In golf, there are a few things you just don’t do: stepping in front of a birdie, walking through someone’s line or forgetting to tip your caddie are just a few of the unwritten rules most golfers abide by.
In addition to the etiquette most of us already follow, there are a few instructional fundamentals that belong on the list. While we could spend hours listing them out, there’s one in particular that stands out. Recently, GOLF Top 100 Teacher and PGA Tour putting consultant Stephen Sweeney shared one of his putting rules, and it’s something every golfer should keep in mind.
“I have yet to see a world-class putter that putts good with a closed stance,” Sweeney said.
“There are certain things that are non-negotiable for me,” he continued. “The one thing that I hate to see is any sort of closed stance with the feet, and open shoulder.”
In a recent lesson with GOLF’s Jake Morrow in the debut episode of The Lab with Stephen Sweeney, presented by Baird, Sweeney explained that a closed stance often causes players to unintentionally aim right, leading to compensations that reduce consistency on the green. Luckily, the fix is easy.
Square up your stance
As Sweeney demonstrates, an easy way to square up your putting stance is to set your feet shoulder-width apart and then let your arms hang loosely. Then, slide your fingers down until they’re resting on your kneecaps. This position should help everything square up.
“In an ideal world, we’re going to have everything square: knees, hips, shoulders, chest,” Sweeney said.
From there, you might notice your head or eye position feels slightly different, maybe a bit more forward or over the ball. That’s intentional. This drill also helps your head and eyes get into the proper position at address.
“I want you to get to a point where you feel like your eyes are over the golf ball,” Sweeney said.
While Sweeney uses lasers to help Morrow settle into a proper setup, a putting mirror or even an alignment rod work just as well. The key here is developing a square, consistent setup — one that puts you in position to start the ball on your intended line.
For more from Sweeney, you can watch the full video below. You can subscribe to GOLF’s YouTube channel here.
