Playing ball back = shorter irons ?

[rk100]

Hello MGS,

First-time poster to the forum!  At the range (hitting off mats) I started playing my ball one golfball length back and I've been making solid contact. When I played the ball from the middle of my stance I felt like I hit the mat first prior to hitting the ball.  I understanding this could be due to a host of other factors but is one of the factors that I'm playing with irons that need to be shortened?  I'm a 5'6' guy this 32' arms.   

Thanks,

R

[null]

It's likely that you are hanging back and flipping at impact, and thus moving the ball back in your stance moves the ball closer to the bottom of your swing arc and results in better contact.

Shorter irons wouldn't be the answer.  Getting lessons to improve your weight transfer and eliminate your hang back and hand flip would be the much better solution.

 

Edit: My advice is based on personal experience.  I, too, was finding that I did better with the ball back in my stance and that my punch shots were more consistent and flying better than my standard shots.  However playing the ball back on every shot severely limited me in terms of the ability to hit different shots and all of my clubs.

Getting lessons and working on my swing to get a proper weight shift and release is what helped me.

[tony@CIC]

Hello MGS,
First-time poster to the forum!  At the range (hitting off mats) I started playing my ball one golfball length back and I've been making solid contact. When I played the ball from the middle of my stance I felt like I hit the mat first prior to hitting the ball.  I understanding this could be due to a host of other factors but is one of the factors that I'm playing with irons that need to be shortened?  I'm a 5'6' guy this 32' arms.   
Thanks,
R

You'll get some great feedback on this forum. But in the meantime welcome!


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[GB13]

Jlukes, pretty much summed it up. I'd be 99.9999% sure you are flipping you hands and that's why moving the ball back helps. Shorter irons probably won't do it.

If you don't have access to a lesson, feel free to post a video of your swing, and we'lol do out best to help you! 

[rk100]

11 minutes ago, jlukes said:

It's likely that you are hanging back and flipping at impact, and thus moving the ball back in your stance moves the ball closer to the bottom of your swing arc and results in better contact.

Shorter irons wouldn't be the answer.  Getting lessons to improve your weight transfer and eliminate your hang back and hand flip would be the much better solution.

 

Edit: My advice is based on personal experience.  I, too, was finding that I did better with the ball back in my stance and that my punch shots were more consistent and flying better than my standard shots.  However playing the ball back on every shot severely limited me in terms of the ability to hit different shots and all of my clubs.

Getting lessons and working on my swing to get a proper weight shift and release is what helped me.

@jlukes Thanks for the help, can you explain what your mean by "hanging back and flipping at impact".  Thanks!

 

[null]

3 minutes ago, rk100 said:

@jlukes Thanks for the help, can you explain what your mean by "hanging back and flipping at impact".  Thanks!

 

Absolutely.  Here are two good videos that talk about flipping and managing the face/path better.  The key is diagnosing the cause (is it poor turn or weight shift? Bad wrist angles? Bad movements from the top of the backswing?

 

[GB13]

Also, at 5' 6", assuming you play standard length irons, your iron length should be perfect. I don't know if you have been fitted, but the lie angle on your irons should be a little flatter than standard. 

[null]

Here is another video that explains how wrist flipping and hanging back can be related

 

[jayjay0808]

I'm sorry but I think everyone is spot on saying that there may be a slight flip to your movement.

For this I would maybe suggest the drill of putting one of your alignment rods against your iron grip so that it comes up by your left ribs at address. Take small controlled swings without having the rod hit you in the ribs. This will get you rotating more through impact

[Kenny B]

7 hours ago, rk100 said:

Hello MGS,

First-time poster to the forum!  At the range (hitting off mats) I started playing my ball one golfball length back and I've been making solid contact. When I played the ball from the middle of my stance I felt like I hit the mat first prior to hitting the ball.  I understanding this could be due to a host of other factors but is one of the factors that I'm playing with irons that need to be shortened?  I'm a 5'6' guy this 32' arms.   

Thanks,

R

Welcome RK!  So, the bottom line is that you moved the ball back in your stance because you were hitting it fat?  

Sounds like a swing issue, not a club length issue but it would be a good idea to have the clubs checked out anyway, certainly for lie angle.  It's difficult to say why you tend to hit fat, since there are many ways to do that.  The suggestions provided are good if you don't have a good weight shift.  It could also be your swing plane; too steep or too flat.  Likely, at 5'6" I would guess too flat, but it's only a guess.  

You need to see a professional.  Trying to fix a swing issue with advice that doesn't apply to your swing is a recipe for disaster.  Yes, you could play the ball back in your stance and get around the course hitting low driving shots, but as @jlukes said, it limits your ability to play different shots.

[rk100]

Thanks, everyone for the advice....I'll def check out the videos.  I plan on continuing to get lessons this spring and want to get an iron fitting this winter.  @Kenny B that's correct I moved the ball back before I felt like I was hitting it slightly fat and not pure.

[PlaidJacket]

I used to not be much of a ball position guy with my irons. I played the ball where I thought it felt and looked good; but usually too far back in my stance. Now days and after my instructor/coach showed me.... I play the ball further up in my stance depending on the iron. The only time I really play a ball "back" anymore is when I'm attempting a low punch-rescue or a knock-down into the green. The school of ball position is all over the map IMO.

[McGolf]

Welcome, I might give a bit of an alternate answer.

If you are hitting on that surface I would suggest hitting off the other surface near the tee. Thin mats give false positives, cause joint discomfort and wear out the area you are standing for us lefties  

Secondly, It could be in the set up meaning if the club is set where the shaft is straight into the bottom of the club not soled, you could be adding loft and hitting into the back of the sole i.e. the same as a flip. Where setting the club back a ball diameter puts the club into the position it was designed for allowing for a great shot.

finally, yes have your proper length tested, just to make sure, one less thing in the mind to worry about when practicing or playing.

[null]

Thanks, everyone for the advice....I'll def check out the videos.  I plan on continuing to get lessons this spring and want to get an iron fitting this winter.  [mention=42521]Kenny B[/mention] that's correct I moved the ball back before I felt like I was hitting it slightly fat and not pure.

This video was just posted today. Great explanation of a top fitter suggesting someone with your issues fixing the swing before moving to something like shorter irons.