Chris Foley is head golf pro at Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd and owner of Chris Foley Golf Schools.

Distance Matters

How to address the ball correctly

By Chris Foley | Photos by Peter Wong

The distance a player stands from the golf ball at address influences both the player's balance during the swing and the plane on which he or she swings the club.

If a player is not in balance before the swing, he or she will seek balance during the swing. When a player seeks balance mid-swing, it changes the arc of the swing and makes the player much more reliant on timing to hit a solid golf shot.

Swing plane also is affected. If the player stands too far away from the ball at address, the swing tends to get too flat. If the player stands too close, the swing tends to get too steep.

To establish your correct distance from the ball, take hold of the club, assume good pre-shot golf posture and set up to the golf ball. Then let go of the grip with your bottom hand (the right hand for a right-handed player) and let that arm hang relaxed.

Photo A: Correct Distance From the Ball

If you are the correct distance from the golf ball, (Photo A) your arm will hang in about the same space it filled when your hand was in position on the grip. If you are too far from the ball, (Photo B) your arm will hang inside the grip. If you are too close to the ball, (Photo C) your arm will hang outside the grip.

Standing the correct distance from the ball will make your ball striking more consistent and will help you swing the club on the correct plane.

Photo B: Too Far From the Ball		Photo C: Too Close to the Ball

Setup Tip for Juniors

Cut out a picture of your favorite golfer from a magazine. Then stick it to a full-length mirror and check your setup position against your favorite player's. See if your distance from the ball matches what you see the player doing in
the magazine. -C.F.

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