If you’re reading this, you’re likely a golf enthusiast who’s seen the pros making those seemingly effortless shots. Ever wonder what they do to nail those perfect swings? While golf is all about patience and precision (we all know that), there’s one thing that might be flying under the radar—your posture. It’s not just about muscle power—it’s about positioning your body the right way. After all, great golf posture is key to consistent, accurate, and powerful ball striking.

And the best part? You don’t need to be an athlete to achieve great posture over the ball. See, your golf swing is like a turning motion around a central column—your spine. The better you position your spine before you swing, the smoother and more powerful your swing will be when you finally strike that ball. Now, let’s talk about posture. Everyone has different natural postures, and it’s not just about how you stand or sit—your posture can vary when you’re driving, sitting, or just hanging out.

But don’t sweat it—just a little practice and you’ll be able to find a stance that works for you over the golf ball. And speaking of practice, Paige Spiranac once shared her tips to help noobs step up their game.

The correct posture to make the right swing

1. Get the Position Right: Grab your club and hold it by your waist, in front of your belly button. Your club should ideally be touching the grass. Make sure that when you do this, you are keeping your arms and legs straight. Remember to stand up straight, pull those shoulders back, and puff your chest out a little. 

2. Tilt at the Hips: The next thing to do is tilt forward, not your entire body but only at the hips. You must keep your lower back flat, not rounded. The entire spine should be basically straight. A round lower back can ruin your posture, and then your shot. 

3. Bend Your Knees: As you lower the club to the ground behind the ball, bend your knees a bit. Be careful, though—not too much bending! A lot of amateurs make the mistake of overdoing it. Straight knees can give you a painful jerk, which will dampen your entire golf outing. 

And here’s a little pro tip: For irons and your putter, your feet should be about shoulder-width apart. For drivers and fairway woods, go a bit wider. This stance helps you maintain balance while you swing and keeps you stable as you rotate to hit. When you’re putting, the rotation is more from your shoulders, and while the stroke is shorter, balance is crucial—there’s no room for error.

But here’s where it gets interesting: posture isn’t one size fits all, especially for women and men. 

Women’s posture is different than men’s

We all know that men and women are built differently, and that means their posture needs to be different too. Women, especially, tend to need a little more forward bend at the hips to stay balanced and get the best swing. Women as opposed to men also have a lower center of gravity, which means they need to lean forward a bit more to get into that apt athletic position. This slight bow from the hips not only helps your arms hang naturally but also keeps you balanced as your shoulders turn and the club swings behind you.

Here are some tips for women golfers to improve their posture:

1. Set the Club Right: Start by putting your club behind the ball. Now, bend forward at the hips and let your arms hang naturally before you grip the club. That’s your correct posture foundation right there.

2. Find the Right Foot Position: Once you’ve got the club in your hands, shuffle your feet around until you feel balanced. Your hands should hang just below your shoulders, and your weight should feel centered in your feet, ideally a little toward your toes for a solid base.

By sticking with this routine, you’ll get into the right posture every time, no matter which club you’re using. With adequate posture, you’ll be swinging faster, hitting farther, and feeling a whole lot more confident while you’re out with your golfing buddies.