Mike, The head is dropping because of the lower body firing. As your body angles behind the ball your head is getting lower. Plus there is just the force of the swing itself. This is an unconscious move.
I’m trying all of this out, and yesterday at the range was trying to get powerless arms and using your setup routine. I was practicing with a 7 iron, and felt miles away from the ball, and I noticed that I was hitting most of my shots off the toe. Is that because I’m too far away from the ball, or is there another flaw in my swing?
This can be too far away from the ball especially if you are not used to it. Plus, raising up through impact causes it. Taller you get them more you pull the club in towards you. Just watch the ball when you hit the ball then you can look for it’s flight. If you do you will hit the center of the face.
Keep in mind you should only be about 6 inches or so from the butt end of the club to the belt buckle. Don’t get too far away from it.
Hi Paul. Do you measure this from an “upright” position or with the tilt? Easier for me to build my set-up from standing straight up and down but I guess the belt buckle might move a bit further away from the ball when standing like this? Or am I wrong?
Thanks.
I have read/heard time after time from many great instructors that once you assume your stance and have the correct spine angle at address (as you teach), you should simply let your loose arms hang straight down and then grip the club. That seems much easier to do than the thumb/middle finger thing. I am 6’2″, your method implies some guess work. Plus am I supposed to do this every time I line up to hit the ball? Is there anything wrong with the tried-and-true letting the arms hang down (which also promotes loose arms)? Also, at address, if the sole of the club is flat or square to the lie with the ball aligned to the middle/sweetspot of the clubface, wouldn’t that determine how far you stand from the ball? Don’t get me wrong, I think you are a great instructor, but I wonder about this tip.
You don’t want the arms hanging straight down. This leads to a deep backswing. You need the forearms and thighs parallel at about 6 inches from the side view. This means they would be under you nose.
Then look up, sit and bend until you see the club and ball clearly not your toes. This would get you on the right angle (taller).
Sounds like you are not knowing the distance to the ball so the tip above should fix it.
The club is not flush at address. It would be toe up. 6’2″ is really not difficult at all to get into my setup. For you I would suggest clubs about 1/2″ long and 2 degrees upright. Hopefully, you have your clubs fitted. If you are using regular clubs you may have an issue.
You definitely want to make sure your setup is perfect before getting custom fit. If you get fit and have to change your setup the new clubs could be worthless. If you want to send us a picture of your setup from down the line we will check it. Just send it to out contact email.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
12 Responses to “How To Check Your Distance From The Ball”
July 26, 2012
MikeRadzickiPaul
July 26, 2012
Paul WilsonMike, The head is dropping because of the lower body firing. As your body angles behind the ball your head is getting lower. Plus there is just the force of the swing itself. This is an unconscious move.
August 12, 2013
TalPrinceI’m trying all of this out, and yesterday at the range was trying to get powerless arms and using your setup routine. I was practicing with a 7 iron, and felt miles away from the ball, and I noticed that I was hitting most of my shots off the toe. Is that because I’m too far away from the ball, or is there another flaw in my swing?
August 13, 2013
Paul WilsonTal,
This can be too far away from the ball especially if you are not used to it. Plus, raising up through impact causes it. Taller you get them more you pull the club in towards you. Just watch the ball when you hit the ball then you can look for it’s flight. If you do you will hit the center of the face.
Keep in mind you should only be about 6 inches or so from the butt end of the club to the belt buckle. Don’t get too far away from it.
May 30, 2017
StianOttersenHi Paul. Do you measure this from an “upright” position or with the tilt? Easier for me to build my set-up from standing straight up and down but I guess the belt buckle might move a bit further away from the ball when standing like this? Or am I wrong?
Thanks.
May 31, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
You are bent over slightly. Club in the right hand and your hand under your nose. Standing straight up is not going to allow you do it.
Set Up With the Back Hand: https://ignitiongolf.com/set-up-back-hand/
February 5, 2018
MarcusBurdenI have read/heard time after time from many great instructors that once you assume your stance and have the correct spine angle at address (as you teach), you should simply let your loose arms hang straight down and then grip the club. That seems much easier to do than the thumb/middle finger thing. I am 6’2″, your method implies some guess work. Plus am I supposed to do this every time I line up to hit the ball? Is there anything wrong with the tried-and-true letting the arms hang down (which also promotes loose arms)? Also, at address, if the sole of the club is flat or square to the lie with the ball aligned to the middle/sweetspot of the clubface, wouldn’t that determine how far you stand from the ball? Don’t get me wrong, I think you are a great instructor, but I wonder about this tip.
February 5, 2018
Paul WilsonMarcus,
You don’t want the arms hanging straight down. This leads to a deep backswing. You need the forearms and thighs parallel at about 6 inches from the side view. This means they would be under you nose.
There shouldn’t be any guess work with my setup.
You need to get you distance to the ball:
Setup – Distance To Ball Toe Up or Toe Down: https://ignitiongolf.com/distance-to-ball-toe-up-or-down/
Then look up, sit and bend until you see the club and ball clearly not your toes. This would get you on the right angle (taller).
Sounds like you are not knowing the distance to the ball so the tip above should fix it.
The club is not flush at address. It would be toe up. 6’2″ is really not difficult at all to get into my setup. For you I would suggest clubs about 1/2″ long and 2 degrees upright. Hopefully, you have your clubs fitted. If you are using regular clubs you may have an issue.
A New Way To Get The Taller Setup: https://ignitiongolf.com/new-way-taller-setup/
Stand Tall with Short Clubs: https://ignitiongolf.com/stand-tall-short-clubs/
February 10, 2018
MarcusBurdengreat tips, everything is coming together, starting to make sense. Maybe I should check out custom fit clubs…
February 11, 2018
Paul WilsonMarcus,
You definitely want to make sure your setup is perfect before getting custom fit. If you get fit and have to change your setup the new clubs could be worthless. If you want to send us a picture of your setup from down the line we will check it. Just send it to out contact email.
August 24, 2018
PeterSauterHow does the distance from ball change when you are choking down on the club as in a medium and short pitch?
does this standard apply to a chip shot?
Thanks,
Peter
August 26, 2018
Paul WilsonPeter,
You stand a little closer. Not sure what else I can say about it.
Chipping you would be as close as putting.
I should it in this tip:
Chipping Technique: https://ignitiongolf.com/correct-chipping-technique/