Was Ben Hogan Right About Ball Position?

Ben Hogan is a legendary name in golf instruction. His insights and teachings have profoundly shaped how we approach the game today. One of Hogan's most influential concepts was the idea of maintaining a constant ball position—positioning the ball consistently relative to the lead foot across various clubs. While revolutionary in its time, does this approach still hold true, or has modern golf instruction evolved to something more effective?

Understanding Hogan’s Constant Ball Position

Ben Hogan advocated for a constant ball position relative to the inside of the lead heel for all clubs. But this is often misunderstood by beginner golfers and those looking for a simplified solution to ball position. 

Although the ball is constant relative to the lead heel, when you consider the opening or closing of the stance, it in fact moves the ball position within the stance. Take for example the wedge. We’ve often been told to play a wedge out of the middle of our stance. 

Even though Ben Hogan’s stance diagram shows the ball position for the wedge just inside the front heel, when we adjust for the more open stance, we see the ball position moves back to the middle of the stance. 

This is true for other clubs as well. When adjusted for the opening or closing of the stance, we see the ball move forward to inside the front foot for the driver and about 3 inches inside the front heel for long irons. 

These do match up with the most commonly accepted ball positions we’ve been taught elsewhere. 

However, additional complexity comes from an opening or closing of the stance for each different club as well. 

Benefits of Hogan’s Constant Ball Position:

• Single Point of Reference: The inside of the front heel acts as a single point of reference, but that is assuming you can get your back foot in the right place each time. 
• Correct Ball Positions: Arrives at approximately the same ball positions as other methods, but in a more complex way. 

However, the constant ball position method isn’t without its drawbacks. This approach, while first appearing simple, is actually very complex to implement. Golfers also encounter numerous scenarios on the course—changing lie conditions, slope gradients, and desired shot shapes—which all add their own elements of additional complexity. 

Drawbacks of Hogan’s Constant Ball Position:

• Complex Setup: Hogan’s approach requires three variables to worry about (ball position, stance width and alignment angle (open/closed stance).
• Limited Adaptability: Difficult to implement with various lies or uneven terrain due to its complexity.
  
• Not Tailored to Individual Swing Characteristics: Fails to accommodate the unique nuances of each golfer’s swing, potentially leading to compensations in the golf swing.
  
  

The Evolution – Zonal Ball Positioning

Golf instruction continues to evolve, adapting to the nuanced reality of the game. The concept of zonal ball positioning represents this modern progression. Rather than holding a fixed position, zonal positioning promotes adjusting the ball's location within specific "zones," depending on the club, lie, shot type, and individual swing characteristics. 

What exactly is zonal ball positioning?

Zonal ball positioning provides golfers with specific ranges or "zones" for ball placement rather than one fixed spot. This method embraces flexibility, enabling golfers to effectively adjust their setup based on several essential factors:

• Lie Conditions: Adapt to uneven ground, varying grass length, or slopes.
  
• Swing Traits: Tailor ball position for steep or shallow swing paths.
  
• Shot Shape: Allow intentional manipulation of trajectory, fades, draws, or height variations.
  

Giles Gill Golf provides a great explanation of Zonal Ball Positioning in this video [2]. 

Benefits of Zonal Ball Positioning

The beauty of zonal positioning lies in its adaptability and responsiveness to the unique circumstances golfers face. Here are some key advantages:

• Lower Complexity: Does not require a change in alignment to shift the ball position within the stance. 
• Based on Square Alignment: Stock shots are based on square alignment and can be adjusted from there. 
• Enhanced Adaptability: Because you are always starting with square alignment, it’s easier to adjust to real-life situations encountered during rounds, from tricky slopes to dense rough.
  
• Empowers Natural Swing: Encourages golfers to utilize their inherent swing characteristics, resulting in improved confidence and less forced mechanics.
  
  

Potential Drawbacks of Zonal Ball Positioning

While zonal ball positioning offers significant advantages, it does come with some potential challenges, particularly for golfers new to the method:

• Based on Square Alignment: Zonal ball positioning is more based on a square alignment to the target for all clubs. Not everyone naturally aligns square to the target.
  
• Learning Curve: Requires more thoughtful practice and structured drills to gain consistency in ball position, which changes for each club.

How the Stance IQ Training Mat Helps Golfers Practice Zonal Ball Positioning

At Divot Works, our mission is to provide golfers with structured, skill-based training tools that lead to real, measurable improvements. We firmly believe zonal positioning offers modern day golfers a superior method that will improve their game.

The Stance IQ training mat shows golfers reference ball positions, designed specifically based on height and provides a tool for learning different ball positions in a more structured way. 

This training tool then also allows golfers to record their preferred ball positions, so they can practice with consistency and eliminate a variable that often causes inconsistency in swing and strike among all levels of players. 

The Stance IQ training mat also comes with structured drills that emphasise a skill-based approach to learning ball position, allowing you to methodically practice and understand precisely how different ball positions influence your strike and ball flight.

Conclusion

Ben Hogan’s constant ball position method undoubtedly has merit—it provided simplicity and consistency at a time when golfers sought clarity in instruction. However, modern golf instruction has evolved, and zonal ball positioning represents a more straightforward approach, empowering golfers with the tools to adapt more effectively on the course. 

Ready to master zonal ball positioning? Learn more about our Stance IQ training mat and structured drills specifically designed to elevate your skills and adaptability on the course.

References

[1] Golftec SwingTRU Motion Study: https://events.golftec.com/swingtru

[2] Giles Gill Golf on Zonal Ball Position: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeAdVVGoW1o