How far do you stand from the ball at address?

[Chris08527]

Hey guys,

Been taking a couple of lessons and my pro wants me to stand closer to the ball.  He is correct I do stand far from the ball at address and bend a lot at the waist.  My problem now is, it feels really uncomfortable to stand as close as I am suppose to? any thoughts/tips?

[MS256]

Hey guys,

Been taking a couple of lessons and my pro wants me to stand closer to the ball.  He is correct I do stand far from the ball at address and bend a lot at the waist.  My problem now is, it feels really uncomfortable to stand as close as I am suppose to? any thoughts/tips?

I would think that your pro should have a lot better idea of what you need to do than we would. He could have reasons for standing closer or farther, based on what you are doing, that we wouldn't know about.

Moe Norman stood about as far away from the ball as he could stand and Jim Furyk stands about as close to the ball as he can stand. Not a chance I would feel comfortable with either of those but it worked for them.

If I had to give a guideline it would be to have the left arm hanging somewhere between vertical and extended a couple of inches toward the ball.

[saevel25]

Hey guys,

Been taking a couple of lessons and my pro wants me to stand closer to the ball.  He is correct I do stand far from the ball at address and bend a lot at the waist.  My problem now is, it feels really uncomfortable to stand as close as I am suppose to? any thoughts/tips?

Post a video of your swing, or have someone take a picture from down the line (toe line) of you at address. Its impossible to say with out seeing your swing or set up. Basically you want want to end up too much on your toes or too much on your heels at address.

Generally you want to have about a hand width between the butt end of your club and your thighs. Given what @MS256 mentioned, that range can very greatly depending on the golfer.

[mvmac]

Hey guys,

Been taking a couple of lessons and my pro wants me to stand closer to the ball.  He is correct I do stand far from the ball at address and bend a lot at the waist.  My problem now is, it feels really uncomfortable to stand as close as I am suppose to? any thoughts/tips?

Like @saevel25 said, generally you want to be about a fist and a thumb away from the butt of the club. Arms are hanging slightly away from you, weight is even between the toes and heel.

Post a pic or something, it may feel like crap but could be perfect.

[Keith White]

Chris I know how you feel, I was standing wat too close.  been working on it and leaning forward more with hands further away.  Get that natural drop frop the shoulders.  Feels wierd but it works, I can turn around the shoulders much easier and swinging much better,  The old Butch Harmon check is still a good one, if your standing well, when you drop the club to your leg it should fall just above the knee if your distance and stance are solid. Ifeel like I amstretched away but that's because I was too close.  It always feels wierd when you make a change.

[arturo28mx]

For me, standing closer to the ball made it easier to swing on plane

I stand where my arms just hang down naturally

[JoePete]

Hey guys,

Been taking a couple of lessons and my pro wants me to stand closer to the ball.  He is correct I do stand far from the ball at address and bend a lot at the waist.  My problem now is, it feels really uncomfortable to stand as close as I am suppose to? any thoughts/tips?

Listen to the pro you are paying. By in large, most high handicappers stand too far away from the ball - at least in the U.S. Influence of Little League and adult softball on the golf swing I think. Baseball swing you extend the arms out from the body. Golf swing you keep the arms (at least the upper arms) a lot more connected to your upper body to keep on plane. The other issue you might be confronting is that when you move in closer, you really need to clear those hips on the downswing.  If you have been an upper body swinger, it might take a little adjusting, but stick with it. You probably feel like you are going to shank everything, right? Stick with it, and remember get those hips through first. I have seen guys, as a drill for getting a good turn through the ball, almost stand right on top of the ball and be able to hit square shots.

[MS256]

Maybe with a bad Little League swing. One of the drills we do is to stand facing a wall with the bat against the stomach and against the wall (one bat length from the stomach to the wall). Then make a full swing without hitting the wall. Try that with that bad swing and see what happens.

[Hammer 4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoePete

Listen to the pro you are paying. By in large, most high handicappers stand too far away from the ball - at least in the U.S. Influence of Little League and adult softball on the golf swing I think. Baseball swing you extend the arms out from the body. Golf swing you keep the arms (at least the upper arms) a lot more connected to your upper body to keep on plane. The other issue you might be confronting is that when you move in closer, you really need to clear those hips on the downswing.  If you have been an upper body swinger, it might take a little adjusting, but stick with it. You probably feel like you are going to shank everything, right? Stick with it, and remember get those hips through first. I have seen guys, as a drill for getting a good turn through the ball, almost stand right on top of the ball and be able to hit square shots.

Maybe with a bad Little League swing. One of the drills we do is to stand facing a wall with the bat against the stomach and against the wall (one bat length from the stomach to the wall). Then make a full swing without hitting the wall.

Try that with that bad swing and see what happens.

Dude, your so hard core..lol