An 'Athletic' Set Up Is The Worst Thing You Can Do For Your Golf Swing

[@davidhester9716]

Who would have told Sam Snead he set up wrong? Obviously a relaxed setup like Sam’s is the way to go. Another great lesson!

[@postpackship8492]

This has completely changed my swing and game. Thank you. No more lower back pain , I’m hitting my shots crisper and further. Pure genius.

[@nicholasdemetriades9154]

Yes. I watch Oosthuizen iron swing. Very relaxed. Easy to copy.Easy on the body.Sufficient distance.

[@ShakCentral]

Can't thank you enough for this. I was stuck scoring mid-90s and a recent fitting messed me up when the fitter/coach suggested I stand further away to accommodate my athleticism. I put in one range session with this technique and two rounds later I shot an 88 and 90, my two best scores EVER! Life changing video right here

[@Steve-yh8vr]

Tried this today. Seemed counter-intuitive to what I see most of the pros set up like on TV. But the results where amazing, no early extension and solid contact . Goes to prove the difference between the pros who practice 8 hours a day, every day, and the rest of us.

[@steviek6484]

Really happy to see this. I had a lesson with a pro and they got me in this super athletic “Will Zalatoris” posture and I had all the problems you describe (as well as being very tense) I had a lesson with Eric Cogorno and the first thing he did was have me start setting up in this exact posture. I feel much more relaxed over the ball now. Very reassuring to me that you both sing from the same hymnal. 👍🏼

[@robbosch3449]

Funny you mention Will Zalatoris...I was thinking the exact same thing when I watched this video. He's the poster child for the "cupped" back during setup, and he's already got a bad back. Looks like there is a lot to be said for an upright posture.

[@steviek6484]

@@robbosch3449 100% I thought Will had the best looking setup on tour and thought I should be imitating that. I love watching him play but he’s on year 2 of back injuries. My wife wanted to learn a bit and I tried to set her up like WZ and she was like “no way this hurts I’m out”

[@therealjaypowell]

I took a lesson with George Gankas who preaches the same thing.

[@keenanvanzile]

WZ back problems wasnt because of his posture, it was because of his follow through...he got dumped under, thrust through with his hips and then brake rapidly - when swinging at speeds over 120 your lumbar is taxed severely. Set up posture doesn't cause back problems its the turn/unnecessary side crunch on the turn or known as dumped under. If set posture caused back problems athletes in every sport have back problems - that position is considered a ready position.

[@A-FrameWedge]

The rounded upper back posture also sets them up for a good steep shoulder turn without having to bend so far over like Dustin Johnson, which puts a tremendous strain on your back to maintain your spine to impact. Arnold Palmer set up in the same way.

[@cnoto4466]

This is probably the best explanation of the golf set up I've ever heard. I was a victim of the "athletic set up" advice and my back suffered greatly from it.

[@ihopeyoudance]

I just came across this video randomly while nursing a sore back. I tried the "unathletic" setup and hit some of the best balls of my life. Never thought to flex my way out of lordosis for a stronger braced swing. Thank you so much!

[@paulengebretson6597]

Brilliant, this helps explain my wild inconsistency, from shooting low to mid-80s to barely breaking 100.

[@Thawatc404]

What make u stand out from the rest are how precise & concise the messages u deliver nailing what, why and how beautifully. Great job, JC.

[@robertnelson2719]

Clearly you have done your homework by studying the players of old. I know how much energy and thought goes into making a comprehendible video and you do a marvelous job. Good work, well done.

[@61albee]

Excellent..., I'm an early extender constantly falling forward on my toes..., where I can't turn..., this is definitely the remedy..., going against what I was taught at Golftec USA.

[@midlifebiker7424]

Great vid, saving the back is key for long term golfing...

[@Willthemille]

I just had to say I was searching for someone who talked about this and glad it is confirmed. Today I had a Eureka moment at the range. I took my 3 iron and just stood up much straighter, barely bent my knees and I bent over ever so slightly. I absolutely crushed the ball and pured it shot after shot. You have a new sub from me dude.

[@MoonLandingz]

the athletic stance that ive used in every other sport causes my pelvic center to behind my heels. This setup in golf causes me to compensate by shifting forward towards ball in the swing which leads to a lot of heel shots and shanks.

[@localsms]

THANK YOU! i used to setup like this but a few months ago idk how i just lost it. Went from an 11hcp to 16. First round with this setup today shot +14 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Herc11355]

I just started doing this on my own recently and it has done wonders. And all the issues described here by using the athletic stance was happening to me.

[@michaeledwards3905]

Just tried it and I have better contact with the ball... And it goes straight as well and easier to finish the swing!! Thank you !!!

[@davidholmes7075]

Great video, amazing. Suffering from chronic back issues and surgery for years this is a heaven sent message. We can’t all expect to have a Rory set up, this is perfect for most of us.

[@williamtotherow3367]

This is will fix several of my problems..Thanks

[@BradleyC16]

Thanks for explaining this in an easy way to understand. I am a low handicap but I have short arms for my height. I struggle with coaches and fitters because a lot of them discourage me playing more upright since I am a good striker of the ball. My irons are too flat and it puts me in this posture but I am continuously discouraged from playing this way. I feel like it is to the detriment of my back for all the things you just said. Going to take the time this winter to practice the new setup and see how it feels.

[@joecook8352]

Thanks JC I’ll try it

[@Atlnick]

Im a plus handicap and in my 20s, and about a week ago I started thinking I too needed to set up with more bend in my knees and more tilt over the ball like a lot of pros do. I think what it ultimately comes down to is flexibility. those tour guys are taller, more flexible and stronger than me. Which is why I don’t do it for a living. I think shorter guys like me (I‘m 5‘ 8) with a stiff back should take your advice and get as tall as possible over the driver to create more club head speed

[@nicholasdemetriades9154]

Yes. 100%. I can hit 300 balls a day without any back pain. The " athletic" setup I can hit 100-120 and my back will be sore the next day.

[@theaveragejoebody]

Thank you. I'm new to playing golf at 38. Borrowing my father's clubs currently. This stance feels so much better.

[@Chuck190672]

Hi Jonathan, Excellent video, thanks for sharing this. I have improved my game and ball striking changing my posture as old school, I am really a fan of the classic swing. Just a question, in my old school posture I am feeling my hands more close to my body in the setup, is this correct? It doesn't harm my swing, on the contrary it helps me to be more relax on the swing. Thank you, Charles

[@darad1659]

I’ve spent years with my weight too far forward. Contact was so inconsistent. This simple change has been hugely impactful. The biggest difference has been in my long irons (I was hitting them heavy 80% of the time) and short game. I hardly ever “duff” a wedge shot on tight lie.

[@kenpaveley1572]

Nice one Jon, I’m guilty of this a bit although remember an old saying - Stand tall to the ball and watch your Handicap fall- lol 😀

[@alasdairstuart3394]

Great video. My club pro had mentioned that he wanted me taller but we were working on other stuff first. I now understand his point on standing a little taller at address. 🙏

[@ba_golf]

Thank you for the video. I have suffered with lower back issues following golf sessions and an early extension has always plagued my swing, so I am looking forward to getting out and practicing this 😀 👍

[@bxlawless100]

I heard you! 80-90s golf was insane.

[@seanpowlesland1703]

I’ve been getting a really sore lower back recently as I’ve been playing more. Hopefully this helps. Cheers

[@iettord3124]

thx, Tried this in by the desk and it feels so much more natural and easy, a bit like cheating. Gives you a lot more balance through the swing.

[@kevinintheusa8984]

A great, great, great video. You are the only golf channel I watch regularly. Great work and thanks for your hard work.

[@klauswillisandresen1427]

Thanks a lot for this as i am 6 4" / 195 cm and struggling with balance and introducing shanks with a bend over setup ... heading to the range straight away ... i was considering one length iron set ... would be nice to see a video with wedges (short clubs) 😊

[@johnnylocke7599]

This is great for me! I have been gravitating more to this set up with a semi-single plane swing and my nephew remarked last week during a round that he had never seen me hit the ball so solid and crisp. Thanks!!!

[@arthurcoulson7570]

Tried the method out day.Worked a treat and kept my balance whereas before i played well for couple of weeks then fell in the trap of over extension. This tip was a gem

[@gearygaspord1893]

I have really benefited from your lessons. Thanks

[@bga9388]

What Chown exposes to start with is nothing like an athletic setup. The key to come into the correct position is to curve the tailbone and the lower back slightly inward. This action replaces the cog of the body in the correct spot. Do this right and the player can feel the stacking of forces into the ground. A solid heavy feel (which is real btw). This releases the strain from the back and provides free motion for the spine to line up with the trail leg in the back swing.

[@nathanhirsch4408]

As a tall guy I've always felt like I had to get into that athletic position to feel closer to the ball. Tried your setup at the range and tried to keep the legs almost straight and I was blown away.. many thanks!!

[@wideunicorn722]

100% agree, I am 6'5 and this definitely helped me out as well

[@bostromberg4704]

Very good tip. The arm pit above feet is a good reference. Since I am tall to only slightly bend the knees would not work however

[@dougcarll6830]

The examples you provided for showing the negatives of the "athletic" setup were like a frame-by-frame photocopy of the trouble spots of my swing....early extension and poor balance especially. Looking forward to trying your tips on the range soon! I'm curious-- where do you feel the weight shift in your feet while using this posture? The only benefit of the "athletic" posture for me is that it does keep me from spinning out from the heels

[@tomborrmann8397]

Have you tried that stuff on the range yet? I am arround 10 Handicap at the moment and my swing problems are EXACTLY what he statet here. I always tip forward during the swing, early extending and a massive rotation stall because of my body trying to balance itself instead of trying to turn. What he says in the video makes huge sense for me and I will definetly try it on the range soon. What is your experience with it?

[@infamouscircuits]

I tried this today and found it a great and helpful advice that I never saw in another video 👍🏻. It worked really well with the driver 😊, but it was a little bit difficult with my irons, maybe more practice needed, or the irons need a different posture for me...

[@graniteman62]

Great video, the old time players all had different swings, postures, but at impact they were the same, flexibility was needed to hit crap balls with blade in the middle, they were artists

[@alanbanks3587]

JC just what the doctor ordered. I to have had back issues after playing a round or hitting 75 balls at practice range. Thanks,

[@chrisgreco4249]

Should club shafts be extended to accommodate the more upright stance? Or, should the player stand a little closer at address? Standing closer to the ball would require resetting the toe up angle so the soles of the irons meet the ground evenly toe to heel. I like the physical advantages of standing more up right at address. Just wonder if some adjustments to the irons would be needed.

[@Dreyno]

In my one and only coaching session aged 14 I was told I have a lovely swing. Ever since I’ve resisted much tinkering with it. Having seen people with their knees bent I tried it. After a couple of shots I knew it wasn’t for me. I place the club behind the ball, get a comfortable distance from the top of the grip, stand with legs just slightly off being locked straight and a wider than average stance. One thing to note is that Sam Snead was actually incredibly athletic. In his 70s he could still kick the top of a door frame.

[@headlesssoldier]

i agree 100%. This past season i watched an anti shank video and the guys was talking about having your weight in the middle of your feet. Changed my life. lol. Percentage of good shots went way up across every club. The weight on the balls of your feet will ruin anyone . why set up with your weight intentionally forward?

[@rayblackman8069]

Tried this, instant improvement in balance and power, with much more natural feeling stance and swing.

[@willsieck8633]

What about with shorter clubs like 9 iron and wedges?

[@noahtumataroa3031]

Love this but I’m 6’2 so I feel to far away from the ball and maybe I’ll top it sometimes what do I do then?

[@Paintsandpackages]

The other day I struggled on the mat with falling forward. I'm practicing with blades and I find the more I can get my head over the ball, the crisper I am. Had to step away and get even more deliberate.

[@bobreidy8665]

I am 73 and had my first lesson when I was 18 and this is the way I was told to set up.

[@JoshWest1187]

I find the same with putting. Is that right? Curving the top of the back I find helps engage my lats, which I use as my feel for back and forward stroke.

[@mmajeed9809]

Good lesson

[@JonathanGalentine]

Basically to make a good swing from an athletic position, you need to be athletic. You have to have the core and leg strength to support the swing through the entire motion consistently. Not to mention flexibility. So if you’re an amateur it makes a lot more sense to setup with a smaller range of motion to have to balance consistently.

[@Mat_Scott]

Could you please send Shawn Clement a memo on this topic? He teaches a knees bent athletic set up. Tried it at the range and screwed up my back.

[@christopheralcosiba217]

I will try it thanks 🤙🏼

[@robmarr8240]

So many pro,s with so many tips churning out content to stay relevant

[@inyomanbudiarta7908]

Thank you so much for this tips...👍👍

[@9418matthew]

That "terrible" posture is me, its how I was taught, how I played foe 20 years, now I need to change back as yes I early extend and now without playing 2-3 times a week as I did then I'm topping at least 2 drives every round - and I was a 4 handicap before my 5/6 year lay off - its so bad!!

[@lenardtan7169]

Great Advice tips

[@shumprats]

Thanks,new to golf,I’m 39 and my back is killing me

[@Steve-yh8vr]

I was so inconsistent with my swing tried pretty much everthing. Was a BIG fan of this sight and watched the video. Sounded counter-intuitive but gave it a try none the less. Light Bulb 💡 Moment. Instead of getting into my regular Contrived and Contorted so called "Athletic Position". I was free to swing in a natural and repeatable fashion. You Sir are a GENIUS

[@LeeOnTheTee]

Dynamite!! I’m 6,4” and was a good level Rugby League player. I’m still fit and healthy but at 45, the body is letting me know I’m getting older. Trying to be ‘athletic’ is destroying my back, as I’m trying to turn 17 stone through the swing. This is just MONEY 💰 GLAD I WATCHED

[@MAED_Media]

Thank you

[@iTzBluexD]

Wow first video I’ve seen of yours, and you have another subscriber 👍🏻👍🏻thank you 💪

[@nephtie]

I wish you had posted this a year earlier lmao. This is 100% my issue, so thank you for making this. I have been taking lessons and this wasn't pointed out unfortunately.

[@ZiPolishHammer]

Everyone acts like lessons with a pro is the only way to improve. Unfortunately they often have their own style of teaching that emphasizes certain things and overlooks others. My game got much better when I started videotaping and using online instructional videos.

[@nephtie]

@@ZiPolishHammer I definitely improved with lessons and learned some very useful tips that improved my game. I suppose there is just so much involved in a good golf swing that you can't point 100% of the problems out. Which is why I'm a big fan of JChownGolf since it isn't just a Golf Tutorial Mill and he actually goes over stuff that most others don't.

[@HelloHello-yb1rl]

I'm 6' 5". Have to bend in half to get club face on the ball. Very painful

[@claymould8700]

Look at Viktor Hovland he has this set up completely 🏌️⛳️👍

[@jasonpickford4123]

Great video

[@DylanJamesGolf]

Basically look at Fred couple swing and stance. What’s wrong with that?

[@trevlesh4742]

This made a huge difference in my game. The truth is pros are top tier athletes who are far more flexible than the average player.

[@jameslovett7491]

Does this apply to driver?

[@davidhester9716]

I think if you find pictures of Sam Snead set up for driver you will see he has the relaxed back posture described in this lesson.

[@midlifebiker7424]

Driver set up requires a tilt for hitting up on the ball but relaxed back etc will be similar.

[@aidangriffiths5075]

It really depends on the person

[@timothyslaughter476]

Absolutely correct. Everyone recommends a slouched, droopy, awkward and unatheletic approach to the golf stance and set- up. Keep the great tips coming.

[@jchowngolf]

Function over aesthetics 👍🏼

[@bxlawless100]

This is crazy!

[@MrBleedk]

wow... if it works 🙏

[@bicklesby1]

tommy fleetwood !

[@marcmarini8425]

This works

[@Garlicator]

So any poor soul who's just been fitted for new clubs and finds that this tip works for them, will also probably find that their lie angle (and possibly their club length?) needs changing! All makes total sense, mind. Especially regarding better balance and more twist.

[@squidly2112]

Interesting, no wonder guys like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are such terrible golfers. Probably why Adam Scott can't hit a golf ball too. I guess Jason Day shouldn't setup like that either.

[@HyperbrandedGolf]

Time to hang up all their shoes

[@williamreichert4798]

The key to this is keeping y our weight a little bit. on the heels at address. Not on the balls or front of. the feet.

[@melantheoszimurri9981]

The best way to hit the ball is the moe norman single plane swing

[@CruceEntertainment]

The athletic stance looks a lot like what Tiger used in his younger years, and look what it got him. A ton of wins. And a messed up back. Lol

[@kenhulin5328]

A good lesson and I will give it a go but your armpits are almost outside your shoe tips after you have taken your position.

[@mrfld]

I’ve always stood in the non-athletic position. I hate the way I look but I get the results I want. It’s hard to not want to “fix” how I look.

[@jamescurry5846]

I'll show you how to drink a beer!

[@hogantezza6469]

I felt like shrek… “are you talking to… me??”

[@johnathanwetherill456]

Rory say no

[@sageagbonkhese4091]

Each person's body is a little different. There is no one size fits all approach. If your posture is hurting your back. You should change your coach.

[@DougieFresh13]

took like six minutes but yeah good video

[@kourt2469]

No it's not. There a several different ways you can setup to a ball and still play elite level golf. Just look at the tour.

[@CW-ou6gu]

Tell that to Tiger. 15 majors later……

[@simonwilson4240]

1 of world's best coaches butch Harmon always says set up in a athletic position so is he wrong

[@blueeyes6192]

Logic 101: Then follow him ?

[@TapInForBogey]

Athletic can mean many things. Jon’s title is what is triggering people, I believe. His point about reaching/being out of balance and on your toes is the true gist of the video. Nothing good happens when you get closer to the ball in the golf swing, imo.

[@simonwilson4240]

@@TapInForBogey thanks for taking the time to reply

[@miloradjelic7521]

😁👍

[@urhallibut419]

Danny maude says otherwise.

[@nikitakucherov5028]

Im so bad at golf I don’t see the difference

[@ironsideeve2955]

No that first setup doesnt look athletic at all, whatever that is supposed to mean

[@IG_Bananasgolf]

Man, say the things as they are. An athletic set up is super important but you cant leave your core at "dead" weight and seg your back. That's it, everyone has their own body composition and angles and there's no correct looking setup for everyone.... I hate these quick fix videos

[@chriswolff3893]

This dude is a hack. All I can say is there are levels to anything in life.

[@47mphill]

Way too much time spent on the BAD set up.

[@americanme8978]

Your armpits are over the balls of your feet, not heels.

[@allenwright6792]

Good lesson, but please be more concise. You repeated yourself over and over and over and over again.