Ball Position for Irons - Long vs Short Irons (GOLF SETUP)

To purchase a Rimer, visit: carsleygolf.com
If you want to become a better golfer, you need to learn proper ball position for irons. Learning golf swing basics like proper ball position seems simple enough, but have you ever thought about how the ball is positioned relative to your body or club shaft? Golf ball position in stance is more than just where it is relative to your feet, and in this golf lesson we discuss other key factors to great golf ball position!
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This video walks through how to identify proper ball position for both long and short irons, including some simple golf tips to help you get your ball in the right place in your golf setup every time. And if you struggle with a golf slice, we give you one of the simplest golf drills to help you straighten out your golf shots!
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[@Grunt21Tennessee]

One of the best instructors on YT.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Thank you! Doing our best to help our fellow golfers...more great content to come.

[@billiebob2363]

10 minutes of well explained and demonstrated informative instruction, that will undoubtedly improve my ball striking and my pace of play by more than the 10 minutes I spent watching from my couch.

[@mikevanhorn6241]

I'm hitting the ball so much more consistently now, thanks Todd! This lesson should be the first one you watch and build your swing from here. FOUNDATIONAL!

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Mike, great to hear! We are making progress. We just launched a new "Playing Lesson" series that you may enjoy. See here kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKjQfY2kbrJ4f5o

[@shawnw5353]

Outstanding video to see as a new golfer! For next the next time, please show the 2 clubs next to each other and reference that placement is different because the shafts are longer. Awesome job!

[@USGOLFTVshow]

We covered a similar topic in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKGzoJpvdrikaq8si=UmXT4EkbQoE94aWk

[@danielgerrick5153]

New to the game and looking forward to getting a better game. Thanks for the video

[@craigwhitt8403]

The key to what you said to hit a draw on this lesson was to raise your lead arm. I had never heard that specifically and it makes all the difference in the world. The rest of it to hit a draw is common for me to try but raising the lead arm is the critical set up piece that I had never done and it makes it almost impossible to not hit a draw. The swing path seems to automatically goes in to out with raising the lead arm.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! Glad we could help!

[@ericjencson9489]

I always had a problem topping the ball. Best tip I ever got was ball position is relative to the BACK OF THE BALL not the middle of the ball. I was always looking at the middle of the ball, hence the topped shots.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Solid points. Thanks for posting 👊

[@Mitchellburgess2024]

​@@USGOLFTVshow soooo, place the BACK of the ball in the middle of feet position?

[@waynelattamore3000]

Todd, great video as always. My question is should the arms hang close to the body when hitting longer clubs. I seem to swing more steeply which results in poor impact. Can you mention hitting longer iron, fairway woods and hybrids setup....thank you

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Good question, in general the hands fall below the shoulders for most clubs. As we get into the longer clubs like the woods, the hands will move slightly further away from the body as the shaft angle is slightly lower....hope that helps.

[@michaelsmith9396]

So where do I position the ball for my hybrids, the same as my 3 and 5 woods, in the middle of my stance?

[@ianknaggs5887]

I'm going to give this a try and see how it goes

[@markbrown9500]

Todd, Out of necessity, I have had to learn the Stack & Tilt Method. Are the ball positions much different than a conventional stance?

[@ericdumont610]

Thanks Todd, as a +2 golfer I think you are the most knowledgeable instructor on the Tube, learn so much from you, as a experience golfer I still tend to forget things about ball position. Thanks for your help.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Eric, really appreciate this! Especially from a player if your caliber. Too often these days golf coaching is getting over complicated, it is hurting many players, they are confused. When you can, keep it simple...that’s our philosophy. 👊

[@paulchisholm66]

I have a propensity for my iron misses to be hit fat or hit towards the toe of the club. I tend to draw the ball more often than fitting fades or cuts. Any ideas on where to look first to correct these issues? Thank you for your time.

[@martinbutorac4325]

Great video, Thank You for the perfect explanation 👍👍

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Glad it was helpful! More to come…

[@seanboland3560]

As usual a great video

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Thank you! More coming....stay tuned...

[@seanwatson8243]

for ball position can you explain how far away from the body do you want to place ball?do you want to extend reach or bring it in or bend knees at all?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Position yourself so your hands fall directly below your shoulders....this is a good guideline.

[@wadeperry8439]

great easy explanation

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Wade, thanks! Our pleasure....other topics you would like to see us cover?

[@cat136]

Great video very informative! Could you do a video on position for the driver, fairway woods and hybrids? Thank you for sharing

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Sure thing! Here's a video on hybrids: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoumqYx7bdCmopI Here's a video on driver: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX28YXuOZa9oiac Stay tuned on fairway woods, that may have to go into the content bin!

[@scoopmendenhall1008]

Use same method for your irons it works for my hybrid ironwoods

[@t.shorttc1745]

Does distance to the green play a factor in ball position or that is more of the swing

[@ricksolo8271]

As a right handed golfer, I tend to pull my green side bunker shots too far left. Even with club face wide open. I’ve tried square and open stance with same results. Suggestions please? Thanks.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Here is a video we did on 3 separate types of greenside bunker shots (hard pan, standard, plugged lie): kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioTKl4OYfcl7gZo This one deals more with common bunker mistakes and how to correct them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r37KXoCYnq6sgMk Let us know if they help! Thanks for watching Rick!

[@jackrykkeli8835]

Thank you so much this is going to help cause I can’t hit my irons constantly

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Our pleasure...where you from?

[@jackrykkeli8835]

@@USGOLFTVshow Good old Minnesota

[@jackrykkeli8835]

@@USGOLFTVshow my driver is dialed already and now it’s the irons turn

[@deanbowditch7329]

Great content .Wondering where the ball should be on a hybrid? Or if there is a video on that. Keep the great info coming !!!!

[@USGOLFTVshow]

For hybrids, the ball position is closer to the iron position than than the driver....will make a note to do a video on this soon! Thanks for the idea...

[@dustinperkins4986]

Thanks!

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Our pleasure...are you a subscriber?

[@ericanderson8890]

Todd. If we lean forward a bit to put weight on lead foot how would this change the ball position? Do we need to compensate by then moving the ball forward in our setup to offset the lean distance Maybe I've been doing it wrong by actually leaning forward.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Top notch question right here folks, the answer is no, keep the ball in the same spot....the slight forward bump will not drastically change the ball position...thanks for asking!

[@BipolarBowler]

I was struggling to make good contact at the range yesterday. I tried putting the ball further back and it seemed to fix the problem. I think it had something to do with my body’s balance and the axis of my swing being more around my right leg. 🤔

[@USGOLFTVshow]

You are on topic with this...the bottom of the swing will tend to follow the weight on the feet. Get your weight more forward at impact and your contact will improve.

[@proddarunner]

If you grip the 4 iron first and then set your feet so the position of the ball is slightly forward (of center), it seems to me the face of the club would then be angled slightly to the left. Is that true? Do you have to adjust your grip a bit different so the clubface is still square to the target?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Good question, try to keep the face square to the target line. 👍

[@Roadking43055]

You always reference slicing, but I always draw/hook all my irons. Can't stop no matter what I try. Very frustrating to hit a nice drive and miss the green to the left from short yardage.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

We do have a couple videos on fixing a hook. Check them out.

[@kathrynschulte1820]

Appreciate it if u could get to the specific answer to the question sooner, and the reason why later in your answer.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Kathryn, thanks for the feedback. Are you a subscriber?

[@kathrynschulte1820]

@@USGOLFTVshow yes

[@anthonyrusso7904]

What about mid irons like the 7,6, and 5?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Anthony Russo the 5-6 is more like the long irons with the 7 iron leaning towards short irons 🤔

[@calebblocker5424]

@@USGOLFTVshow what about a 1 and 2 iron? Further forward then the 4 iron?

[@garyaucoin4051]

How about ball position for the 3, 5 and hybrid?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Straight out from the logo on a golf shirt is a good reference

[@ChristofferBrandsborg]

If my attack-angle is too negative (-7), does that mean I should move the ball further forward in my stance?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

That would be a good place to start. What club are you -7 with?

[@ChristofferBrandsborg]

@@USGOLFTVshow Basically all my irons from 8i to wedges. Also -6 with hybrid.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

@@ChristofferBrandsborg yes that is too much for those clubs. This can cause distance control issues. The easiest place to start is ball position, you may just move the ball forward slightly and see if that takes care of it. Let us know how it goes 👊

[@ChristofferBrandsborg]

@@USGOLFTVshow thanks, will try that today

[@mikerodrick2430]

This is where DeChambeau has totally eliminated 1 important variable with single length clubs.

[@ApoIIo95]

I had no idea he uses those. I assume all 7 iron length?

[@mikerodrick2430]

@@ApoIIo95 yea.

[@Alex-fr3ir]

Hahaha research into single length clubs ultimately led me to search this video

[@robertrusso4598]

Could you give a lesson on tempo

[@USGOLFTVshow]

You bet. Check out our right left right left drill...

[@MrGCline]

Does ball position change any depending on the grip ie neutral vs. strong?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Good question, with a stronger grip we like the ball back slightly compared to a weak grip where we might move the ball ever so slightly up in the stance. This gives the golfer a little more time to square the face...hope that helps!

[@mikesilva3919]

Help!

[@Solittletimetoomany]

My problem is the position of the ball “after” I hit it!

[@USGOLFTVshow]

LOL, you are not alone my friend

[@murraygoodfellow9147]

Too much taking not enough showing

[@NonnyStrikes]

I think ya left out the most important part. Look at your target to your ball. Helps wonders. If you have the imagination to see where your club would throw the ball from behind it... you'll start playing with instinct, not perfection.

[@williammills8953]

Thanks Johnny. I appreciate this.

[@Baker3939]

I started watching this video and my fiance was walking by and could not stop laughing the first minute or so of the video. "Ball position" 😂

[@blakephillips8688]

Bruh how do you skip from pitching wedge to 4 iron

[@briankearns4771]

Holy shit no wonder golf videos are boring. 2minutes in and nothing said. 10min for 3 minutes of instruction. By the way I play golf.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

LOL, next time we can move along faster. Hope you found something useful from the content.

[@inquistive]

Jack Nicklaus won more majors than any other golfer yet he positioned the ball in the same place for every shot - go figure?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Not going to debate with Jack, he is an all time great. He did however adjust his stance width which in effect changes when relationship of the ball relative to the feet.

[@georgeglowa9951]

Get to the point already

[@lautaimitalatonu7310]

Hi my name is kaimi from New Zealand, i just start playing golf the end of last year, i was looking for a good explain about golf, but this is so helpful for me, thank you so much.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Our pleasure! Are you a subscriber?

[@225mani]

I’m trying to figure out how to correct my swing. My 7 iron will go straight then near the end of the flight it snaps to the right. Any suggestions

[@garishrodrigues3932]

You are way too complicated. Yet, in my judgement you have not really explained why the ball is in such a position in related to impact hitting fat or thin. Moreover, a golf swing has to match a set up. Hence the reason !

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Garish Rodrigues fair points, appreciate your post. 👍

[@scottbrown48]

Is there less shaft lean with a longer iron? Also, naturally the ball will be a little further away from the body with a longer iron but by how much? Should the arms and hands always be hanging straight below my shoulders regardless of the length of the club or should the hands be sneaking away from the body at set up as the club gets longer?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

This video we did will answer most all your questions kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmGnqqNtprKUbdUsi=Eds-8nM8_-wU6z0F

[@gromit6036]

Said a whole lotta nothin

[@chrismurray3571]

Your feet started together behind the same ball with 4 iron and the pitching wedge but the 4 iron ball was on the other slide

[@robertrusso4598]

I tend to hit my irons usually very straight, but sometimes they will drift to the right of even drift to the left. Just straight at the flag and then down the line it starts to drift

[@jimemann1439]

Were is ball position when you have the above your feet or below feet..

[@rickkelly2634]

Excellent video thank you

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Glad you enjoyed it. Have you read our book The Bad Lie where we cover the entire Vertical Line Swing System? See here www.badliegolfbook.com/

[@afoxyred]

When you set the ball forward for the long irons, aren’t you still going to naturally center the shaft of the club and thus the longest part of your swing over the center of your body (center between your feet), causing you to hit the bottom of the club face more often? Also I notice you mentioned when the ball is center with wedge, the idea is setup causes you to hit the ball first and then the ground. I was waiting for you to say with the long iron, with the ball more in forward of center, you are setup to strike the ground first then the ball. I don’t think you did. But is that correct?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Solid questions here, there is more forward weight shift in the longer clubs which will in turn move the bottom of the swing forward creating a downward AOA for the longer irons. Make sense?

[@colerichards7720]

Is it bad to have more forward tilt when hitting wedges?

[@pepawg2281]

This is why I play single length irons!!!

[@mikejones5894]

This helped me from front toe to back toe but this is only one dimension. How do you suggest the other dimension in terms of distance from the body.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Mike, good question. Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIXFd2BpZ7h0aLM

[@philipchan1856]

Long winded explanation.

[@graemefyffe5295]

Thank you! ,that has made it very clear i have been putting my ball position incorrect

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Awesome! Are you a subscriber?

[@jonathanrickman8223]

Where would you position yourself for 1 length irons if their all the length of the 7 iron

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Just off the logo on your golf shirt would be a good guide. Hope that helps. 👍

[@williammills8953]

According to Phil, he says in chipping. Never have the ball in the middle of the stance.. when I'm hitting my irons off the tee. Why do I go left. Most the time.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Thanks for asking. We have a couple great videos on hooking on our channel. Check them out. 👍

[@Malimber]

Yeah spent 10 minutes saying it depends. I found this fairly useless

[@johnwagner47]

Where can I get the ball position tool you use in the video

[@USGOLFTVshow]

You can find the Rimer at carsleygolf.com/ Thanks for watching!

[@frankambrose994]

My biggest problem is how close should be wit short irons

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Here is a good guide to help you get the proper distance from the ball for all clubs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmGnqqNtprKUbdU The concept should help you get that proper space between you and the ball on short irons. Let us know how it goes!

[@deannawilber7210]

Thanks Todd...really helped to start up this spring.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Awesome! Let’s make it a great year. 👊

[@bloatedsodium7301]

3 words... One. Length. Irons.

[@kinetixphysiotherapyandper9331]

I played with them for a year. 4i-8i was great, but I lost so much accuracy and touch with 9i, PW and GW. I know plenty of people who love them though.

[@quanchimodo]

this was great! thank you

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Our pleasure, what other topics would you like to see us cover?

[@dougmendez7039]

Great video. One question, with the short irons you mentioned that the hands are slightly forward of the ball. You didn't mention where the hands should be for the long irons. The video suggest that for long irons your hands looked to be almost over the ball or slightly behind. Is this the correct position for long irons?? Thank you for the video. very helpful.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Great question Doug, we want the hands slightly forward on all irons...fairway woods and hybrids to be equal with the ball....believe it or not, slightly behind the ball with the driver...

[@kennethgarrison521]

Hybrids?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

When hitting a hybrid position the ball more like the irons....good question

[@victorhamilton4173]

Thanks

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Our pleasure....other topics for us to cover?

[@josephmarolla3438]

I generally do not slice the ball but I do have a problem coming over the top ever so slightly. When I move the ball back and aim to the right I seem to unconsciously come over the top and pull hook the ball. I clearly hit my hybrids and woods much further than my irons but whenever I move the ball back I feel I am too in front of the ball in the downswing.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Interesting, think of swinging your arms and the club up and to the right, this visual has helped many of our students...hope that helps.

[@MrGCline]

One thing I might add would be to make sure that you keep your head or sternum, whichever is easiest for you over or slightly behind the ball. If you feel like you are in front of the ball then that would promote a steep downswing.

[@pebblebeach65]

Nice video Todd, very important information

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Joe Dolan thanks! Sometimes the simplest things can produce great results. Thanks for watching and posting. 👊