1.4 The GOAT Setup

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Getting setup correctly to the golf ball is a make it or break it deal, most golfers have their "rear ends" sticking out way too far which will make your lower back ache and make you swing your arms around your body too much, so let's get this key detail dialed in!

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Jayden
Hi Chuck, I noticed that all my clubs are to long. What would be the best to do in my situation? (I have to grip down over the bottom of the grip, gripping it one inch shorter doesn't  help. ) Craig mentioned that I look tight, might that have something to do with to long clubs? Best wishes, Jayden.
February 24, 2025
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Chuck
if you can find a really good club fitter in your area that would be the place to start
February 24, 2025
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Jayden
Hi Chuck, is it an option to cut the clubs 3-4 inches shorter? Best wishes Jayden.
February 25, 2025
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Chuck
Definitely not even just changing out a half inch will change everything. You can go to a good club builder and get shorter clubs that could be a little bit shorter. Maybe even up to an inch without getting too crazy but then you start running onto two issues where the head weight is too light and you’ll never get swing weights to feel good. But you’re more likely going to need to do is bend the lie angle flatter
February 25, 2025
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Jason
Hey Chuck, Quick question on setup WITH DRIVER..... If the butt end of the club is pointing toward the belt buckle, wouldn't that be starting with a very shut club face behind the ball at address? Thanks!
February 12, 2025
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Chuck
it depends on ball position and it’s OK to have the bottom of the club pointing a little forward of you when you have the ball up in your stance. See attached pic.
February 14, 2025
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Scott
Chuck, What starts the backswing? The shoulders, arms or hips?
February 12, 2025
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Chuck
Shifting pressure to the trail leg and sinking into it
February 13, 2025
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Chris
Driver swing of Tiger, and putting of Tiger has the butt of the club facing his belt buckle. Is this the rule of thumb for all clubs?
February 10, 2025
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Chuck
Yes in general you want the club working in sync with the center of the body
February 11, 2025
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philip
Years ago, I attended a small group golf school with you at Castle Pines, where I’m a member. I recall a lot of focus on “the box,” where both scapula were retracted back and down at address. My recollection is that the golfer was to initiate the backswing by pulling the right (trail) scapula a few inches toward the spine and then initiate the downswing by pulling the left (lead) scapula toward the spine. I just reconnected with your website, and it seems that what you are saying about the shoulders is quite a bit different than what I recall. Is that correct? Is it because “the box” approach (or whatever it was called) is a lead arm/hand driven swing while the GOAT swing is a trail arm/hand driven swing?
February 2, 2025
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Chuck
Yes when I was at CP i was teaching a lead side pattern.
February 3, 2025
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Craig
Sorry for all the questions I know you say engage the core (which flattens the lower back) - should I still be engaging/contracting my core throughout the entire swing? When I do this - I feels I have to engage them even more to maintain this flat lower back - is this correct? Thanks
January 28, 2025
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Chuck
The swing itself is much too dynamic to try and hold your spine or core in any fixed position. There is a lot of dynamic, stretching, rotation, side bend and extension/flexion happening
January 29, 2025
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ECTOR
So, what is the exercise in this step, you were talking about a medicine ball, and in the rotary swing program there were some exercises?
January 27, 2025
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Chuck
The exercise program is part of the RSA membership
January 27, 2025
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Scott
Isn't it commonly said that, at the address position, the right forearm should be slightly under the left so that it is pointing at the baseline of the plane? Doesn't a set up position where the right forearm is higher than the left mean that the right forearm will be off plane (i.e. not pointing at the baseline of the plane), thus making it harder to achieve a take away that is on plane?
January 14, 2025
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Chuck
Does it look like Tiger ever struggled with swing plane? Don’t listen to planeologists and theorists look at what your eyes are showing you. The majority of people who sit around and argue about this kind of nonsense online can’t break 90
January 15, 2025
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Stanley
I started on 4.14 80 Yard Shots and saw that for the setup, the feet are farther apart than the previous steps so I went back to re-watch this video before my range session. Wow! I'm so glad I did. It re-emphasized for me what Craig Morrow said to me several times.Basically (not his exact words, he was nicer about it) that if I want to succeed I must follow the process. Re-watching this video led me to believe that for me personally, I must un-learn everything I learned from other systems including the basics. Trying to remember all the details (so many, thanks!) of my setup, making the changes, taking a bit to incorporate them, I picked up consistency and distance, just from the setup changes! I changed the position of my feet, lead shoulder, spine tilt, and overall posture. I will be re-watching this again before my next practice session as I'm sure I missed/forgot some or many of the details. Great video!
December 29, 2024
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Chuck
You are way ahead of the curve most people don’t pay attention to the details because I think they don’t matter and then they spend 10 times as long trying to get to where they wanna go. The details are where the heart of everything lies.
December 29, 2024
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Matthew
Chuck I sent you this link via an email. I have an online coaching group for golfers with back pain. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/5WEQNYusB1Y Thanks for not having people stick their butt out and arch their lower back!!!!!!
November 4, 2024
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John
Chuck! After using the medicine ball (with handles) for a couple weeks now I FINALLY felt the core engage in setup. My back feels so much better after today’s round, I can’t thank you enough. So my question is; at what point (after the core engages and the shoulders roll forward) does correct posture become slouchy? Kinda felt like I may have been leaning too far forward but my weight was between the arches and the balls of my feet.
October 25, 2024
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Chuck
Great John! Your arms need to be firm at setup to swing like the GOAT and that will prevent you from getting too slouchy.
October 25, 2024
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John
Awesome! Can’t wait to try it. Chuck, you’re a lifesaver bro seriously. I’m a huge fan!
October 25, 2024
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Chuck
Thanks man, getting rid of back pain is a life changer!
October 25, 2024
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Jayden
Hi Chuck, thanks for your answers to my last questions. Should the left hand be under my left shoulder, so that a perpendicular line is formed? And when so, should the position of the left hand change depending on my club? In my understanding the left elbo pit should face at three o'clock, because of the GDP, why isn't this the case? Best wishes Jayden
October 21, 2024
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Chuck
Hi Jayden, take a look at the thumbnail above of Tiger at setup. Clearly his left hand is not under his shoulder.
October 21, 2024
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Lee
Hey Chuck, not sure why I didn't notice this earlier but I see you said we don't need axis tilt for this setup. My understanding of the reasons we needed axis tilt before was so that we didn't curve our spine and limit our range of motion as a result as well as possible injury and lastly that it allowed us to grip the club with the right hand lower without curving our spine. So I was wondering why we don't need it in this setup and how we don't lose range of motion and are still avoiding possible injury? Just want to understand. Also, unless I am wrong in the previous setup we wanted our weight as far as toe to heel to be in the center of our ankles or around there so that it made our hip our pivot point coming through the ball instead of our knee. It sounds like that is also different in this setup and it is more towards the balls of our feet which I thought made our knee the pivot point which could lead to injury. Again maybe my understanding is wrong but wanted to ask how that works to prevent injury still? Thanks for all your hard work and research. I have been a member since close to the beginning I think and have really gotten a lot out of the content and a much greater understanding of the swing.
October 11, 2024
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Chuck
Thanks Lee! The primary reason for axis tilt is for helping create a proper swing plane in a lead side pattern. The pulling action of the lead side can steepen the swing plane. In a trail side pattern, the throwing motion of the trail arm and supination of the trail arm creates the perfect swing plane without the need for axis tilt. For setup, that doesn't really change much, the range is from the center of the ankle to the middle of the foot.
October 11, 2024
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Lee
Ok, so axis tilt didn't have anything to do with injury prevention then as far as keeping the spine straight? Or are you saying with the trail side pattern even with some curve in it we don't move in such a way as to hurt it or limit the range of motion? Thanks again!
October 11, 2024
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Chuck
Keeping the spine neutral will certainly be the most sure way to prevent an injury, but the spine is designed to rotate and bend and is perfectly healthy to do so. What it doesn't like is shear force wear you are rotating your hips one way while the spine is effectively moving the other or resisting it, especially while in side bend. Here, you will enter side bend but there is no shear force as the hips are used to stabilize the upper body rather than trying to rotate it.
October 12, 2024
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Lee
Ok, thanks for the explanation and taking the time to reply Chuck! I understand it much better now.
October 13, 2024
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Alex Francis Ver
Hi, Chuck. How about ball position? Is it still off the left ear like in the Dead Drill? Thanks.
October 4, 2024
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Chuck
With the longer clubs that still applies but with shorter clubs because you’re more trailside dominant, you will begin to want to move the ball back in your stance to help flight it down
October 6, 2024
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Jayden
Hi Chuck, how wide should putting stance be? And thank you for putting your time into all my questions. I appreciate it !
September 22, 2024
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Chuck
No set rule here but I generally stand pretty narrow about hip width
September 22, 2024
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Jayden
thanks
September 22, 2024
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Lee
Hey, just wanted to get a quick check on my setup as far as engaging my core before getting a swing review of the motion since you can't do the motion right without being setup right. Am I engaging my core correctly here? Thanks, Lee
September 18, 2024
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Chuck
Looking pretty good. You could stand a little taller through your legs and hips but otherwise great
September 19, 2024
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Lee
Just to make sure I understood correctly you are saying a little less knee bend and less bend from the hips?
September 21, 2024
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Chuck
Ya stand slightly taller through the legs and get your hips a little more underneath your mid-section. You're just going to feel slightly taller overall with a little less tilt over toward the ball from the hips, you will be a little taller through that part of your body.
September 21, 2024
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Lee
Ok, thanks again! I have one more question I wasn't sure about after seeing the setup. Do we still want our hands to be just inside our chin line for this setup for everything but driver which hands are on the chin line or is that different?
September 22, 2024
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Chuck
Yep hands are the same. They may come closer if you want to hit a cut as you can stand closer to the ball
September 22, 2024
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Lee
Oh ok, that makes sense and the slight setup changes you pointed out helped a lot to make the throw easier for me and not surprisingly helped my chipping contact be even better too! Thanks!
September 22, 2024
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Lee
Ok, thanks Chuck!
September 19, 2024
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Jayden
picture 2 with back slightly rounded
September 11, 2024
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Chuck
This one for sure. The other one your head is a little far forward.
September 11, 2024
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Jayden
Thank you very much this helped!
September 13, 2024
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Jayden
Hi Chuck, which set up looks better? picture 1
September 11, 2024
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Jayden
Hi Chuck, should I pull my chin back so I have a dubble chin?
September 1, 2024
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Chuck
Yes it should be pulled back into neutral
September 1, 2024
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Jayden
So does this mean that I have to bend over so long, until, when I would wear sunglasses and could only look threw the middle, see the ball?
September 2, 2024
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Chuck
I don't wear sunglasses - ever actually - , so I can't give you that as a reference.
September 2, 2024
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Jesse
Great review as the summer begins to close down and old bad habits begin to slip back into the swing. Building the new "default" requires these self-checks on fundementals. Thanks for putting this review together, Chuck.
August 30, 2024
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Chuck
The greats always returned back to working on the fundamentals and this one is perhaps the most fundamental of them all!
August 30, 2024
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RJ
Hey Chuck. If we want to hit more of a draw, would we want our trail forearm to be more underneath at setup? Or do we still want it slightly above the lead forearm?
August 29, 2024
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Chuck
You could, or you could take the club back a little more inside, you can also open the face more going back, just subtle adjustments will get you there.
August 30, 2024
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Stefano
Hi Chuck, this “recap” section is great! That’s exactly what we need, at this stage of the goat code. Question: I appreciate the point regarding the left shoulder at setup (back and up…). So, if I understand, this position should prevent the hands for excessive movement during the first half of the backswing and make it connected with the chest. Ok. But once you reach the backswing checkpoint (club parallel to the ground, club face towed up or slightly in etc), continuing the movement of the arms, at some point, the left shoulder has inevitably to protract (and disconnect from chest). Is that right? Of course, I am asking for a common right hand golfer. Thanks
August 29, 2024
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Chuck
Hi Stefano, yes absolutely it must protract, it's just key to keep this to a minimum during the start of the swing
August 29, 2024
1.1 Introduction to The GOAT Code 1.2 The GOAT Delivery Position (GDP) 1.3 The GOAT Grip 1.4 The GOAT Setup 1.5 GOAT Ball Position 1.6 Trail Hand Putting Drill 1.7 Tiger Woods Tee Drill 1.8 Add Lead Hand to Putting Stroke 1.9 Skills Assessment Challenge: Putting
2.1 Clubface is KING 2.2 Trail Hand Chipping Stroke 2.3 Trail Hand Ripper Chip 2.4 Add Lead Hand to Chipping Stroke 2.5 Progressive Drill to Add Lead Hand 2.6 Add Lead Hand to Ripper Chip 2.7 Skills Assessment Challenge: Chipping
3.1 Transferring Power from the Core to the Hand 3.2 The GOAT Takeaway 3.3 Fundamentals of Compression 3.4 The GOAT Pitch Shot 3.5 Pitch Shot Starting Line Drill 3.6 Skills Assessment Challenge: Pitching
4.1 Core Activation - Chair Drill 4.2 Core Activation - Medicine Ball Throws 4.3 Core Activation - Slam Ball 4.4 Core Activation - Punching Bag Power 4.5 20 Yard Wedge Shot Basics 4.6 Skills Assessment Challenge: 20 Yard Shots 4.7 40 Yard Wedge Shots - The Magic! 4.8 GOAT Power Sequence 4.9 The GOAT Drill 4.10 How to Increase Hand Speed - J Release 4.11 The Importance of the Waggle for Speed 4.12 How the Lead Side Works for Power 4.13 Magic of Supination 4.14 80 Yard Shots - Down the Line 4.15 80 yd Shots - Face On 4.16 Tiger Woods 80 yd Face On Reference Video 4.17 How to Coil Around the Trail Leg 4.18 GOAT Backswing 4.19 Rotation & Footwork 4.20 GOAT Downswing - The Whip Effect 4.21 The GOAT 9 to 3 Drill
Webinar 1: The Core Webinar 2: Core Power & Putting Webinar 3 - Compression & Clubface Control Webinar 4 - Fascia & Effortless Power
Is Tiger Woods Golf Swing a Baseball Swing? Pt. 1 of 3 Throw the Club or Push the Club? Pt 2 of 3 Squish the Bug for Effortless Power - Pt 3 of 3 The GOAT Release The GOAT Release Intro - Endless Conveyor Belt GOAT Code Secret to Effortless Power - Pt 1 of 4 GOAT Code Effortless Power - Head Movement - Pt 2 of 4 GOAT Code Effortless Power - Using Your Head - Pt 3 of 4 GOAT Code Effortless Power - Take it to the Course - Pt 4 of 4 Creating Torque in the Swing - Pt 1 of 3 Creating Torque in the Golf Swing - Pt 2 Creating Torque - The Magic Pill for the Feel - Pt 3
The GOAT Code - Ep 1 - How the Hands & Wrist Create Speed The GOAT Code - Ep 2 - How Tour Player Equipment Deals Work The GOAT Code - Ep 3 - 69 yr Old Increases Swing Speed 15 mph in 30 minutes!
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