Fix this common setup mistake for more solid ball-striking

Every golfer wants more consistency, better ball-striking and a swing that just feels smooth. But one of the biggest reasons you might not be hitting it solid has nothing to do with your backswing or follow-through. It has to do with how your hands are positioned at address.

A common setup mistake many golfers make is having their hands either too high or too low. It seems like a small detail, but it directly affects the first key lever in your swing: the angle between your forearms and the shaft. Get this wrong, and you’ll struggle to build a proper swing sequence.

When your hands are set correctly, there’s a natural angle between your forearms and the club. This is known as the first lever, and it sets the stage for the second lever — when your lead arm is parallel to the ground and the club points skyward during the backswing.

But if your arms and the shaft form a straight line at setup — as seen with outliers like Bryson DeChambeau or Moe Norman — it becomes extremely difficult to create that second lever. For most golfers, that leads to poor mechanics and weak, inconsistent contact.

How to position your hands correctly at address

Here’s how to dial in your hand height and build a better setup:

Use your belt buckle as a checkpoint

—The butt end of the grip should point directly at your belt buckle.
—Too high? It’ll point toward your sternum.
—Too low? It’ll point below your waistline, buried under your body.

Adjust for your tendencies

—If your hands tend to start too high, set them slightly below the belt buckle.
—If they’re usually too low, set them slightly above the buckle — closer to your navel.

Add a touch of forward shaft lean

—This helps promote better contact and proper alignment.
—For right-handers, the grip should lean slightly toward the left side of your belt buckle.
—For lefties, it should lean toward the right side.

Next time you’re on the range, pause before your first swing and check your hand position. Are your hands forming a natural angle with the shaft — or are you fighting your setup before you even start your backswing?

By setting your hands at the right height — with the club pointing to your belt buckle and a hint of forward lean — you’ll create a stronger foundation for your swing and a better chance to build the right levers for more power and consistency.

Try it during your next practice session — your contact may instantly feel more connected, solid and effortless.

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