The setup is one of the most important fundamentals in the golf swing. But despite its importance, most recreational golfers rarely work on it.
Think about it: When’s the last time you went to the range and saw a weekend warrior grinding over their setup fundamentals? My guess is that it’s a rare occurrence at your local driving range.
When you watch the pros on the range, though, it’s quite the opposite. Just about every one of them works on their setup fundamentals each time they practice — and that’s no coincidence. The setup is the foundation for a solid golf swing, and when it gets out of whack, it can throw everything off.
Recently, I spoke with GOLFTEC Director of Teaching Quality Josh Troyer about this subject, and he shared four of the biggest mistakes he sees recreational players make in their setups. Check it out below.
4 key setup mistakes golfers make
1. Too open at address
One of the most common mistakes Troyer sees is excessive openness in the body at setup — especially the shoulders and hips.
“Recreational golfers tend to be significantly more open to the target than they should be,” he says. “While pros may have their shoulders slightly open — about eight degrees — and their hips around four degrees open, many amateurs are 20 to 30 degrees open. That leads to a swing direction that’s too far out-to-in.”
Try getting your shoulders and hips more in line with the target. Chances are you’re too far open.
2. Grip too weak
Another common issue Troyer sees is a weak grip with the trail hand too far on top of the shaft.
“When golfers take their grip, their hands are often rotated too much toward the target, which puts them on top of the club. That’s a really weak position,” he explains. “It typically results in the clubface being open at impact.”
While a weak grip can be playable, for amateurs who struggle with weak fades and slices, it does them no favors. If that sounds like you, try strengthening your grip a bit.
3. Feet not flared enough
If you want to hit the ball a long way, you’ve got to be able to maximize your rotation — and that starts with getting your feet in the correct position. If your toes are pointed to straight (or even inward), you will limit your ability to rotate.
“It makes it extremely difficult to rotate during the backswing and follow-through,” Troyer says. “It also limits movement in the lead ankle and knee, which makes it harder to shift your hips forward.”
4. Shaft too upright
Another subtle yet important detail in your setup is how the club shaft is positioned at address.
“Many golfers set the handle of the club straight up and down at address, rather than leaning it slightly toward the target,” Troyer says. “That impacts your low point and makes it more likely you’ll hit behind the ball.”
Forward shaft lean at setup promotes crisp, ball-first contact. It’s a hallmark of elite ball-strikers and something every golfer should emulate.
