universal ball position

[Blue Jay Golfer]

Is there any difference in having the ball always off the left foot (Nicklaus) or having the ball change position as you decrease clubs?

Thanks.

[Golfbald]

Blue Jay Golfer,

There are a few schools of thought on this one. The ball should placed where the straight left arm with a club touches the ground. This position will fall somewhere below a shirt logo on the left side. This is true for a flat lie.

An other than flat lie would be an ajustment to this position. Also special shots shots such as the punch shot would require you to move the ball back or a lob the ball is forward.

A check point to see where to play a shot. Take a divot near to the ball, with 2 or three swings. This will give you a good idea where the ball should be for a particular shot. (on an unevn lie).

Just a suggestion,
GolfBald

[greghutton]

Ball Position

Hi Blue Jay Golfer,

Either of these two methods are good. It really is finding the one that you are most comfortable with.

They both tend to do the same thing, and that is move your center of gravity in relation to the ball.

For example:

When playing the ball inside the left heel with a long club such as a driver your feet should be just wide of shoulder width (the widest they are with any club) and your body weight should be distributed approx. 60/40 in favour of your back foot(right for a right hander). Because your feet are this wide and your bodyweight has been set in such a manner, your center of gravity is at its furthest behind the ball as with any club. This is good as it helps promote a shallower angle of attack for the clubhead into the ball - creating a sweeping action. You wouldn't want to hit down steeply on a driver would you!

But by simply narrowing your stance and and adjusting your body weight you can move your center of gravity closer to level with the ball, and encourage a slightly steeper angle of attack into the ball.

Using the second ball positioning method, were you maintain a similar width of stance(feet distance apart) and simply move the ball position forward up until inside the left heel with a driver, and back gradually with each other club until you get to the centre of the stance for a SW. This method is ultimtately achieving the same result, adjusting your centre of gravity in relation to the ball to allow for a slightly different angle of attack with each club.

I hope this helps explain a little bit about the reasons behind varying the ball position.

[Blue Jay Golfer]

Thanks.