Fix this common setup mistake for a more solid ball strike

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

A common setup mistake that many golfers make is having their hands 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. If you do this incorrectly, you will struggle to build a good swing sequence.

When your hands are positioned correctly, there is a natural angle between your forearms and the club. This is known as the first lever, and is the basis for the second lever – when your lead arm is parallel to the ground and the club points upward during the backswing.

But if your arms and shaft form a straight line when setting up – 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.

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How to position your hands correctly at address

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

Use your belt buckle as a checkpoint

—The end of the handle should point directly toward your belt buckle.
—Too high? It points towards your breastbone.
—Too low? It points below your waist, buried beneath your body.

Adapt to your tendencies

—If your hands tend to start too high, place them slightly below the belt buckle.
-If they usually sit too low, place them slightly above the buckle, closer to your belly button.

Add a touch of forward shaft lean

—This helps promote better contact and good coordination.
—For right-handers, the handle should lean slightly to the left of your belt buckle.
—For left-handers, it should lean toward the right side.

The next time you’re at the range, pause before your first swing and check your hand position. Do your hands form a natural angle with the shaft – or are you fighting your setup before you even start your backswing?

By positioning your hands at the correct height – with the club pointed toward your belt buckle and a hint of a lean forward – you create a stronger foundation for your swing and a better chance to build the right levers for greater power and consistency.

Try it during your next practice session; your contact can immediately feel more connected, solid and effortless.