Head behind ball set up.

[Stratf01]

Please can you help me with this simple set up matter. 

So let's say you are using an 8 iron with ball in middle of your stance. 

What are you moving in your stance to get your head behind the ball?

I know your back needs to be as straight as possible. 

Are you moving your hips closer toward target to get your spine on a tilt like the reverse k position or are your hips more centred to ball and you tilt your spine way from target more or what do you do?

Also roughly what part of your head should be behind the ball? Just so I know not to go too far behind. 

Sorry for my ignorance! 

Any feedback gratefully appreciated. 

Edited July 8, 2017 by Stratf01

[billchao]

2 hours ago, Stratf01 said:

Are you moving your hips closer toward target to get your spine on a tilt like the reverse k position or are your hips more centred to ball and you tilt your spine way from target more or what do you do?

You can do either. I prefer to right side bend a little because I have a tendency to slide my hips too much so I don't like pushing them forward at address.

2 hours ago, Stratf01 said:

Also roughly what part of your head should be behind the ball? Just so I know not to go too far behind.

Depends on the club. You want more with your driver than you would with a wedge, but I don't think it's more than 10° or so.

[Ernest Jones]

Generally, I find I can get into a good setup position just by making sure I'm looking at the back of the ball rather than the top. That's how I know I have a decent amount of axis tilt (which gets your head behind the call) at setup. It's very subtle and you don't want to over do it, try just bumping your hips towards the target by about 2" (roughly 5 cm) or so, you'll probably naturally want to drop your head back a fraction at the same time. 

A good way to work on this is with a mirror and some face on pictures of pros at setup. Again, it's subtle, don't over do it. 

Edited July 8, 2017 by Ernest Jones
iPhone keyboards are shit

[Buckeyebowman]

Good points, Ernest J! There's no need to over do it! If you're a right handed golfer, and your left eye is over the ball at address, your head is, for all intents and purposes, behind the ball. Just a slight tilt of the spine, or a tiny thrust of the hips is all that's needed. Whatever works for you. Just make sure you keep your head there until the ball is gone.

I've been battling sliding my head targetward in the downswing, with disastrous results. Last round I was able to keep it back for the most part, and played quite well. This may be "old school", but it works for me. It's how I learned to swing a golf club.

[iacas]

A few quick hitters:

• Your back shouldn't really be "straight."
• If the ball is never in the middle of your stance but your head is, your head is always "behind the ball."
• A little hip bump forward creates plenty of axis tilt, generally.