I f you've ever wondered why golfers hit great shots on the driving range but struggle once they get out on the course, balance is often part of the answer.
Golf courses only have 18 perfectly flat lies. It’s the tee boxes! Every other shot is played from a surface that's an uphill lie, downhill lie, sidehill lie or somewhere in between. If a golfer’s balance isn't good enough to adapt to those lies, making a consistent swing becomes much more difficult.
Watch the best players in the world and you'll notice they all move pressure in a similar way. During the backswing, they load into the inside of the trail leg while staying balanced through the middle of the foot. As the downswing begins, pressure shifts into the lead side, and by impact, most of it has already moved into the lead heel. When balance breaks down, so does that weight shift. The result is often inconsistent contact, less clubhead speed and increased swing compensations.
A simple balance test can tell you if this is an area worth improving. Have your golfers take their shoes off and stand barefoot on one leg with the other knee lifted to about 90 degrees. Have them hold that position for 15 seconds, then repeat on the other side. Testing barefoot gives you a more honest assessment because modern golf shoes provide enough support to mask balance deficiencies.
If they have to tap their foot down, swing their arms to stay upright or are constantly wobbling, balance is probably limiting their swing more than you realize. Also pay attention to where they're putting pressure on their foot. If they continually roll toward the outside of the foot, it may be a sign that their foot and ankle stability need work.
The good news is that improving balance doesn't require complicated exercises. Single leg squats, split squats, lunges and single leg Romanian deadlifts are all excellent ways to build the stability that carries over to the golf swing.
Balance isn't just about standing on one leg — it's about creating a better connection with the ground. The better golfers can control that connection the easier it becomes to move pressure efficiently throughout the swing, leading to more consistent contact and better clubhead speed.
Kian O’Donnell is a PGA of America Golf Performance Coach and the Head of Instruction at Seattle Golf Fitness and Mercer Island Golf Club in Mercer Island, Washington.
