Golf is a great way to get away from it all while allowing yourself to stay fit and engaged. If you’re new to the sport, one of the first things you should master is the golf swing setup, which includes how much shaft lean there should be at address. Shaft lean dictates the vertical angle of the club shaft and depends on how far forward or backward you position your hands from the golf ball.
Too much shaft lean at address makes it more challenging to get the ideal height during the backswing. How much shaft lean you apply can also affect the ball’s trajectory, direction, and speed. The correct shaft lean depends on the club you’re using and the shot you intend to make.
Keep reading to learn the importance of shaft lean at address when playing golf. This article will discuss the effects of having too much shaft lean and how to achieve the proper shaft angle.
What Will Happen if You Have Too Much Shaft Lean at Address?
A forward shaft lean will allow you to strike down and apply more backspin for more speed, but leaning too far forward can cause the ball to fly low and lead to hooked shots. On the other hand, letting the shaft lean backward can cause the ball to fly too high and lead to sliced shots.
A neutral shaft position, where the golf club hits the ball when the shaft is completely vertical, is often used by amateurs or beginners. Without any shaft lean at address, you will find it easier to grip the golf club properly to avoid hooks and slices. It also allows you to have a more consistent takeaway and backswing.
The main drawback of maintaining a neutral shaft position is that it limits compression and leads to less consistent strikes. Hence, most professional golfers apply a little forward shaft lean, particularly with iron shots.
Forward Shaft Lean
A forward or positive shaft lean is achieved by placing your hands slightly ahead of the ball at address. This position reduces the angle between the ground and the club’s shaft.
Using a forward shaft lean allows the club to hit the ball as it’s moving down, striking the ball on its sweet spot, on the higher part of its face. Mastering this position can lead to a good backspin for more speed and distance. However, applying too much forward shaft lean can make the ball fly too low and veer drastically toward the left (for right-handed players).
Backward Shaft Lean
A backward or negative shaft lean is when your hands are placed behind the ball at address, increasing the angle between the ground and the club’s shaft.
What you get with a backward shaft lean is the opposite result of a forward shaft lean, wherein the club hits the ball on its way up. This position alters the point of impact and will cause the ball to fly too high or too far right (for right-handed players).
How To Achieve the Correct Shaft Angle
The ideal shaft lean largely depends on the club you’re using, but you can achieve the correct angle by following the tips below.
- Form a straight line with the club and your left arm (for right-handed players) at address. The shaft of the club and your arm should line up perfectly.
- Make sure your hands are equally aligned or slightly ahead of the ball at address when you look down.
- Let your shoulders tilt so that your left shoulder is slightly higher than your right (for right-handed players). This will allow more rotation and let you move your left arm higher to obtain a better shaft angle.
- Grip the club with your fingers, with only the top part of your palm touching it to lessen any restriction upon impact. This increases the chances of the club face hitting the ball at the proper angle.
Final Thoughts
The proper shaft lean at address should never be overlooked when playing golf. Your shaft angle will affect your club face position, loft, and swing. Too much negative shaft lean can cause the ball to fly too high and increase the slice, while too much positive shaft lean can cause the ball to fly too low and increase the hook, which can drastically impact your score.