MASTERCLASS BY JOHN SEYMOUR
TIPS FROM ONE OF EUROPE´S TOP 50 P.G.A PRO´S

Since the beginning of golf the correct position for playing the driver was to address the ball opposite the left heel. (Pic 2) Every book written and every video or DVD made always recommends this as the position to play the driver. Due to the construction of golf clubs in the modern game being so different i am of a different opinion.

A short comparison between an old wooden driver and a modern titanium one is the first step to understand the new position. Here in Picture 3 is my driver from the 80´s in comparison the my 2017 model. My new driver is 6.5cm longer than my trusty old one.

As the new drivers are so much longer the modern technique is to stand much wider in the address position to support the much wider swing radius. It is due to the wider stance now that we have a new problem.

When i stand wider and play the ball off the left heel, the ball so far forward in the stance that it is positioned outside my upper body. (Pic 4) This position is a recipe for topping the ball as it lies too far forward in the swing plane. (Pic 5) My belief is that it is much better to forget the old fashioned left heel routine and play the ball instead  from inside the left shoulder. (Pic 6) A much better solution as the player can stand wider, play the ball more forwards in the "sweeping" position but with the ball remaining inside the upper body and thus in the correct swing plane position to hit.