Posture Mistakes Killing Your Swing (and How to Fix Them)
The ultimate golf vision: a single, effortless, powerful swing that sends the ball piercing through the air, straight down the center of the fairway.
You’ve invested in the best equipment and countless hours of practice, but here is the essential, often-missed reality: poor posture is the lock on your potential power. If you are struggling with a persistent slice, frustrating tops, or disappointing distance, look past your grip and clubs—your fundamental stance is the hidden culprit quietly sabotaging your game.
Let’s break down the most common posture mistakes killing your golf swing — and how to fix each one.

🧍♂️ 1. Standing Too Tall or Too Hunched
The problem:
Standing too upright makes it hard to rotate properly, while hunching over restricts shoulder turn and balance. Both lead to inconsistent contact and loss of power.
The fix:
Find your athletic posture. Stand with your knees slightly flexed, hinge from your hips (not your waist), and let your arms hang naturally. You should feel balanced, light on your feet, and ready to move — like an athlete, not a statue.
⚖️ 2. Poor Weight Distribution
The problem:
If your weight is too much on your heels, you’ll struggle to maintain balance. Too much on your toes, and you’ll lose control during the swing. Either way, your strike suffers.
The fix:
Distribute your weight evenly across the balls and heels of your feet. During your backswing, allow a slight shift to your trail side, and then move it naturally to your lead side on the downswing.
💪 3. Locked Knees or Bent Too Much
The problem:
Locked knees limit your body’s rotation, while overly bent knees can cause you to dip and lift during your swing — leading to fat or thin shots.
The fix:
Maintain a slight flex in your knees. Think of a ready position — stable but flexible. You should be able to make a smooth turn without your lower body feeling stiff or cramped.
🌀 4. Rounded Shoulders
The problem:
Rounded shoulders (often caused by poor posture habits or sitting too much) lead to a restricted shoulder turn and inconsistent swing plane.
The fix:
Before each shot, roll your shoulders back and down. Engage your core slightly to support a tall spine. This helps you rotate freely and maintain better balance through impact.
🏌️ 5. Inconsistent Spine Angle
The problem:
Losing your spine angle during the swing — standing up or dipping down — is a major cause of mishits. It changes your swing path and affects where the club meets the ball.
The fix:
Focus on maintaining the same spine angle from setup through impact. A good drill: place a club along your back when practicing and ensure your angle remains steady during your swing motion.
👣 6. Misaligned Hips and Feet
The problem:
If your hips or feet are misaligned (too open or closed to the target), your body compensates with swing flaws — often leading to pulls, pushes, or slices.
The fix:
Lay a club on the ground parallel to your target line. Align your feet, hips, and shoulders with it. Proper alignment helps your body move naturally along the target path.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Posture = Power + Consistency
Posture is the foundation of your golf swing. When you set up correctly, everything — rotation, balance, and timing — falls into place. So before you work on complicated swing mechanics, master your setup.
👉 Tip: Record your setup from the side and face-on angles. A quick video check can reveal posture flaws that you don’t feel during play. Fix your posture, and you’ll not only strike the ball cleaner but also gain distance, consistency, and confidence every time you step up to the tee.
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