How Far Should You Stand Away From The Ball? Golf Stance Set Up Like a Tour Pro! 🏌️‍♂️

Welcome to Athletic Motion Golf, where we strive to help golfers improve their swing and technique. In this video, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb discuss one of the most crucial elements of the golf swing: the proper distance to stand from the ball.
The distance from the ball significantly impacts how golfers move throughout the swing. Setting up too close or too far from the ball can instantly make the swing more difficult. In this video, Mike and Shaun share their insights on how to set up the perfect distance from the ball based on stance width, hip depth, and arm position.
The video begins by discussing the importance of stance width. Mike and Shaun explain how many golfers violate the proper stance width by either standing too wide or too narrow. They recommend using the hips as a reference point instead of the shoulders since the hips are more connected to the legs. For all normal link shots or stock shots, the feet should be just outside the hips' width, creating an A-frame that assists with weight shift during the swing.
The video then discusses hip depth at which golfers position their hips relative to the ball. Mike and Shaun emphasize the importance of not setting up with the center of the hips too far back behind the heels, as it can create an early extension in the backswing and downswing. They recommend positioning the center of the hips over the ankle and using the top of the short seam of the pants as a reference point for proper hip depth.
The video then moves on to the upper body's proper amount of forward bend. Mike and Shaun recommend feeling like the fingertips are just about at the top of the kneecaps, with the amount of forward bend varying based on the club being used. They also discuss the importance of neck bend and avoiding excessive lower back arch, which can create an S-posture.
The last piece of the puzzle is arm position. Mike and Shaun emphasize the importance of letting the arms hang straight down from the shoulders, with a hand's width from the butt of the club to the body. The arm position should be such that the arms swing off and return to where they started. Mike and Shaun also provide some tips for ensuring that the hands are on top of the knees.
Throughout the video, Mike and Shaun emphasize that the proper distance from the ball differs for each golfer based on their anatomy and body type. They provide tips and reference points to help golfers find the proper stance, hip depth, forward bend, and arm position based on their individual needs.
In summary, setting up the proper distance from the ball is crucial for a successful golf swing. By following the tips and reference points provided in this video, golfers can find the perfect distance from the ball to set up for a successful swing. If you found this video helpful, please check out our other videos on Athletic Motion Golf and consider subscribing to our channel for more golf tips and techniques.
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#golf #pga #athleticmotiongolf #pgagolf #livegolf #golfchannel #golfdigest #titleist #taylormade #ping #golftok

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

🎯Add MAJOR CONSISTENCY To Your Swing for FREE Here: athleticmotiongolf.com/consistency

[@nickmahowald]

Seriously, the best golf education videos online without a doubt. Clear explanation with lots of supporting data. I’m a low single digit handicapper and I’ve learned more watching these videos in the past year than my entire life before. You guys are also consistent from video to video! The forward knee bend you mention here is a main theme in your early extension videos! So grateful for you two. Cheers.

[@Bealsie.Boi.713]

I've only watched two videos and I can already see where my swing can improve. Can't wait to hit the range later.

[@trxe420]

You guys legitimately have best actual mechanics lessons I have found online, just blown away. Thanks for the content.

[@16pennynails]

May sound kinda strange but the biggest thing I learned here was about knee bend...and it's a huge eye opener! I just never thought of the "backwards-forwards" knee bend, not ever. Solid instruction as always from you guys!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

🙏🏻 thanks !

[@jamesmc81]

bending the knees back is a great way to deadlift, but not hit golf balls.

[@anthonyofsc]

This may be one of your best! I was taking notes the entire video. This is GOLD Jerry.

[@mikekinney1840]

I had a dramatic increase in consistency hitting balls after watching this. I had thought I was standing correctly but not quite. Your video on seniors gaining distance gained me 20 yards. You are my #1 source of golf instruction.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Love it !!!!

[@robc5520]

Thanks for the great content boys!. You 2 work brilliantly together!

[@briangreenwood2386]

I've been looking for a video like this for months and months. I feel like I'm reaching out so far during my set ups and it puts pressure on my back during the swing. I'm always trying to get comfortable and I adjust my distance from the ball on setup constantly. I've been having a hard time getting it right most times. I'm tall 6'3" and I was so much farther away than everyone else. Like u said i noticed I'm so much closer to the ball now. It's weird at first but wow what a help. I was holding my arms way to far out instead of hanging them more down on front naturally. I kept thinking I mite need longer clubs but this helped immensely. Thanks so much. What a huge help. Awesome.

[@lucabragalone4273]

I came up with your channel just few months ago and I found it the best about golf swing technique. This video is super simple and very clear and makes you understand how important posture is in the swing. Another great video of yours that I strongly suggest is the one that talks about the "shallowing of the plane on the downswing"...simply incredible! Thanks a lot for sharing guys!

[@gdg9962]

Your evidence based approach is incredibly helpful. Thanks for your work and this scientific approach.

[@rexoner2000]

Nobody addresses this issue in-depth. Even at in person lessons. I really needed to see this 👍

[@zebman9228]

Great, great lesson here. Been looking for something like this that makes sense.

[@toddhill8070]

Great job Sean and Mike!! Clear instructions as all ways and so practical...Thanks for all your help.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Glad it helped !!

[@jackkmlee]

OMG... "Bending forwards from the hips" is LITERALLY and EXACTLY what it is! Not shoving your butt back! And that small side comment about being "bent over the fence" did it for me exactly! I feel so dumb now, I can't believe it...😅 Thanks so much for this detailed explanation of a so often glossed over part of the posture set up.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

👍🏻😎

[@stephenparish9853]

Thank you guys! Gonna practice this week…this distance and proper stance could be a game changer for me

[@paulweylandgolf]

Best set up video ever

[@stevebeskid4398]

Great video as always guys! Best instruction there is

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

🙏🏻

[@michaelgutierrez4196]

Such great content !

[@jothkell9173]

Amazing stuff, thanks

[@shanebotha257]

What a beautiful and clear explanation of what everyone battles with. Thank you 🙏

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Rick9482]

Best video I've ever seen on the stance, really, a very clear presentation. Of course I subscribed!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

thank you!

[@eddien9634]

Thanks for another fantastic lesson gentlemen. Can't thank you guys enough for the countless gems of videos you share to us all and how practicing the concepts you 2 preach has completely turned my golf game a full 360°! Golf is finally fun and enjoyable to play, thanks again fellows!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Love it!!!!

[@warrenber]

Great video. I’ve been guilty of having the hands a little too far from the body and I am finding that by having them a little closer, it’s helping my early extension. I feel like its forcing me to keep the butt back to give my hands space in the downswing and through impact, whereas I always felt like I had to push them closer to close the gap to get to the ball.

[@gh50hill1]

Very helpful.

[@aristarichusweru6485]

This Video is spot on!! Supe Pro-Amer spot on! bend forward; sheen lean forward.

[@jhnspst]

I've been playing a LONG TIME and I've never heard the proper knee flex described like that-absolutely fantastic-I don't flex my knees forward and I have a tendency to early extend.....surprise surprise......I can't wait to implement the correct forward knee bend tomorrow-Thank You so much for these videos!!

[@stevenrenish3072]

You guys do a great job explaining what we need to do!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Thank you!!!

[@robmoon6442]

So helpful and unique!!!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Thank you!

[@davedelacy]

Great instruction tip, but so overlooked when trying to make a golf swing correctly. Will be trying this out in my computer room while watching your video to get it right when i go out to play tomorrow

[@krestwoodb]

This is all just... clicking WOW! I feel like these videos can turn any naturally athletic beginner golfer into a scratch player in a year or less. Just by watching these videos and some others from Danny Maude, Pete, Hank, and a few other channels, I went from an 80 score on nine holes to 41. I have played four games of golf and practiced three times this week at the range. This is my first year. I HAVE THE ITCH FOR GOLF. I LOVE IT! Yes I know 9 isn't the full 18 but since I am learning Its easier on me at the moment. Don't have a score for 18 yet cant wait till i do!

[@williammacdonald9271]

Great timing, I just noticed I was too close, thanks boys

[@jimmyvespegolf3834]

Nothing but good stuff from this golf channel. Research based on the best players in the world. Not opinion based. Couldn't agree more with this video. 100% spot on.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

💪🏻🏌️‍♂️

[@thomasflowers9164]

Awesome video, I just realized that my set-up has been the main culprit of my swing faults. Thanks guys!!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Many times it is!

[@joemcgrath7502]

Excellent lesson and exceptional clearly taught….I learned a lot of key fundamentals.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Thank you

[@edmundricco6728]

I will echo Troy C. observation concerning the forward knee bend. I don't ever recall from my readings & watching hundreds of videos, that this was ever mentioned. Can't wait to give this a try. I think you are spot on using our hips as a stance width reference. I made this change in my set up and feel it has made a positive difference. I also subscribe to having my weight over my ankles also. I never liked the "shortstop" reference. Another set up position I have changed is having my shoulders back and down at address. I found this gives me a bigger turn away from the ball. Thank you for your very informative and useful instruction.

[@stevepryor8586]

Great video thanks Guys. When I put in place all the checkpoints that you have outlined, I find my weight sits a bit forward in my feet. What would be your advice regarding weight distribution?

[@tommichael1533]

I have just started Golf, lets just say I may be the worst player ever. Will be taking a few lessons, but these videos are invaluable for me to understand fundamentals even before I take my first lesson. I'm sure they will help with my overall understanding when the Pro goes through grip, stance, distance etc. So thank you and subscribed (all)

[@uboobly]

Just a fantastic video. I had been implementing some of these changes already recently, but the knees forward is something I never heard of, plus some others ideas. The video overall is a pure strike.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jackgriffin580]

How should we check the lie of the club at setup? Maybe choke down on the club?

[@Prophecy23JC]

I was just searching your videos for this a few days ago .

[@daveweigand5935]

One of the best golf lesson ever posted on YOU Tube ! This is a game changer. You have to set up properly to have a fighting chance. Great Job Guys !

[@safon23]

Good fundamentals video balance and consistent swing starts w good setup

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Absolutely

[@jonrandolph1045]

This is very helpful I can’t say enough how much I love your guys channel in my opinion you and clay ballard are the only KZbin golf instructors I listen too, with that said I’m curious as to how lie angle effects this setup position for example if your on a hill either ball above your feet or below what changes do you make in your setup ?

[@johnbarragan921]

Thank you for the video and help to setup. So if a ball was tees up in your video. Why does every have the Driver club on the ground tilted at an angle to the golf ball tees up?

[@philk4645]

29” for a 7, how much do you think that changes from club to club, half an inch??? love your content wish i could get evaluated with the sensors on

[@isaacaguilar3489]

Hey AMG, love a lot of your videos. Been binging them to just get better and I can say with confidence you guys produce the best videos. Just wondering if you can do a video on wrist movements throughout the swing. It’s something that I feel I struggle with and am so inconsistent with. Thanks!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Sure!!

[@MactheHusky]

You guys give the best training videos I've seen, been watching for years and have benefited greatly. Shout out to Dan Marvosh out in Camarillo CA. Teaches the same way and mentioned y'all.

[@MactheHusky]

Get it guys. Thanks so much.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

⛳ Add MAJOR CONSISTENCY To Your Swing for FREE Here: athleticmotiongolf.com/consistency

[@haricsl]

Hi, great video one follow up question , average ball distance from centre of ankles for a 7 iron is 29” what is it for a driver out of interest ?

[@roadtoscratchgolf3481]

Boys, this is a fantastic set up explanation. I discovered how important the set up and grip are to swinging your best. Thanks for sharing. I'll make sure I burn this into my brain. Cheers.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@scottcross3252]

I just went for my first lesson , been playing for about 10 years now , mid 90 player , she kept telling me to get closer , thanks for this video , I have been looking for something like this since that lesson.

[@jerryhilditch5991]

Just getting my tape measure! Great content as always.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Thank you

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

🙏🏻 thanks so much

[@rufussthoo4083]

@AthleticMotionGolf Do such things as wrist to floor, club shaft length and hand size have any significant bearing on your recommendations? I'm 5'11" with a wrist-to-floor of 31 1/2" (so longish arms?), and I have large-ish hands (8 1/2" wrist to tips). My iron shafts are Taylormade's std length -1/4". When I take my stance my finger tips touch the apex of my kneecap. That's some 2" lower than you suggest. Raising them to above the knee sees me standing with very little forward bend and does not feel 'athletic'. My ankle to 7-iron club-head center distance is 30 1/2" and pulling it back to 29" feels cramped unless I again stand tall with little forward bend. Given my physical dimensions, are my stance numbers in the ball-park, or should I work on overcoming the negative feels and stand taller?

[@ryanp7168]

Really liked your "Pros vs Ams" shallowing video that dropped a few months ago. In the video during the "mobility test" portion, you talk about the supination of the trail arm, and then when drilling the arm lowering movement, it isn't mentioned again. I was wondering if you planned to make a similar video detailing the trail arm more. Discussing the lowering and straightening and supination and quantifying it, and not just visually showing the model moving. And how important is the supination of the trail arm?

[@petegalindez9961]

Very interesting…I find after following your guide and trying the 29 inches for the 7 iron, I feel like I’m soooooo far away from the ball…but, after hitting a few balls, while it felt weird, I made much more consistent contact….hmmm….

[@2tcreative]

As always, very detailed and well explained. However, if this 29" altered by arm length, leg length and trunk length? When I let my arms hang down and I have the ball measured according to your positions, I stand extremely close to the ball. I know you said that is a "wow" factor between ams and pros but it is very constricting it seems. I will have to hit some balls but the practiced setup feels awkward! I seem to need another 3" to feel "comfortable".

[@whatthejeez]

awesome video. clears up a lot for me. i have a question regarding arm hang - irons vs driver: it always appears that tour guys are reaching out a bit for the ball with the driver...?

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Correct👍

[@jasonkelley6185]

I am unsure about this all the time. Glad you guys addressed it! Your audio sounds so good it almost sounds like you dubbed over your selves after the fact in a sound booth. Did you take out the echo in post processing or something? it sounds great, just a little uncanny.

[@3rdmillenniumfuture607]

Wow just about perfect

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Thank you

[@kevinshoemaker5466]

In the pro 7 iron set up, he-she looks open (left foot 1" back). Is this one of them confounding illusions (although Hogan and Arnie explain this in their respective swing books)

[@justinhenthorn1043]

A question with the posture and bending over the fence. I had back surgery a few years ago and when I try that setup it hurts my back doing it like that. So I tend to get my hips way behind my heels cause it doesn’t hurt it as much. Any help? Or know why it’s hurting me in that posture?

[@TeddyCavachon]

For many years I grounded the club then gripped it, leaving it resting “dead” on the ground then swinging it. When I bought a “grip trainer” swing aid which was about 18” long with a heavy weight on the end of it I realized that when I lowered in and allowed it to swing freely and find its balance with gravity it pulled my hands in much closer to my body than I had been doing. When I swung it, with the grip putting my hands into a proper trail-over-lead-thumb Vardon grip for the first time I experienced the filling it seeming to swing as if on rails or in a groove. So I started to do the same thing with my clubs, establishing the grip with club up in the air, then lowering, but not letting the club rest “dead” on the ground. The results were similar to with the training aid. When I started at address with the club and arms hanging in balance it felt like it was rails. I realized that previously when I had been grounding and gripping the club it was out of balance when it lifted off the ground in the backswing but in the downswing would seek a path that put it in balance which was difference than the one I planned and assumed it was swinging on. My reflexive brain getting feedback from the hands the path wasn’t going as planned would try to steer its face back square to the target. The swing of Jim Furyk is an exaggerated example of the cause and effect. The more the club head mass is swung outside the hands in the takeaway the more it will self correct on the way back down - very consistently and predictably due to the consistent force of gravity and the pendulum effect. You can tell if the club is hanging in balance at address by rocking the hips laterally to move the hands linearly back and forward parallel to the stance line. If the hands stay a consistent distance from the body the club is hanging in balance. If the hands get pulled further away or closer it is because the club wasn’t hanging in balance with gravity at address and is seeking balance with on its own when moving. Why taking practice swings is so important.

[@sjmorongell]

Can you give us inches from lob wedge to driver in inches so we can make a ruler and have more checkpoint than just 7iron?

[@braedencutler]

Question for y’all: I have a lot of lag in my down swing but still have a large out to in swing path. Any tips?

[@hilmyzainal9559]

All this while my understanding is to move your pelvis back - very well explained thank you

[@chachichochacorta8577]

Great content, as usual. It took me some time to learn that I should be standing closer to the ball as opposed to what Rory McIlroy appears to be doing. He seems to be extending his arms out a little. Do you take into account whether the person has long or short arms relative to their height? For example, I'm 5'8 and my wingspan is 68 inches. However, some of my friends have wingspans either shorter or longer than their height. Some say Ben Hogan was about 5'9 (or shorter) with nearly a 6' wingspan; Johnny Miller is 6'2 with a relatively short wingspan. Does this affect the distance one stands from the ball?

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Yes no doubt. Body dimensions will make each person have a bit differnt set up

[@w1redrage]

this is $200 an hour kinda information for free, thank you so much for this

[@TheBooze13]

Gonna try that 29” away for 7 iron. I always tend to creep to far from the ball causing me to get too much on my toes and bend over too far ends up throwing everything off

[@danmonganq906]

Any data on ultra strong grip players? Cheers

[@3putt548]

I tend to fall forward on my downswing with my irons. This results in heel contact and some shanks. Not so much with my woods. Needless to say this plays chaos with my contact. Can I change my setup to fix this? What might be causing me to fall a bit forward?

[@mquettan3]

This video could not have been released at a better time for my golf swing. I have been scouring the internet for an answer to this exact question. This video explains everything so, so well. This video plus some work I've been doing with my takeaway has really cleaned up my golf swing. I feel like a damn tour pro right now. Probably the biggest takeaway for me in this video was the knee bend and the stance width to create the "A-frame". Stance relative to hips makes so much sense to me but relative to shoulders made none. Thank you!

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

😀💪🏻

[@marctuttle85]

29”!!! I’m at 25”!!! I have been making super consistent toe contact for a while and have been moving closer and closer to the ball. I think this may help.

[@CJD666]

An Irish friend of mine once told me That I was standing too close to the ball after I had hit it? He also told me that my long game was too short and my short game was too long. Ps Love your instruction, information and analysis.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

😂

[@Rich-in6ds]

How do the hands work (in isolation) through the lower part of the golf swing and through impact? Your video on shallowing was very helpful except it seems like that “lowering the shallow” tilts the club to the right and then presumably to square it you need to flip it back to the left before impact which I find strange - it’s not one continuous movement but you send it one way then back the other all within a fraction of a second? Quite confused!

[@alecrosekrans]

Another way to talk about the backward knee bend is to describe it in anatomical terms, which is to say that backward knee bend is really the ankles moving from dorsiflexion to plantar flexion. The flexion of the ankles throughout the swing is really an overlooked part of the swing, especially when it comes to maintaining posture and balance.

[@dl3697]

Is your weight supposed to rest on the rear portion of the feet, front, or evenly distrubuted along the extension of your feet?

[@JIMMYS1180]

Fly me out guys. I need you!!!

[@beckmanchilds756]

The more I keep improving the more I get closer to the ball. Keeping my club back, keeping my head level, Not standing up at impact (stilll there! Still working on it)

[@buddymaxwell6881]

Mike. I spent 2 days with you in the Cartersville bunker a few summers ago (Canada, Abu Dhabi, B-Ball, name on KZbin is made up). I tried the 29” measurement with 7I and I ended up at about 26 -27” for me as normal. You did bend my irons upright while there and I am almost 6’3”. Twenty nine inches seems like a long iron for me. What would someone like Harris English (similar size to me) have for 7I distance?

[@ZeeK33NKS]

Im 5’10 and tried the 29” and my hands would have to be in my crotch to hold the club lolol i have fairly long limbs for my height so im going the other direction of at least 31”. Hip and knee bend tip was clutch tho for balance😎

[@mjhansen6223]

I used this today on my 7 iron at the range….I was crushing balls!!! 190+ yds!!! Now the most important follow up…what are the distance averages for the other clubs??? I experimented a little all the way up to 3 wood but it didn’t seem as “perfect” as the 29” for the 7 iron. Please make a list of the average distance for the other clubs!

[@MrMikeRodriguez]

Bending forward without letting pelvis go back and then bending knees also forward and also the torso and arms and club is forward - seems like a very forward heavy setup to me. When I try it I feel like I tend to have my toes trying to grip a lot. If not I’m still quite a bit out towards the toes at setup. That makes logical sense though to me since setting up like this leaves nothing to counter balance towards the back side. What am I missing?

[@safranic]

So, you say the average pro Heel to ball is 29”. @ 6’1” when I try that my hand is nearly resting on my thigh. Are these pro using shorter than average clubs? Very upright clubs. Or is the average pro line 5’8-8” tall? Can you help me a little bit.

[@GRIFF22]

Do you think a lot of Amateurs are too flexed in the knees and back at address? I had an early extension problem, and kinda solved it just by standing taller at address. I look at someone like Scotty Sheffler he's got minimal angles at address.

[@Prophecy23JC]

Now I just need a video explaining the unweighting and exactly when it happens.

[@cubfan69kmz85]

Guys, when you talk about the feet being slightly more then hip width apart is that measured from the inside of the feet?

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

That’s perfect

[@user-ty5eu5kx3b]

Great instruction, as always. ( No sure about the spelling!? hang? hange?)

[@spencertao3622]

29 inch between the ball and the ankles for 7 iron seems too far away, is that right? How tall is your example? I am 5"8'. Grateful for your clarification. Tks.

[@spencertao3622]

The other video suggests 19" between ball and toe for 8 iron?

[@waisetsubunsho7934]

I'm coming to golf from.. Powerlifting. The knee bend thing is just high-bar squat vs low-bar squat. Golf is using high-bar squat-like knee bend, which should make it very easy and clear for others in my situation 😅

[@ZeeK33NKS]

It’s wild how little to no bend this requires to achieve 29”. I feel like a statue... but in the mirror looks like a perfect setup🤯

[@luismadriz2575]

Can't wait for you guys to review Apple Watch SwingID

[@luismadriz2575]

I mean GolfShot SwingID enabled for Apple Watches

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

@@luismadriz2575 we need to check it out

[@503Mike]

Darren Clarke sighting!

[@jmack619]

you guys are reducing handicaps out here by MILLIONS !!!

[@maamold]

I simply cannot get comfortable at 29" from the ball with a standard 7i. I'm 69" tall with an arm span of 72.5". Closest I can get with arms hanging straight down is 31"

[@user-fg4fr7hy3l]

Hi Guys, Your link from the comment below generates a blank page with " error code: 1000 " It seems the Link is broken . Like my golf swing .

[@deanmiller1112]

I know you have said this many a time on stance width, “the hips not the shoulders” but the question is. The inside or the outside of front or rear foot, even with the outside or inside of the hips ? It always looks to me that Shaun’s back foot is outside his hip, and the front foot is not.

[@krazyblairable]

Would love to see the average pro distance from the ball with driver.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

We will run the numbers

[@leog531]

Did you end up finding the number?

[@Rich-ey7jv]

Do you agree that most ams stand to close to the ball, and will always early extend?

[@TheBooze13]

I early extend when I stand too far from the ball. Standing closer helps me keep my hips back at impact. So it’s different for everyone.

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

No sir. Most ams stand way too far away from the ball causing them to early extend.

[@kevinbagge7718]

How far from the ball with a driver?

[@j.lguerra4035]

neutral pelvis or tucked in?

[@AthleticMotionGolf]

Tucked in? If you’re talking about the west coast posture I would say no to that haha