Ball position affects a clubhead's swing path, as I explain in my golf lessons. If the ball is too far back, the clubhead moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target's right. If the ball is too far forward, the clubhead moves on an out-to-in swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target's left.
Correctly positioning the ball increases the clubhead's chances of meeting the ball at the correct angle of attack and on the right target path. It also helps eliminate a fade or hook, along with other swing adjustments.
Most teaching pros subscribe to the standard ball position theory as do most players and most professional golfers. This theory advocates changing the ball's position depending on the club used. If you've taken golf lessons or read my golf tips, you're probably familiar with this theory.
For example, the ideal ball position for the driver is just inside the heel of your front foot. Placing the ball there ensures that the clubhead makes impact just beyond the swing's lowest point, with an upward, sweeping motion of the club-the perfect swing for the being used.
The ideal position for long irons, on the other hand, is slightly back from the driver's position. The ideal position for mid-irons is one or two balls back from this position. And the ideal position for short irons is in the middle of your stance.
These positions place the ball at the lowest point in your swing, given the length of the club used and the type of swing taken. In addition, placing the ball at these positions enable the golfer to make clean contact with a crisp descending blow-the key to hitting iron shots well.
Much golf instruction is built around the standard theory. But not every teaching pro advocates it. David Leadbetter, who's taught numerous pro golfers, like Nick Price, and written several books, offers another approach. It's one he stresses in his golf instruction books. Like the standard theory, it makes sense.
Leadbetter suggests that players with lower golf handicaps position the ball (1) just inside the left heel for woods and (2) two balls back for irons. For players with high golf handicaps, he suggests positioning the ball (1) in the middle of their stances for irons and (2) a ball or two forward from that position for woods.
His reasoning is logical. Players with low golf handicaps use their lower bodies more aggressively than players with high handicaps. Players with low golf handicaps are capable of taking advantage of a forward ball position. Players with high handicaps are not.
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus also offers a ball position theory, which he explains in his golf instruction books. It, too, make sense.
Nicklaus advocates a constant ball position, regardless of the club used. He believes that the ball opposite the left heel is the only spot where the club ever travels parallel to the target line. Any other position towards the back foot means the ball is struck too early in the downswing.
Instead of re-positioning the ball, Nicholas favors changing your stance, depending on the club. Open your stance for the shorter irons, and pull the right foot back, to make the stance wider and squarer, as the club's shaft length increases. Winner of 18 majors, Nicholas has a theory that seems to work for him at least.
Another consideration with ball position is tee height. I tell players taking my golf lessons that the ball's equator should be even with the top of the driver when the ball is on the tee. Placing the ball higher enables the player to hit the ball on the upward arc of his/her swing. Players with oversize clubheads, then, need longer tees to reach the right height.
A third consideration with ball position is weather. If it's windy, tee the ball higher if you're hitting with the wind to generate loft. The added loft enables the wind can carry the ball farther. Tee the ball lower if you're hitting against the wind to produce a low shot, like a line drive in baseball. This type of shot cuts through the wind and rolls farther than a shot with loft.
Regardless of which theory it is, find one that's right for you, just like Jack Nicklaus did. Test each theory out while on the practice range and under game conditions. Work on it until you find the ball position that's right for you. Then, use it every time you play.
When you hit your best golf shots you do so without conscious thoughts. Or put another way....you swing the club automatically using your subconscious mind. Now the better and more consistent your setup then the more you'll be able to swing automatically just like you did when you hit your best ever golf shots. And to back me up on this read this quote from the great Tiger Woods:
"Poor ball position is a silent killer. If you don't place the ball precisely in relation to your stance, the ball will be playing you instead of you playing the ball. You'll have to conjure up some type of weird swing movement just to get the club on the ball, and because of that you'll never be consistent."
Tiger Woods
So one huge determining factor as to whether or not you become a consistent ball striker will be where you position the ball in your stance and how consistently you get the ball positioned where it needs to be for each club. If you position the ball poorly in your stance then you'll need to make a lot of compensations as you swing and this will mean you'll greatly lack consistency.
So here's exactly where you need to position the ball in your stance to become a consistent ball striker.
==> For your Driver and 3 Wood your ball should be positioned directly off your left foot instep.
==> Then for your 2-iron through to 6-iron your ball should be positioned a ball width inside your left instep.
Important Note: If you're using high lofted woods or hybrids then here is what I suggest. Anything up to 19 degrees in loft, e.g. a 5 wood should, simply use the driver ball position. Woods/Hybrids over that, e.g.a 21 degree 7 wood, should use the 2nd ball position that I suggest for 2 - 6 irons.
==> Finally for your 7-iron through to 9-iron your ball should be positioned two ball widths inside your left instep.
After reading this you might be wondering why I teach my students three ball positions when it would seem easier just to have one ball position.
Well, here's the reason.
When you swing a driver you need a more sweeping motion than you do with say a 5-iron. And if you had just one ball position for both of these clubs then you would have to adjust your swing consciously to produce the correct swing motion (i.e. a sweeping one for a driver and a more downward blow with a 5-iron) and that's not good.
So work hard on getting the ball positioned correctly and consistently for each club you're using and you'll give yourself a great chance of becoming a consistent ball striker.
Both Jack Moorehouse & Nick Bayley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jack Moorehouse has sinced written about articles on various topics from Golf Guide, Recreation and Sports and Physical Therapy. Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book "." He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousan. Jack Moorehouse's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Nick Bayley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Golf Guide, Golf Guide and Home Management. Nick Bayley is a professional golfer who has discovered just one fault that could be stopping you from ball striking consistency and success. But luckily for. Nick Bayley's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.