What is up Saguto fam! Tom, big props to you for growing this community. Been loving reconstructing my swing; shot an 82 the other day (my first break 80 is close, I can feel it!)
One thing I noticed last round and practicing today in my setup: When I address the ball and square my shoulders to the target line, hips and feet, naturally the club head is WAY behind the ball (almost like half foot to a foot) instead of settling RIGHT behind the ball. I have the ball placed on the inside of my left heel, or so I think, and this natural placement of the club head behind the ball seems like I'm off, given the countless articles read, youtube videos watched, tips given, etc.
However when I put my weight forward and take a swing, I am still hitting some crispy draws and/or hitting them where I want to. I'm definitely not trying to complain but more just want to know if I am creating bad habits by letting the club head be further back? Maybe the ball is too far forward in the stance after all?
I've seen guys like the great Moe Norman start his club way far back. Anyone else do this or have thoughts?
All the best, everyone!
Scott
Welcome to this great forum community, @Scott Flato!!
While you do have some leeway, in general once my students and members show some level of proficiency with the swing I suggest that they migrate to 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 creeping more forward for the longer clubs - the farthest forward being even with the inside of the lead heel for the driver (with the stance width increasing as we move from shorter to longer clubs). From there they can make incremental tweaks to see how different positions affect impact quality and shot shape.
At a minimum I would suggest checking your ball position and alignment. Grab three alignment sticks (or clubs) and set them on the ground as follows: One on the target line, another parallel to it for your foot/knee/hip/shoulder line, and the third stick perpendicular to represent ball position. Address the ball as @Gerry_Lager says in his reply, with the stock hand position being even with the inside of the lead thigh and the lead arm and shaft forming a straight line from the face-on view. Use video from the face-on perspective to confirm ball position and from down-the-line (with the camera aligned with your foot line) to verify alignment.
While there is certainly room for personal preferences, this exercise will at least allow you to get a sense for "standard" alignment and ball position and determine how much - if at all - you deviate from these. But beyond that and as I am known to say, "let your ball striking and shot shape be your guide"!