The Goldilocks Principle | Golf setup

Recently I hosted the first instructional member retreat of the season with the help of Ellen Ceresko & Chris Gabriele. The retreat was a huge success as the group worked on their short and long game alongside their course management skills through our nine-hole on-course instruction session in the afternoon.

During the morning range session, one of the topics we discussed was setup. When amateur golfers start to experience poor shots, I often find that they begin to blame their golf swing, feeling that their swing is too flat or steep. However, usually, it's just a simple case of their setup is incorrect. These poor shots may result from standing too close to the ball, or I see more often that golfers reach for the ball as they stand too far away.

I think it's important with anything you learn in your golf swing to understand what is wrong to know what's right. When it comes to set up, if you don't know the incorrect distance from the ball, it's much harder to find the correct distance to the ball.

When they take their setup position, most amateurs will set their feet first, align their body to the target, put their hands on the club, and THEN go to the ball. I find this often results in a player being too far away from the ball as amateurs fear hitting the ball on the hosel of the club. Therefore, they feel that being further away from the ball helps prevent those heel/hosel strikes.

I like my players to have a good routine for their setup; in my previous article, I spoke about squaring the clubface up before address by holding the club out in front in the air and ensuring that the face is parallel to the shaft. This does two things; it allows a player to feel the clubhead's weight in their hands and helps you understand if your grip pressure is correct.

When it comes to finding the correct distance to the ball, I like my players to start really close to the ball because they will recognize that it's uncomfortable, then slowly back up to where they feel that they have more room and are balanced on their feet. I find this routine helps a player get comfortable with being closer to the ball and no longer reaching.

Start too close to the ball

Another way to do this is to start too far away from the ball and slowly edge closer to the ball; however, in this instance, you're compressing your feet, and I often find it harder for a player to find that comfortable position. However, I recommend my players try both to test which way is best for them.

Start too far away from the ball

If any of my connections are going to try this setup drill, I would recommend hitting a few shots on the range where you feel a little bit close or a little too far; this will help you understand what's wrong and help you see what the mistake typically is when you get a little far or close to the ball. I want this to be a trigger for when you hit a bad shot. For example, if you miss the ball to the right, I want you to immediately go back to set up and ensure you aren't reaching for the ball and standing too far away.

Personally, when I start missing irons out to the right, it's often a result of being too far away from the ball, and if my woods start hooking, it's again because I'm too far from the ball. These shots immediately set and trigger me to get closer to the ball, and although it may not feel right immediately, I trust it and strike the ball (Usually, it's pretty good).

Find the comfortable position

I hope this can help some of my connections and their golf game; remember, the main takeaway is that when you experience poor shots, don't go first to your golf swing but instead take a look at your setup and ensure you are the correct distance from the ball.

If you have any questions regarding setup or broader instruction questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a message!