The ball placement should be at a tempo that allows your ball and feet to be in the proper position at the start of the backswing .

If you drop your ball placement fast and straight down then your timing will be early and you will have little arc into the backswing which will force you to produce a higher backswing to attain proper timing

If your ball placement is to slow and directed in a outward motion there will be a hesitation in your ball placement resulting in slower footwork and little momentum during the approach.

Edited 28/06/10

Loaded  28/06/10