Club Position Relative to the BallAddress Posture / Stance at AddressBody Rotation Irons Beginner ⏱ 7 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Bending Your Knees at the Address: Use the Shoelaces as a Guide

Name: Bending Your Knees at the Address: Use the Shoelaces as a Guide
Uploaded: 2021-12-02T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 6 min 50 s
Channel: Simon Camirand
Description: Do you feel stable when you “sit back” facing the ball? That’s a false sense of stability, warns Simon Camirand. Two swings with the club are all it takes to regain a more upright posture that allows your body to rotate.

Do you feel stable when you “sit back” facing the ball? That’s a false sense of stability, warns Simon Camirand. Two swings with the club are all it takes to regain a more upright posture that allows your body to rotate.

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Simon Camirand · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

Schedule · Step 2 of 7A Consistent Swing in 7 StepsCorrect when: At the address, your knees are above your shoelaces and your back remains straight.

Step 3 →

To be continued

5 minSame problemClub Shaft Position at Address: Me and My GolfAndy Proudman · Beginner / Intermediate 2 minSame problemClubface Square at the address: the grip testJason Baile · Beginner / Intermediate 5 minFrom the same proSeated Torso Rotation: Simon Camirand's StretchSimon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate / Seniors

What the lesson shows

Many golfers think that you have to sit facing the ball. Simon Camirand shows that this excessive bending of the knees results in a false stability: pushed forward or backward, you lose your balance. Above all, it restricts rotation. And since the body feels stuck, the legs straighten as soon as the backswing starts: the body gets taller, then has to drop back down in the downswing. Managing that up-and-down movement makes solid contact very difficult.

First step: With your legs straight, slowly bend your knees until you feel grounded, then place the club at the tip of your knee. It should fall roughly at the level of the shoelaces, not on the outside of the foot. Second guideline, for hand height: The end of the club should reach the level of the navel (keeping it angled slightly toward the inside of your thigh), not under the belt loop. You'll feel taller than usual—that's the point.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Stand with your legs straight, facing the ball.
Gently bend your knees until you feel a slight grip on the floor.
Hold the club vertically against the back of your knee: it should fall roughly in line with your shoelaces.
If it falls on the outside of the foot, reduce the flexion.
Take your stance at the address and make sure the tip of the club is at belly button height.
If it's sticking out from under your belt loop, your hands are too low—stand up straighter.
Do a few rotations to the right and left to feel your body's freedom.

Key Takeaways

Bending your knees too much gives a false sense of stability.

Excessive bending restricts the body's rotation.

It also causes the body to rise and fall during the swing.

Hold the club at the knee: it should hang down toward the shoelaces.

The bottom of the club should reach the navel, not below the waistband.

It's normal to feel taller at the address.

Mistakes to Avoid

Try to “sit” facing the ball.
Knees that extend past the tips of the toes.
Legs that straighten at the start of the backswing.
Hands too low, the tip of the club below the belt.
Believing that a lack of rotation is necessarily due to the swing and not to the stance.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Knee-to-toe test before each set
Check that the end of the club is at navel height
Rotations without the ball in both positions to feel the difference
A few shots while letting yourself feel taller

Your Questions

How can I tell if I'm bending my knees too much?

Place the club at the tip of your knee. According to Simon Camirand, it should line up roughly with your shoelaces; if it falls outside your foot, you’re bending too much.

Why does excessive flexion prevent you from turning?

The more the knees are bent, the more restricted the rotation becomes. The body then tries to free itself by straightening the legs on the upstroke, and must then bend them again on the downstroke.

Should the tip of the club point toward the navel?

It's a matter of height, not direction: the tip of the club should be at belly button level while remaining pointed slightly toward the inner thigh.

Learn More

All videos on “Club Position Relative to the Ball” →Find the lesson that's right for you All videos on “Stance / Address Posture” →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Body Rotation” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Golf pivot stall: turn left until you reach the finishComplete the pivot by turning to the left: open your left foot 20 to 30°, continue turning after impact, and control the finish with your heels aligned. Feet Turned Outward at Address: More Rotation in GolfSlightly spread your feet apart (the front foot a little more) without widening your stance: this provides more rotation, stability, and speed, and puts less pressure on your knees. Too Close or Too Far from the Ball: The Arm TestThe correct distance from the ball is achieved by letting your arms hang down: they should fall below your shoulders, not onto your thighs. Simon CamirandAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Simon Camirand). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.