Ball Position by Club All clubs Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 11 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Ball Position and Club Path: TrackMan Evidence

Name: Ball Position and Club Path: TrackMan Evidence
Uploaded: 2019-12-02T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 10 min 57 s
Channel: Chris Ryan
Description: “Your ball is too far forward!” This is common advice from a playing partner, but do we really know what difference it makes? Chris Ryan places the ball very far forward and then very far back using a 6-iron and checks the TrackMan data: a 20-degree difference in ball path, without intentionally changing his swing.

“Your ball is too far forward!” This is common advice from a playing partner, but do we really know what difference it makes? Chris Ryan places the ball very far forward and then very far back using a 6-iron and checks the TrackMan data: a 20-degree difference in ball path, without intentionally changing his swing.

▶

Chris Ryan · 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 · Intermediate 10 minSame problemBrooks Koepka's Fairway Finder: The Safe FadeBrooks Koepka · Intermediate / Expert 9 minFrom the same proFive Alignment Mistakes in Golf: Chris RyanChris Ryan · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

With a 6-iron and a course that’s usually almost neutral, Chris Ryan takes the experiment to the extreme. Ball very far forward, toward the little toe of the front foot: the ball goes far to the left, following a path that 11.1° to the left and a 9.2° downslope angle. Ball way back: Start on the right and take a sharp left turn; the path leads to 8.9° to the right, hits the ball with an almost flat lie angle (0.5°), without a divot. The ball path deviates by about twenty degrees, without any intentional change to the swing.

The explanation lies in the swing arc. With the ball positioned ahead, the natural low point comes before it, and you’d hit it: Without realizing it, we rotate the bow to the left To reach it, we swing to the left. With the ball positioned back, we rotate it to the right. This phenomenon also occurs with a two-inch (5 cm) gap. Consequences: a ball positioned too far forward has a fade bias and encourages an over-the-ball swing, especially with a 3-wood and a driver; A shot taken a little further back directs the ball to the right and can help those who slice. There is no single correct stance—it varies from person to person.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Identify your usual shot path with a mid-iron, with the ball in the middle of your stance, like the 6-iron in the video.
If your shots are drifting to the left even though you're making good contact, check to see if the ball is positioned too far forward.
If you slice the ball, try placing the ball a little further back to steer it to the right.
If you're looking for a draw, avoid hitting the ball too far forward, as that tends to cause a fade.
With the 3-wood and the driver, be careful not to position the ball too far forward, as this can cause you to swing over the ball.
Maintain a stance that allows for a neutral swing and straight shots.

Key Takeaways

Moving the ball changes your swing without you meaning to.

Ball too far forward: path to the left, fade and slice tendencies.

Ball too far back: start to the right and curve to the left.

Rotate the club to find the lowest point near the ball.

Just a few centimeters are enough to change the path, the attack, and the curve.

There is no one-size-fits-all ball position.

Mistakes to Avoid

Blindly following a partner's advice on ball placement.
Believing that a good connection proves a good position: it may stem from a form of compensation.
Correcting your swing without first checking the ball's position.
Moving the ball further forward when you're already slicing.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Three balls in front, three in the center, three behind—same swing
Record the start time and the curve for each series
Using radar, compare the path and the angle of attack
Maintain the stance that produces the least curved shots

Your Questions

Why does the ball go to the left when it's too far forward?

The lowest point of your swing occurs before the ball. To make contact, you unconsciously rotate the arc to the left. For Chris Ryan, the path has shifted 11.1° to the left.

Can moving the ball back help a slicer?

According to him, yes: a ball positioned slightly further back causes the ball to curve to the right. Conversely, a ball positioned further forward has a fade.

Does a short trip really make a difference?

His examples are extreme, but he points out that the same phenomenon occurs when a ball is moved two inches—about 5 cm—forward or backward.

How is this related to slicing with a driver and a 3-wood?

The further forward the ball is, the more we tend to swing over and to the left to make contact with it. He sees this as one of the reasons why so many golfers slice the ball with their long clubs.

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. Chris RyanAll of his lessons

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