Ball Position

Swing Arcs and Planes

Balance and Flexibility

Stance width (full swing):

Shoulder width from a plum line dropped from each to shoulder joint down to the inside of the heels. If the stance is too wide, you will lack the flexibility needed to make a full turn of the shoulders. If the stance is too narrow, you will be out of balance. Obviously, this is not only a fundamental but also an individual technique.

Direction of the toes:

Right toe turned out 10-15¡, left toe turned out twice as much. Pointing the toes outward gives flexibility to the hips allowing for a larger, easier turning of the shoulders. Turning the toes straighter to the front reduces hip flexibility and promotes a more stable "between the feet" swing.

Toe to heel & left to right foot Balance:

You must be balanced to two ways. Your weight will be evenly distributed between the left and right foot and from toe to heel. The easy way to think about this is to simply stand "flat footed".

Distance from the ball:

Automatically determined by a combination of your posture over the ball plus the combination of the lie angle and length of the shaft of a correctly fitted club. Regardless of the club, your hands will hang about one fist's width away from your thighs and the club will generally sit with the sole flat on the ground.

Ball Position Between the Feet:

Approach shots (5I-W):

Your intention is to putt the next shot. Accuracy is more important than distance. To insure the ball will get airborne, reach its maximum trajectory close to the target and fall steeply, the ball is played from the center of the stance the handle "points" at the centerline of your body.

Long approach (3W-4I):

Your intention is to advance the ball forward and keep it on line with the green when the probability of hitting the green is reduced because of the distance of the shot. Both distance and direction are important. To sweep the ball cleanly off the turf and project it more forward than upward so it will release and roll upon landing, the ball is played about 1/2 way between the center of the stance and your left heel. The handle of the club will point at the inside seam of the left breast shirt pocket

Tee ball (D or 3W):

Your intention is to drive the ball forward for maximum distance. To catch the ball just past "bottom dead center" as the clubhead begins to move up and through the ball, play the ball from a position just opposite your left heel. The handle of the club will point at your armpit.

Note: Ball position is directly related to alignment of the your shoulders and knees. The more the ball moves "forward" towards the left heel, the more the shoulders must be aligned to what appears to be the right edge of the target zone or slightly closed. The more the ball is moved back in your stance the more the shoulders need to be aimed to the left edge of the target or open!

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