GOLFMEDIC

Tip From the Archives

Optical Illusion

Problem

Sometimes when you watch another player set up to the ball, the ball placement in their stance looks differently than it really is.

Cure

When you have difficulty seeing ball placement in your own stance or in others, you should look to see how the ball is lined up in reference to their chest instead. The amount of foot flare or if their feet are aligned so they are square to the target can make the ball appear to be placed in a different position in their stance. However, looking to see where the ball is set in relation to their chest it will be more reliable. Usually, the ball will be place anywhere from just a little forward of the leading shoulder to the center of the chest; it is all dependent on where you want the bottom of the swing arc to occur because this is where the ball needs to be placed.

Therapy

Look in a mirror or take turns with a friend by placing the ball in the center of your stance. Set up in an open, square, and closed stance. If you set up square with the forward foot flared open, it will make the ball appear to be further back in the stance than it really is. When you take a square stance with the trailing foot flared open, it will make the ball appear to be further forward in the stance than it really is. Now try setting up square to the target with the ball placed in different positions in your stance based on which club you are using. When you set up with your driver, you want the ball to be just off of your leading shoulder. When you are using long irons or woods, you want the ball to be just off of the leading armpit. If you are using middle irons, you want the ball aligned with center of your shirt pocket. When using wedges, you will want the ball to be aligned with the center of your chest.

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