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Hi guys,

I figured out that my inconsistency has a lot to do with the way I set up each time with the ball. My higher irons are ok. However, I have trouble with my driver and 3-iron. Is there a guideline that you guys use to setup the distance between you and the ball? Also, is it correct to visualize sticking out your butt at setup to obtain the proper posture?

Thanks!

A good rule of thumb is that the butt end of your shaft at setup should be roughly one to one and half hand lengths (fingers stretched) away from your belt. In any case, your arms should hang freely and be free of tension. As for your tush, I'd suggest practice setting up against a wall to make sure your tush is sticking out. I personally practice swinging with a chair behind me in order to maintain my tush line.

In response to two things:
1) Your arms should hang, but not completely vertical. They should be just shy of vertical. I think this can also be dependant on your swing; if you have a violent hack I would guess your arms would need to hang further outside of vertical. Also dependant on your chest size. You should be able to swing around your torso without your pectorals interfering. If that requires you to outset your arms outside of vertical even more than do so.
2) As far as the sticking your but out, again this depends. I have a hyperflexible back. If I stick my but out, my back actually curves extremely concavely and hinders my swing. Most say you should envision sitting in a chair. I like this analogy because at the top of the backswing there is a transition of weight which can be likened to squatting, further enhancing the chair analogy. Use a mirror to determine what position is needed to have a straight back.