Instruction
Ball position: The forgotten fundamental
Golfers seem to accept grip, aim, alignment and posture as important fundamentals, but ball position is forgotten at times. That’s unfortunate, because the more consistent a golfer’s ball position is, the more consistent his or her shots tend to be.
So what’s the proper ball position? Well, it’s a little different for every golfer, but the best place to position the ball is slightly behind where the swing reaches its low point on a shot from the ground, and slightly ahead of where the swing reaches its low point for a shot from a tee.
The problem with defining ball position is one of relativity. It is not enough to say, “The ball goes back in your stance,” or “Play it in the middle” for the simple reason that the width of a golfer’s stance varies considerably from club to club. And many golfers don’t understand the relationship between stance width and ball position, and if you’re one of them I’d like you to try this experiment.
- Position the golf ball off your left heel (if you’re a right-handed golfer) and take a very wide stance. The golf ball will appear forward in your stance (see photo 1).
- From that position, bring your right foot in close to your left foot and look at the ball in your stance. The now magically appears in the middle or even the back of your stance even though you never moved the ball (see photo 2).
Photo 1
Photo 2
To learn how to use ball position to create a good attack angle, curvature and more consistency, you must first establish a starting point, which is the place you’ll position the golf ball for shots of normal trajectory. Here’s how to do it.
Sole the club with the manufactured loft on it — not de-lofted or with extra loft added — and look at the angle of the golf club. The lob wedge, a golfer’s most lofted club, will lean slightly forward, meaning the handle will rest ahead of the head (see photo 3). The driver, which is usually a golfer’s least lofted club with the exception of the putter, will lean backward (see photo 4). This is normal, and part of the design of the clubs.
Photo 3
Photo 4
Now for the easy part. Point the handle of the clubs at your belly button and the ball will be positioned correctly. You’ll notice that to do that, you will need to change the width of your stance (about the width of your hips for a wedge and a little wider than your shoulders for a driver) and slightly adjust your ball position as well.
The procedure I described above will help you get into position for all shots of standard trajectory, and we can refer to this position as the “starting point.” From there, golfers can move the ball forward to hit higher shots or rearward to hit lower shots. But changing ball position can also have an effect on other critical factors in the golf swing.
The effect of ball position on angle of attack, path and shot shape
Angle of attack: If you need to hit more down on the golf ball (steeper), move it a little back of your starting point. If you need to hit up on the ball (or get more shallow), move it a little forward. Remember that this is a ball position tip; there are several things in the swing that factor into this as well.
Path: Move the golf ball back to hit more right and forward to hit more left. Notice, however, that attack angle and the path are actually part of the same dynamic. When you’re hitting DOWN, you’re hitting more right, and when you’re hitting UP, you’re hitting more left. I use ball position to help a lot of players feel a change in their swing path.
Shot shape: You can also add curvature to your ball flight simply by moving it in your stance. For more draw spin, try moving the golf ball back of the starting point. For more fade spin, try moving it forward of the starting point.
The reason for these changes is where the golf ball is struck in your swing arc, which changes your face-to-path relationship. The farther back the ball is in your stance, the more inside-out golfers can can swing to give the ball draw/hook spin. And the farther forward your ball position is, the more outside path you will create, which will give your shots a fade/slice spin.
One further point on swing path: If you aim farther right, the golf ball will move back naturally, and if you aim farther left, the ball will move more forward.
Now you know how vitally important ball position is. Along with the grip, it is one of the most important fundamentals and the one MOST people struggle with. Golfers who slice tend to play the golf ball too far forward in their stance, and those who hook the ball tend to play it too far back in their stance. You need to overcome these instincts. If you do straighter, more well struck shots will be yours.
As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Col Walker
Mar 30, 2017 at 7:40 am
i kuke this article and your writings generally , but….
“One further point on swing path: If you aim farther right, the golf ball will move back naturally, and if you aim farther left, the ball will move more forward.”
are you still happy with this description? this seems to defy basic geometry to me
surely if a RH golfer sets up to ball with good basics, then as he/she gradually and progressively opens the stance , ie turning left, by say 20 degrees, then that ball is by definition moving BACK in their stance because if they were to set the club back down in front of them normally the clubhead would be way ahead of ball(and vice verca) please clarify thanks
KK
Aug 1, 2015 at 12:19 am
The pic of the lob wedge is incorrect in visualizing the manufactured loft. Lob wedges have more loft AND usually more bounce so you can’t sole the club that way or it will dig half way to China. And it will be de-lofted. The correct visualization of the lob with is, I believe, with the shaft position at the neutral position, must like the driver.
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Joseph
Mar 13, 2014 at 1:19 am
I am 49 years old and just picked up my Taylor Made Burner Woods $ Ping Eye 2′ 1-W Irons after 23 years of not playing ANY golf whatsoever. I went and bought a Ping G15 1 12* Wood when I realized that my TMB was the size of a modern 5W, lol! To make a long story short, I shot a 101 (Redhawk Golf Club, Temecula Whites) after hitting about 100 balls at the practice range. If I hadnt chunked or topped so many darn iron shots I would have been in the mid-80’s most likely.
I havent been able to figure out this ball position thing and that is what is driving me nuts. With my driver, I can pretty much hit a Draw, Straight or Fade on demand as long as I dont screw up. My irons are driving me nuts because I cant figure out the ball position.
One thing not discussed here in your article is how far the ball should be away for you. You may have covered it by the Belly Button reference but it wasnt specifically addressed.
Another point is should you always (as a starting point) start with your ball off or your left heel and simply adjust the ball position for different clubs by adjusting your stance width or should your ball move forward or rear ward of your left heel based on your club selection.
Thanks,
Joe
Dennis Clark
Mar 13, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Check the rest of my articles. This might help: http://www.golfwrx.com/173231/how-far-to-stand-from-the-golf-ball/
Jake
Feb 26, 2014 at 4:01 pm
Dennis, I am a little confused on your explanation of “point the handle of your clubs towards at your belly button and the ball will be position correctly”. In photo 3 of your lob wedge, you can see (and you also state) that the handle is leaning past the head and is pointed to the golfer’s left shoulder. According to your explanation, this is the incorrect ball position because the handle is not pointed at the belly button. Now keeping the golfer’s right leg and the club planted where they are, we can point the handle at the belly button by pushing out the golfer’s left leg. So now the golfer has a widened stance and the butt of the golf club is pointing at the belly button (albeit at an angle). However, the golf ball is now no longer near the left foot or the center of the stance, it is now in the back of the stance by the golfer’s right foot. Are you saying that this is the correct ball position for a lob wedge? Also, in photo 4 the driver’s handle hardly leans left or right of the clubface. So by the belly button placement, the correct ball position for a driver is in the middle of the stance?
I am getting confused with your explanation, and I’m wondering if you can clarify it for me. I love your other articles, I just can’t seem to grasp this one haha. Keep writing Dennis, your tips and advice are greatly appreciated!
Dennis Clark
Feb 26, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Jake… these photos were taken to illustrate a procedure that one can use as a guideline for establishing ball position. Photo three is more done to illustrate that the wedge is built differently than the driver. In it I believe my hands are forward of the belt buckle; this photo is more to make the point i just described. Think of this article as a guide or system to help find a starting position. Nothing should be further back than the middle of the stance for normal trajectory shots, regardless of how wide the stance is. I wrote this tip to illustrate that clubs are built differently, and we line up to them accordingly. One of my top players (+5) prefers his hands well ahead to keep his attack angle steep enough; so it does vary. And remember that the hand position to start is NOT the position at impact. Thx for reading and Im glad you enjoy my instructional approach. DC
Dennis Clark
Feb 26, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Jake if you like my teaching, stay tuned for next article which details the most common drills I use to correct swing faults
Matt Reynolds
Feb 21, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Thanks for the article — but its just the opposite for me. I have been tinkering with the driver all ball position all winter and I finally think I have it figured out. Unfortunately…it is just the opposite as you said (due to my swing of course). When I play it off my heel I get a nice fade to almost a slice…but when I play it off my middle toe (well out front) I get my draw. Big toe is practically a straight shot. I feel that if I have the ball off my heel my hands are not allowing the club to fully rotate resulting in an open club face at impact and vice versa with the ball off my middle toe — she is starting to close and produces a mild draw. I know my swing is the issue…but it works and I have never been more consistent in my drives than I am right now heading into the 2014 season. Anywho, I just thought I would throw that out there… 🙂
Dennis Clark
Feb 21, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Matt
You need to get some FLIGHTSCOPE or Trackman numbers and send them my way…If you’re anywhere near naples FL, Id be glad to put you on my FLIGHTSCOPE machine. You have an unusual face to path relationship and Id love to see it. This of course is assuming center contact; heel hits and toe hits, all bets are off
Robert Rohanna
Feb 21, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Thank you Dennis. This is a method that Dennis taught me when I was struggling with my ball position. It helped me win the state open Championship.
Dennis Clark
Feb 21, 2014 at 3:29 pm
You’re welcome Robert. I might add that Robert just posted a nifty 136 at the half way mark in his first PGA co sponsored event. We have worked together for some 10 years and you’re about to hear a lot about him. A great talent and student! Nice playing Robert.
Jerry Stidham
Feb 20, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Just so I am clear, does the “handle” of the club always point to your navel at address?
thx
Jerry
Dennis Clark
Feb 20, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Pretty much…other than specialty shots, i.e. low or high, yes pretty close. At least it’s a good reference point.
Shallowface
Feb 21, 2014 at 11:53 am
Jerry, that’s why I asked the questions and made the comments I made. What I saw in Photo 3 didn’t seem to match the text.
Here’s another point of view.
http://www.leisuregolfbr.com/ball-position/
Sean
Aug 6, 2019 at 4:26 pm
The camera angle on the photos of Nicklaus you link to isn’t square to his target line. This is why it appears that the handle of each club isn’t approximately pointed at his navel. Camera angles when filming or photographing a swing are critical – anything that isn’t aligned to the target line (e.g. put a club or alignment stake down on the ground and square the camera to it) will cause parallax issues.
Jack is doing essentially what Dennis describes – widening or narrowing his stance to produce the appropriate ball position. Also, keep in mind that Jack played a cut/fade, so he moved the ball a bit more forward in general to promote a left path at impact.
Travis
Feb 20, 2014 at 12:10 am
Don’t let the interwebs know it alls get you down, Dennis. I literally shot 8 strokes lower doing this today compared to 6 days ago on the same course. I couldn’t believe how well I was striking the ball!
Thanks for sharing this!
Dennis Clark
Feb 20, 2014 at 7:13 am
You’re welcome; I share my experiences of 50 years being around this game because it’s what we as dedicated PGA Professionals do. It is our job to help promote and grow the game. My instructional pieces are almost all experiential. Hogan once said that the answer to golf is “in the dirt”. So is Teaching. It is not found on the internet, in books or tapes. When one stands behind people on the lesson tee for 30+ years, patterns emerge. The things that work, I use; those that don’t, I simply abandon. And hopefully my readers are the benefactors of that “research” 🙂
Dennis Clark
Feb 19, 2014 at 8:31 pm
The suggestions I make are generalized tips that I have seen be effective over a number of years. But if the way you’re doing it now is working FOR YOU, please…continue! It’s not about prettier, it’s all about making the golf ball behave!
Shallowface
Feb 20, 2014 at 5:46 am
That’s what’s it’s all about, Dennis. Exchanging ideas so we all get better. Nice talking to you!
Jack
Feb 19, 2014 at 10:01 am
Thanks for the article Dennis, this is great info. Do you ever make it back up to Philly?
Dennis Clark
Feb 19, 2014 at 8:28 pm
I did last summer unfortunately I was in a building most of the time! I had open heart surgery at U of P. Very successful and feeling GREAT! Did you work with me up there?
Jack
Feb 20, 2014 at 11:53 am
Great to hear you feeling better! No we have not worked together, but would love to have you out over at Huntingdon Valley CC if you are in the area.
Dennis Clark
Feb 20, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Thx. I’d love to. I might do some teaching in the Philly area this summer.
Sam
Feb 19, 2014 at 9:36 am
Dennis,
Amazing info. Thanks for taking the time to explain.
Shallowface
Feb 19, 2014 at 8:00 am
You say to start with the handle pointed at the belly button, but with the wedge in photo 3 it looks like the handle is pointing ahead of that.
What I do notice is that the hands are in the same place opposite the inside of your left thigh with every club, and then the construction of the club, dictates the ball position.
That’s how I get my ball position. Sam Snead wrote about that in a book back in the mid 70s. He described it as putting the hands in an imaginary holster opposite the inside of the left thigh.
Then, let’s say you want to move it back for a low shot. The ball moves back, but the hands stay up front. I see so many people move the hands back along with the ball. It doesn’t work.
Getting the hands in the right place in front of me, at the correct height, and my eyes parallel to my target line (which I hardly ever see mentioned in modern instruction but failure to do it is the cause of all kinds of problems including the yips) are the three critical pre-swing things for me to be consistent.
Dennis Clark
Feb 19, 2014 at 8:59 am
Dynamic loft alteration. Greenside bunkers hands behind. Lob shot hands behind….jacks eyes weren’t parallel when he cocked his head. They get parallel when clubface is square, left when it’s closed, right when it’s open. That’s where many of my students over the last 30 years have struggled. Slicers look left, those who hook right.
Shallowface
Feb 19, 2014 at 12:47 pm
In Golf My Way, Nicklaus blamed turning his head to where his eyes were lined to the right for his three year slump in the late 1960s, a slump which featured a lot of hooks and a reduced ability to fade the ball. He said he corrected the faulty head turn and they were parallel after that.
Dennis Clark
Feb 19, 2014 at 1:50 pm
http://youtu.be/4kjHIseDz4g
Shallowface
Feb 19, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Page 104 and 105 of Golf My Way.
Dennis Clark
Feb 19, 2014 at 3:15 pm
I have helped thousands of students closing their shoulders and cocking their head to the right. Those who take the club up and outside can’t see the inside unless their looking that way. Jack did it his whole life. Look at the 5 iron on 16 at the 86 Masters. “Golf My Way” is a good read not entirely instructive. I watched Jack hit balls at Lost Tree Village many times and walked with him dozens of times at various points in his career. He’s the greatest champion the game had ever known but didn’t always do what he thought he did. Thx. DC
Shallowface
Feb 19, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Just watched that video.
Of course I can see the head turn back, but it’s impossible to say that the alignment of the eyes changed.
The few instructors (Jim Flick is one) I’ve seen that mentioned eye alignment felt that aligning the eyes to the right is a recipe for disaster.
I know it is for me. I saw Michael Breed give a lesson to one of the Big Break contestants and fixed his chipping yips by fixing his eye alignment. I’d been fighting that for years. Made that one change, no more chipping yips.
I’m glad you were able to help some folks with it, but it’s a disaster for me.
Dennis Clark
Feb 18, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Photo 1 looks more left heel you mean. The answer is something called parallax. A slight difference in camera angle makes a big difference in appearance. Ever look at the speedometer from the passenger seat? Wedge near middle of narrow stance, driver off left heel of wider.
Andrew
Feb 18, 2014 at 9:42 pm
Is Photo 3 and 4 the spots you’d actually place the ball to hit a standard drive/wedge shot? If so, it looks like you are playing the ball 3-4″ off the left heel. Photo 1 looks more like just off the right heel.
Daniel
Feb 19, 2014 at 11:58 am
If you put a ball in front of the clubhead in those photos it would be in the proper spot. Photo 1 looks correct because there is a ball in front of the club.
Martin
Feb 18, 2014 at 8:04 pm
I totally agree with the article and this is almost always the problem when I start hitting it bad.
Only does my experience differ with the driver, when I tee it back a bit I tend to hit down on it and hit big ballooning fades with 8 iron spin.
paul
Feb 18, 2014 at 7:28 pm
I totally agree with the title. Its the easiest thing to forget about during setup. Its really easy to put the ball in the same spot everytime regardless of club. I found with my wedges I always hit balls right of the hole (lefty). Moved the ball back 2″ and I hit straight, 2″ more puts balls on the left side of the pin. Now I know where to aim, and put the ball. Can’t wait for the snow to leave and hit the range to experiment.
Dennis Clark
Feb 18, 2014 at 7:56 pm
You and thousands it seems. Im lucky to live in Naples, FL but I hear horror stories north of here! Snow must go!
Pete
Feb 18, 2014 at 8:11 pm
How do I send a swing video to you Dennis?
Dennis Clark
Feb 18, 2014 at 8:31 pm
YOU TUBE and let me know the name/number of the video