Golf Ball Position

Correct Golf Ball Position In Your Stance

It's important to have proper ball position or placement in your golf stance. The ball position will vary depending on if you are hitting your driver, woods, or irons shots. The ball position for chipping and pitching is also different.

If the golf ball is too far forward or too far back in your stance, you may be compensating or hitting the ball right or left. Generally if you play the ball too far back, it may cause a hook or push. Playing the ball too far up in your stance may cause a slice or pull. Getting the ball placement right in your golf stance will help you hit straighter golf shots and be more consistent with your golf swing.

Golf Ball Position With The Driver

When setting up with your driver, you want to play the ball all the way forward in your stance so that it is just in line with your left heel. This will allow you to hit the ball more on the upswing. Also notice I have a slight tilt to the right with my spine. This will allow me to launch the golf ball up in the air easier as I make my driver swing.

Ball Position With The Irons

With your full swing iron shots, I recommend playing the ball a bit forward of center in your golf stance. In between the left heel and the center of the stance is ideal.

Ball Position For Chipping And Pitching

With chipping you want to play the ball farther back in your stance. You stance should be much narrower with chip shots. Having your hands slightly ahead at the setup position will allow you to hit down more on the golf ball. It's good to have about 70% of your weight on your left or front foot when setting up. On pitch shots, your stance should also be a bit narrower than with your full swing but a little wider than for a chip shot. With pitching, play the ball more in the middle of your stance.

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