Your Ball Position: A Matter of Timing

Problem:

        Guessing where the ball is in your stance which changes the bottom of the swing ark leading to inconsistent shots.

​

Practice:

• Where you place the ball in your stance has a massive effect on the relationship between swing path and club face at impact. Your swing travels in an arc. On the way down, the club is traveling inside-out, and the face is still slightly open. The bottom Of the swing arc is where the club is square to the target, and after that, it begins moving inside-in as the club face closes. Slicers often play the ball too far back in their stance, hitting the ball early in the downward swing arc meaning the club face hasn’t had a chance to square up, it’s still on an out to in path but more on the out and the face is still open – the perfect recipe for a slice as well as a push.

​​

How to Check Ball Position:

• Driver: This is the most forgiving position. Position the ball off the left heel or instep of your lead foot (left foot for righties). This gives the club the maximum amount of time to allow a more upward angle of attack and let the club face square to the target line naturally.

• Fairway Woods & Hybrids: Place the ball a couple of inches inside your lead heel.

• Mid-Irons (6-8 irons): Position the ball just forward of the center of your stance with the clubface directly in the center. Playing here ensures you hit the ball just before the bottom of your swing arc, which promotes a downward strike.

• Short-Irons & Wedges: place the ball in the center of your stance. A center ball position helps you hit down on the ball with crisp, clean contact.

• With all these ball positions it is essential you have a rotation that you can preform repletely.