Club Position Relative to the Ball Irons and Driver Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 5 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Club Shaft Position at Address: Me and My Golf

Name: Club Shaft Position at Address: Me and My Golf
Uploaded: 2014-04-22T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 4 min 46 s
Channel: Andy Proudman
Description: Are your shots flying too low and to the left, or too high with a slice? Andy Proudman and Piers Ward from Me and My Golf answer a subscriber’s question about shaft position at address: the two most common mistakes, followed by a simple neutral reference point for irons and the driver.

Are your shots flying too low and to the left, or too high with a slice? Andy Proudman and Piers Ward from Me and My Golf answer a subscriber’s question about shaft position at address: the two most common mistakes, followed by a simple neutral reference point for irons and the driver.

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Andy Proudman · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

2 minSame problemClubface Square at the address: the grip testJason Baile · Beginner / Intermediate 4 minSame problemAiming Too Far to the Right: The Setup Command That Corrects ItSean Foley · Beginner / Intermediate 9 minFrom the same proThe Five Basics for Beginners: Me and My GolfAndy Proudman · Beginner

What the lesson shows

According to Andy Proudman and Piers Ward of Me and My Golf, the position of the club shaft at address matters because it affects the clubface, the loft, and the swing. First, a very common mistake: the shaft leaning too far forward. The club loses loft, and when you take your grip, your hands are in a strong position; once the clubface is back in front of you, it is closed and de-lofted. The result: a shot that’s too low and, for a right-hander, a hook to the left. Many players do this because they know their hands should be ahead at impact, but starting from that position interferes with the clubface. The opposite extreme: the shaft too far back, which adds loft and provides a weak grip: the ball flies too high and tends to fade or slice—a common issue among golfers who try to force the ball to rise.

Their neutral setup: with an iron, the ball is roughly level with the left side of the chest; with the driver, it’s inside the left heel. The test: take your grip, set up, then let go of the club. The grip should brush against the inside of the left thigh as it falls. With an iron, the top of the shaft is then roughly level with the ball, slightly ahead of it; with the driver, the hands are at the level of the clubhead. This neutral stance helps you position your hands correctly on the club, achieve a proper grip, and maintain a consistent clubface and a good ball flight.

The Exercise, Step by Step

With an iron, position the ball in line with the left side of your chest.
Take your grip and set up at address, with the shaft in a neutral position.
Let go of the club and watch where the grip falls.
Adjust it until it just touches the inside of your left thigh.
Using the driver, with the ball positioned inside your left heel, repeat the same test.
Make sure your hands are level with the clubhead when using the driver.

Key Takeaways

The shaft affects the clubface, loft, and swing.

Too far forward: closed face, less loft, low ball flight, and a hook.

Too far back: more loft, weak grip, high ball flight, and a slice.

Checkpoint: when you let go, the grip brushes the inside of your left thigh.

Iron: shaft slightly forward; driver: hands at the level of the clubhead.

Mistakes to Avoid

Leaning the shaft far forward because that’s where you want it at impact.
Moving your hands back to help the ball get airborne.
Taking your grip with the shaft poorly positioned.
Keeping the same hand position for an iron and the driver.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Club drop test, grip against the inside of the left thigh
Same check with a 7-iron, then with the driver
A few balls, watching the height and curve

Your Questions

Why is shaft position important?

According to Andy Proudman and Piers Ward, it affects the clubface angle, the club's loft, and the resulting swing.

What happens if the shaft is too far forward?

The club loses loft and the grip becomes strong: the clubface is closed at impact, the ball flies low, and—for a right-hander—it hooks to the left.

What if it's too far back?

The loft increases and the grip becomes weak: the ball rises too high and often curves to the right as a fade or a slice.

How do you find the neutral position?

Take your grip, set up, and let go of the club: the grip should brush the inside of your left thigh. With an iron, the shaft then leans slightly forward; with a driver, your hands are level with the clubhead.

Learn More

All videos on “Club Position Relative to the Ball” →Find the lesson that's right for you Clubface Square at the address: the grip testA proper grip allows you to close the clubface without it being noticeable: lift the club, cock your left wrist, and make sure the leading edge points to 12 o'clock. Shaft lean by club: irons, wedges, and driverThe shaft angle is different for irons, wedges, and drivers, and it is determined by the clubface angle, not by pushing your hands forward. Aiming Too Far to the Right: The Setup Command That Corrects ItStanding next to the ball, your eyes can trick you into aiming to the right: first face a point, then look at the target, then position your feet. Andy ProudmanAll of his lessons

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