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Bend knees just enough to see your shins
STORY TOOLS 
More from EntertainmentOne of the important ingredients to a good swing is good posture over the ball. Your posture often dictates the path of the arms during the swing and the correct angle of the spine around which you swing.
Since the golf swing is such an individual thing dictated by the physical makeup of the golfer, it is often difficult to know when you are in the proper posture.
One question I often get is, "How much should I bend my knees?"
Great question. Simple answer.
Do this little experiment. Lock your knees rigid. Now try to swing your arms. Kind of makes you feel wooden doesn't it? Now simply unlock your knees and swing your arms and suddenly — freedom.
But how much should you unlock the knees? Just enough so that you can "see your shins" when you look for them.
If you bend your knees too much, all you will see is the tops of your knees and your thighs. In that position there is too much weight in the wrong place and the proper move is nearly impossible to make.
There is a simple solution. Stand as tall as you can over the ball. Bend from the hips and relax your knees to the point where you feel free to move. Look down and see your shins. Now swing!
— Joe Buttitta is a PGA professional at Westlake Golf Club. He can be reached at 1golfsopaw@roadrunner.com.
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