Closer or Further...Which is better?
- Thread starter Bigwill
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Erik_K
New
Your ideal distance from the ball in influenced by many things; most notably the club (assuming you have clubs long/short enough to allow you to have good posture, proper waist/knee bend, etc).
That said, there are a few variables to keep in mind. When you are swinging down to the ball, the arms are straightening out. Also, your left shoulder is rotating UP and BACK behind you. Thus, for some golfers, these two things cancel each other out and whereever they place the ball on the ground and stand next to it is OK.
However, for many other players, some adjustment is needed and this can probably only be done with some trial and error. For example, if you are hitting shots off the heel your arms might be straightening out more than how much your left shoulder is rotating up and back behind you. The solution, move back a touch.
The opposite could also happen. If you are hitting some off the toe. It's possible your arms are still straigtening out, but maybe your shoulder isn't moving back far enough and the result is hit off the toe. The solution, try moving in a bit.
Look at any good player at impact and notice how the arms are straightER than they were at address and that their hips and shoulders are OPEN.
That said, there are a few variables to keep in mind. When you are swinging down to the ball, the arms are straightening out. Also, your left shoulder is rotating UP and BACK behind you. Thus, for some golfers, these two things cancel each other out and whereever they place the ball on the ground and stand next to it is OK.
However, for many other players, some adjustment is needed and this can probably only be done with some trial and error. For example, if you are hitting shots off the heel your arms might be straightening out more than how much your left shoulder is rotating up and back behind you. The solution, move back a touch.
The opposite could also happen. If you are hitting some off the toe. It's possible your arms are still straigtening out, but maybe your shoulder isn't moving back far enough and the result is hit off the toe. The solution, try moving in a bit.
Look at any good player at impact and notice how the arms are straightER than they were at address and that their hips and shoulders are OPEN.
Thanks for the reply, Erik. Besides heel or toe contact, how does distance from the ball affect the actual swing? For example, does standing closer to the ball make it easier to maintain your angles (flying wedges)? I read this somewhere, and I'm wondering what other things are affected by how close/far you stand.
birdie_man
New
I like prolly standing a little closer....don't like to feel like I'm reaching.
Burner
New
Take the club (any club) in your right hand at the place you would normally grip it. Extend your right arm out in front of you parallel to the ground, say at shoulder height. The shaft should be running up your forearm a little.
Just bend from the hips (not the waist) until the clubhead is soled, as if at address, and you will find that you are the correct distance away from the ball.
Just bend from the hips (not the waist) until the clubhead is soled, as if at address, and you will find that you are the correct distance away from the ball.
birdie_man
New
I feel more balanced when the ball is closer....that's all I know....or at least when I stand up straighter.
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
It's easier to flip and lose leakage if you stand up to it. I agree it's better to error on the side of slightly too bent over and slightly farther away from it.
birdie_man
New
I find that if I stand up taller the ball goes less left.
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
As i said, it's easier to 1) flip at it (closes the face) and 2) it's really easy to come over the plane on the downswing which again, means left.
birdie_man
New
I dunno man....it's just what works for me up to this point.
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