing swing and an improved downswing to generate more power on shots.
It’s common to see pro golfers use a narrow stance or amateur golfers use narrow stances too.
When adjusting your golf stance, it’s common for some to want to go with a narrower golf stance. This is due to not having a smooth golf swing and wanting to make improvements that are noticeable.
Benefits Of A Wide Golf Stance
1. Stronger Base
When it comes to golf wide stance benefits, the first thing you are going to want to consider will be the base you’re swinging from.
The way your feet are set up will be the launching pad for your swing and the power you generate throughout the swing.
With the pros of a wide golf stance, it’s the robust base that will stand out.
You are going to feel more grounded with the shot in this stance, which will make it easier to hit the golf ball in a straight line.
When looking at the golf stance width for each club, it’s common for golfers to use a wider stance because it helps them maximize the golf club’s potential on the green.
2. Easier Rotation
When comparing a wide stance vs a narrow stance in golf, you have to also pinpoint the amount of rotation on a golf swing.
The rotation matters or you are not going to generate enough power on the downswing.
This means rotating the upper body and lower body in unison. This is how you are going to generate enough force to drive through the golf ball on the swing.
When looking at the golf stance width in inches, you will realize it is the rotation that is being impacted the most.
3. Compact Swing
A golf stance that is too wide is not a good thing.
However, when you are using a wide stance as a golfer, you are going to have a more compact golf swing.
This is due to the base being centered and strong. This is not as easy when the golf stance is too narrow as you are going to tip over during the downswing.
A more compact golf swing is a must and that is where a wider golf stance helps. The wide stance in a golf swing will lead to better results in most cases.
Cons Of A Wide Golf Stance
1. Impacts The Backswing
The backswing is a real concern when it comes to maximizing the power you are getting on the golf shot.
This is one of the negatives of a wide golf stance.
Wide golf stances tend to make it harder to get the golf club to go up smoothly. This means you are going to find it to be wonkier than a narrow golf stance.
This is due to the golf club path and how it is going to move up as you go through the backswing and then bring it down in one motion.
2. Minimizes Weight Distribution Through The Shot
How is the weight on your golf shot?
Are you getting the golf club to move through the downswing smoothly while getting your weight behind it?
This makes all the difference in the world.
You are not going to get the ball to travel if you are not tweaking your golf stance. This is when mistakes are made and that is why golfers love a wider stance.
The wider golf stance helps lead to a more compact swing where the golf club does not rise too much and comes down with power.
Benefits Of A Narrow Golf Stance
1. Great On The Downswing
The narrow golf stance for better contact is a common plus point. This is one of those advantages of narrow golf stances that will stand out immediately.
The reason this happens is due to the downswing of a golf club.
This is one of the most important facets of a golf swing and has to be timed to perfection or you are not going to be happy with where the golf ball goes.
Your best option is to make sure the downswing is smooth.
2. Good Weight Distribution
It’s important to use a narrow stance for better weight shift in a golf swing.
Using a narrow stance with a driver is a good option when it comes to weight distribution. You will notice the golf club’s path is going to be smoother due to how you bring the golf club down.
This stems from the weight distribution as you lift the golf club and then bring it down with proper hip rotation.
For some golfers, the narrow golf stance works better due to this reason. They notice the weight shift with a narrow golf stance.
2. Free-Flowing Swing
It’s also important to note that you are going to have a more fluid golf swing with the help of a narrow golf stance.
Why does this happen?
When golfers play with a narrow stance, they are going to bring their feet in by a few inches to make them closer to each other.
When you do this, you are going to open up more space along the body to bring the golf club up. This alters the golf club’s path on both the backswing and the downswing.
As a result, you get a smoother downswing, which leads to a free golf swing that is as smooth as you want it to be.
Cons Of A Narrow Golf Stance
1. Can Lead To Reduced Balance
The negatives of a narrow stance in golf would be the reduced balance.
You are not going to be working with a strong base.
This is due to the feet being closer together, which makes it easier to rotate too much or simply tip over if you time the golf swing poorly.
Those who don’t have good balance should not be using a narrow stance in golf. It will not work well.
Wide Vs Narrow Stance In Golf – Which Golf Stance Is Best For You?
You should choose a wide stance in golf if you…
- Tend To Lose Balance Quickly
- Want To Have A Compact Swing
- Tend To Have Issues With Rotating The Hips
You should choose a narrow stance in golf if you…
- Want A Stronger Downswing
- Tend To Have A Jarring Swing
- Want To Put Your Weight Through The Swing
Using the right golf stance is all about understanding your body. A wider golf stance can work just as well as a narrower golf stance.
It simply comes down to what will work for your golf swing.
It’s best to give both types of golf stances a chance to see what works. Sometimes, wide golf stances are better than narrow golf stances. It can often be figured out through a bit of testing on your end.
How To Choose The Right Stance In Golf
1. Find A Comfortable Stance
Playing golf with a narrow stance or playing golf with a wide stance simply comes down to what is comfortable.
A lot of golfers don’t start with this requirement.
The first thing you are going to do is keep your feet shoulders’ width apart, walk up to a golf ball, and pretend you are ready to play a golf shot.
Take the time to see how you feel as you swing the golf club. Is it smooth? Is it wonky?
This is going to let you know a few adjustments are required with the golf stance. The narrow vs wide stance for golf can only be decided when you take the time to start with a neutral golf stance.
2. Adjust By A Few Inches Both Ways
Now, it’s time to adjust the golf stance.
How are you going to adjust a golf stance properly?
The first thing you are going to do is work with a wide golf stance. This means you are going to move the feet a few inches apart (i.e. outside shoulders’ width) and then hold the golf club.
You can then move back to a narrow stance by bringing the feet a few inches inside shoulders’ width.
Take the time to go through a few practice golf swings with the different golf stances to see which one feels right.
During this step, you are not going to be hitting a golf ball. This will come next.
3. Test The Stances
Whether you are using a wide stance for golf or a narrow stance for golf, it’s important to test the golf stances as much as possible.
How are you going to do this.
You are going to play ten shots with a wide golf stance and then ten shots with a narrow golf stance.
During this step, you are simply looking to make contact with the golf ball. It does not matter how much power you are using with the golf stance.
Just focus on making contact and having a smooth golf swing. You will realize which one feels better right away.
4. Take Measurements For Your Shots
The last step to choosing the best golf stance for you is to take measurements.
You are going to do this by playing ten golf shots with each type of golf stance.
The goal here is to hit the ball as far as you can with both golf stances. Start with the wide golf stance, take the measurements, and then do the same with the narrow golf stance.
Look at which one allowed you to hit the ball further while maintaining control of the golf shots.
You can do this by golfing at a driving range or spending time golfing at Topgolf if that is what works for you.
How Wide Should Your Golf Stance Be with A Driver?
A golf stance should be wider when the golf club is longer. Start with a neutral golf stance and then adjust the stance based on the type of golf club being used. The wider golf stance for a longer golf club makes it easier to have a smoother swing without shanking the ball.
The perfect golf stance can often come down to the golf club you are using rather than a preset stance.
Adjusting the width of your golf stance can make all the difference in the world.
Can You Hit Driver With Narrow Stance?
Yes, you can hit a driver with a narrow stance and this is commonly done by golfers such as Bubba Watson. It helps generate more power through the hips while maintaining a free-flowing golf swing.
How narrow should a golf stance be?
The golf stance should be as narrow as required to maintain a smooth golf swing. This will vary for each golfer as some want a narrower golf stance compared to other golfers.
The proper stance width in golf will matter and should be focused on right away. This includes when you are standing with a golf driver in hand.
Can Your Stance Be Too Wide In Golf?
Yes, your stance can be too wide in golf. If a stance is too wide, it will become impossible to get through the backswing as the body will not allow the weight distribution to be as balanced as required. This can make it difficult to generate power through a shot making it an ineffective stance.
This is why the best approach is to adjust a golf stance by a few inches until it feels right. Do not make dramatic changes to your golf stance as it will not work well.
Can A Wide Stance Cause A Slice?
Yes, a wide stance can cause a slice. This is due to the weight transfer being uneven and not allowing the downswing to be as smooth as required. This will cause the golf ball to slice when it shouldn’t.
What Is The Proper Stance For Tall Golfers?
The proper stance for tall golfers is a neutral golf stance. This allows the taller golfer to maintain balance and have a smoother backswing to generate power. Otherwise, the weight distribution is going to be inefficient and lead to shanking.
Taller golfers need to be careful when it comes to their golf stance.
A slight adjustment to a golf stance can make all the difference.
Should You Use Narrow Stance For Senior Golfers?
No, seniors should not use a narrow stance. A narrow stance for senior golfers can lead to a loss of balance, which is much harder for those who are older as they have reduced core strength compared to younger golfers.
It’s important to note this is not a steadfast rule.
There are senior golfers that use a narrow stance and it can come down to your specific golf swing and core strength.
PGA Golfers With A Narrow Stance
When it comes to PGA golfers with a narrow stance, there are a few names out there that tend to stand out.
A narrow stance in the PGA is common.
It comes down to what works for these golfers on the tour and how they optimize their golf swing to gain accuracy and power.
The pro golfers with narrow stances include:
- Bubba Watson
This is one of those stances in golf that does tend to get used. It offers more control on specific shots when attempting to get the ball into a specific spot.
A very narrow golf stance is an option depending on how you feel about your golf swing.
PGA Golfers With A Wide Stance
For those who want to use a wide stance in golf, it’s important to assess some of the PGA golfers with a wide stance.
A wide stance in the PGA does get used as it is designed to offer better rotation and can help maximize power output.
The PGA golfers with a wide stance include:
- Rory Mcllroy
- Dustin Johnson
These are two prominent golfers on the tour that use a wide stance. They tend to generate quite a bit of power and distance on their shots due to the wider golf stance. These are the pro golfers with wide stances.
Final Thoughts
These are the factors that will matter when comparing a wide stance vs a narrow stance in golf.
A wide stance in golf is when the feet are a few inches outside shoulders’ width apart. This type of golf stance allows for a stronger base and a more compact golf swing. In comparison, a narrow stance in golf is when the feet are a few inches inside shoulders’ width apart. This type of golf stance leads to a better backswing and a free-flowing golf swing.
Choosing the right golf stance can sometimes come to the type of golf club you are using. If you use a 5 hybrid golf club, it will lead to a much different stance than a putter.
