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.
