Positioning the golf ball: Find your sternum center

By Karl Fischer,
Contributor

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Want to hit the golf ball better? Start by positioning it in accordance with your sternum. (Courtesy photo)

Every one of our golf swings has something in common. The lowest point of the bottom of the swing arc always sits on our sternum, the center of the chest, or generally between our balanced feet or stance. So every swing should touch the grass. If the ball is sitting there, waiting patiently, and we simply swing the clubhead through the bottom, solid impact will result.

Small variations are quite acceptable. I think the short irons might be played one ball back of sternum center, mid irons one center and long irons one ball forward of center.

Let's talk teed up -- not teed off.

Place the teed ball between the target foot heel and toe. Why? Think simple physics and the swinging pendulum motion. If your driver is at the bottom of the swing arc on the sternum, the normal upward arc will put the sweet spot right on the backside of the ball and make it go away. Simple. Effortless.

Incidentally, don't hesitate to start your driver head from that sternum position. The common forward press has a distinct tendency to hurt timing and rhythm.

March 31, 2003

Karl Fischer has spent some 35-plus plus years teaching golf nationally and internationally earning the title of "IGAD-Doctorate," "CIMTP-Certified International Master Teaching Professional," "CMCB-Certified Master Club-Builder" and "CGC-Certified Golf Clinician." He has written six golf books, thousands of editorials, tips, "Bullet-Proof Drills" and much more. He can be reached at KF@555golf.com or by phone at (817) 673-8888.