It can be an awkward topic for both men and women, but it’s one worth asking: What’s the best way to swing when you have a large chest?
Golf instructor Stefanie Shaw is ready and willing to tackle the query, and says it’s one she receives from just about every female student who crosses her path.
Shaw says many of her students come to her with a question of “over” or “under,” as in, should I position my arms over or under my chest at address?
Shaw says it comes down to a posture issue. Some players address the ball with a stance that is too upright, which can cause confusion about what to do with your arms, leading to many to opt for the “under” approach. But that’s where they go wrong.
“The things that this prevents, it prevents me from having sort of any rotation and turning,” Shaw says. “It also pulls me off balance.”
Rather than thinking about your address as an under or over position, Shaw says to instead focus on having correct posture. Do that, and the rest of your stance will take care of itself. Here’s how.
Stefanie Shaw’s guide to perfect posture
1. Set the club down in your preferred ball position.
2. Hinge forward from the hips, letting your chest hang with your arms.
3. Swing freely!
From this position, the swing should feel totally natural, without any question of under versus over.
Give proper posture a try during your next practice session, and enjoy your newfound freedom of movement. For a full tutorial from Shaw, check out the video above.
Stefanie Shaw is a teaching professional at Ocean Reef Golf Club in Key Largo, Fla. For more tips from Shaw, click here.
