hitting down on the ball...

[mtibt]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Advantages of taking divots, better ball flight, truer distance and direction, and more spin all because you are actually hitting the ball first then the turf.
Set up with irons with the hands ahead-the shorter the iron-the more ahead-but not so much that you deloft too much.
I don't like alot of head movement which is probably what you are doing that causes you to not pinch the ball first because you are either off balance or you have moved off center and can't return consistently.
Maintain the hands ahead angle at impact which is also something you may not be doing which causes early release with no divot.
Experiment with ball position and head staying steady while staring at the inside left quadrant of the ball and keep your head down(I know thats not supposed to matter but do it and you will find out it keeps you in the shot) and stay down and through the shot without pulling up and out which is also something you may be doing.
Drill: set up as described and when you start your downswing imagine the butt end of the club pointing at the ball, this puts your hands ahead and forces you to stay in the shot. Start with half swings then work your way up to full swings.
Hope this helps and let me know.

[pgmetcalf]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

You can't keep you head down because it doesn't move vertically independantly of you body. Neither can you stop it moving from side to side and actually moving it does help you to shift your weight better. Keeping your head in one place can also lead to the reverse pivot on the backswing. People say keep your head still so that your spine turns around its axis. I'd prefer to see people looking where the ball was right through until the full finish and even that is tricking because the chest pulls around the neck which pulls around the head. It's a tricky business and it isn't easy to do.

[mister hand]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but something I've done recently that has really helped cure me of hitting thin is focusing on a spot an inch or two in front of the ball (on the opposite side of the ball from your club, down the target line). Focusing on that spot and swinging for it has caused me to take my focus off staring and trying to hit the ball as opposed to just making a swing, take a small divot where before I never used to and has really cut down on the amount of topped 5 and 3 woods I used to get all the time from hitting off the deck.

I know when I tried to focus on the ball itself or a spot behind it I would aim for it and more often than not smack that spot and be on the upswing when it actually made contact, which led to topped shots and lots of ankle-high screamers. Don't know if it will work for everyone but it helped me.

[GregJWillis]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

...is focusing on a spot an inch or two in front of the ball ...

Nail --------> Head! But I go a littel closer, I focus on the part of the front of the ball itsself.

Good call Mister Hand.

[icon115]

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 ....

Hi guys. Could you please tell me where I can find this drill?

Thanks

[gord962]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

http://mysite.verizon.net/gregjwillis/LESSON1.htm

[icon115]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

thanks Gord.

[sergiogolf]

Re: My head is moving too much vertically

My head is moving too much vertically,some drill exists



thank you

[seeyoutoo]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Dumb question? I understand how hitting down will make it fly high... but aren't there easier ways to get trajectory instead of changing the entire swing? I bought the RAC (HT) irons and the ball flies higher than ever. My problem is the clubs are designed for a slower swing than I have. So, I have to remind myself to just relax and take a nice easy swing. Also, doesn't the ball composition contribute to this also? The only time I take divots is on soft fairways. They look nice but not necessary! Ever watch Tiger on the practice range? He literally cuts a nice square pattern next to the balls... but that is under nearly perfect green conditions.

[cdyason]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Something that I read many years ago, was laying a piece of string just behind the ball, if you are hitting down on the ball the string will not move, but you should be striking the ball really solidly.

[Simon Woo]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Great tip there! I tried focusing a few inches ahead of the ball at the range just now and indeed the contact was much nicer than I usually hit with my 7 iron! Thanks!

[briandev69]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Simple drill to promote hittingdown on the ball......Place another ball 6 inches behind the ball you intend to hit and press it halfway into the ground with your foot. Now address your ball with your hands forward. Your goal is to swing down missing the plugged ball hitting down onto your target ball.

[Simon Woo]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

Can someone clarify for me what pressing the hands forward really mean? I am current using only the 7 iron, and if I put the ball in the middle of my stance, and with my right wrist cupped and trying to keep the clubface square, my hands are practically at my left knee (ie. way ahead of the ball at the front of my stance). Is that what pressing the hands forward mean? Are my hands way too front?

[briandev69]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

You have the idea correct. I feel i hit it best when my left arm and the club shaft form a straight line from my shoulder to the ball at address. At impact the club shaft should lean towards the target which will insure the hands are closer to the target than the clubhead. If you then have a decending blow the ball will have to choice but to go up. Leaning the shaft towards the target also delofts the club face and will give you more distance.

[Simon Woo]

Re: hitting down on the ball...

When I do that, I feel that the clubhead is kinda like brushing the ball, and I don't get that hard-thud sound and feeling with vibration on the club. I hope this is what it's supposed to feel like with my 7 iron? It definitely feels better on the hands, but is that correct - sounding/feeling more like a fssshhh than a thud?