Did anyone catch that Tom said in either one of his personal (paid) videos that you did not need to change the ball placement, only the trailing foot, which would more appropriately align the ball with the given club? I just got through watching the driver and long irons/hybrid videos and he talks about moving the lead foot closer to a balls length from the lead heel instead of the previously recommended club head length no matter the club... just trying to clear up some confusion.
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@Benjamin Langford - @Nocona Colt Abernathy offers an excellent response. I can only supplement it with the following response:
You have some leeway with ball position. I tend to like the simplicity of keeping it consistent relative to the inside of the lead heel and adjusting the stance width depending on the length of the club. Alternatively, the Stack & Tilt book prescribes a stock ball position that is in the middle of the stance for short irons, two balls inside the lead heel for middle irons, and incrementally more forward for the longer clubs - the farthest forward being even with the inside of the lead heel for the driver (again, with the stance width increasing as we move from shorter to longer clubs).
As I regularly tell folks with regard to ball position, this is not set in stone - let your ball striking quality and shot shape be your guide!
@Benjamin Langford - I'm sure Tom will be able to help, but here's my answer. Ball position is NOT a fundamental of S&T, it's a variable. It can be changed to affect ball flight (low, medium, high), curvature, and to address different lies on the course.
The reason Tom talks about keeping it the same is for simplicity for those learning the swing, and because that is the best place to start. Because, in the beginning, you should focus on Fundamental #1, which if CONTACT. This just helps make the setup easier. Also, it's a good principle to go back to if you ever lose your golf swing.
Now, for the long iron/hybrid videos. Those videos are for people who can make solid contact most of the time and just might be struggling getting distance out of longer clubs. The reason for the position change is to decrease the angle of attack into the ball, so it's optimal for launch. Plus, its a ball or ball and a half, so you're not talking about much change really.
Hope this helps.