Ball position

[curtisj76]

How can something so important vary so much? I just watched Jack's "Golf My Way" where he says use a single ball position. When I first found Brian, I started using a single ball position, and then for the past few years I've switched to multiple positions. What do the "science guys" say about ball position? Is there one "correct" way and then everything else is some type of manipulation?

 

[Shot Limit]

Good Q curtis, glad you revisited. I found no clarity in the previous threads. I do know one thing, Jack's way aint for me. For now any way.

I feel like i need to refind my low spot everytime i play, it often results in different positions. IMHO, I really do think i'm consistant enough to have just one spot. Depends on where I'm compressing the ball the best that day.

 

[curtisj76]

That's the thing, I've played "decent" both ways. It just doesn't make sense.

 

[GPM1985]

If the angle of attack differs from club to club, it makes sense to me that the ball position should as well. I used to play with a "single" ball position, but found that I struggled to hit my wedges and driver consistently. I really don't think that's the way to go.

In Five Lessons, Hogan provides an interesting diagram for ball position and foot placement. It was posted in another thread on ball position. I'm thinking that if there is a science-based guideline for ball position, it's going to be similar to Hogan's. In any event, it's probably more complicated than the single position, or the triple position approach.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

The key to a single ball position is the width of the stance; if you don't have it narrow enough for short irons or wide enough for long irons you will have trouble with it.

 

[Shot Limit]

I have the same stance and diff ball positions. I can't find the hogan chart, I think cmartin posted, but I would guess that more my style. I feel like that whole pattern shifts for me depending on how I'm swinging.

Like to see diagram though. What is your preference Jim and why, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[TeddyIrons]

At address, I place my right foot adjacent to the ball, then place the left foot a few inches to the left of it, and then re-position my right foot - wider for long irons, narrower for short irons. I used to make the mistake of placing the ball in the middle of my stance, which was a disaster for my long irons because I would take huge divots as the low point of my swing was too far left of the ball.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

I have the same stance and diff ball positions. I can't find the hogan chart, I think cmartin posted, but I would guess that more my style. I feel like that whole pattern shifts for me depending on how I'm swinging.

Like to see diagram though. What is your preference Jim and why, if you don't mind me asking?

Honestly i don't know. I am still tinkering, however i did play better when i was comitted to 1 ball position and just vary my stance width. Maybe i should commit to it again

 

[Shot Limit]

Thanks Jim, just wanted to know what a good golfer did.

Tried one ball position today at the range and it actually worked out nicely. I figured I would lose a little distance for the sake of precision but the distance loss seemed minimal. Guess I'll tinker a pinch more.