Golf-FAQ.com

how far should you stand away from the golf ball

by Prof. Quinn Miller MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

For golfers around 5’4″-5’10”, it is around 6 inches. And golfers who are 5’2″ and under end up standing around 5 inches away, from thigh to club.

The ideal distance you should stand from the golf ball is one where the butt of the club is pointing at your belt buckle and is about 6 inches away from your thighs. This should be the same for all clubs in the bag. It doesn't matter what club you're using, your arm position should be the same.

Full Answer

How close should you stand from the golf ball?

It Starts with Great Posture

  1. Back Straight. You want to keep your back as straight as possible from your waist on up into your neck. ...
  2. Knees Flexed. Along with a straight back position, you should also have your knees flexed at least slightly. ...
  3. Tilt Forward from the Hips. Many golfers go wrong here. ...

How far you should stand from the golf ball?

However, you can ensure that you are at the correct distance from the ball using the following tips:

  • Let your arms hang down when hitting an iron.
  • Once installed in front of the ball, release your grip to see if your arm is relaxed. ...
  • If the distance allows your arms to be dangling at address, it is the right distance!

How to find correct distance from the golf ball?

  • Address a golf ball in your normal position. Any club will work, driver through lob wedge.
  • Carefully place the butt of the grip on your left leg while retaining your address posture. ...
  • The club should touch your left leg about two inches above the kneecap. ...
  • If it's considerably higher than two inches, you're probably standing too close to the ball. ...

How close to stand to the golf ball?

The 6 Worst Things Caused By Standing Too Close To The Ball:

  1. Slices – Standing too close causes slices, which is one of the most common problems with standing too close to the golf ball.
  2. Shanks – Standing too close causes shanks, which is one of the worst and most unpredictable shots possible in golf.
  3. Inaccuracy – Standing too close causes inaccuracy. ...

More items...

image

What happens if you stand too close to the golf ball?

Standing too close to the golf ball will result in incorrect posture, which in turn results in inconsistent hits and inaccurate hits. Standing too close can result in a shank or a slice, depending on the posture of the player.

Is it better to stand closer to golf ball?

Stand closer to the ball and allow the hands and butt end of the club to be no further than three inches from the body. The closer the better. Standing too far away from the ball and reaching out will cause a low trajectory, cause a golfer to cast the club, come over the top and hit the ball on the toe of the club.

How far should my feet be from the ball in golf?

0:307:24How Close Should You Stand To The Golf Ball? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo as we're starting out get your feet about shoulder-width apart if you're going to be using anMoreSo as we're starting out get your feet about shoulder-width apart if you're going to be using an iron now from here I'm gonna drop my hips back until my upper body tilts forward.

How far should you stand from the ball 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.

Can standing too far from the ball cause a slice?

The forward ball position shifts the shoulders open to the target, which leads to an out-to-in swing and usually a slice. Standing too far from the ball pulls the upper body downward, leading to a compensating stand-up move through impact, another common cause of the slice.

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.

Where should you aim when ball is above your feet?

2:416:09Golf Tip | How to Hit a Ball Above your Feet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then finally here I'm going to make sure because that ball is going to be moving kind of fromMoreAnd then finally here I'm going to make sure because that ball is going to be moving kind of from right to left I'm going to aim toward the right edge of the fairway.

Do you play golf ball above or below your feet?

Ball Position: When the ball is above your feet, you should adjust the ball further back in your stance than normal (close to center of stance). Balance: Because the ball is closer to you, you will have to adjust your spine angle at address to a slightly more upright angle than normal.

Where do you aim a golf ball below your feet?

1:236:11HOW TO PLAY A BALL BELOW FEET GOLF SHOT - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMy sixth time would go further than that so that about 7-iron yardage. And the flag is action on theMoreMy sixth time would go further than that so that about 7-iron yardage. And the flag is action on the right hand side so my leg just slope to the right so the chance could go close there is a chance.

How tall should I stand in golf?

0:481:30Stand Tall For More Driver Distance - Jonathan Moore - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd stand a little bit taller than you normally.MoreAnd stand a little bit taller than you normally.

Where should your feet be when hitting a driver?

0:051:20Golf Driver Tips: Proper Ball Position for Hitting Up On the Driver - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipArt is basically going to follow where the balance of your weight is on your feet. So I want you toMoreArt is basically going to follow where the balance of your weight is on your feet. So I want you to be set up so that your feet are your balance is pretty much 50/50. On both of your feet.

How to know what distance to stand from the ball?

Now that you know that the proper distance to stand from the golf ball is relative to a golfer’s swing, how do you know what distance is right for you? An easy place to start is the contact point on your clubface. If you find yourself hitting shots on the toe, move closer to the ball. If you are hitting shots of the heel, move farther away. I use Dr. Scholl’s foot powder spray to see where the face is being contacted because it works better than tape, which tends to skew spin on the shot.

Why do you change your distance from the ball?

Another reason to change your distance from the ball is to help you change the shape of your swing. I use distance from the ball as a drill to change swing shapes like this: If someone is TOO flat and swinging TOO far in front on the downswing, I move them in closer.

How to tell if your arm is hanging from the ball?

To check your distance, stand at address in your normal posture and take your regular grip. Now remove your right hand from the club. If it is hanging directly in tandem with your left, your arms are under your shoulders. If your arm is hanging closer to your body, you’re one who stands a little farther away from the ball, and if your arm moves farther away from your body then you’re one who stands a little closer to the ball.

Can recreational golfers improve their scoring?

I’m totally convinced the majority of recreational golfers can make the quickest and biggest improvement in our scoring if we will just dedicate the time to learn good chipping technique and to practicing that technique with a purpose.

Do you putt with a lighter club or putter?

In employing this technique, however, realize that the club you are “putting” with weighs much less than your putter, so you want to grip the club much lighter to make the club feel heavier. It takes just a little practice to see what different clubs will do with this putt/chip technique.

Can golfers chip the ball well?

I’ve always admired golfers who can really chip the ball well. Through my years in golf, I have seen players of all handicaps who are excellent chippers, and all tour professionals are masters of chipping it close. But for such a simple little stroke and challenge, chipping seems to be a part of the game that eludes many of us.

What does it mean when a golfer stands closer to the ball?

If the golfer hunches over it may give a very upright swing, whereas if he stands very closer to the golf ball, it will give a flat circular swing plane leading the ball off to the left or the right of your intended shot.

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 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.

What does it mean when a golfer can't wiggle his toes?

And if he can’t wiggle his toes then is too close to the ball, which means his weight is over his toes.

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.

How Far Should I Stand From the Golf Ball?

Getting the ball the right distance from your body is fundamental to performing a good swing arc and getting good contact on the ball to avoid poor shots, like the dreaded shank. It is neither a matter of guesswork nor can it be measured using tape.

What Happens if You Stand Too Far Away from the Ball?

Posture and balance are compromised as you have to go get the ball without falling forward. With the ball too far away, your arm will be pulled back and come closer to you as you let go of the club with your right hand.

What Happens if You Stand Too Close to the Ball?

If you’re too close to the ball, you will not create space to pass the club on impact. Your right arm moves forward when you let go of the club.

How far away is a golfer from the butt?

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. And golfers who are 5’2″ and under end up standing around 5 inches away, from thigh to club.

Where does the handle of a golf ball rest?

Here again we see the arms extending out just beyond vertical towards the ball. The handle rests straight down from the front edge of the shoulders.

How far do you stand from a golf ball?

The precise distance that you stand from the ball is going to depend on your body, your posture, your equipment, and more. You don’t need to stand the same distance as anyone else – you just need to stand in a spot that works for you.

When to stand closer to the ball?

For example, you will want to stand a little closer to the ball when the ball is resting below your feet. Or, you will need to stand a little farther away when the ball is above your feet.

How does changing your posture affect your swing?

Changing your posture as the swing moves along is going to make it hard to strike the ball cleanly, and most players struggle to develop power , as well.

How to keep your back straight in golf?

You want to keep your back as straight as possible from your waist on up into your neck. Standing over the ball with a straight back is going to make it easier to rotate both back and through during the golf swing.

How to get a golf club to fall?

Then, you can simply let your arms hang down and allow the club to fall where it will.

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.

Should you tilt your back forward or backwards in golf?

Many golfers go wrong here. You need a way to get your upper body out over the ball, so some golfers decide to just slump their shoulders. That’s a mistake – you should be tilting forward from your hips while keeping your back straight.

What happens if you stand too far away from a tennis ball?

When you stand too far away from the ball, one of the major effects is that your arms have to swing at the ball more. You need to reach out to the ball to make contact and so you can’t use your body to generate power properly. This will result in a significant loss of distance.

What happens if you stand too close to the ball?

If you are standing too close to the ball then you will have to keep your weight on your heels too much. Having your weight on heels results in you not being able to fire your lower body efficiently, think about trying to jump from your heels, you can’t get very high.

Why is standing too far away bad?

As an extension of points three and four, standing too far away can cause you to be too flat on the backswing then cast over the top on the downswing to try and fix this . It results in a very inconsistent presentation of the club to the ball which gives the horribly inconsistent shots.

What is the difference between golf swing and other sports?

The golf swing is a highly dynamic and athletic movement but one of the main differences between golf and other sports is that you play from a standing start. It’s not like playing football where you kick a ball that is rolling, it is a stationary start.

How does a golf club go around your body?

The further you stand from the ball, the more flat your swing will become. This is logical as you will have started your swing with your hands will be reaching or your body will be overly bent over. This means that the club can only go around your body in a flatter way.

How does standing too close affect your swing?

You Allow Your Body To Be A Greater Part Of Your Swing. Much as standing too far away from the ball will reduce your body’s ability to be a part of your swing, standing too close can have a similar effect. When you are too close, your body can get in the way of your swing and your hands have to “dig out” the shot.

Why do golfers fall off their shots?

They very rarely “fall off” a shot because they have swung it too hard or because they have a set-up flaw.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9