Golf is a sport that requires precise technique and attention to detail in order to play well. One aspect of a golfer’s technique that can greatly affect their swing is the amount of shaft lean at address. In this article, we will explore what shaft lean is, how it affects your swing, and how to correct it if you have too much.
What is shaft lean at address?
Shaft lean at address refers to the angle at which the shaft of the golf club is leaning towards the target when the golfer is standing at address. This angle is created by the positioning of the hands in relation to the ball and the clubhead.
How does shaft lean affect your swing?
The amount of shaft lean you have at address can greatly affect your swing. Too much shaft lean can cause the clubface to close too quickly, resulting in a hook shot. It can also cause the golfer to hit the ball too low and too far to the left. On the other hand, too little shaft lean can result in an open clubface, causing the ball to slice or push to the right.
How to correct too much shaft lean
If you have too much shaft lean at address, there are a few things you can do to correct it. The first is to check your grip. If your grip is too strong (meaning your hands are turned too far to the right), this can cause too much shaft lean. Try adjusting your grip so your hands are more neutral on the club.
Another way to correct too much shaft lean is to adjust your setup. Try moving the ball slightly back in your stance, which will naturally decrease the amount of shaft lean you have at address. You can also try standing a little taller or bringing your hands slightly further away from your body.
Additional Details
Here are some additional tips and considerations for correcting too much shaft lean at address:
- Check your posture: Your posture at address can also affect your shaft lean. If you are hunched over or have a rounded back, this can cause too much shaft lean. Make sure your back is straight, your shoulders are back, and your chin is up.
- Use a mirror or video: Sometimes it can be difficult to see exactly how much shaft lean you have at address. Using a mirror or video can help you visualize your setup and make adjustments accordingly.
- Practice with alignment sticks: Using alignment sticks can help you check your setup and ensure that you are aiming correctly. Place an alignment stick on the ground parallel to your target line and another stick perpendicular to it, pointing towards your feet. This will give you a reference point for your setup and help you adjust your shaft lean as needed.
- Experiment with different clubs: Different clubs have different shaft lengths and angles, which can affect your shaft lean. Experiment with different clubs to see which ones feel most comfortable and produce the best results for you.
- Don’t overcorrect: While it’s important to correct too much shaft lean, be careful not to overcorrect and end up with too little. This can cause its own set of problems, such as an open clubface and slicing the ball.
- Focus on your weight distribution: Your weight distribution can also affect your shaft lean. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed between your feet and your body is balanced. This will help you maintain a more neutral position at address and reduce the amount of shaft lean.
- Use training aids: There are various training aids available that can help you correct too much shaft lean. For example, a shaft lean trainer can help you develop the correct amount of lean at address and maintain it throughout your swing.
- Practice with different ball positions: Experiment with different ball positions to see how they affect your shaft lean. Moving the ball forward in your stance can increase your shaft lean, while moving it back can decrease it. Find the position that works best for you and stick with it.
- Be mindful of your wrist position: Your wrist position can also affect your shaft lean. If your wrists are too far forward or back at address, this can cause too much or too little shaft lean. Make sure your wrists are in a neutral position and aligned with the clubface.
- Practice, practice, practice: Correcting too much shaft lean at address takes time and practice. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel and the more consistent your shots will become. Make sure to practice with purpose and focus on making small adjustments until you find the right position for you.
Causes of too much shaft lean at address
| Cause | Description | Effect | Solution | Practice Drill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Press | Hands too far forward at address | Low ball flight, reduced distance | Move hands back at address | Place a tee behind the ball and make swings without touching it |
| Weak Grip | Grip too much in palms of hands | Closed clubface at impact, reduced distance | Strengthen grip, move hands back at address | Grip the club with the fingers rather than the palms |
| Poor Posture | Hunched over at address | Inconsistent ball contact, reduced distance | Stand taller, straighten back | Practice hitting balls with a club held against back to maintain proper posture |
| Ball Position | Ball too far back in stance | Reduced distance, low ball flight | Move ball forward in stance | Place alignment sticks on ground to ensure proper ball position |
| Overactive Hands | Hands too active during takeaway | Early wrist hinge, reduced distance | Relax hands, focus on a smooth takeaway | Practice taking the club back with one hand at a time |
Effects of too much shaft lean at address
| Effect | Description | Cause | Solution | Practice Drill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Ball Flight | Shots fly too low | Forward Press, Weak Grip | Move hands back at address, strengthen grip | Tee the ball higher and make a more upward strike |
| Reduced Distance | Shots don’t travel as far as intended | Weak Grip, Poor Posture, Overactive Hands | Strengthen grip, stand taller, relax hands | Focus on making a full shoulder turn and following through |
| Inconsistent Ball Contact | Shots struck all over the face | Poor Posture, Overactive Hands | Stand taller, relax hands | Use face tape to identify impact location and adjust accordingly |
| Closed Clubface at Impact | Shots veer left of target | Weak Grip | Strengthen grip, move hands back at address | Focus on keeping clubface square to target |
| Early Wrist Hinge | Clubface opens during backswing | Overactive Hands | Relax hands, focus on smooth takeaway | Practice taking the club back with one hand at a time |
Solutions for too much shaft lean at address
| Solution | Description | Cause | Effect | Practice Drill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move Hands Back | Hands too far forward at address | Forward Press, Weak Grip | Low ball flight, reduced distance | Place a tee behind the ball and make swings without touching it |
| Strengthen Grip | Grip too much in palms of hands | Weak Grip, Closed Clubface at Impact | Reduced distance, shots veer left | Use a stronger grip and practice holding the club more in the fingers |
| Stand Taller | Hunched over at address | Poor Posture, Inconsistent Ball Contact | Reduced distance, inconsistent ball striking | Practice hitting balls with a club held against back to maintain proper posture |
| Relax Hands | Hands too active during takeaway | Overactive Hands, Early Wrist Hinge | Reduced distance, clubface opens during backswing | Practice taking the club back with one hand at a time |
| Adjust Ball Position | Ball too far back in stance | Ball Position | Reduced distance, low ball flight | Place alignment sticks on ground to ensure proper ball position |
Practice Drills for too much shaft lean at address
| Practice Drill | Description | Cause | Effect | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tee Drill | Place a tee behind the ball and make swings without touching it | Forward Press | Low ball flight, reduced distance | Move hands back at address |
| Grip Pressure Drill | Hold the club with a comfortable grip pressure | Weak Grip | Shots veer left, reduced distance | Use a grip that allows you to hold the club in the fingers rather than the palms |
| Alignment Stick Drill | Place alignment sticks on ground to ensure proper ball position | Ball Position | Reduced distance, low ball flight | Adjust ball position, move ball forward in stance |
| Posture Alignment Drill | Use an alignment stick to ensure proper posture at address | Poor Posture | Inconsistent ball striking, reduced distance | Stand taller, straighten back |
| One-Handed Takeaway Drill | Practice taking the club back with one hand at a time | Overactive Hands, Early Wrist Hinge | Reduced distance, clubface opens during backswing | Relax hands, focus on smooth takeaway |
Tips to prevent too much shaft lean at address
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Check Your Setup | Ensure your hands are not too far forward or too far back at address |
| Use Proper Grip | Hold the club in the fingers, not the palms, and use a grip strength that’s comfortable for you |
| Focus on Posture | Stand tall with a straight back and relaxed shoulders |
| Practice Takeaway | Focus on a smooth takeaway with minimal hand movement |
| Use Proper Ball Position | Place the ball in the correct position in your stance for the shot you’re hitting |
Remember, correcting too much shaft lean at address takes time and practice. It’s important to be patient and persistent, and to work with a golf instructor or coach if you’re having difficulty making the necessary adjustments on your own. By improving your setup and technique, you can improve your consistency and accuracy on the golf course.
