This post is to address golfer’s height, leading hand grip, and shoulder rotation, and how they relate. Sub-topics are physiology and how an Open Stance encourages optimization. Perhaps you’ll read about your own genius in implementing correct changes and offsets before joining me here.

Short golfers (under 6’ anymore) who set up open have a different set of tumblers than tall golfers who set up open. Set-up orientations being equal, short golfers generally require more rotational effort into and through impact. Standardized club lengths, fitted lie angles, and our necessity to create power yields flatter swings with more lag just to match our taller counterparts’ potential. However, we shorter golfers have a potential advantage in their ability to keep our club face squarer, longer than the Henrik Stensons and Adrian Meronks of the world.

Taller golfers, generally, have the advantage of longer levers and vertical shoulder rotation, even with modern equipment, which has increased in length to meet their physiological needs. All set-up orientation being equal, taller golfers require less rotation to square for impact. Club head speed is their potential advantage.

Well, I started thinking about blending the advantages of both tall and short golfer to optimize results for both, again. I even conducted an on-course experiment of my own to affirm my hypothesis. Here is what I confirmed. The Open Stance does not necessarily necessitate a weak or strong grip, a flat or upright swing.

Yes, a flatter plane and a weaker grip generally accompany an Open Stance, but only because rotation is reduced to get to impact – not because other grip orientations cannot be offset. Furthermore, “flat” may only mean ‘across the line’ of the stance orientation to get our shaft on our target plane. Additionally, being across the line, with ANY set-up, is always mitigated by a flatter (but structurally sound) arm swing around the torso – especially on our downswing. Flat-swingers/neutral-grippers need greater horizontal shoulder rotation(HSR for short) to help square the club face for impact. Consequently, “covering the ball” at impact without decreasing speed is easier for flat swingers.

Generally, strong-grip golfers produce sharp attack angles, correspondingly more upright swings with vertical shoulder rotation (VSR) than neutral-grip golfers with a flatter plane and accompanying offsets. The stronger leading grip provides a feeling of increased resistance at impact. However, at extremes it can eventually produce lead thumb problems without proper offsets like VSR and trailing grip tweak. Done correctly, Open Stance swings with stronger grips, like Zinger and Bubba, can produce penetrating ball flight without sacrificing distance.

My own experiment was with a stronger grip (one knuckle), ball repositioned back an inch, and offsetting VSR. Here is what I discovered…. By strengthening my lead hand grip within my existing Open Stance dynamic, I created not just intentional VSR, but also increased shaft lean to keep the de-lofted club face from closing too early. My result was nine iron shots that went about eight yards further into a slight breeze.

The moral of the story is that, unlike a closed set-up, which demands HSR exclusively of all its supplicants, your Open Stance allows you to play with your offsets to find out what your body will or will not allow. Not everyone is tall enough or can bend over enough to make a strong-grip dynamic work, so a neutral grip, a flatter swing, and HSR are their best friends.

The Open Stance, regardless of height, leading hand grip, and shoulder rotation, creates each individual’s advantage without dictating exact structures necessary to deliver at impact. It’s an individual pursuit, after all. Your solution WILL Be correct given enough time and work. Just enjoy the process.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

An Open Stance Creates More Power
Chris Gotterup and His Open Stance Won The John Deere Classic

Did you see Russell Henley win at Hogan’s Alley? Open Stance strikes again! Ben Hogan would have been impressed that Russell did exactly what he used to do…. Beat ‘em with accuracy. Russell had a very Hoganesque week – leading the Driving Accuracy, GIR, and Strokes Gained Approach categories through Saturday’s round. Sunday he shot 67, so I doubt there was much fall-off.

Here is some video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/fm-6Pp7c_kQ?si=vpOQ-JGRQBkA1ql9

As usual, Stripey McFindagreens sailed through a field struggling to find fairways, while he hit frozen ropes all week. Russ, predictably, turned it left and right at will. Isn’t it interesting, however, that he scored best, relative to the rest of the field, when the golf course showed its teeth. Watch out for Russ at Shinnecock. That’s all I’m sayin.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy PMA

Russell. Henley.

A “Flat” Golf Swing Is A Relative Term

I’m writing to make apologies to an industry, in advance, of my evisceration of it. Ready? The club-fitting industry, for amateurs, in any-and-all places and forms, is ruining golf swings and feeding the instruction industry at the same damn time. I have a newest account to talk about but, may I just say, what a crock!

A gentleman phoned to get some advice on their Open Stance pursuit, which I accommodated. After asking him a battery of questions to triangulate the root cause of his trouble (a persistent slice), I suggested a disciplined practice regimen and what to expect over these next months. As always, I detailed the benefits he would see. Additionally, my description laid out his possible pitfalls, primarily club set-up and, specifically, lie angle.

My initial example centered on an upright lie angle and the damage it would do to anyone’s progress. He then confirmed with a groan and immediate acknowledgement that although he had switched to a standard lie club a couple weeks ago he had, for the two-plus years prior been fitted with irons that were FOUR DEGREES UPRIGHT! Some (under-learned) club-fitter thought they could correct his slice with club set-up and sold this good man on their scam! And yes, I am upset.

Our club set-up, most-specifically our lie angle, is the single-most consequential and least addressed tumbler in the codex of ball-striking success. NO other factor plays as large a part in the silent film of learning to move than the unspoken narrative that feedback provides to guide us as hopeful golfers. Club-fitting steals our joy and wrecks our feedback until, naturally, we submit to its will. In doing so, we believe when our ball doesn’t do what we want, that said destruction is our own fault. We blame ourselves! IT. IS. OUR. CLUB. SET-UP!

For anyone who has seen The Passion of The Christ, I see club-fitters for amateur golfers as the pallid, floating Satan moving just behind the crowd, looking on in delight and enjoying the destruction he hath wrought. And, although it may be harsh to make that comparison, what is demonstrable is this…. Club-fitters, writ large, are stealing time and effort away from us and lining their pockets with our misplaced trust. I want it to stop. ‘Inmates should never run the asylum’, and all that.

You may remember me lauding club-fitter to the Indian pros, Gurbazz Mann and few years ago. Bazz is working from a set of assumptions that are much more homogenous than the average club-fitter. Players at that level already have neutral lie angles. Consequently, changes to tour professionals’ club set-up are very minute. However, when Bazz looked at my own swing and results, there was not a word said until I hit one offline. Then, my club set-up became the issue – never mind I was cold and tight from sitting around waiting to greet him.

There is a seed of interpreting facts to support their own conclusions in EVERY club-fitter regardless of pre-conditions, context, or cause. Club-fitting is an industry BASED on ignorance, willful or otherwise, of contributing factors. If these folks asked enough questions to locate the real problem, they would be out of business immediately.

The reason? Because with a neutral club set-up we would never need a club-fitter OR an instructor. If the toe of our irons sit on the level ground so we might fit a quarter underneath, that is the right set-up. An appropriate shaft flex is assumed. Thereafter, we would only need an Open Stance and Intention.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

Fittings vs Lessons 3-4-14

Clubs Too Upright Are Your Swing’s Dynamite

Bhatia and Berger’s Bay Hill bestie barnburner was further confirmation and proof that the Open Stance philosophy promotes superior ball-striking and winning form. We saw the week’s two best players, Akshay Bhatia and Daniel Berger, tame a brute of a golf course and more or less the rest of the field, as well. Putting was prominent.

Akshay led the field in putting. Daniel was rolling it as well. No one wins without filling it up. No one fills it up without being comfortable, which can come from anywhere. For example, maybe the putter feels good in your hands. Perhaps you keep hitting it close to the hole. Then again, maybe your girlfriend or boyfriend has been extra nice to you. Happiness abounds, etc. comfort is, however, a completely psychological ease. Good for those who are feelin it.

What we saw on Sunday, with few exceptions, was that even under pressure their performances were equal to the best of the day. For example, Akshay on hole 6, Daniel on hole 12. Nonetheless, they never looked like they would return to the field. I could cite example after example, but instead, here is a video that shows what I am talking about.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Rn61qvEJQ&si=APsCHNBmx4sD_d8N

But it wasn’t just Bhatia and Berger putting up good scores. Young, Morikawa, Theegala, Henley, and many other Open Stance tour players were, once again, at the top of the leaderboard. Over and over, week after week, the best in the world set up open. Furthermore, you need to understand, it’s a conscious choice for these players – not accidental. What you are seeing is the changing of the ‘old guard’ narrative. Incidentally, my sense is that what we hear from the booth will change as the eventuality becomes reality.

The fact that I identified the value of our Open Stance set-up philosophy doesn’t mean using it is some kind of trademark infringement. I DIDN’T INVENT IT! However, using my knowledge is invaluable to 1) understand why it works for everyone and 2) in shortening the time you spend adapting to change. At any rate, having already changed the language of teaching over the past decade plus, I’ll be here to assist this transition, too… God willing. I’ve said it in so many ways and so many times it rings in my ears as pedantic. But, here it is again….

Open your stance. Change your game.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

It Is Not The Fade That Creates Control

The Open Stance, Shaping Your Shot, and Lower Scores

Giddy Up, Gotterup! The most unabashedly open stance since Bubba Watson, Chris Gotterup is on or near the leaderboard weekly on the PGA Tour. Of course, commentators compare him to Lee Trevino, the Open Stance master, without saying Open or Stance. So be it.

https://youtu.be/Y2DYWD_J6NQ?si=GzhnKGKc_J0uS3Bq

I laugh every time they say, “He sets up way left or way right(lefty)” instead of “(very) open”. I guess they’re trying to fill airtime, so they take the long way round. I’m just glad I’ve pulled back from my crusade to enlighten the golf world, otherwise I’d probably be upset. As a non-pga drone now I don’t have to be upset with their deception.

At any rate, Chris is powerful, accurate, and a great wedge player by commentator admission. Yes, he is a big guy. Built like J.W. Nicklaus, Chris Gotterup is a formidable player. And, like Jack, his greatest weapon may be his mind. We’ll see. However, you can see he hits what the dumbasses announcing refer to as a “push”… as if to passive-aggressively cast shade on his set up. I’d say if Chris is “pushing” it twenty yards past everyone else, then where does the line form to get some of that?

The industrial distraction campaign won’t work. Every year, on every tour, more players choose an Open Stance. It’s not an accident. They’re smart. Did you notice how many different sizes and shapes of golfers are utilizing an Open Stance setup? How about, have you noticed the number of different adaptations leading to completely unique moves at the ball?

As I’ve said from the first day, the Open Stance precludes no shots, promotes increased distance, and produces accurate shotmaking. Why the golf industry wants to keep simplicity out of your ears is anyone’s guess. I have my own opinion. However, I recommend you use your eyes and reject voices that tell you your eyes are lying to you. Peace.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

Everyone Improves With An Open Stance!

The Open Stance and The Ball-Flight Tree for Me

I cannot keep up with the disinformation in golf videos on YT. There are an army of instructors posting their rehash of old videos …every day. A few days ago, I watched Golf Digest’s breakdown of Moe Norman. Nearly every conclusion they drew was wrong. The narrator completely avoided analysis back to why and focused on what Moe did so well. I try not to comment, but occasionally, the inclination is overwhelming. All I could do was roll my eyes and moan.

Unfortunately, I’m still upset about it… for many reasons. First, their piece dishonors Moe and his evolution. Second, Golf Digest content distorts truth. Third, the connections and compensations between Moe’s set-up, ball position, target, and swing choices are omitted entirely. Lastly, the other three offended me. Furthermore, they should offend you.

GD is not unique in their incompetence. Take your pick from the legion of hacks taking their ignorance public. Of course, shame is reserved for those who would know the difference, which they don’t. I can’t help but wonder if the average golfer will ever know the truth our Open Stance provides.

It’s finally raining after a month or so without. We had a half an inch last night and today, so I’m feeling rested. I didn’t want to write but, like going to the gym, if it were easy, everyone would do it. So what about Moe’s memory? How, in a world full of people who declare genius without mentioning process, do we honor the man who did the work?

I’ve written about Moe, I think. I’ll analyze his combinations in a video, I suppose. I’ll provide my video preview by listing the things Moe did, which are plain to see. You can watch the video to come with these things in mind. What you’ll realize is that nothing Moe did falls outside of my original thesis. Here are his habits:

Closed set-up
Wide stance
Forward ball position
Weak leading hand grip
Neutral trailing hand grip
Ten-fingered grip
Flat to neutral swing plane
Head dip into impact
Shallow impact
Short hitter
High finish

These things are all connected and counter one another, proportionally, to get the result MOE wanted.

You may remember in my older writings that I said long and straight hitters never set up closed. I also wrote that a closed stance is an impact-shallowing set-up, because the relative ball position is forward along the target line. Additionally, I wrote that a wide stance inhibits not only hip clearing through impact, but requires us to set up further from the ball, thereby flattening our swing and employing our trailing elbow in an arm-dominant swing to secure solid impact.

Golf (in)Digest(ion) covered NONE of these facts. And they are facts. They are absolutes. And, absolutely zero percent of these truths find their way to the public by any means other than the Open Stance Academy. And, as I said, I cannot keep up with the creep.

I’ve heard National PGA teaching officers use my language, (i.e. intention, leading, trailing, target line v. feet line, etc). However, if the PGA heads were using it in seminars and lessons, we would have heard their broadcast narrative change by now. I’m not sure it has.

Today, Scotty is their ‘great closed hope’. Our golf masters are twisting people into knots to reproduce Scotty’s set-up and results. However, they are not telling them how he does it (more than providing a super close-up of his fancy footwork). It’s distraction instruction and no different than the Moe narrative.

Apparently, the goal is to cloak their ball-striking as some mysterious gift instead of digging into the facts and connecting the dots. You know… like science? Personally, I’d like to promote distraction instruction’s destruction, and begin again on conjunction junction’s function in America. Forgive my rambunction.

Please share.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

Scotty’s Set-Up Proves His Move

Our Shoulders Hook Our Golf Ball, Not Our Hands

“Thesis Creep”