Where do you set up on iron shots?

[Coleoneps]

Im having difficutly discovering my optimal setup on my average iron shots. I recently had a lesson from a pro and he had me setting up with the ball just past the midway point toward my back foot. He also had me stand further from the ball. What Ive noticed is I am making more consistant contact with the ball but I am getting much less distance on my long irons and Im skying them. I cant get much distance on them which is leaving a gaping hole in my second shot on longer par fours.

Im curious where everyone sets up so I can see where the majority sits and go from there.

[Rudyprimo]

That doesn't sound right to me, hitting long and medium irons from behind the center of your stance.  I play my short irons from the middle of my stance.  Mid irons, 1 1/2 inches forward from the middle.  Long irons, 3 inches forward from the middle.  Playing the longer clubs forward accommodates the longer length of the clubs.

[Mattplusness]

Something like this, except my 7 iron is a bit more toward middle

[Coleoneps]

Thats a very interesting picture. Thanks for the guide!

[WUTiger]

In my early years playing, I used something similar to the Mattplus diagram from a book by famous Fifties golfer Doug Ford (he won the Canadian Open, for you history buffs).

Once out of high school, I used the Nicklaus "Golf My Way" method of constant ball position - opposite the left heel for all normal full shots. Nicklaus did widen his stance slightly as the clubs got longer.

In comparison Ben Hogan in "Five Lessons" recommended constant ball position - also opposite left heel - but progressed from a narrow, open stance with wedges to a wider, closed stance with woods.

When I revamped my swing in 2006, I went back to variable position similar to the Mattplus diagram. British teaching pro Malcolm Campbell and his colleagues recommend this in their Masterclass program.

Big thing is to have a standard setup, for simplicity sake. I rarely break 90 now, but I have had solid golf seasons using both constant and variable. Key is to pick a set-up plan and stick with for consistency. Occasional golfers I play with in scrambles often have no ball position scheme, and, err... consistency eludes them.

Originally Posted by Coleoneps

... I recently had a lesson from a pro and he had me setting up with the ball just past the midway point toward my back foot. He also had me stand further from the ball. What I've noticed is I am making more consistant contact with the ball but I am getting much less distance on my long irons and I'm skying them. ...

Swing theory on variable ball position: For longer clubs, aligning the ball position forward in your stance fits better with the more shallow angle of attack (sweeping motion) of the swing for woods and long irons. Midstance fits better with the steeper angle of attack of the short iron swing.

You might double-check with the pro and see if he really wants woods in midstance.

Edit: Insert Campbell info.