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Ball Position by Club Irons Intermediate ⏱ 3 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Checking Your Ball Position: Two Simple Guidelines

Your ball position shifts more than you might think. Justin Parsons, a Titleist instructor, explains why it drifts and offers two ways to check it: using a club on the driving range, and setting up with your feet together on the course.

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Justin Parsons
Justin Parsons · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

6 minSame problemHow to Hit Your 3 Wood Off the Fairway, Not Like Off a TeeRick Shiels · Intermediate10 minSame problemBrooks Koepka's Fairway Finder: The Safe FadeBrooks Koepka · Intermediate / Expert3 minFrom the same proStability at the Top of the Swing: 3 Transition CuesJustin Parsons · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Justin Parsons starts with an observation: the ball's position fluctuates easily. If you hit the ground too early, you’ll pull the ball back to compensate. If you play for several days in strong winds, you’ll move it back to make the ball fly lower. These adjustments then carry over into practice and create inconsistency. That’s why it’s important to check it regularly.

His benchmark: for long clubs, one ball ahead of center; for mid-range irons, below the logo on the left side of the chest; for irons 8 or 9, just in front of center. At the driving range, a stick lying on the ground serves as a reference point. On the course, he first adjusts his alignment (if aligned to the left, the ball ends up farther forward; if aligned to the right, farther back), then he positions himself feet almost together, ball positioned under the left side of the chest with a 6-iron; spread your left foot and then your right foot until they are shoulder-width apart.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. At the driving range, place an alignment stick on the ground next to the ball as a reference point.
  2. Position the ball slightly ahead of center for long clubs, and just below the left side of your chest for a 6-iron.
  3. On the course, first make sure your feet and body are properly aligned.
  4. Stand with your feet almost together, holding the ball under the left side of your chest.
  5. Move your left foot slightly toward the target.
  6. Step your right foot out until your stance is shoulder-width apart.

Key Takeaways

The ball's position varies depending on your adjustments and the weather.
Long clubs: ball positioned in front of the center of your stance.
Medium irons: ball under the left side of the chest.
At the driving range, a stick on the ground serves as a reference point.
Misalignment causes the ball to be off-center.
On the course, start with your feet together, then spread them apart.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Continue to use the backhand shot in practice that was adopted to compensate for a weakness.
  • Maintain the “special wind” setting even after the wind has died down.
  • Aligning to the left or right without noticing that the ball's position changes.
  • Never check your ball's position at the driving range.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. A club on the ground at every driving range session
  2. Quick check before each set of shots
  3. On the course: feet together, then left foot, then right foot

Your Questions

Why does my ball position change without me noticing?

Because you adjust it to compensate: the ball goes back when you hit the ground too early, or when you're playing into the wind. Justin Parsons explains that these adjustments then carry over and make your game inconsistent.

How can you check the ball's position on the course without a putter?

Stand with your feet almost together, with the ball positioned under the left side of your chest for a 6-iron. Then spread your left foot, followed by your right foot, until your feet are shoulder-width apart.

What is the relationship between alignment and ball position?

If you’re aligned too far to the left, the ball will be farther forward in your stance. If you’re aligned too far to the right, it will be farther back. So you need to get your alignment right before assessing the ball’s position.

Learn More

All videos on “Ball Position by Club” →Find the lesson that's right for you Too Close or Too Far from the Ball: The Arm TestThe correct distance from the ball is achieved by letting your arms hang down: they should fall below your shoulders, not onto your thighs. Ball Position and Backspin: The Why ExplainedThe ball's position relative to the club is determined by the angle of attack and the desired amount of backspin: the more precision you want, the further back the ball is placed. Ball Position Workshop: Three Sticks, Three BallsA driving range station with three clubs and three balls, positioned at the center of the swing (front shoulder), to ensure a consistent ball position with every club. Justin ParsonsAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Justin Parsons). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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