Fine Tuning Ball Position & Stance Width

Who Is This Drill For?

You've completed either of the Getting Started guides and would like to start experimenting with changing your ball position and/or stance width. 

Equipment Needed

Stance IQ training mat
Chalk Pen
Hitting Net / Range / Sim

Skill Levels

Advanced: You're aware of your preferred ball positions and stance widths and/or achieve a relatively consistent ball flight from your own preferred positions and can recognise when something is out with your swing and/or ball flight. 
Expert: You're aware of your preferred ball positions and stance widths and actively adjust your stance width and ball position to change your strike and ball flight. 

Stage 1 - Changing Ball Positions

The goal of this stage is to fine tune your own preferred ball positions. 

When to Change Ball Position

You may want to consider changing your ball position if you want to move your ground contact more infront of or behind the ball, create higher or lower ball flight, or change to a more fade or draw biased shot shape. 

Step by Step

1. Choose the club you want to work on and setup as you would to hit from the recommended positions.
2. Hit 5-10 shots towards a target from the recommended position for that club and note the dispersion / accuracy to your target.
3. Then move the ball 1 inch (1/2 a ball width) forward of the recommended position and hit another 5-10 shots from this position towards your target.
4. Compare the accuracy to your target and if you prefer the shots from the new position, then mark your new position with the chalk marker pen. You could use the number of the club (eg. '7') or 'M' for Mid-iron, or whatever makes sense to you.
5. Repeat by moving the ball another inch (2 inches) forward, then 1 inch back, and then 2 inches back.
6. If you find a new ball position that you prefer, use a soft cloth to erase the chalk marker and add your new preferred ball position.
7. Repeat for other clubs until you are confident in your preferred ball positions. 

Note: Although shot shape (fade/draw) and shot trajectory (launch angle) are things to consider when comparing ball positions, accuracy to your target should ultimately be the most important. 

Cause and Effect

Consider moving your ball forward to achieve one or more of the following:
 - A higher ball flight (from a shallower angle of attack)
 - A more fade biased shot shape
 - Ball first contact is not an issue
 - To open your shoulders more

Consider moving your ball backward to achieve one or more of the following:
 - A lower ball flight (from a steeper angle of attack)
 - A more draw biased shot shape
 - To make ball first contact easier
 - To close your shoulders more

Stage 2 - Fine Tuning Stance Widths

The goal of this stage is to fine tune your own preferred stance widths. 

When to Change Stance Width

You may want to consider changing your stance width if you are struggling with balance, want to move your ground contact foward or back, want to increase or decrease your angle of attack. 

Step by Step

1. 1. Choose the club you want to work on and setup as you would to hit from the recommended positions.
2. Hit 5-10 shots towards a target from the recommended position for that club and note the dispersion / accuracy to your target.
3. Then move your stance 1 inch narrower than the recommended position and hit another 5-10 shots from this position towards your target. 
4. Compare the accuracy to your target and if you prefer the shots from this new stance width, then mark your preferred position with the chalk marker pen. You could use the number of the club (eg. '7') or 'M' for Mid-iron, or whatever makes sense to you.
5. Repeat by moving your stance another inch narrower, then 1 inch wider, and then 2 inches wider.
6. If you find a new stance width that you prefer, use a soft cloth to erase the chalk marker and add your new preferred ball position.
7. Repeat for other clubs until you are confident in your preferred stance widths. 

Note: Stance width is also about feeling, and flexibility plays an important role. There will be golfers who can tolerate less mobility in their hips and golfers who benefit from increased turn of a narrower stance. Only you (and your coach) can make this call. 

Cause and Effect

Consider widening your stance width to achieve one or more of the following:

• Widen swing arc (more sweeping angle of attack)
• Move low point (divot / ground contact) backwards
• Increase club speed, assuming you can transfer your weight correctly
• Lower centre of mass and improve balance
• Reduce hip mobility (rotation)

Consider narrowing your stance to achieve one or more of the following:

• Narrow swing arc (steeper angle of attack)
• Move low point (divot / ground contact) forwards
• Increase hip mobility (rotation)
• Club speed is not an issue
• Balance is not an issue

Stage 4 - Combining Ball Position & Stance Width

Treat stance width and ball position as a system that have an effect on each other. If you adjust one, check the other. 

Think of finding your preferred setup positions as a year long project, rather than something that changes day-to-day. If you feel like you prefer a new ball position after 2-3 sessions in a row, then it might be a change worth making, but your swing will be slightly different every time you hit, so be patient with your changes, otherwise you will end up chasing your tail. 

Tip: Take photos of your preferred setup positions as you go so that you can refer back to them later and to keep a record just in case your marks get rubbed off during transit or when handling of the mat.