How far you stand from the golf ball in the address position affects your swing.
Standing too far away can force you to reach your arms out away from your body. This prevents a full shoulder turn. Standing too close may prevent the club from attacking the ball via the correct angle at impact. Let your arms hang naturally without tension. Whether you are addressing the ball with a 9 iron or driver, the butt end of the club should be in line with your shoulders. Here is a simple way to measure the correct distance with all clubs.