Chris Gotterup and his Open Stance won the John Deere Classic. As the most open stance on tour since Bubba Watson, Chris Gotterup is showing off his talent with a flat swing and fast hands. Somewhere along the line, Chris made a decision about set-up that allowed the freest expression of his golfing instincts. Check out the power and the precision of yet another wise tour player here:

I’ll have to start recording my own footage, I guess. No worries.

When you watch Chris, notice his left arm and club shaft at the top of his swing. He and Rory look similar in a flat left arm and over-the-line shaft angle cancelling each other. However, the yield of this position is a loading pattern that makes the leading hinges important to square the club. Rotation is therefore diminished to the same degree that the hands release the club.

Rotational swings have little shaft release. And, excitedly, I am looking forward to the realization among pundits and players alike that you don’t have to block the ball and rotate to play peak golf. All anyone needs is to unleash their God-given instincts with an Open Stance set-up, and play golf.

However, I will add that moving slightly further from your ball helps the wrists release the club more fully, which is conducive to speed. For example, I had been hitting my flushest, hardest nine iron, 150 yards before my distance tweak. My first shot was a draw into a cross breeze that flew a laser-measured 158 yards, which I calculated was equivalent to 162 yards. Seven-plus percent gain in one swing? What did I miss?

Maybe I caught a flier from the fairway. Seven percent at 200 and 300 yards is 214 and 321 yards. I’ll head back out to do a side-by-side soon and report back. Regardless, Chris Gotterup is one of the longest players on tour wand who looks less-taxed with each swing than anyone else in that distance class. Chris is always in balance, and an hit any shot from the Open Stance beneath him. Pay close attention from here.

The fact that Chris Gotterup and his Open Stance won the John Deere Classic does not mean you will start winning immediately. But, it won’t hurt your chances, either.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

Giddy Up, Gotterup!

Look who sets up open.