Fairway Wood Flub? Top Instructor Reveals the setup Mistake Costing You Distance
September 2, 2025 – A subtle flaw in setup is robbing golfers of meaningful distance and consistency with their fairway woods, according to leading golf instructor Jonathan Yarwood. The error, frequently enough overlooked, involves how players position the ball relative to their stance, leading to mis-hits and lost power.
Many recreational golfers struggle to consistently find the sweet spot with fairway woods, often experiencing shots that either launch too high, come out weak, or veer off target. Yarwood, who coaches several professional players, says the root of the problem frequently lies in a ball position that’s too far forward in the stance.This encourages an out-to-in swing path, promoting slices and diminishing power transfer. “Players are trying to help the ball get in the air, but they’re actually creating conditions that make solid contact much harder to achieve,” Yarwood explains.
The issue stems from a misunderstanding of how fairway woods are designed to be played. Unlike drivers, which benefit from a more forward ball position to promote an upward angle of attack, fairway woods are intended to be struck with a slightly descending blow. Positioning the ball too far forward encourages scooping, leading to thin or topped shots. Yarwood recommends playing the ball just forward of center in your stance – roughly the inside of your lead heel. This allows for a more controlled, downward strike, maximizing energy transfer and promoting a penetrating ball flight.”Think about it like this,” Yarwood suggests. “You’re trying to compress the ball, not lift it. A slightly back-of-center ball position encourages that compression,leading to more consistent contact and greater distance.” Correcting this simple setup adjustment can yield immediate improvements for golfers of all skill levels, adding yards and confidence to their fairway wood game.
