Golf Ball Position

Golf Ball Position


If you have good Posture, Stance, and the correct club length, but you're still not a good ball striker; the solution could be simply checking the position of your golf ball.

If your ball position is too far forward in your stance (toward the foot closest to the target), this will cause the club to be released early. This early release will cause the shot to go left (for a right-handed golfer) and low, because the club's face will be closed at impact.

If the ball position is too far back in your stance, the club will not have enough time to release. The late release will cause the shot to go too high and right of the target line, because the club was still open when making contact with the golf ball.

If you are standing too far away from the golf ball, this can cause weak shots hit off the toe that go right of target. If you are standing too close to the golf ball, this can cause shanks.

Let's look at how ball position should very based on club type (playing from a flat lie):

• Short irons (wedges, 9-iron and 8-iron) should be played with a ball position in the center portion of your stance. These clubs have the most upright lie angles and must be swung at the steepest angle, so you should come down on the ball THEN take a divot.

• Middle irons should be played with the ball slightly forward of center (about one ball length). This means the ball will be slightly closer to the foot which is closest to the target. These clubs have a somewhat flatter lie angle than the short irons, so your divot should be slightly shallower.

• Long irons and fairway woods should be played with the ball about two ball lengths forward of center. With these clubs it will be more of a sweeping type action, with the ball being struck directly at the bottom of the swing arc with little or no divot.

• Drivers should be played farthest forward (about three ball lengths) in order to strike the ball on the upswing.


*Once you understand the proper ball position basics for each club type, you can personally fine-tune your positioning. Swing your club and see where it hits the ground and makes a mark in relation to your stance. Then place the ball at the beginning edge of that mark. This will give you the most consistent ball striking possibility, avoiding fat shots (club hitting ground first), or thin shots (bottom edge of the club hitting the middle or top of the ball).