Make ball position visible before trying to memorize a feeling. Check the ball against the middle of your stance and your lead heel, using the same club and stance width for each comparison.

Use a reference rather than a universal rule

The PGA Sports Academy manual uses a central iron position, a more forward position for hybrids and fairway woods, and a lead-heel reference for the driver as introductory setup guides. Treat those as starting references that a coach can adapt to your club, lie and shot. PGA Sports Academy manual.

Changing stance width can change how the same ball position looks. A photograph from the front is more useful than guessing from above the ball.

Ball Position Reference Check: Center of stance, Lead heel reference, Repeat the setup.

Build the reference without hitting balls

  1. Choose a mid-iron and stand on a level practice surface.
  2. Place a reference along your toe line and a second perpendicular reference pointing toward the ball. Keep both clear of any swing path.
  3. Notice the ball relative to the center of your stance. Take a face-on setup photo if helpful.
  4. Step away and rebuild the setup five times. Check whether you return to the same relationship.
  5. Remove the references before swinging. Hit a small group and record contact and launch, not just how familiar the setup felt.

Change one thing at a time

If you test a slightly different ball position, keep the club, lie, target and stance width consistent. Moving the ball and widening the stance at the same time makes the result harder to interpret. Do not force a position that causes discomfort.

Use the iron ball-position guide for more context, or show the setup photo to Stubbs. The five-rebuild sequence is an SLGP practice exercise, not a measurement of swing quality.