Pushing Irons

[augolfer81]

I just got my Ben Hogan BH-5 irons with stiff shaft and im pushing the ball to the right. I previously owned some game improvement irons and hooked badly. I hit these irons super far and its unbelievable how little effort it takes to hit them but im hitting right and its not a slice. Its kind of like learning a swing all over again but its fun trying to figure this out, whats wrong?

[LowPost42]

Re: Pushing Irons

I'm no swing guru, but I struggle with a block or a block/fade.

For me, leaving it out to the right is a combination of 2 factors:

Hip slide
Ball placement

When I'm brainless (as I should be), I tend to slide my hips in my swing (I haven't been to the range to ingrain not sliding). This moves the bottom of my swing arc forward. This leads to a shoulder dip to make ball-first contact - but since I'm still coming from the inside, the face is open relative to target (but square to the swing path), and the ball goes right. I get the same phenomenon when I have the ball too far back in my stance, and make a 'normal' swing - the ball is contacted before my swing bottoms out (while coming from the inside, and the clubhead is doing the same thing), and I lose it right.

[BrianW]

Re: Pushing Irons

Maybe your new irons are not the correct fit? I think that if the lie angle is incorrect then either the toe or heel can dig (Depending whether the lie is high or low) and push or pull the ball.

I am not a club fitting expert so maybe Lowpost could advise here?

[LowPost42]

Re: Pushing Irons

Yep. Too flat and balls go push side, too upright and balls go pull side. It's most noticeable in short irons (I've played games with a 64° wedge and lie angle), but it also effects long irons (not quite as noticeable).

Some will tell you 'check your divots'. I say, 'check your ball flight'. If you have a 'toe down' divot, but the ball goes straight, leave it be. Obviously toe down works for your swing.

[bill reed]

Re: Pushing Irons

hi lowpost
what you said about hip slid and and dip sounds just like how lee trevino said he plays and how in his book "my swing" he tells you to play. if aimes out to the left you would have a great controled fade, close the club face to control how much fade.
i only say that as i have changed back to doing just what you said about a year ago after hurting me back 2 years ago and stopping golf for almost a year. it can give you a good repeatable swing and a consistant fade. i use to play like this 20 years ago and was talked into changing to a draw and standing a little close as to a bit bit open.
bill

[augolfer81]

Re: Pushing Irons

Thanks for all the comments, its nice to have people to help with a problem thats why I joined this community. Ive narrowed the problem down to the lie angle of the clubs, now I just have to have them adjusted. Im trying to talk the Ben Hogan company into adjusting my clubs for free, anyone know how much it cost at a retailer to have this done??

[LowPost42]

Re: Pushing Irons

FWIW, I charge $10 CAD/club - going rate for my area. This is roughly $8 USD, and around 5 British pounds.

It could be more, it could be less. BH may (much like Callaway) require that you send them back to them for bending (although IMO it's not necessary, but if they break it, it's much easier/cheaper for them to fix!)

The downside to sending them away is that you'll still have to hit them all off a lie board to see how you're doing.

[ilang]

Re: Pushing Irons

Could be the lies on the irons.When you address the ball with a 5 iron,you should be able to get a penny under the toe of the club.Too upright and you could push the ball,too too much heel on the ground can make you smother the ball.Pros have their lies and lofts checked quite often.So have them checked out at your pro shop.