hitting down on the ball...

[TheRighty]

I need a good drill (if there are any) on hitting down on the ball or traping the ball. Any ideas guys?

[LowPost42]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

If you're just looking to get the feel, think about mashing the ball into the ground when you swing.

It certainly helped me.

The other caveat is that if your swing is shallow, hitting down becomes a very tough job, as you're sweeping - this is usually displayed by having no or small divots.

[TheRighty]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Thats what I have is small and no divots hits! Do you think it is cause I swing to flat like a driver??? Does this "hurt" the ball flight in any way? 80% of the time am happy about my hits, but if hitting down on the ball enables me to contorl my ball flight... am in !! but what the best way to teach yourself?

[LowPost42]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I daresay it's either because you're plane is flat, or you're standing up a bit on your swing and picking the ball.

To hit down, I found focusing on the ground just behind the ball, pulling with my hands from the top, and having the thought of mashing the ball into the dirt really helped me hit down.

[gord962]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

If you are picking the ball, try moving your ball 1/2 ball width back in your stance.

Make sure you are getting to the correct position at the top of the backswing. If you are too low, you can not get steep enough to make a descending blow on the ball.

Next, make sure you are attacking from the inside. As you start your dwonswing, drop your right elbow to your right hip and accelerate through the ball.

[Dnamixup]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

At the moment i am practisen haveing it back in my stance because normaly i have it at the front and take no divot!

[Mr_Change]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I take very little divot, infact after I swing all i have done is cut the grass. but I still hit it every bit as good as any single figure handicap player.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

A great way to appreciate a downward blow is simple,

Take a wedge and try two 30yd chips then do the same again trying to hit the ball into the ground.............

you should find the later is a much sweeter contact and a better ball flight, also the ball mark should be higher on the face of the club.


From this slowly build up to a fuller swing........



Hope this helps


Ian.

[thebigman]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I take very little divot, infact after I swing all i have done is cut the grass. but I still hit it every bit as good as any single figure handicap player.

Doubt it. look at any dude on tour and you'll see a huge divot flying, it is possible to strike it nice with little divot but definitely better to deloft the club. My best mate doesnt take a divot and hits his irons very high, with little divot. it loses you a club in distance for a start. Still possible to hit it nice, but divots are the way to go!

Ian's got it right, start off with chips n accelarate. You will notice the difference straight away

[TheRighty]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Doubt it. look at any dude on tour and you'll see a huge divot flying, it is possible to strike it nice with little divot but definitely better to deloft the club.

Ah, but you also have to think. Must golfers don't play on the soft PGA style course. Where when you hit down on the ball, a huge divot happens.

I am trying this drill Ian told today and see how it goes.

[gord962]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

You will get much better ball flight taking a divot. Like Ian said, you are now hitting the ball with the center of the club face. Also, you are catching the ball while still accelerating and probably most importantly, this is how irons are designed to strike the ball!

[pgmetcalf]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I don't think anyone has mentioned this, but keep your hands slightly infront of the club head at impact. Look at greg's right-hand drill and also pay attention to the angle/space between your right forearm and upper arm (if you're right handed) Try to retain the angle from the top of the swing to impact when practicing. There's no way you can do this, but it desireable to feel as though it's happening. You should feel your right shoulder drop and come round inside. Once you get the feeling you can work it into your swing.

Remember!! When you adjust any part of your swing you will have to learn how to swing all over again. This is because some adjustments affect other parts of your swing. However, the more experience you have the quicker it is adapt to the changes .... obviously

[bonzi_532]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

You can't say that divots will come with time, although you can somewhat say strength will come in time. I'm at most a year older than you ricky and i take nice divots, slightly narrower than the club face and from 4-6 inches long. It produces a much better flight path and spin. In turn, more solid iron play

[Mr_Change]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I asked my clubpro about my divots and he told me that with the ground as hard that we play on as long as you can see a mark on the ground infront of where the ball was lying you are hitting down on it.

[paterick]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

i really didnt understand hitting down on the ball till i saw it done. not sure its right, but here goes. i played with a guy and on a par three, 125 yard hole,he pulled out the wedge, dropped the ball on the ground (no tee) and hit down on it. I was amazed, the ground for about 2 feet in diameter jumped into the air, dust, dirt, loose grass, broken tees, etc. the ball squeezed out and went straight to the green. i have tried it, but havnt got the hang of, i am afraid of damaging my irons.

me