Where Should Golf Balls Be In Your Stance?

The chances are that if you’re a low-key golf player who just plays recreationally, then you’re not hyper-fixated on all the small stuff. But if you’re even remotely serious about golf, you’re likely looking at every little detail, trying to get it right.

Of all the aspects of golf, setup is one of the most crucial aspects of the game. It’s also one of the few things any player is truly capable of controlling. This post will consider where golf balls should be in your stance according to the different clubs you use. Let’s get started!

Wedges

When dealing with a wedge, you’re going to want to have the golf ball fairly close to the center of your stance. However, some golfers have taken a liking to have the golf ball positioned just slightly behind the center. This is fine, but it should only be done with higher lofted clubs and not anything longer than mid-irons. 

Irons

For short irons, you’re going to want to keep a similar attitude towards the golf ball as you had with the wedges. 

Mid irons (6 + 7-iron), you’re going to want the ball to be creeping slightly forward, maybe half a ball width, unless a full ball width seems necessary. But, again, this will promote a shallower attack angle.

For long irons (3, 4, + 5) and your hybrid irons, you should place your ball one or two balls in front of the center. Alternatively, have a clubhead inside your left foot and a wider stance. This promotes shallower attacks which are still downward, which ensures clean contact.

Woods

The way you handle long irons is how you’d use woods too. So place the ball one or two balls ahead of the center.

Drivers

With the driver, you want the ball quite far forward in relation to your stance. Considering it’s one of the few, if not only, clubs played with an upward attack angle. With the ball being positioned forward, it helps the arc shallow out. This happens before you even make contact, and this helps achieve a longer and higher strike with a very low loft. 

Chipping & Putting

What happens if you’re chipping or putting? Where should the ball be positioned then? Well, for putting it should be placed a tiny bit forward of the center and in a spot that’s suited for your dominant eye. So you want the ball positioned by your back or front foot for chipping, never in the middle. 

Chipping

When you’re chipping the ball, you need to ask yourself are you going high or low? The answer determines how you’ll place and approach the ball. 

If you’re going high, the ball must be closer to your front foot. However, if you’re going low, take it back slightly. Keep your weight forward regardless of high or low shots in order to help the attack angle from moving downward upon impact.

Putting

Putting is looser. You want to find what feels comfortable and right for the play at hand. Try to keep the ball somewhat close to the center and approach with slightly upward contact.

Non-Standard Shots

It’s inevitable that you’ll be forced to play some non-standard shots at least once. So here are some non-standard shots you should know about:

Hit It High = If ever you need a certain club to go higher than you’re normally able to, then you just need to move the ball slightly forward towards your left foot.

The Stinger = The stinger is a non-standard shot made popular by legendary golf pro Tiger Woods. If you’re playing a tight hole and need a low, straight shot that’ll run down the fairway, this is what you need to do. First, use a 3-wood or long iron. Second, place the golf ball back in your stance. The placement you want to achieve is halfway between your right foot and the middle. You’re not going to be a pro at this straight away, but with some practice, you’ll eventually nail it!

The Draw or The Fade = So what happens when you’ve got a tree in the way? Well, you’re going to need to somehow curve that golf ball around the obstruction. You’ve got two options;

Draw - right to left curve (Right Handed)

Fade - left to right curve (Right Handed)

Draw - left to right curve (Left Handed)

Fade - right to left curve (Left Handed)

In terms of the golf ball position perspective, the draw might be easier from slightly further back, while the fade will be easier with the ball forward.

Fairway Bunker = Amateurs, be warned; this is a tricky shot to make. Why? Because it’s incredibly easy to hit too much sand and then come up short of the green by a lot. Stance is paramount, and you want the ball more forward than usual. Hit 1-2 extra clubs; hopefully, you’ve nailed it!

Flop Shot = Okay, picture this. You’ve short-sided yourself close to the green and desperately need to achieve a high chip shot that will land softly. What do you do? Move your golf ball slightly forward in your stance. You want it to be halfway between the middle and your left foot. Open your club blade and accelerate through the golf ball. We recommend this when playing from greenside bunkers too.

Low Punch Mid-Iron = You’re out golfing, and the wind is just not on your side. The last thing you want is to achieve a high 6-iron hit just for the wind to ruin it. So what is the best solution? First, flight the ball down by moving the ball back in your stance right off the middle. Then when you’re hitting a mid-iron, press your hands forward and create a wedge swing. 

Conclusion

The best way to perfect your stance is to practice. If you’re going to practice, you need to invest in quality products to improve your training and performance. At Back 2 Basics Golf, we’ve got a wide range of products to get you going on your golfing journey. So take a look at our online store and take advantage of our great products and prices to improve your game!