Fix Your Driving: The Ball Position Mistake Killing Your Game

I've stood on countless first tees around the world, from the windswept links of Scotland to the sun-drenched fairways of Arizona. And in all those rounds, partnering with golfers of every handicap level, I've witnessed one setup mistake more than any other—a seemingly innocent positioning choice that silently sabotages drives before the club ever moves.

The Forward Ball Position Trap

According to Tom Stickney, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher alum, one of the most common mistakes he sees golfers make with their driver is playing the ball too far forward in their stance. It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? We've all heard that we should play the ball forward with the driver, and so many of us overdo it.

"When the ball is too far forward in the stance, you have to reach to go get it," Stickney explains. And that reaching motion—that subtle extension of the arms—sets off a cascade of compensations that doom your drive before you've even started your takeaway.

The Domino Effect of Reaching

What happens when you reach for the ball at address? Stickney points out that your trail shoulder naturally comes forward and your shoulders open up to the target. Your body, in its infinite wisdom, is simply trying to accommodate that stretched position.

But here's the problem: open shoulders at address virtually guarantee an out-to-in swing path. And we all know what that produces—the dreaded pull or, even worse, the banana slice that starts left and curves hard into the trees on the right.

I've felt this myself on those rare days when my usually reliable fade turns into something more aggressive. Invariably, when I check my setup, I've crept that ball position forward without realizing it.

The Straightforward Fix

Stickney's solution is refreshingly simple: shift your ball position back so it falls in line with your inside lead heel. Not outside the heel, not in the middle of your stance—just inside that front foot.

Then, and this is crucial, make sure your shoulders are square to your target. With the ball in the proper position, you won't have to reach, and your shoulders can settle naturally into alignment.

"From there, the club can transition from the inside and you'll eliminate that big miss," Stickney says.

Finding Your Draw

Once you get the feel of this "inside-out" swing path, something magical can happen. Not only will you eliminate that slice that's been plaguing your scorecard, but you might even start hitting a draw—that coveted shot shape that seems to roll forever once it hits the fairway.

I remember the first time I intentionally worked the ball from right to left off the tee. It was at Bandon Dunes, with a stiff wind off the Pacific pushing everything left. I needed to hold the ball against that wind, and when I did, when I felt that inside-out path and watched the ball fight the breeze and settle into the short grass, I understood why so many golfers chase that feeling.

A Simple Checkpoint

Here's what I suggest: before your next range session, place an alignment stick or club on the ground pointing at your target. Set up to the ball and have a friend take a photo from behind you, looking down the target line. You might be surprised to see how far forward that ball has migrated, and how open your shoulders have become to accommodate it.

Then make the adjustment. Ball inside the lead heel. Shoulders square. And swing.

Key Takeaways

Playing the ball too far forward forces you to reach, which opens your shoulders
Open shoulders lead to an out-to-in swing path, causing pulls and slices
Position the ball in line with your inside lead heel for proper alignment
Ensure shoulders are square to the target at address
This simple fix can help you find an inside-out path and potentially hit a draw