Ball Position
Author: The Golf Drill Guru
Category: Fundamentals
The Importance of Proper Ball Position
Ball position is very important, as it alone can cause a multitude of fundamental and swing mistakes. For example, if the ball is placed too far forward in a stance, this forces your lead shoulder to rise, so the club can meet the ball at address, by doing this it also tends to strengthen the grip. Furthermore with this ball position, it is very easy to slide rather than turn into impact, leading to erratic ball flight.
Most players assume their ball position is fine, but 90% of the time they are wrong. After ‘getting used’ to a certain ball position, it just starts to look ‘right’, but in actual fact it is incorrect. The best way to check your ball position is to set up to a golf ball, as if you were about to hit it, then have a friend place a club directly between your feet, perpendicular to your target line. From this position is it very easy to see the middle of your stance, and your ball position in relation to this point.
Ball Positioning:
Driver, 3 and 5 Woods : The ball should be aligned off your left heel.
6 Woods+: The ball should be aligned back 1-2 inches off your left heel.
2-6 Iron: The ball should be aligned back 1-2 inches off your left heel.
7 Iron – Lob Wedge: : The ball should be position within 2 inches of the middle of your stance.
Putter: The ball should be positioned in the middle of your stance.
5 Comments so far
1.
Daniel Lubinski
May 8th, 2007 at 3:07 am
You are the first person I have come across that was not afraid to give concise locations and measurements. Good Work!
2.
Sandra-cj
November 7th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
3.
James Ginges
December 14th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
I can agree with all except putter. I putt with the ball just forward of center to promote a smooth roll and prevent checking or hopping. I also assume that for wedges “2 inches from center” means to the back. (Take a swing with a PW or SW and see where it contacts the ground. It’s usually in the back.) I play the ball there to create compression and back spin.
4.
The Golf Drill Guru
February 1st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Good points James, alot of ball position is based on personal preferences. With the putter it should be center or forward of center, but never back.. and the wedge also can be moved around the stance. These suggestion are simply used as a starting point that would get you into the least amount of trouble.
5.
alex diaz bustos
September 1st, 2008 at 5:23 pm
please mail me drill the all golf. thanks