Putting - Setup - Ball Position

An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 12-18-2007
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Putting Setup - Ball Position

The first thing we want to do when we prepare to address the golf ball for putting is to see where the golf ball is in relationship to our stance. The optimum ball position is going to vary from player to player.

Some golfers like to have the golf ball in the center of their stance while others like the ball positioned slightly forward of center.(#5) Believe it or not there have been some very successful putters that play the golf ball off of their left heel. I have always liked to have the ball closer to my left heel than in the middle of my stance.

When I am asked where someone should address the golf ball in their stance during a putt I believe this is a very individual preference. You have to spend many hours on the practice green deciding where the golf ball should be in your stance.

Ball Position Effects Direction

Before we go on, here are a couple of reminders if you struggle with pushing your putts. The golf ball might be too far back in your stance.(#6) The ball position and your shoulder alignment go hand in hand.

If the golf ball is too far back in your stance you will have a tendency to have your shoulders closed at address and this could result in the putter swinging too much from the inside to the outside.(#7) If the putter swings too much inside to out you will push your putts.(#8)

On the other hand if you play the golf ball too far forward in your stance you will have a tendency to have your shoulders open at address and this could result in the putter swinging too much from outside to inside.(#9) If the putter swings too much outside to in you will pull your putts.

When you take a practice stroke the bottom of the stroke is where the golf ball should be in your stance at address. The putter swings back straight away from the golf ball and swings straight down in the downswing. The moment the putter head reaches the bottom of the stroke and begins to swing back up is exactly where the golf ball should be in your stance.

If you have a tendency to hit up on your putts you will want to place the golf ball back in your stance an inch or two and if you have a tendency to swing down on your putts you should move the golf ball forward in your stance an inch or two. The placement of the golf ball is vital to keeping the golf ball on the putting surface after impact and getting the golf ball to start on a straight line after impact.