[Han Jeong-eun's Beginner Golfer Special Lecture②] Setup "Is Spine Tilt Really Important?"

The Core of Power and Direction: "Stance with 7-Iron Shoulder Width, Rider Position, Feet Balanced Center, Confident Gaze, Head Behind the Ball"

The stance is based on the width of the shoulders using a 7-iron.

‘Set-up’.

Following last week’s ‘grip’, this week’s second installment of [Han Jeong-eun’s Beginner Golf Special Lecture] covers the preparatory stance for the swing. Think of it as the moment just before pulling the trigger in shooting. It is important to note that once the set-up is disrupted, both power and direction become unstable. The key is the firmness that allows you to swing the club freely. This is why players focus on ‘pre-shot routine’ elements such as target alignment, stance, and balance.

First, the stance. As shown in , stand shoulder-width apart based on a 7-iron. The ball position is centered between both feet. As the golf club lengthens with long irons, woods, or drivers, the stance widens and the ball shifts slightly to the left. Conversely, with shorter clubs like the 8-iron, 9-iron, and wedges, the stance narrows and the ball moves to the right. A wider stance offers stability but restricts torso rotation, while a narrower stance allows easier rotation but compromises balance.

＜Photo 2＞ The waist is slightly bent, but the back is kept straight.

Especially important is the ‘spine tilt’. Beginners often tend to lower their heads excessively. Swinging in this posture can cause serious injuries to the neck and back. Imagine a horseback riding posture. After setting the target, align the clubface with the target using the right hand, then grip with both hands in sequence. See . The waist is slightly bent, but the back remains straight. Knees are also lightly bent. By pushing the hips slightly backward, the so-called ‘duck butt’ posture is achieved.

You can create the correct upper body tilt by looking down at the ball with a somewhat arrogant(?) gaze. The balance of both feet should be centered. Lastly, consider the space between the body and hands. When gripping, placing the hands in front of the feet line increases consistency. Amateur golfers often lean their upper body excessively toward the target, conscious of hitting long shots. Remember that the head should always be positioned behind the ball.

Check your set-up posture in front of a large mirror at the practice range. In actual play, there are many things to check such as clubface and body direction relative to the target and alignment. Developing textbook habits from the start accelerates skill improvement. The ‘waggle’ is a few practice swings before the actual swing. It helps feel the weight of the clubhead and loosens the body. Prepare for the swing by moving the club about 30cm back and forth in front of and behind the ball.

▲ Instruction by Pro Han Jeong-eun jhangolf@naver.com

▲ Compiled by Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun golfkim@asiae.co.kr

▲ Location: Dia Golf Studio