Iron Play Tip: Understanding Ball Position

Ball position is a fundamental aspect of iron play. Any confusion or lack of awareness of this part of the set-up can, and probably will, have dire consequences on the state of your approach today.

Here is a useful rule of thumb: Play your wedge shots with the ball in the middle of your stance, then move the ball progressively further forward in your stance as the club gets longer.

As a guide, the 5-iron is just over a ball’s width forward of center; the 3-iron is further forward still, inside your left heel.

The reason for doing this is that it helps encourage the correct angle of attack as the clubhead approaches the ball – relatively steep with the wedge and progressively more shallow as the club gets longer. It is one of the keys to iron play.

In terms of how far away from the ball you stand, again it depends on the club you are using. Quite simply, you stand progressively closer to the ball as the shaft of the club gets shorter.

Iron Play Tip: Let Your Hands Lead The Clubhead

It’s common for many amateur golfers to flick at the ball with their iron shots, believing this will help the ball into the air and lead to better shots.

It doesn’t – its one of the worst faults in the game.

Just look at the top professional players. Their hands lead the clubhead into the ball, generating a downward angle of attack.

The key aspect to have in mind is making sure that there is a degree of forward lean in the shaft at the moment of impact.

This will compress the golf ball, and means that your shots will have a much more effective trajectory.

1. Rock steady: Your head stays behind the ball, representing a fixed axis point for the swing.
2. Keep the arc: The left arm straightens to maintain arc of swing.
3. Shoulder line: Your right shoulder stays “under” to promote good swing path into impact.
4. Clear a path: Left hip clears out of the way to make room for a free swing of the arms.
5. Descending blow: The club approaches the ball on a slightly descending angle of attack.