Why Amateur Golfers can’t Stop Standing Up!

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Unlock the secrets to a powerful and consistent golf swing by learning how to stop standing up during your shot. This article walks you through actionable steps to improve ball striking, enhance distance, and achieve reliable swing mechanics.

Step 1: Set Shoulder Directions
Step 2: Tilt from the Left Thigh and Hip
Step 3: Why Pros’ Shoulder Heights Matter
Step 4: Practice Swing Sequencing
Step 5: Lock Tilts with the Wall Drill
Step 6: Chest Extension and Compression
Step 7: Utilize Golf Technology
Step 8: On-Range Routine
Step 9: Common Golf Faults
Step 10: Adapting Moves for Aging Players
Step 11: Golf Checklist Before Practice
FAQ
Final Thoughts

Step 1: Set Shoulder Directions

Understand and adjust the direction of your shoulders to achieve reliable ball striking. Orient your lead shoulder downward and underneath your chin while positioning the trail shoulder slightly lower and back. This tilt facilitates a more natural downswing path and encourages better compression at impact.

Feel the position by adopting your normal address, moving to the top, and concentrating on lowering your lead shoulder beneath your chin. Keep the trail shoulder higher and slightly back. This aligns your upper body plane, setting up a powerful, shallow transition.

Instructor demonstrating lead shoulder down with split-screen professional showing horizontal shoulder-height lines

Step 2: Tilt from the Left Thigh and Hip

Initiate a proper tilt from the lower body by moving your left thigh and hip in and under during the backswing. This movement aligns your shoulders similarly to professional golfers, providing a path for your arms to travel efficiently and reducing unnecessary joint strain.

Avoid letting the left hip and knee move outward, which often results in a standing-up motion. Instead, feel the left thigh tucking under your core, promoting a compact swing top and a clear arms path back to the ball.

Golf coach demonstrating left thigh tucked in under the body to show left-under movement

Step 3: Why Pros’ Shoulder Heights Matter

Pros reach a top-of-swing shoulder tilt around 35-40 degrees, a critical angle that maintains trail shoulder height and facilitates natural downswing rotation. Retain your left side in and right side up and back, benefiting from the mechanics of elite ball strikers.

Letting the left hip push out results in pivot buckling, head movement, and standing up during the swing. Maintain these angles to replicate professional mechanics.

Split-screen image comparing a professional retaining shoulder tilt at the top of the swing to an amateur who has a more upright shoulder — blue lines and yellow arrows highlight the difference.

Step 4: Practice Swing Sequencing

Use this simple swing sequence to train your body: left under, right under, left under, right under, which involves:

Backswing finish: Tuck the left hip in with the left shoulder down and under.
Transition and downswing: Move the trail (right) hip in and slightly under as you rotate.
Through impact: Maintain tilts to ensure shoulders and hips travel together through the ball.

Perform slow-motion repetitions, reaching the top, pausing, and shifting the left hip beneath you before rotating through to engage the right hip. This trains your nervous system for correct sequencing and reduces standing-up tendencies.

Split-screen showing instructor and touring pro at mid-downswing with arrows and vertical lines indicating left-under and hip sequencing

Step 5: Lock Tilts with the Wall Drill

Use a wall for immediate feedback. Stand close with a cap on, address your iron in a stance forming a 90-degree arm angle. Move to about 45 degrees at the backswing top, maintaining a correct shoulder setup.

Position shoulders near the wall to check if the left shoulder and hip remain in or move out. Adjust upon contact or gap loss with the wall, ensuring the lead side remains down and under.

Step 6: Chest Extension and Compression

Top ball strikers show subtle chest extension late in the backswing. This slight chest lift combined with a minor head shift towards the target is crucial for maintaining shaft length over the ball and easing compression on the downswing.

As the left hip tucks in, shift weight slightly to the trail leg, keeping the head centered. This helps maintain spine angle, delivering the clubhead with compression rather than scooping.

Split-screen comparison of two professional golfers at the top of the swing with yellow guide lines highlighting chest/shoulder positions and a small chest lift.

Step 7: Utilize Golf Technology

While feel guides improvement, measurement can accelerate progress. Use tools to track shoulder tilt, rotation angles, and sequencing, aligning your positions to tour standards for consistent ball striking.

Monitor left hip movement and weight transfer to the trail leg with swing apps or force plates. Turn these measurements into a repeatable feel for effective learning.

Step 8: On-Range Routine

Practice with this concise routine:

Warm-up with shoulder and leg mobility movements.
Perform five slow swings, focusing on left thigh movement in and under.
Conduct swings against a wall or with a cap for left shoulder feedback.
Hit half shots focusing on left-under, right-under sequencing and chest extension.
Complete with full shots, maintaining tilt through impact and emphasizing shaft length.

Short, focused sessions with quality repetitions enhance results.

Step 9: Common Golf Faults

Identify and rectify typical golf errors:

Fault: Left hip moves out, left shoulder rises. Fix: Practice left thigh tucking in with wall drill support.
Fault: Head drifts, scooping ball. Fix: Add chest extension in backswing and focus on trail leg weight.
Fault: Over-rotation early in downswing. Fix: Prioritize hip clearance, arm following, and shoulder tilt.
Fault: Wide arm flight, club casting. Fix: Keep lead shoulder down to control arm plane for shallow delivery.

Step 10: Adapting Moves for Aging Players

Aging golfers can still position effectively with adaptations. Prioritize hip mobility and build core and glute strength. Stick to the left-under, right-under sequencing with a conservative range of motion.

Older players can benefit from using the wall drill and shallow-arm angle to reduce joint stress. Consistent practice can mimic younger players’ movement patterns, restoring compression and distance.

Step 11: Golf Checklist Before Practice

Warm-up hips and shoulders for 5 to 10 minutes.
Perform wall drill reps to align shoulder and hip positions.
Do left-under, right-under sequences sans ball for muscle memory.
Take half shots with a focus on compression improvement.
If possible, measure swings using golf apps.

FAQ

How do I know if I am standing up in my golf swing?

You will notice a loss of angle between your torso and legs, thin or fat shots, and head movement away from the ball. Video, mirrors, or wall drills can indicate if the left shoulder and hip move out instead of tucking in.

Can I fix standing up without technology?

Yes. Techniques like the wall drill, left-under feeling, and chest extension cues work effectively without technology. While tech can refine feedback, drills focusing on tilting and sequencing yield improvements independently.

How important is hip mobility for stopping the standing-up problem in golf?

Hip mobility is crucial as it allows the left thigh to move correctly and supports necessary rotations to maintain shoulder tilts. Enhancing hip flexibility and glute strength reduces compensations leading to standing up.

Is this approach suitable for every golf swing style?

The principles of tilting and sequencing apply widely. Although swing styles vary, most golfers benefit from maintaining left shoulder in, left hip under, and trail hip sequencing to enhance compression.

How long will it take to see improvement?

With regular, focused practice, improvements in contact can occur within a few sessions. For lasting results, practice sequencing over weeks, integrating changes into full swings and on-course play.

What should I avoid while trying to fix standing up?

Avoid guessing or making multiple swing changes simultaneously. Do not emphasize big rotation without correct tilts. Increase speed from improved sequencing and compression rather than immediate force.

Final Thoughts

Breaking the standing-up habit in golf relies on consistent tilts, intelligent sequencing, and practical drills. Focus on keeping the lead shoulder down, moving the left thigh and hip underneath, and letting the trail hip follow during downswing. Utilize simple wall drills and practice the left-under, right-under sequence, employing measurement tools when possible to enhance learning.

Implement these steps into your regular practice to witness improvements in compression, distance, and shot consistency. Remember, golf success is built on repeatable positions. Master these and enjoy improved play.