Posture
Also known as: setup posture, spine angle at address
Posture 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.
Good posture has the golfer bent from the hip socket (not the waist) with a neutral lower back, knees slightly flexed, and weight balanced over the middle of the feet. Too upright a posture narrows the arc and forces the arms to swing around the body; too bent over makes rotation difficult and forces the arms to lift. Posture also determines how far from the ball you stand: if the spine angle is correct, the arms hang naturally and the grip end of the club falls a hand-width from the thighs.
Example
A player who bends from the hips and lets the arms hang straight down before gripping up will find the correct distance from the ball without measuring.
Related terms
- Spine TiltSpine tilt at address is the slight away-from-target lean of the spine — especially with a driver — that promotes a positive attack angle and lets the trail shoulder drop below the lead shoulder.
- 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.
- Knee FlexKnee 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.
- 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.
Related guides & benchmarks
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