Address
In golf, an address is the position a golfer takes just before starting a swing, with the clubhead placed on the ground behind the ball.
What is an address in golf?
In golf, addressing the ball means getting into position to make a stroke. The golfer stands with feet roughly shoulder-width apart, bends slightly at the hips, flexes the knees, and places the clubhead on the ground directly behind the ball. Once the club touches the ground in that spot, the golfer has officially addressed the ball.
The address position involves several connected elements working together. Foot placement determines balance and stability throughout the swing. The golfer’s hips and shoulders should line up parallel to the target line, which is the imaginary line running from the ball to the intended destination. Posture matters too: a slight forward bend from the hips, with a straight (not hunched) back, allows the arms to hang naturally and the club to reach the ball at the correct angle.
Ball position shifts depending on which club is being used. With a driver, the ball sits further forward in the stance, closer to the front foot. With shorter clubs like wedges, it moves closer to the center. Weight distribution at address is generally even between both feet for a standard shot, though some situations call for subtle adjustments.
The grip also gets finalized at address. Most golfers use either an overlapping grip (where the trailing hand’s pinky rests between the index and middle fingers of the lead hand) or an interlocking grip (where those same fingers interlock). Getting comfortable with the grip before the swing begins is part of building a repeatable address routine.
Address vs. setup and stance
Golfers often use the words address, setup, and stance as if they mean the same thing. They overlap, but each refers to something slightly different.
| Term | What it means | Key detail |
| Address | The complete position taken before a stroke, including grounding the club behind the ball. | Specifically involves the club touching the ground near the ball. |
| Setup | The broader process of preparing for a shot, covering everything from alignment and posture to grip and ball position. | Encompasses everything a golfer does to get ready, from selecting a target to settling into posture. |
| Stance | The position of the feet relative to each other and to the target line. | Can be square, open, or closed relative to the target line. |
A golfer’s stance is one part of the setup, and the setup becomes an address once the club is grounded behind the ball. In casual conversation, most golfers treat these words as interchangeable, and that rarely causes confusion. The distinction matters more when discussing rules or swing mechanics in a technical context.
Address and the Rules of Golf
Before 2019, the term had a specific legal definition in the official Rules of Golf. The USGA and R&A defined it this way: a player had addressed the ball when grounding the club immediately in front of or immediately behind it, whether or not a stance had been taken.
That definition carried real consequences. Under the old Rule 18-2b, if a ball at rest moved after a golfer addressed it, the golfer was assumed to have caused it to move. The penalty was one stroke.
This created problems, especially on fast greens in windy conditions. At the 2016 U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson received a one-stroke penalty when his ball appeared to move on the green, a ruling that became one of the most debated incidents in recent tournament history. Situations like that exposed the rigidity of the old rule.
When the USGA and R&A overhauled the rules in 2019, they removed the formal definition of “addressing the ball” entirely. Under the current rules, there is no penalty if a golfer accidentally moves a ball on the putting green, as long as it gets replaced. Outside the green, Rule 9 covers situations where a ball at rest moves, using the beginning of the stroke (rather than the address) as the reference point.
The term itself did not disappear from the sport. Golfers, instructors, and broadcasters still say “address the ball” regularly, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. It just no longer carries a specific rules consequence.
Related Golf Terms
- Stance — The position of the feet at address, which can be square, open, or closed relative to the target line.
- Setup — The full pre-shot routine and position, covering alignment and ball position as well as grip and posture.
- Alignment — The direction a golfer’s body (feet, hips, shoulders) points relative to the target.
- Ball position — Where the ball sits between the golfer’s feet at address, which changes depending on the club.
- Ace — A hole-in-one; completing a hole in a single stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to address the ball?
It means taking a position to play a shot, with the club placed on the ground behind the ball. The golfer’s feet, posture, and grip are all settled before the swing begins.
Is there a penalty for the ball moving after address?
Under the current rules (effective 2019), there is no penalty if a ball moves on the putting green after being addressed, as long as the golfer replaces it. Off the green, Rule 9 determines whether a penalty applies based on what caused the movement.
Is address the same as stance?
Not exactly. The stance refers only to how the feet are positioned. The address includes the stance but also covers grip, posture, alignment, and the grounding of the club behind the ball.
Why was the address definition removed from the Rules of Golf?
The USGA and R&A removed it as part of the 2019 rules overhaul. The old definition triggered automatic penalties that were considered disproportionate, particularly when wind or other external factors caused a ball to move on the green.
Sources
- USGA. “USGA, The R&A Add Clarity to New Definition of ‘Addressing the Ball.’” Published April 2012. Accessed April 2026.
- USGA and R&A. “Summary Chart: The Major Changes in the Rules of Golf for 2019.” Accessed April 2026.
- R&A and USGA. “2019 Rules Modernization Archive Materials.” Accessed April 2026.
- International Golf Federation (IGF). “Golf Glossary.” Accessed April 2026.
- Golf Digest. “Nine Changes in the New Rules of Golf You Need to Know for 2019.” Published December 2018. Accessed April 2026.
