| Ball position is a critical component that's often | | | | handicaps position the ball (1) just inside the left heel for |
| overlooked by players with high golf handicaps. Ball | | | | woods and (2) two balls back for irons. For players |
| position decides a shot's initial direction. While theories | | | | with high golf handicaps, he suggests positioning the ball |
| on ball position abound, you need to find one that's right | | | | (1) in the middle of their stances for irons and (2) a ball |
| for you. | | | | or two forward from that position for woods. |
| Ball position affects a clubhead's swing path, as I | | | | His reasoning is logical. Players with low golf handicaps |
| explain in my golf lessons. If the ball is too far back, the | | | | use their lower bodies more aggressively than players |
| clubhead moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, | | | | with high handicaps. Players with low golf handicaps |
| sending the ball to the target's right. If the ball is too far | | | | are capable of taking advantage of a forward ball |
| forward, the clubhead moves on an out-to-in swing | | | | position. Players with high handicaps are not. |
| path at impact, sending the ball to the target's left. | | | | Golf legend Jack Nicklaus also offers a ball position |
| Correctly positioning the ball increases the clubhead's | | | | theory, which he explains in his golf instruction books. It, |
| chances of meeting the ball at the correct angle of | | | | too, make sense. |
| attack and on the right target path. It also helps | | | | Nicklaus advocates a constant ball position, regardless |
| eliminate a fade or hook, along with other swing | | | | of the club used. He believes that the ball opposite the |
| adjustments. | | | | left heel is the only spot where the club ever travels |
| Most teaching pros subscribe to the standard ball | | | | parallel to the target line. Any other position towards |
| position theory as do most players and most | | | | the back foot means the ball is struck too early in the |
| professional golfers. This theory advocates changing | | | | downswing. |
| the ball's position depending on the club used. If you've | | | | Instead of re-positioning the ball, Nicholas favors |
| taken golf lessons or read my golf tips, you're probably | | | | changing your stance, depending on the club. Open |
| familiar with this theory. | | | | your stance for the shorter irons, and pull the right foot |
| For example, the ideal ball position for the driver is just | | | | back, to make the stance wider and squarer, as the |
| inside the heel of your front foot. Placing the ball there | | | | club's shaft length increases. Winner of 18 majors, |
| ensures that the clubhead makes impact just beyond | | | | Nicholas has a theory that seems to work for him at |
| the swing's lowest point, with an upward, sweeping | | | | least. |
| motion of the club-the perfect swing for the being | | | | Another consideration with ball position is tee height. I |
| used. | | | | tell players taking my golf lessons that the ball's |
| The ideal position for long irons, on the other hand, is | | | | equator should be even with the top of the driver |
| slightly back from the driver's position. The ideal position | | | | when the ball is on the tee. Placing the ball higher |
| for mid-irons is one or two balls back from this position. | | | | enables the player to hit the ball on the upward arc of |
| And the ideal position for short irons is in the middle of | | | | his/her swing. Players with oversize clubheads, then, |
| your stance. | | | | need longer tees to reach the right height. |
| These positions place the ball at the lowest point in | | | | A third consideration with ball position is weather. If it's |
| your swing, given the length of the club used and the | | | | windy, tee the ball higher if you're hitting with the wind |
| type of swing taken. In addition, placing the ball at these | | | | to generate loft. The added loft enables the wind can |
| positions enable the golfer to make clean contact with | | | | carry the ball farther. Tee the ball lower if you're hitting |
| a crisp descending blow-the key to hitting iron shots | | | | against the wind to produce a low shot, like a line drive |
| well. | | | | in baseball. This type of shot cuts through the wind and |
| Much golf instruction is built around the standard theory. | | | | rolls farther than a shot with loft. |
| But not every teaching pro advocates it. David | | | | Regardless of which theory it is, find one that's right for |
| Leadbetter, who's taught numerous pro golfers, like | | | | you, just like Jack Nicklaus did. Test each theory out |
| Nick Price, and written several books, offers another | | | | while on the practice range and under game conditions. |
| approach. It's one he stresses in his golf instruction | | | | Work on it until you find the ball position that's right for |
| books. Like the standard theory, it makes sense. | | | | you. Then, use it every time you play. |
| Leadbetter suggests that players with lower golf | | | | |