Body type issues

[CBannon]

Hello all,
New forum member here, male, struggling forever as a golfer. Just started lessons with a pro and have a set-up issue.
Pro tells me I stand too upright, need to bend at the waist more. I am tall (6' 3") with skinny legs and no butt but broad shoulders and a thick chest--top-heavy-- so whenever I bend more at the waist I am off-balance. When I get in the set-up position he recommends I feel most of my weight on my toes, not centered and "athletic", and follow-through is difficult because momentum pulls me off the target line. His set-up also puts a lot of strain on my back.
Is there any way to work with a steep swing? It's what feels natural. Are there any touring pros who use a steep swing that I should look at? What about longer clubs with flatter lie angles? I feel like a square peg being forced into a round hole and am not sure my back can take the strain of a "standard" golf swing.
I'd welcome any ideas or feedback you have on this topic.
Happy holidays and thanks for listening.

[LowPost42]

Re: Body type issues

From an anatomical standpoint, bend at the hips, not the waist - you don't want undue pressure or an unnatural bend in your spine.

Classic golf instruction talks about weight on the balls of the feet - great for sports where you need to make an explosive movement, but you're not going anywhere in golf.

Do this:

Stand up straight and tall. bending at the ankle, rock forward and back slowly, feeling your weight move in your feet from the heel to the balls of your feet and back. Go back and forth 3 or 4 times, then close your eyes and keep moving back and forth until you find the spot that feels grounded and solid. Identify where your weight is in your feet.

Next, still straight and tall, good posture, arms crossed over your chest (don't fold them, keep your shoulders back - good posture!) feet where you want them for your golf stance and knees straight but not locked. Bend forward from your hips. Your weight will move progressively towards your toes, then "all of a sudden" shoot back into your heels (otherwise you'll fall over on your face). At this point stop bending at your hips. Slowly bend your knees until you feel your weight move to where you felt solid and balanced.

This is your swing posture.

Then, find clubs that fit this posture.

Use your natural sense of balance - not some pre-determined angle - and you'll have a fine setup and a strong position to swing a club from.