Our secret formula for achieving the perfect ball position comes down to the perfect mix of the proper body stance with the club in use!
But exactly HOW do you do it?
Fear not, for we’ll give you a comprehensive guide on how to get the proper golf ball position for your clubs.
With enough practice and lady luck, the right ball position will all become second nature to you.
The Overview
The golf ball position can be made in reference to the feet. When the ball happens to be towards the lead foot, they say the ball is “too far forward.”
When the ball is “too far back”, the ball is more towards the trail foot.
But ball position should not only be made in reference to your feet.
You also have to be looking at how the ball is positioned relative to your body – whether that be your face, shoulders, or even the zipper on your jacket!
To complete the formula to maintaining the correct golf ball position, it is equally important to look at how the shaft angles in relation to the golf ball.
Is It Leaning More to the Left, to the Right, or in the Same Line as the Golf Ball?
In a video created by PGA professional Chris Ryan, you need to mark the distance and trajectories of your shots.
He explains that the best way to achieve this is by having a good grasp of the relationships among a player’s swing, ball flight, and ball position.
A Tool for the Correct Golf Ball Position
There are golf tools in the market that can help many golfers practice hitting skills at the right angle of attack with the perfect golf ball position each time.
We recommend the 4 in 1 Rimer Ball Position Trainer.
This helps you discover how to correctly align your play, whether you use your sand wedge, driver, or any other golf equipment at play.
All it takes is for you to line up your feet to The Rimer and begin your swing!
Front or Back of the Ball? Where Should I Look?
IT DEPENDS. A good place to start when playing a draw is looking at the spot somewhere inside the back of the ball.
- With a fade, look towards the outside.
- With a straight shot, look right to the middle.
Another effective way to maximize the accuracy of your shots is to have a vision as to how the ball will fly just before it is hit by the club.
Knowing when your club hits the ground at the lowest on the swing arc will maximize force at impact. This is the perfect indication of the location to position your ball when shooting low scores.
The thing we’re exactly talking about here is called the low point. Being CONSISTENT with your low points separates amateur golfers from professional players.
Let’s Talk More About the Low Point
Controlling the low point relies mostly on your posture (and maybe on having a good and controlled grip as well!).
To better understand this, we love the analogy of the see-saw when it comes to transferring your weight for consistent bottoming out.
At the top of your backswing, you will put much of your weight on your back foot. By that, we mean you see-saw yourself away from the position of the ball (aka the target).
As you move along your swing, move towards your right foot. That means shifting the weight more towards the other side of the “see-saw.” Simple right?
Buttons On the Shirt
Another method in controlling the low point is one called the “buttons on the shirt,” as shown in the video here.
It basically explains that the position made in a good low point is based on how a player should forward their stance, specifically the center of the hips early in the downswing.
As you are hitting, your stance progresses. You should see a retreat in your upper body, “but still forward from where you started.”
GENERAL RULE: Placing the ball position at or just behind the low point will result in solid strikes consistently. Keep divots be in front of the ball.
Finding the Right Ball Position for Each Golf Club.
To say the least, there is no such thing as that “one ball position” for every golf swing you make with your equipment.
Every club is made different, and each set of equipment should take up a different ball position each time.
Once you are aware of just how different a longer club is from a shorter club, you can control your strikes for an amazing game turnout.
Irons
Now you know more about the low point, how should your golf ball positions be for using better irons? Let’s take a look at our feet.
Place your ball right in the middle of your stance with your feet together. For right-handed golfers, the key is to move the lead left foot forward towards the ball (about 3 inches or the width of an iron).
Place your right trail foot slightly behind and in the most comfortable position for you. It will be farther for longer irons and much more closer for shorter irons.
If you are using a pitching wedge, sand wedge, or any of the shorter irons (8 iron and 9 iron), you want to position the ball to align with the zipper or buttons of your shirt (the upper body).
Tilt your shift slightly so that your hands align a bit more forward than the ball. Now, swing your target! Simply adjust accordingly if you are a left-handed golfer.
Note: When You Hit With Your Irons, Hit Down on the Ball.
That means touching the golf ball with your club in a descending motion, just slightly after you reach the low point in your swing as it travels upwards.
In action, we do not want as much descending golf ball strike on our 4 irons compared to other clubs, such as the pitching wedge.
Drivers
As mentioned, you always want to be hitting your clubs down on the golf ball. It’s a different story for our handy driver because you want to hit the golf ball up with your club.
What Exactly Must Your Ball Position Be When Hitting With the Driver?
Start your position with the stance we did with the irons. That means putting your feet together with the golf ball placed in the middle of the feet.
Because you want to hit your club up from the same spot, you want the golf ball position to be more forward this time. Square the club face.
Now look at the golf ball position in relation to your feet.
Move the lead foot slightly forward (for some may be the left foot) and make a big step back with the opposite foot. You want to ball aligned with your lead arm.
It’s advisable to have a WIDER STANCE than your shoulder distance, with your toes flared outward for more mobility when you hit.
- If you are LEFT-HANDED, position your stance such that the driver aims to the left.
- If you are one of the RIGHT-HANDED golfers, aim your driver to the right.
Am I Using My Driver Wrong?
One of the telltale signs of wrong ball position when using the driver on the ground is seeing more spin on the golf ball than it needs to have.
This usually comes from farther back ball position as compared to your stance, resulting in lower trajectories
With slow swing speed and more backspin at impact, there will also be LESS DISTANCE traveled.
As the golf ball moves MORE FORWARD in relation to your stance, there will be less spin and more distance for your ball flight.
Another sign of an incorrect golf ball position when using your driver is if you are not able to hit the golf ball on the face or at the center of the club at target consistently.
Longer clubs would require you to position the ball more forward. The shortest clubs are placed in the middle.
REMEMBER: To make full shots, keep the ball on the inside of the left heel and in the middle of the stance.
Our Final Thoughts
Of course, both professional and amateurs golfers want the best experience for their game.
Having control of all the little parts (from our choice of club, hitting the balls at driving range, and mindful execution of the proper position) can MAKE or BREAK our chance for that gold medal!
We just couldn’t stress just how much better many amateur golfers become just by being mindful of one’s stance in relation to the clubs in use!
Practice your strokes with tools, or why not take these tips for a run on your next short game?
It’s time to be in league with all the professional golfers in the scene. Who knows, you might become GOLF’S NEXT BIG HIT!
Have we been able to guide you well into your next game? Comment some of your thoughts below.
Source: Rotaryswing.com
Source: Golfdigest.com
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