hitting down on the ball...

[bonzi_532]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

you wont damage your irons by hitting down on the ball, you will only improve your consistency and trajectory. Invision mashing the ball into the ground.

[gord962]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Irons are designed to strike down on the ball and take a divot. The only time you would damage the iron doing this is if you were hitting off the cart path! It takes a while to get the hang of it, but once you consistantly take divots you will notice added distance and accuracy.

[pgmetcalf]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Here's something that's worth a try ... I do this on every shot. Forget try to hit the ball with the clubhead I always imagine that I try to sweep the ball with the back of the left hand rather than the clubhead. If you do that the chances are that your hands will get through ball before the clubhead thus ensuring you will be hitting down on the ball.

[acepepper]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I just read through this thread, after posting my own about high ball flight and I think the advice here combined with that on this thread may have solved my problem. I looked for the first time at Gregs right hand drill and I think I've found my problem. Wheras before I was just skimming the grass, I'm now taking a healthy divot and it all feels so right!! Granted, I've only tried it out in the garden, (the lawn's a mess now) but for the first time since I started playing, my swing just felt complete. I've always felt there was something lacking before.

Can't wait to get to the range tomorrow.

[gord962]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Sounds good Ricky. You have the right idea when you say you are working on your swing and concentrating on the changes. This keeps you from seeing what flight the ball has taken, which most people often do while at the driving range.

It is not necessary to take too big of a divot, but it's good to hear that you have gained the ability to do this.

I hope the rest of the youngsters (under 18 years old) are reading your post because you are definitely working on the right things. Keep working on your ball striking and don't worry about your distance. As you know, distance will come with age and improved striking ability.

Keep up the good work Ricky!

[Mr_Change]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

If you are looking at trying to take divots you may find that you will start getting sky shots which come from hitting to steep on the ball.

I would suggest learn to swing on plane over learning how to take divots. If you are on plane your club will make contact with the ball just before it hits the lowest point in your swing.

I said I take very little divot, most of the time you can just see a mark about the size of a buck it starts just infront of where the ball is lying which means the club was decending when the ball was struck. if the divot hits before the ball it means you are hitting it on the upswing, and if you are taking big divots this becomes a fat shot.

I take dirt when using a wedge to 9 iron, pull grass out by roots with 8-5 irons, cut grass with 4 and 3 irons. and sweep with fairway woods. I beleive the reasons for this is the longer the club the more flat the swing is.

[dlaville]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

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

Get two driving range buckets. Turn them upside down and lay a club across them. The buckets should be at each end of the club. Try to hit shots under the shaft. You won't be able to but the idea is to come into impact with the hands leading and the shaft leaning forward. This is the correct geometry you need for hitting down on the ball.

[supa]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Hi everyone
I just started practicing golf for a few weeks.
The range here uses a mat, so I can't use the divot to see how I did.
How do I check if I've been hitting on the ball or not then?
I am like 6"1 tall, but my 7 iron hit only 100 yard.
My clubs are kind of old, so the length of my 5 iron is 37'
Is that too short? or as long as the lie is correct, that's fine?

Another question. When does the left leg become straight (not bent) on downswing?

Thanks for answering so many questions

[Ian Hancock]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Hi supa,

My thread early in this discussion explains how to start with a wedge chipping and hitting down.

At the moment 100yds with a 7 iron is a little short but don't worry it takes time to learn, don't run before you can walk.

Don't worry about you clubs being old or the length for now.........

My advice would be to seek a few lessons to get you started with something to work on, for now just work on my wedge instruction, you will know when you chip one right the ball mark will be higher on the face and of course it will feel easy and effortless, do it with a light grip. Then when you feel confident work your way up.


As for the left leg straightening, don't even go there Tiger Woods' book explains that he tries to "snap" his left leg straight with a driver for added power.......................Just try to maintain the same leg flex, it will straighten a little on it own.


Hope this helps


Ian.

[pgmetcalf]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Hi supa,

My advice would be to seek a few lessons to get you started with something to work on

Totally dude, nobody can ever learn this game from videos or books. Only a pro can get you playing to a reasonable standard in the shortest possible time - he can expalin and demonstrate things in a manner that media types can't. Books, videos and things like these forums should only be used to supplement your knowleadge of the game.

There is no substitute for being corrected by a pro on the training ground. If you're happy to hack away with little progression, then that's fine, if that's what you want, but if you want to get the best out of the game then lessons are essential. They can be a little expensive, but I've never come accross a person who has said that lessons are a waste of time.

[dannyra]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Another good reason to hit down on the ball, that hasn't really been touched on is stability. When you hit down on the ball you create a lot of back spin which produces a more stable ball flight, due to rotational inertia.

Think of throwing a football. The spiral penentrates through the air and isn't knocked off course near as bad as a ball that doesn't have a tight spiral.

I've learned the last 2 years to really take a good sized divot. The wind is almost always blowing at least 10mph in western Nebraska, so you need the low penetrating ball flight. You can still hit those high shots if you need to by moving the ball forward in your stance. You still need to hit down on it, but with it forward in your stance the club retains more of it's loft at impact.

-Dan

[bonzi_532]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Thats how we roll in southern Kansas!

[paterick]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

ok, when the ball about ball back from center, do you aim for 1 oclock, 2 oclock, 2:30, 3?

thanks

me

[dannyra]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I tend to aim normally. With the ball back in my stance I tend to push it a little to the right and then the draw spin brings it back inline. Just depend on each individuals swing.

[mtibt]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Try not to move the head during the backswing as this takes you off center, also, focus on the front portion of the ball, have hands forward a little, and keep your eyes on the ball as club makes contact.
Keep in mind though some of the best players in the game don't take big divots while others do with midirons or low irons. of course all do with short irons.