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GripClub Position Relative to the BallAddress Posture / Stance at Address Irons Beginner ⏱ 7 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Club award presented at address: Shawn Clement

Many golfers place the sole of the iron completely flat on the ground and then adjust their grip. For Shawn Clement, this sets off a domino effect: a weak grip, a stance that’s too high, and an open clubface. He explains why the tip of the club should remain slightly off the ground at address.

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Shawn Clement
Shawn Clement · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

2 minSame problemHank Haney's Loop Exercise to Correct a SliceHank Haney · Beginner / Intermediate4 minSame problemNelly Korda's Left-Hand-Low Putting: Interlocked GripNelly Korda · Beginner / Intermediate8 minFrom the same proShawn Clement's Bunker: Sand as a SnowplowShawn Clement · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

At the Royal Québec, Shawn Clement talks about the dynamic behavior of the sole at impact. Placing the sole flat on the ground and then adjusting it puts the club in the wrong position at address and makes your stance too high—a domino effect. It starts from a easy to hold, like an umbrella: The club passes between the fingers and the palm; the wrist bends over the knuckles. He compares it to a hammer held ready to strike with force, or a softball being thrown: the leading hand remains underneath before the forearms rotate and release the energy.

With your hands in the correct position, The tip of the club is pointing upward at the address. In the impact, Centrifugal force lowers the head, which is heavier, and the sole ends up flat: the mark is in the center of the clubface. If you start with the sole flat, the mark shifts toward the toe and the ball curves to the right; your grip becomes loose and the clubface opens easily. As for your stance, he wants a position for mowing the lawn, which is lower, and displays an image: a beach ball above the knees which is kept underwater to maintain firm pressure against the ground during the backswing.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Hold the club between your fingers and the pad of your hand, like an umbrella.
  2. Let the cuff fold over the cuff opening without first laying the sole flat.
  3. Accept that the tip of the club is pointing slightly upward at address.
  4. Lower yourself into a position that allows you to mow the grass close to the ground.
  5. Imagine a beach ball above your knees that you have to hold underwater, and maintain that pressure throughout the backswing.
  6. Swing the club toward the target and make sure the ball strikes the center of the clubface.

Key Takeaways

Placing the sole of the foot flat at the address triggers a domino effect on grip and posture.
Held between the fingers, like an umbrella, with the wrist bent over the snuffbox.
With a good grip, the tip of the club is raised slightly at address.
Upon impact, centrifugal force lowers the toe and flattens the sole.
Start with a flat foot: land on the ball of the foot, with the ball to the right.
Low stance when mowing the lawn, pressing down against the ground.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Place the sole flat on the surface, then adjust the grip around it.
  • Hold the club in the palm of your hand, with a grip that's too loose, causing the clubface to open.
  • Standing too far above the ball.
  • Let the pressure against the ground release during the backswing.
  • Hold the stroke instead of letting your forearms release the energy.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Check your grip with your fingers before each pitch
  2. Mark indicating the point of impact on the face
  3. Image of a beach ball for leg presses
  4. Swing that cuts through the grass long after the ball has been hit

Your Questions

Should you place the sole of the iron flat at the address?

Not according to Shawn Clement. With a proper grip, the clubhead is tilted slightly upward; it’s at impact that centrifugal force lowers the clubhead and flattens the sole.

What happens if you run with your feet flat?

His grip is too loose, his stance is too high, and his face opens too easily. He shows an impact mark near the tip, and the ball veers to the right.

How do we keep the club at this address?

Like an umbrella: the club passes between the fingers and the palm, and the wrist folds over the grip, like a hammer held ready to strike with force.

What image should be used for the pose?

Place a beach ball above your knees and try to keep it underwater: this creates a stable stance, and you maintain pressure against the ground throughout the backswing.

Learn More

All “Grip” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Club Position Relative to the Ball” →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Stance / Address Posture” →Find the lesson that's right for you Hank Haney's Loop Exercise to Correct a SliceThe slicer makes a counterclockwise loop; Haney has him repeat the reverse loop, then roll his hands to the 3 o'clock position. Lee Trevino's Swing: Clubface Control on the RangeThree surfaces to align (club, back of the left hand, right palm), a right hand that acts as a steering wheel, and a ball that is moved to choose between a draw or a fade. Nelly Korda's Left-Hand-Low Putting: Interlocked GripNelly Korda putts left hand low, fingers interlocked, so she moves the putter with her chest rather than her hands, especially under pressure. Shawn ClementAll of his lessons

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

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