Golf Tips: Control Trajectory with Ball Position

Last week's Tuesday Tip #4 gave a way of controlling shot trajectory via the mechanics of the swing.  This week we cover a 2nd way to control the trajectory of a golf shot without manipulating swing mechanics. Ball Position From short game all the way to driver, ball position can have a great bearing on the trajectory or height of the ball flight. Simply by taking the normal ball position you would play for a particular club or shot and moving the ball forward or back in your stance, you can vary the shot height. Left = High For right handed players, playing the ball farther forward (left) will generally result in higher ball flight. Try it with any club or shot.  Take a driver and rather than placing the ball roughly where the left heel is, move it farther forward and see how much higher you can hit the drive.  This would be a great shot for taking advantage of a tail wind or insuring the tee shot clears a forced carry. Right = Low Playing the ball farther right will result in a lower ball flight.  Take a standard shot with any club and move the ball placement farther right (right handed players) in your stance.  The club will be striking the ball at a different position, resulting in a lower launch angle.  This type of ball placement can be especially beneficial for windy situations, or on links golf courses which call for lower or running type shots. Short Game Experiment The ball position concept works especially well for short game.  When around the greens many types of high and low shots may be required.  Take the same club you'd use to chip a standard shot near the green when practicing, and move the placement of the ball around.  You'll find that you can create lower running shots which land quicker and roll more by placing the ball farther right in your stance.  Conversely, you'll find that you can hit shots which fly higher and land softer with less roll by placing the ball farther forward in your stance.