Take your shortest golf club and put it right at the center between your two heels along the target line. Then for each longer golf club move your golf ball half an inch toward your front leg and half an inch further from your body. That is the most straightforward rule for the correct golf ball position.
How far should a golf ball be from your body?
Then for each longer golf club move your golf ball half an inch toward your front leg and half an inch further from your body. That is the most straightforward rule for the correct golf ball position.
Do you need to know the basic rules of golf ball placement?
You need to know that for each different golf club following your stance, different ball placement is necessary. Through this article, we will share the basic rules of golf ball positioning along with some essential guidelines about how changing your ball positioning can get you different results for one shot.
Should you stand far away from the golf ball?
Or, you will need to stand a little farther away when the ball is above your feet. You can also use the distance between your feet and the ball as a way to manipulate your ball flight. Standing a little closer usually promotes a fade, while standing a little farther away will encourage a draw.
Should your weight be forward or back when you hit a golf ball?
For both shots, however, your weight should be forward to help keep the attack angle moving downward at impact. The ball position being farther back in the stance will deloft the club a little and help keep the shot along the ground (perfect for playing a bump and run, or if you’re using a chipper ).
What happens if ball position is too far back?
Ball too far back. With the ball too far back in your stance, your swing plane will be too steep as you approach impact with the driver. That means you will be prone to hitting the ball high on the face, and your ball flight will likely be too high as your backspin rate will be out of control.
How far should golf ball be from address?
The ideal distance you stand from the ball is best measured by taking your bottom hand off the club at address and seeing if the butt end of the club is a hand span from your front leg. Checking the separation between the end of the club and your leg will help you swing the club on the proper plane.
How do I know if I'm standing too close to the golf ball?
When you are standing too close to the ball, you will swing with a plane that is too upright. This can tend to cause more of a slice or even shanks. Getting the club on a good plane will help you start striking the ball much more nicely. You will hit the ball straighter and further with less effort.
What happens if golf ball is too far forward in stance?
If it's too far forward, it may be causing you to hit thin or fat shots and miss shots to the left. If it's too far back, you could be hitting tops, chunks, and missing the ball to the right.
Should I stand further away from the golf ball?
Standing further from the golf ball may help to prevent shanks and slices and will provide more accuracy and consistency in a players' hits. Be careful not to stand too far, but if you are too close, move further back for a better hit.
Why do pros stand so close to golf ball?
Standing close to the ball helps players have a slightly Upright swing path and can help with being able to get the ball to stop on the green. In addition, a higher ball flight helps ensure that you get the ideal distance with each of your shots.
Is it better to stand too close or too far from the golf ball?
One of the most common faults is standing too close to too far from the ball. Standing too far from the golf ball will result in poor posture, which could result in inconsistent shots and no control over the ball. Standing too far can result in less distance, heel shots, and can cause you to lose balance easily.
Should hands be in front of ball with driver?
The ball should be positioned forward in the stance therefore you DO NOT start with your hands ahead of the ball at set up. Because the ball is on a tee, the driver will hit the ball on the upswing and your hands will be in the middle of your body at impact. Your hands will not be forward at impact with the driver!
Should you stand tall in the golf swing?
Standing tall makes it easy to turn through the shots and easy to turn in the backswing – it suits a lot of golfers. Jason Day and Rory McIlroy have very athletic postures because they work out a lot and this helps them really stand over the ball, but this type of posture might not be for everyone.
Why do I hit 3 wood as far as driver?
1. Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.
Where should ball be when hitting irons?
5:3810:20Ball Position for Irons - Long vs Short Irons (GOLF SETUP) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you get questions on grip go ahead and check on that already make sure your clubface is nice andMoreIf you get questions on grip go ahead and check on that already make sure your clubface is nice and square and then what I want you to do is I want you to put your feet together. And I want you to
Does having the ball too far forward cause a slice?
Be careful not to play the ball too far forward, however, as this will only exacerbate that slice and lead to even more left-to-right curve. Once you establish ball position, make sure to get your body aligned correctly--in particular, your shoulders. They should be square, or parallel left, of your target line.
How far should you stand from the ball with a driver?
The right pinky touches the left thigh while the right thumb sticks out to the butt end of the driver. A fist and a stretched out thumb works well too. For a golfer who is 6′ and up, this distance usually ends up around 7 inches from thigh to the butt of the club. For golfers around 5'4″-5'10”, it is around 6 inches.
How low should hands be at address?
1:442:41Golf Instructions | Low Hands At Address Tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo much more natural spine angle. And my hands are only slightly raised like this should be as youMoreSo much more natural spine angle. And my hands are only slightly raised like this should be as you hit the ball.
How far should hands be from body in golf setup?
The hands-to-body distance varies depending on the club you are hitting. A good rule of thumb is to have the hands a palm's width from the body for short and middle irons (4 to 6 inches) and a palm's length—from the bottom of the wrist to the tip of your middle finger—for long irons and woods.
Should hands be in front of ball with driver?
The ball should be positioned forward in the stance therefore you DO NOT start with your hands ahead of the ball at set up. Because the ball is on a tee, the driver will hit the ball on the upswing and your hands will be in the middle of your body at impact. Your hands will not be forward at impact with the driver!
Where should the golf ball be placed in the stance?
The positioning of the golf ball will generally start towards the middle of your stance for higher lofted clubs before working its way forward to the left heel for a right hander’s driver.
What is the best position for a golf ball?
Ideal ball position: Driver, irons, wedges. The positioning of the golf ball will generally start towards the middle of your stance for higher lofted clubs before working its way forward to the left heel for a right hander’s driver. It is important to note, however, that this shouldn’t be a constant transition, ...
Why should weight be forward in golf?
For both shots, however, your weight should be forward to help keep the attack angle downward at impact. The ball position being further back in the stance will deloft the club a little and help keep the shot along the ground.
Why is it important to position your golf ball?
One of the biggest reasons ball positioning is crucial in golf relates to the arc of your swing. Thin shots occur when the bottom of the arc occurs too early, meaning you hit up – or excessively up – on the ball at impact, leading to thin shots or, if bad enough, tops. If you play certain clubs with the ball too far forward in your stance, ...
What is the language of golf?
To anyone starting out in the game, the language of golf is something that can make about as much sense as trying to play a flop shot off a cart path. While the golf swing and everything influencing it is one of the most complex movements in any sport, there’s one point in the swing where you have complete and utter control: the set-up.
Where should the ball be on a wedge?
For wedges through to about 8-iron, the ball should be fairly close to the centre of your stance. Some players might even like to hit wedges with a ball positioning slightly behind centre, which is OK with the higher lofted clubs, but not recommended for anything stamped with a single digit number.
Where should the golf ball be placed when playing a wedge shot?
The golf ball should be placed in the middle of your feet when playing a wedge shot, but moved a little forward of centre as you progress into the mid-irons. For longer clubs like hybrids and woods, the ball should be about a clubhead inside your left foot (for a right hander). Finally, a driver should be played with the ball teed up inside ...
How to play golf with a golf club?
Still, it need not be a guessing game from one club to the next. 1. Stand up straight with the knees just slightly bent. 2. Grip the club normally and hold it in front of your body, at a right angle to your spine, with the elbows relaxed and close to your sides. 3.
What happens if you swing too far away?
Improper setup can cause a multitude of swing problems; for example, poor balance. Reaching for a ball that’s too far away puts excess weight on the toes, creating pushed, topped and even shanked shots. Stand too close and you’ll be back on your heels, spraying shots off the end of the club and making generally lousy contact.
What to do if your club face is not centered?
If this is the case, maintain your knee flex, posture and arm position and slide your feet forward or back until the club head comes into place behind the ball. Don’t adjust the club’s position with the arms.
Can a golf swing be flat?
The swing may become overly flat (horizontal) or upright (vertical). Depending on your miscalculation; hooks, slices and other miscues will ensue. Likewise, bad ball positioning can wreak havoc on the spine angle, hindering hip and shoulder turn -- draining power and undermining accuracy.
How to know how close to stand to the ball?
Guideline. "Golf Digest" offers a simple solution for determining how close to stand to the ball. It all begins with taking a good stance at address. Place your feet shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly flexed and a natural bend at your hips. This places you in a balanced, athletic position.
Where to put a golf club on the ground?
Place the butt of the club on the tip of your thumb. That space -- from the top of your thumb to your belt buckle -- represents how far your body should be from the end of the club. From that position you can simply place the club on the ground behind the ball to achieve the proper stance.
How does standing from the ball affect your swing?
How far you stand from the golf ball at address will affect your swing. Standing too far away can force you to reach out with the club, with your arms completely straight and your elbows locked -- ruining any chance of a nice, easy swing.
Who said he rarely sees anyone stand too close to the ball?
Tom Watson, one of golf's all-time greats, told "Golf Digest" that he rarely sees anyone stand too close to the ball. Two other golf legends, Byron Nelson and Johnny Miller, have made similar statements, according to Watson.
Stickney: The only 2 ways to hit a golf ball farther
If I had a dollar for every time someone walked into my Academy (myself included!) and asked how to hit it farther I’d own a bank by now. Golf course agronomy has evolved and the rock-hard fairways of yesterday are gone and have been replaced by soft conditions that require more and more carry off the tee.
Stickney: The evolution of necessary technology in golf instruction
Over time technology has improved so that we (as teachers) can see and understand motion and forces in action during the swing.
The Wedge Guy: You can change your stripes
Over my 40-plus years in the golf industry and a lifetime in the game, I have had the opportunity to observe thousands of recreational golfers of all skill levels. I believe the common thread between all of us – from scratch player to high-handicapper – is that we all would like to get better.
Why is distance important in golf?
Many golfers think that the distance between you and the golf ball is equally important as the distance between you and the golf club. This distance helps you with enough ‘swing space’ while maintaining the correct balance during the swing. The length of the golf club is also an important factor to determine your distance from the golf ball.
What is the hand span of a golfer?
5. Hand – Right Span. A golfer needs to check if he can pass his hand between his body and the end of his club to ensure that he has got a good balance. The approximate distance between his golf club and his left thigh will be a hand-span.
What is the best posture for golf?
The best posture is to keep the spine at a neutral posture and hinge your hips out slightly. 4. Spine – Right Angle. Some golfers recommend that it is enough for a golfer to change the angle of his spine to the pelvis to accommodate the length of the golf club.
How to know if a golfer is using a 6 iron?
For e.g., if a golfer is using a 6 iron in hand, he has to first make sure that he can lift his heel and wiggle his toes in the shoes at the same time. If he cannot lift his heels, then he is probably too far away from the ball.
How to get a golf club to fall down?
Stand erect with the knees flexed. With the spine at the right angle, relax your elbows keeping them close to your chest. Ensure that the tail of the club points above the buckle of your belt. Bend your body at the hips and ensure the club falls down towards the ball at the normal position.
What is the biggest challenge in golf?
The biggest challenge, however, while maintaining the posture is that the golfer doesn’t encounter the same conditions for each successive shot. Every shot presents a different contest on a different ground surface. A successful golfer is the one who adapts to these challenges. Once he is able to adapt his distance from ...
How to balance golf swing?
For great balance, the knees of the golfer should be flexed or slightly bent in a way that the golfer feels the weight shift from his heels to the balls of his feet. The back knee should be bent inwards to eliminate the chances of the body swaying during the swing. 3.
What happens when you place your body too close to the ball?
When you place your body too close to the ball at address, you will feel crowded, or ‘stuck.’ Your hands will be in close to your body before the swing begins, and you may feel that you are standing too upright.
How to fade a ball?
Or, you will need to stand a little farther away when the ball is above your feet. You can also use the distance between your feet and the ball as a way to manipulate your ball flight. Standing a little closer usually promotes a fade, while standing a little farther away will encourage a draw. The matter of how far to stand from ...
Can you repeat the same shot over and over again?
One of the great challenges in the game of golf is the fact that you can’t just repeat the same swing and shot over and over again. You are going to encounter countless different situations on the course, and successful golfers are able to adapt to those changes.
Is standing the right distance from the ball important?
It’s actually easy to overlook this one while you are thinking about the various other things you need to manage before hitting a shot. However, standing the right distance from the ball is important, so you’d be wise to pay some attention to this point during an upcoming practice session.
Can you stand too far away from the ball before swinging?
On the other end of the spectrum, some golfers find that they are standing too far away from the ball before the swing begins. While this generally isn’t as much of a problem as standing too close, it still does present challenges.
How Long Should My Golf Backswing Be?
I get far too many emails on this topic to ignore it – and it is one of the most common discussions I see on my lesson tee and with amateurs chatting amongst themselves on the range.
Before We Do
I’m giving away copies of my Ebook “Golf Hacks” for FREE (normally $9.95).
Power Play
A general rule would have it that the longer you swing the club, the more potential you have for generating clubhead speed.
Precision Play
It makes sense (and is generally the case) that a shorter backswing would provide more control, even if it costs us speed.
3 Different Types
So, for the most part, we are trading off the potential for more speed with a loss in strike quality and clubface orientation consistency (direction).
The How
One thing that hasn’t been discussed here is “how” we create a shorter or longer swing. This would also have an effect on the positive or negative influence on the results.
My Own Experience
When I was younger, I used to swing the club so long that I could see the clubhead out of the corner of my eye at the top of the swing.