How Ball Position Can Affect Your Ability to Follow Through


I love fixing common misconceptions and swing flaws, especially when I know most golfers have these issues. So here is another common problem I come across when watching golfers year round.

Improper ball position can affect so many things. More importantly, it can affect your ability to produce the swing you really want to make, like the swing you read about in the magazines, books, or even the ones you watch on TV every week. I am positive that the term “Follow-Through” is one that has been mentioned in every avid or even beginner golfers’ career. This term is more than just a suggestion, it is a must in order to reach your full swing potential.

The common mistake is to line up the ball in the back portion of the stance, meaning closer to the foot furthest away from the target. The reason this is incorrect is because the further back you place the ball in your stance the more likely you are to keep your weight on your back foot during the through swing. Your brain is a powerful tool, it will compensate for you if the ball is not in the right place, so if the ball is back, the brain will do whatever it takes to keep your weight back during the swing because that is what it’s going to take to get the ball air born.

The ball should be lined-up in the front portion of your stance to encourage your body to transfer your weight onto your lead foot (foot closest to target). This motion is in turn the key movement needed to produce a valid follow-through.

Here is what you need to do to fix this flaw. The following is a ball position matrix that will ensure consistent ball position in order to encourage follow-through:

Irons  
8, 9, PW Feet should be shoulder width apart, and the ball position should be lined up between your lead foot (use your heel as reference, not your toes), and the centre of your stance, thus the ball will be slightly ahead of centre (maybe 1 or 1.5 balls forward). Don’t forget to follow-through!
7, 6, 5, 4... As the clubs get longer, your stance should be getting wider (Note: as you move down in numbers the clubs lengthen a half inch each time). Start by setting up like it was an 8 iron, shoulder width apart, and the ball slightly ahead of centre, then simply widen your stance by ONLY moving your back foot wider (furthest from target). Therefore, the 7 iron would only need a slightly wider stance, and you would continue to widen your stance for each club to where you feel stable. Do not remain shoulder width apart, the longer the club, the more stability you need, thus a wider stance. Keep applying this method all the way to your 3-wood. This method is used to maintain consistency with your ball position because you are not moving the ball all over the place, you are only moving your back foot and the ball remains in the same place in relation to your lead foot.
Driver The driver is the exception, this club you will align with your lead toe, and take a nice wide stance as it is you longest club. Again the key is that you are allowing your self to FOLLOW-THROUGH to your lead leg. Don’t keep your weight on your back foot, it is a death move.

Note: Placing the ball in the back portion of your stance will help for specialty shots, such as needing to hit the ball lower in the wind, or under an obstacle, such as a tree limb.

Good luck, keep it loose and keep it easy!

Yours in Golf,

Mat Vachon
Teaching Professional
Northern Swing Golf Centre