A month ago I mentioned that I was going to change my stance a bit in order to hit my ball a farther with the same control. I figured (after reading and watching a great deal information) that my stance was a too wide with my irons and too square with my driver. So, I decided to make the effort to change my stance slightly to see what happens. Well, I am happy to report that it is working out very well and I feel more confident than before…..with a few minor challenges.
My first adjustment was with my driver. I consciously closed my stance with my trail foot dropping back about 2 inches from square. I did not narrow my stance because I found that I was comfortable and in balance with the width of my feet. I raised the ball up about a half inch on the tee and force myself to keep my head behind the ball during contact. When I am successful, my ball travels a bit farther than before with a baby draw. Additionally, my ball travels a bit higher than before. Overall, I am very happy with the results I am receiving with my changes. The one draw back occurs when I do not keep my head in the proper position; I will pull or create a greater draw than expected. So far this minor inconvenience has not caused any issues because my current course because the fairways are very wide.
My second and more dramatic change is with my irons. I have consciously narrowed my stance by about 3 inches. This larger change is resulting it better struck irons, but with a few more issues for accuracy. The miss I experience most often is to hit the ball left; enough so that I miss the green. I know I need to adjust my ball position and aim points to account for this miss; but this takes time. The other miss is with the shorter irons. Because I have a narrower stance, I am more vertical than before and this results in thinning my wedges if I try to swing faster. Again, this is a known error and it forces me to stay in the smoother tempo associated with a narrower stance. Overall, however, I am loving the results and expect that my iron play will only get better.
I realize there is a fair bit of information to unpack. I am still working out all the details myself, but I thought I would share what is happening in the hopes that it will be useful to your game. As I said before:
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim, good to hear your changes are bearing fruit. Are you slightly closed as well and trying to hit the same draw with your irons? Interested to know why you narrowed your stance that significantly and what you were solving for with the iron changes.
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian,
Thanks for the support. At this time I am not trying draw my irons. My stance is neutral. The reason I narrowed my stance was to allow a greater range of movement without having to swing hard with my irons. This greater range of movement has improved my iron play and distance. I still have more work to do with my irons, but I will get there. How is your game?
Cheers Jim
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Jim, I am not playing enough to hit it consistently, but have been getting good mileage out of short game practice. Still usually able to keep it below 80. I will probably be retiring in 6-7 months. Then I’ll get down to business. Thanks!
Brian
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Brian,
Retirement is amazing. I think you will be busier after you retire than you are now….that seems to be the way since you will be doing the things you want. I guess there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Cheers Jim
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nearly 40 years of”trying” to play golf, and a narrow stance has recently been the answer. I’m sure other things have changed and improved too. But, nothing has lent to consistency and length, more dramatically than changing the width of my stance and a very slight flaring out of each foot.
I concur. Wish I had taken this advice,when I was much younger and stronger! lol
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Great to hear that you found a better way to swing your golf clubs. Congrats.
Cheers Jim
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