What is the correct ball position? There is too much confusion
from books and articles about ball position. The average golfer
alters the ball position too much from the driver through the
wedge. This will create confusion and inconsistencies in their
set-up. The common mistake we see is when the ball is positioned
too far forward in the stance, causing your shoulders to be open
from the target line. Conversely, if the ball is too far back, the
shoulders will tend to be closed, creating inconsistency in
alignment and swing path.
What is the correct ball position? There is too much confusion from books and articles about ball position. The average golfer alters the ball position too much from the driver through the wedge. This will create confusion and inconsistencies in their set-up. The common mistake we see is when the ball is positioned too far forward in the stance, causing your shoulders to be open from the target line. Conversely, if the ball is too far back, the shoulders will tend to be closed, creating inconsistency in alignment and swing path.
The Tour players tend to set up with very little ball adjustment. For example, with the driver they tend to position the ball just inside the left heel. With the long to middle irons slightly forward of center and the short irons centered. They seldom place the ball back of center unless they’re trying to hit a punch shot from under tree or to keep the ball down under the wind.
To create more consistency in your set-up with ball position try this approach. Take your address with your feet together, and place the ball in the middle of your stance.
With the short irons, move your left heel three to four inches to the left of center and your right heel the same distance to the right. Notice the ball is centered in your stance. With the middle irons, move your right foot two more inches to the right. This now moves the ball slightly forward of center.
With the fairway woods and driver do the same exercise with the feet together except move the left heel one inch and widen the right heel outside the width of your right shoulder. The key to this is the shoulders never change position relative to the target line. This will lead to more consistency in your set-up and swing path.
Coyote Creek Golf Club is now offering beginning and intermediate golf schools for the fall.
Don Leone is the Director of Golf Instruction at Coyote Creek Golf Course. For information about classes, email
dl****@ca*********.com
or call 463-8024.
