Over the years, one of the most Commonly asked questions from my students has been, how do I know the correct distance to stand from the golf ball? What I have learned is they really mean, How far should my hands be from my body for each club? The answer to this question is quite simple. It lies with correct posture at address.

When you are in the correct stance the club you have in your hands will give you the proper distance from the ball. All of your clubs are different in lengths, but those individual lengths never change, (I.E. a five iron is always a five iron and seven iron is always a seven), so use their consistency to help keep your distance from the ball the same every time. Here is a drill which will help tell you if you are in the correct posture.

Start by getting into a good address postion. You should have your feet wide enough to support your swing motion and keep you balanced. Lean forward bending from the hips, not the waist. Good! Now allow your knees to bend just enough to give you flexibilty in your legs and support your upper body.

Keep your arms relaxed, they should be hanging relatively straight down from your shoulders at this point. Bring your hands together and grip the club. Practice openong your hands and dropping the club without moving your arms, now let your arms go limp and your hands to come apart. If you are in the correct position you should notice your arms and hands fall away from each other parallel to your body> Should they fall towards you, you are reaching or standing to far from the ball, if they fall away from you, you are standing to close to the ball. Do this drill every time you practice and soon it will become automatic.

Remember, proper posture coupled with the unchanging length of your club, will always give you the basic ball position and proper distance from the ball.

Scott Lane is Head PGA Teaching Professional at Spring Valley Golf Course. For further information call 303-646-4240.