The proper golf swing setup requires several key components including alignment and an athletic stance.  When preparing the athletic stance you need to make sure your feet are shoulder width apart.  Your knees should have a slight bend to them while bending at the hips and letting your arms hang down to be placed on the club.  The bend forward at the hips should create a spine angle between 40 to 60 degrees. This stance should create an athletic position in which you feel incredibly sturdy.  Your feet should be angled 10 to 20 degrees and flared out to give your hips the ability to rotate in a full swing.  Although your feet are slightly flared, your alignment will have your feet and shoulders aimed toward the target.  The best way to check your stance is to put a club across your chest from shoulder to shoulder and that club should be pointing directly at the target.  Then place another club down at your feet and walk away.  That club should be aimed at the designated target as well.  When you return to your stance, the left shoulder should be slightly higher than the right shoulder when your hands are placed on the shaft.  This happens because your right hand is lower than your left in the proper grip.  The right elbow should be closer to the ground than the left.  This correct position will form a triangle with your arms and shoulders. You can see this by looking in a mirror.  The proper alignment and athletic stance are necessary components which will lead to a better swing and a significantly improved game of golf.