Golf Tip: Proper Ball Position

Did you know that many golfers make mistakes before they even begin to swing their clubs? That’s why we’re offering a golf tip on proper ball position. It’s wise to double-check it before taking your club back. Why? Because if you get your ball position right, your odds of hitting a great shot will drastically improve. But, like most things in golf, correctly positioning your golf ball may seem like a simple task, but it’s actually somewhat complicated.

We recently asked our Head Golf Professional, Keith Kelly, for his input and advice on proper ball position. This time, he’s offering two strategic tips for your pre-shot checklist, the first of which is below. 

“One of the most important things in the setup for a golfer is ball position. You can do everything correctly in a swing, but if the ball position is off, then you will not hit the ball solidly. Ball position consists of two points. 

How far away you are from the ball – If you are too far away from the ball and reaching, it stops you from using your lower body correctly. This, in turn, affects the amount of speed you can generate to hit the golf ball. If you are too close to the ball, you will tend to put your weight on your heels and stand up out of the shot. To be in the correct position, get in an athletic stance with the weight on the balls of your feet. Then let your arms hang from your shoulders without reaching out. This should put you in the correct position and balance to hit the ball more consistently. 

Next month we will discuss the second part of ball position – the position relative to the left and right foot in the stance.”

Please stay tuned to our blog for the second tip in this series for improving your ball position. As Keith alluded, it’s all about the stance. 

For more ways to improve your game, we’re happy to help – especially if you are learning to play golf. Our friendly golf pros offer private and group lessons for people of all ages and skill levels. What’s more, playing our award-winning Weiskopf/Morrish-designed course is an enjoyable activity you’ll not soon forget. We invite you to experience it for yourself — call the Pro Shop to arrange lessons, or book your tee time online today.