Ball position is a tricky thing for most golfers. It often gets overlooked, and even when it isn’t, it’s usually misunderstood. Some players have a strong belief that the ball should always be played back in the stance for wedges and short irons. While there are times when this makes sense, doing it too often can disrupt your attack angle, shot direction, and distance control. Here’s when you should play the ball back in your stance, and when you shouldn’t.
When you want to hit a lower trajectory
Playing the ball back in your stance can help lower the ball flight. You make contact with the ball earlier in the swing arc, with more shaft lean and a steeper angle of attack. If you are playing in windy conditions or need to punch out from under a tree, it’s good to move it back a little.
The thing to be aware of here is that if your clubface is not square or your path is wrong, you won’t just hit it low, you’ll hit it low and left or push it out to the right. Practice this shot on the range to learn to control the clubface as well.
When you’re hitting a knockdown shot
A knockdown or “punch” shot requires less loft and more control. In this case, moving the ball slightly back can help you compress the ball and take spin off it. It’s a good option for windy days or when your driver is giving you a hard time off the tee and you want to try and hit lower long iron shots that roll.
This should be a slight adjustment—maybe one or two inches—not a drastic change. You’re trying to control the shot, not manipulate your entire swing arc.
When you’re in a poor lie or thick rough
Ball sitting down in the rough? Playing it back in your stance allows you to steepen your attack and ensure clean contact. You won’t want to make this your default setup, but for these types of recovery shots, it works to have the ball just behind the center position.
When you’re hitting chips or bump-and-runs
Short game shots like bump-and-runs often benefit from a ball positioned back in the stance. This encourages a descending blow and helps you create more roll with less loft. Even with the ball placed further back in your stance, make sure you are not leaning the handle too far forward. This creates very little loft, and you may have a hard time stopping the ball at all.
When you’re using drills
The drop-back drill, where your trail foot is pulled back, can help clear the hips and promote better sequencing. This drill naturally places the ball slightly back in the stance.
When not to play the ball back in your stance
Here are a few common circumstances in which you may be playing the golf ball back in your stance when you shouldn’t be.
Full swing wedge shots – You’ll lose distance control with too steep of an angle.
Mid or long irons off the fairway – Can cause a pull or thin shot due to a steep, in-to-out swing.
When trying to hit a straight shot – Playing it back can force unnecessary curve (usually a hook or draw).
With the driver – You’ll likely hit down on it and cut across, leading to low, spinny fades or slices.
Final thought
If you’re playing every shot with the ball back in your stance, you’re probably fixing the wrong problem. Most of the time, a neutral or centered ball position allows for the most consistent and natural swing arc. Pushing the ball back can be effective in certain situations, but overdoing it leads to compensations that negatively impact your ball flight, path, and consistency.
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