I have a particular view of where the ball should be placed for every club and how the feet and body should relate to the ball position, this has encouraged me to create this article so that I can refer to it rather than keep repeating the advice when the subject is raised again, I welcome any comments and opinions on the subject from other members. My view on this subject was greatly influenced from Nick Bradley's book "The 7 Laws of the Golf Swing"
Each golf club has a slightly different make up in terms of the length of shaft, the lie angle and the loft of the clubface. It is only when the club is vertical and the sole of the club is flush to the ground that these design features are accurately represented at address.
Your role in the golf swing is to create that perfect lie angle at setup and then again at impact when the left arm and club shaft reach their maximum length. Keeping this fact in mind the optimum
ball position will be directly below the left armpit at address.
For most this will be two to three inches right of the left heel. This relationship is a constant element of your set-up and the distance between the golf ball and the left heel must not vary to any degree with all clubs. To widen or narrow your stance simply move the right foot backwards or forwards.
Another important factor is the position of the Sternum (the bone down the centre of the chest) in relation to the ball, the sternum represents your centre of gravity and will need to be positioned with respect to the club and type of shot you are producing. As you move your right foot it is important that you also move your sternum with it.
When hitting with a driver for example the the clubface needs to strike the ball slightly on the upswing so the ball should be placed ahead of the sternum with the right foot set wide. For a pitching wedge you would narrow your stance by bringing in the right foot towards the left and bring your upper body forward so that your sternum was slightly ahead of the ball, this would allow you to create the slight descending blow required for short irons.
I place the ball 2.5 inches inside my left heel (In line with my left armpit) whatever club I use then move my right foot and sternum towards or away from my left foot to create the correct bottoming of the swing.