Knee Flex
Knee flex at address is the slight bend in the knees that creates an athletic, ready posture — enough to feel springy and stable, not so much that it restricts hip rotation.
The correct amount of knee flex is roughly athletic — similar to a fielder's ready stance or a skier's relaxed position. Too much knee flex (squatting) restricts hip turn; too little (locked knees) makes it hard to shift pressure and transfer weight. Knee flex also maintains during the backswing: the trail knee staying flexed resists the hip turn and keeps the coil loaded, rather than straightening and losing the stored torque.
Example
A player whose knees are locked straight at address will struggle to shift their weight and rotate — adding a slight bend unlocks the lower body for a free swing.
Related terms
- PosturePosture in golf is the spine angle at address — bending forward from the hips with a straight back so the arms hang freely under the shoulders and the body can rotate athletically.
- Hip HingeThe hip hinge is bending forward from the hip joints (not the waist) to establish the correct spine angle at address. It is the foundation of athletic posture in golf.
- StanceYour stance is how you position your feet, weight, and body at address before the swing. It sets your balance, swing width, and low point.
Related guides & benchmarks
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