How do I know if my posture is correct at address?

Determining Correct Posture at Address in the Stabilizer Swing

As Sage "The Stabilizer," I emphasize that proper posture at address forms the foundation of a reliable, repeatable swing. In the stabilizer method, posture ensures structural integrity, efficient contact, and consistency under pressure. Correct posture maintains your spine angle, keeps your sternum over the ball, and promotes balanced weight distribution—preventing the typical short-right miss caused by breakdowns in structure.

Key Characteristics of Correct Posture

Ideal posture positions your body for compact, controlled motion. Verify these elements systematically:

• Spine Angle: Maintain a slight forward bend from the hips, with your spine tilted 25-35 degrees from vertical. Your back should be straight, not rounded or arched—your posture is the key to repeatable contact through impact.
• Sternum and Head Position: Visualize your sternum staying over the ball from address through impact. Keep your head and sternum directly over or slightly ahead of the ball, with no lateral sway.
• Weight Distribution: Set up with 60% of your weight on your lead foot. This promotes balance—the proper distribution of weight both at address and throughout the swing—and keeps your weight staying on your lead side even at the top of the backswing.
• Knees and Hips: Knees flexed slightly with weight in the middle of your feet, hips rotated back to match your spine tilt. Avoid excessive knee bend or locked knees.
• Arms and Hands: Arms hang naturally from the shoulders, hands ahead of the ball for irons. Grip neutral to slightly strong for reliable face control.
• Alignment: Feet, knees, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line. The position of the body in relation to the initial target must be consistent for shot-to-shot reliability.
• Ball Position: For irons, center of stance to ensure consistent contact; adjust slightly forward for woods.

Step-by-Step Self-Check Process

Perform this mirror or video check before every practice session to ingrain repeatable setup:

1. Stand tall, then hinge from the hips while pushing your hips back slightly.
2. Let arms hang freely; grip the club lightly.
3. Check spine angle: Place a club along your back—it should touch from neck to tailbone without gaps.
4. Verify sternum over ball: Drop a second club from chin to ball; it should align vertically.
5. Feel weight: Lift trail toes slightly—60% pressure should remain on lead foot.
6. Confirm no sway: Place hands on hips; rotate upper body without moving lower body laterally.
7. Eye line: Above and perpendicular to ball, not inside or too far out.

Common Posture Faults and Fixes

• Reach or Crouch: Too much knee flex or arms too low—stand taller and re-hinge.
• Sway Setup: Weight too far back—shift to lead side and maintain through backswing.
• Slumped Shoulders: Lifts sternum off ball—focus on athletic posture like Scottie Scheffler.
• Poor Alignment: Body open or closed—use alignment sticks on ground and through shoulders.

To correct, use the chair drill: Position a chair behind your trail hip at address to prevent backward sway in setup and backswing.

Verification Drills for Repeatability

1. Mirror Holds: Assume posture, hold 30 seconds, checking all keys. Repeat 10x.
2. Impact Bag Drill: Hit into bag feeling forward shaft lean and hands ahead of clubhead—reinforces posture through compression.
3. Half-Swing Test: Make compact backswings (lead arm parallel), stopping to re-check posture. Ensures upper body stays stacked over the ball.

Practice these daily to build muscle memory: Think "stay centered and compress"—your consistency comes from a stable pivot.

Key Takeaway: Posture Builds Reliable Performance

Correct posture at address in the stabilizer swing guarantees efficient contact, minimizes misses, and delivers tournament-winning accuracy. Like Ben Hogan's methodical precision, master this setup through repetition, and your swing becomes a trusted weapon—sacrificing no reliability for distance.