Golf Technique

Help improving your golf swing

Ball position is a critical component of your golf technique that’s often overlooked by players with high golf handicaps.

Ball position decides a shots initial direction.  While theories on ball position abound, you need to find a method that’s right for you.

Ball position affects a club head’s swing path, which affects the balls directions.  If the ball is too far back, the club head moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, sending the ball to the right (referred to as fade).  If the ball is too far forward, the club head moves on an out-to-in swing path at impact, sending the ball to the left (referred to as hook).

Correctly positioning the ball increases the club head’s chances of meeting the ball at the correct angle and on the right target path.  It also helps eliminate a fade or hook, along with other swing adjustments.

Most teaching pros practice 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.  i.e not the middle of your stance for every shot.  If you have taken golf lessons or received coaching, 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 club head makes impact just beyond the swing’s lowest point, with an upward, sweeping motion of the club.

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 being used and the type of swing taken.  In addition, placing the ball at these positions enable the golfer to make a downward clean contact with the sweet spot, the key to hitting iron shots well.

Most golf instruction is built around this theory.  But not every teaching pro advocates it. David Leadbetter, who’s coached numerous pro golfers, like Nick Price and Nick Faldo, and also written several books, offers a different 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.

He advocates a constant ball position, regardless of the club being 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.

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 club heads, should use longer tees to reach the right ball 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 height enables the wind to carry the ball farther. Tee the ball lower if you’re hitting against the wind to produce a low shot, under the radar. This type of shot cuts through the wind and rolls farther than a shot with height.

Regardless of which theory it is, find one that suite’s you, just like Jack Nicklaus did. Test each theory out while on the practice range and whilst playing a friendly round. Work on it until you find the ball position that’s right for you. Then, use it every time you play and see the difference it makes to you’re game.

Photographic Print of Illustration of golfing techniques, American, c1920s. from Heritage-Images £10.00 10x8 Print. Printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper for stable image permanence and brilliant colour reproduction with accurate colour rendition and smooth tones. Enhanced sharpness with excellent definition. Paper size approx 254x203mm...

Photographic Print of Stereoscopic card of JH Taylor, c1900. from Heritage-Images £10.00 10x8 Print. Printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper for stable image permanence and brilliant colour reproduction with accurate colour rendition and smooth tones. Enhanced sharpness with excellent definition. Paper size approx 254x203mm...

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