Ball Position by ClubAddress Posture / Stance at Address All clubs Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 6 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Standing Over the Golf Ball: The Lewis Wallace Method

Name: Standing Over the Golf Ball: The Lewis Wallace Method
Uploaded: 2023-03-28T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 5 min 50 s
Channel: Lewis Wallace
Description: A good swing starts with proper setup. Lewis Wallace answers a subscriber’s question: What is the relationship between the ball, the hands, and the upper body at address? He compares the 8-iron and the driver—the two extremes.

A good swing starts with proper setup. Lewis Wallace answers a subscriber’s question: What is the relationship between the ball, the hands, and the upper body at address? He compares the 8-iron and the driver—the two extremes.

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Lewis Wallace · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

5 minSame problemBall Position Workshop: Three Sticks, Three BallsPaul Lambersens · Beginner 5 minSame problemBall Position and Backspin: The Why ExplainedQuentin Rachinel · Beginner 14 minFrom the same proCombo Iron Set: Custom-Made Head, Shaft, and GripLewis Wallace · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Lewis Wallace watches the ball in relation to the upper body rather than in relation to his feet. With the mid-irons—from the pitching wedge to the 8-iron—he positions the bullet in front of the sternum, which naturally places it at the center of the stance, and hands in line with the ball. If your sternum is too far in front of the ball, your angle of attack is too steep and your swing path is too wide, resulting in shots to the right. If your sternum is too far back, the club hits the ground too early and you’ll hit a fat shot. The ball, hands, and sternum should be in a straight line; your stance should be shoulder-width apart, with your hands slightly ahead of the clubhead.

At the driver, the ball moves toward the left shoulder to promote an upward angle of attack. But if you simply place it more toward your left foot, your sternum tends to move toward the ball, your shoulders open up, and the path becomes outside: resulting in sliced shots and lost distance. His simple solution: start from the iron position and move your right foot back. The ball ends up in line with the left shoulder, hands in line with the driver head, with the sternum slightly behind the ball.

The Exercise, Step by Step

With an 8-iron, position the ball in front of your sternum, in the center of a shoulder-width stance.
Position your hands in line with the ball, slightly in front of the clubhead.
Make sure the sternum is neither in front of nor behind the ball.
For the driver, hold this position and simply move your right foot back.
Check: The ball should be in line with your left shoulder, and your hands should be in line with the driver clubhead.
Make sure your sternum stays slightly behind the ball, without opening your shoulders.

Key Takeaways

Position the ball relative to your upper body, not just relative to your feet.

In a low stance: ball, hands, and sternum in a straight line.

Sternum too far forward: swing path too low, outside swing path, ball to the right.

Sternum too far back: the club hits the ground too early, and that's a fat shot.

For the driver: Move your right foot back so the ball is in line with your left shoulder.

When using a driver, keep your hands in line with the clubhead and your sternum slightly behind the ball.

Mistakes to Avoid

Focus only on the ball's position relative to your feet.
Keep your sternum in front of the ball when you're playing with irons.
Having the sternum behind the ball of the iron, which causes fat shots.
Position the ball on your left foot when using a driver, letting your upper body follow through.
Placing your hands too far in front of or too far behind the ball when putting with irons.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Ball-hands-sternum drill with an 8-iron, filmed from the front
Transition to the driver by moving only the right foot back
Profile Check: Shoulders That Don't Open With the Driver

Your Questions

Where should you place the ball when using an 8-iron or a pitching wedge?

"In front of the sternum," explains Lewis Wallace. It naturally ends up in the center of the stance, with the hands in line with the ball.

What happens if the sternum is too far in front of the ball?

The angle of attack becomes too steep, and the club path is too wide: the ball may veer to the right. If you’re too far back, the club hits the ground too early and you’ll hit a fat shot.

How should you position yourself when using a driver?

Maintain the iron's position and step back with your right foot. The ball should be in line with your left shoulder, your hands in line with the driver head, and your sternum slightly behind the ball.

Why not just move the ball forward on the left foot when using the driver?

Your upper body then tends to move toward the ball, your shoulders turn to the left, and your swing path becomes outside. You slice the ball and lose distance.

Learn More

All videos on “Ball Position by Club” →Find the lesson that's right for you All videos on “Stance / Address Posture” →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 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. 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. Lewis WallaceAll of his lessons

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