Open Stance
An open stance aligns the feet, hips, and shoulders left of the target line (for a right-hander). It is commonly used to hit a fade, or to help clear the hips through short-game and bunker shots.
An open stance is created by dropping the trail foot back and/or the lead foot slightly toward the target. The line across the toes then points left of the target line, for a right-handed golfer. An open stance can be a full-body alignment change, depending on how much the shoulders and hips also open with the feet. In some setups, it is an intentional mismatch where the feet open more than the shoulders.
An open stance is used deliberately in a few common situations. Golfers hitting an intentional fade or cut shot often open their stance slightly while keeping the clubface aimed closer to the actual target. That promotes an out-to-in path relative to the body alignment. Short-game and bunker specialists often use an open stance to make it easier to rotate the hips and clear through impact. On those shots, the clubface is held open. And some golfers with limited hip mobility use a slightly open stance at address. It pre-rotates them toward a position their body will reach more comfortably by impact.
An unintentional open stance is a common fault, not a strategy. A golfer who aims their body left without realizing it will produce a path that doesn't match their intended target line. That contributes to pulls or pull-slices. The difference between a deliberate and an accidental open stance matters enormously for diagnosis. The same physical position is either a useful tool or a hidden cause of a miss. It depends on whether it was chosen on purpose.
Example
A player intentionally opens their stance about 10° and aims the face at the flag to hit a controlled fade around a tree blocking a direct line.
Why it matters
Recognizing whether a stance is open on purpose or by accident is one of the fastest diagnostic checks for a chronic pull or slice pattern.
How it shows up on video
Film down-the-line from behind your hands. An open stance shows the toe, hip and shoulder lines aimed left of the target line (for a right-hander), not parallel to it.
Common mistakes
- Opening the stance without opening the shoulders to match, which creates a mismatch between body alignment and swing path that can produce uneven contact.
- Not realizing the stance has drifted open over time — alignment habits shift gradually and are best checked periodically with an alignment stick or video, not assumed.
- Using an open stance for a fade but aiming the face at the same spot as the body. This starts the ball left with no compensating curve back to the target.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
Motion Lab does not read where your feet, hips or shoulders aim against the target, so it cannot call a stance open. If you import launch monitor sessions, SwingVantage checks those shots for pull and slice patterns. To see your alignment, film down-the-line with an alignment stick along your toes and pause at address.
Frequently asked questions
Is an open stance always for hitting a fade?
No. It is also common in short-game and bunker shots to help the hips clear through impact, and some golfers use a slightly open stance to accommodate limited hip mobility rather than to shape a shot.
How do I check if my stance is accidentally open?
Lay an alignment stick or golf club across your toes at address and see where it points relative to your target — or have someone record your address position from directly overhead or face-on.
Related terms
- Closed StanceA closed stance aligns the feet, hips, and shoulders right of the target line (for a right-hander). It is sometimes used deliberately to hit a draw, but is more often an unintentional cause of a push or hook.
- Square StanceA square stance lines the feet, hips, and shoulders up parallel to the target line. It is the neutral reference alignment every open or closed stance is measured against.
- AlignmentAlignment is the direction the body and clubface are aimed at address. Poor alignment is one of the most common causes of off-target shots even with a good swing.
- FadeA fade is a small, controllable left-to-right bend for a right-hander. It is a slice's tame, repeatable cousin, and many pros play it as their stock shot.
- Out-to-InOut-to-in means the clubhead cuts left across the target line at impact (for a right-hander). This over-the-top delivery is behind fades, pulls, and slices.
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