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Applied physics & math to improve golf. Free golf tips based on the latest scientific research.

Golf Ball Address Position

How does the position of the golf ball in your stance affect your shot?

I investigated this using a Flightscope Doppler Radar Ball Montior.

I hit 15 balls in each of these three positions with a 5-iron:

Normal position a few inches forward of middle stance

3 inches forward of normal position, adjacent the forward foot

3 inches rearward of normal position, behind middle stance

Given the new positions, I anticipated that I'd hit balls more left with the forward ball position and more right with the rearward all position.

Here are the results from the Flightscope data.

		Distance (yd)		Speed (mph)		Spin (rpm)		Ball Angle degrees		Club Angles		Height	Flight
		Carry	Lateral	Club	Ball	Back	Side	Vertical	Horizontal	Attack	Strike	(ft)	(s)

Forward Ball Position		164.5	-14.4	88.4	113.8	5685	-293	18.7	-3.3	2.3	-1.2	100	6.4
Normal Ball Position		170.4	-7.0	88.2	114.8	5328	-266	18.5	-0.7	4.1	0.9	101	6.4
Rearward Ball Position		166.5	14.6	86.7	115.2	5882	236	16.3	3.6	1.6	2.6	93	6.3

	Forward vs Normal	0.012							0.0093		0.014
	Rearward vs Normal	0.0050	0.0001			0.038	0.0039	0.0002	0.0000	0.0074	0.016
	Forward vs Rearward		0.0002				0.012	0.0048	0.0000		0.0005

The BOLD numbers in the last three rows are measures of statistical significance. For instance, in comparing the Forward vs Normal ball positions, only carry distance, horizontal launch angle and club strike angle are different enough to be considered significant (values less than 0.05).

The most significant differences were found between the rearward position and the other two positions.

The rearward ball position causes significantly different:

Lateral Displacements - ball finished further right of target

Spin - ball had more backspin and positive sidespin

Launch Angle - ball had lower vertical launch angle and more rightward horizontal launch angle.

Angle of Attack - club had a more negative angle of attack

Club Direction - club direction was more to the right

My little experiment demonstrates the importance of ball position at address. One does not want to play the ball too far forward or rearward.

The actual position depends on your swing. The harder you drive your lower body towards the target, the more forward you can play the ball.

So, if you want a little more backspin on your iron shots, do the following:

Play the ball further back in your stance.

You may need to adjust your swing somewhat so as to not hit the ball further to the right than normal (such has a more aggressive lower body rotation).

Of course, not only does this apply with a full shot, it also applies to partial wedges, chip shots and even the putter.