Venus Takes a Stance on Your Golf Swing! By Debbie Steinbach, aka Venus Founder & CEO, Venus Golf

Creating a good golf swing is no different than building any business, relationship or home. You must start with a solid foundation to be successful.

Up until my book, Venus on the Fairway, the so-called fundamental golf stance for men and women was considered to be shoulder width with a driver. I personally felt this was odd for years because I had noticed throughout my career on the LPGA Tour that the best female players in the world set up with a stance wider than their shoulders. This wider stance made sense to me, not just because the players seemed to be having great success, but because the women actually looked to be more comfortable and better balanced with their wider, hip-width stances.

Women are built with wider hips than men, so we are much more flexible in the hip area. Our hips turn easily and naturally on the back swing. What we need is more stability to control our bigger hip turn and create better resistance.

A wider-than-shoulder-width stance also allows for a more dramatic weight shift back and away from the ball. A narrow stance will easily throw a woman off balance, as it does not allow stability for sufficient weight shift. Oftentimes, a narrow stance promotes a reverse weight shift, which is a very common swing trait with women.

Men can get away with a narrower stance because they do not turn their hips as much or as freely on the back swing. They have a higher center of gravity and one-third more muscle mass in their upper bodies. Men are usually built with shoulders that are wider than their hips.

Women also have a lower center of gravity, so we naturally use more of our lower bodies to generate the power in our swings.

To merely take a wider stance at address may seem like a very simple, easy golf tip. Yet, I have personally seen women turn many a golf swing totally around by making this one shift at address position. Remember: no more shoulder width stance for women. The new, improved "Venus" stance is hip-width. That is my stance on this issue, and I am sticking to it!

Venus Golf was founded by CEO Debbie Steinbach (aka Venus), author of the popular book, Venus on the Fairway, former LPGA touring pro and a Golf for Women Magazine "Top 50" instructor. Steinbach competed for 12 years on the Tour and now devotes her time to instruction and motivational speaking plus other activities associated with her company. Venus Golf is dedicated to women’s golf. From instruction to motivational speaking…from health and fitness to wedge selection, Venus Golf turns information into recreation, making golf fun for women. Venus Golf has headquarters in LaQuinta, Calif. The Venus Golf Website is located at www.venusgolf.com.

What is your view on this issue? Send your comments to venus@venusgolf.com.

	"Venus of the Fairway" was created because of a lack of teaching methods designed for the way women learn. Rather than overload the reader with highly technical swing instruction, Debbie emphasizes practical drills that teach women how to "feel" key swing movements, reinforced by a simple and positive teaching style. Venus on the Fairway ensures readers will have fun while learning. (click on the book for more info about "Venus on the Fairway"
"Venus on the Fringe, Introducing the “V Factor” Creating a Short Game That Works for Humans" In this book, from putting and chipping to the lob shot, Venus simplifies the short game. “Give Me Another ‘V’” reminds us that “Chipping is nothing more than putting with a lofted club.” “Light bulb moments” to practice drills will really help your short game. Jan Stephenson, 1981 Short Game Player of the Year on the LPGA Tour, says, “In tournaments, the short game is the key to not dropping shots and losing one to the field. You can hit it to eight feet all day, but if you can’t finish, you can’t score and you can’t win. Debbie’s refreshing and educational approach to teaching in Venus on the Fringe is long overdue.” (click on the book for more info about "Venus on the Fringe"
Debbie Steinbach (a.k.a. Venus) is available as an entertainment-styled speaker. She has spoken to a wide variety of corporate groups and organizations including Kraft, Sony, Nabisco, the Executive Women's Golf Association, the Women's Southern California Golf Association and the LPGA. Her narrative about life on and off the course is filled with wit and humor. Debbie's view on the differences between men and women golfers will leave you smiling all the way to your next tee time. Visit her on the web at www.venusgolf.com.

from Ladies Golf Journey - The Women's Golf and Lifestyle Magazine