No divots with irons
 

Hi guys, i've got a frustrating problem with my irons. If i concentrate on a full release and horizontal hinge i tend to pick the ball cleanly even with wedges and don't take a divot.

If i concentrate on hitting down more then i hit a lot of shanks as my hands tend to lock up and do not square the face.

I've been really trying with chip shots etc to keep the hands ahead, so much so that it blocks the hinge action.

Anyone else had the same problems and any remedies?

Cheers

Hit the practice bunker. Line in the sand. Divots on the forward side of the line. Make sure you can do it without your upper body lunging forward. At least, that's my trouble.

if the ball flight and results are acceptable, why is this bad?

-hcw

3 dimensional impact
 

Three dimensional impact (down, out, forward) is desired to get maximum compression which results in more power and a more controllable trajectory.

bergsey: This issue could be as simple as ball position. Ensure you are setting up with your low point (left shoulder) ahead of the ball. Another cause could be that you are not maintaining a flat left wrist at impact. I've seen guys "flip" at the ball which will scoop it instead of hitting down properly and taking a divot.

Make sure your set up is correct. Then start by hitting some short pitch shots where you finish with both arms straight and a follow though no further than waist high. Concentrate on down, out, and forward. You should be taking divots with this procedure. The divots should be in front of the ball. See 12-5-2 Aquired Motion.

but why does the down HAVE to end up underground?

-hcw

Hi there, i swing from impact fix. So for wedges the ball is around mid point in my stance with my hands over my left foot.

If i concentrate on a divot in front of the ball - e.g. the line in the sand drill i can do it. My problem is when i do this i lose the clubface control and tend to drag the hosel in first. So it tends to a choice in my mind between shank with divot or pick clean

Chips and small shots aren't a problem - this is more for half swings and beyond

Thanks

Any golfer who tries to scoop the ball into the air will take no divots at all. (Hale Irwin)

You Need 3-F-5 Verify Six Alignmnets!
 

No Diviots with the Irons!
Well I have heard some wonderful suggestions but I recomend you apply 3-F-5. You mentioned that when you try to hit DOWN which you MUST do you shank the ball. Set your radius correctly ie sole the club towards the TOE. Surely if we are driving DOWNWARD OUTWARD & FORWARD WHICH WE MUST, a shank is likely if one soles the club towards the center.
Now you are driving down on the ball and providing you have followed 3-F-5 correctly your divot should come from impact point plane line to the low point plane line.
www.blackburngolf.com

Thanks, that might well be it as i'm currently setting up at impact fix (address?) with the club soled at the sweetspot. I'll give that a go! (at worst coming off the toe has to be better than off the hosel... [-o<

Cheers

It just sounds like you're a flipper.

Also, there are only 2 main reasons why people shank the ball in my opinion:

1) You let the face open in the backswing like a swinger and then you try and "hit" the ball through impact. Because you let it open and are hitting, nothing has closed the face and wala...SHANK

2) You are too close to the ball at address. As you make your backswing your weight will move to your heels and on the downswing back onto your toes bringing everything "closer" to the ball and thus bring the hosel into ball.

Is there an easy way (i don't have access to a vid camera at the moment unfortunately) to try and isolate which one of those two it may be? i'm thinking getting a bit close to the ball which is why addressing the ball at impact fix off the toe sounds like a good idea. Even if i keep my balance etc would you expect a shank if you soled the club aligned with the sweetspot at impact fix and swung from there?

cheers

Tonight tried to stand further back from the ball and address the ball off the toe of the club - worked great, no shanks! I had though previously it was the clubface opening but at the moment it seems like distance from the ball is a problem.

One last question then, is there a reliable method of getting your distance from the ball correct so that you can swing down and out ?

thanks

Make a fist...then extend your thumb and pinky finger. That's how much room you should have between the butt end of the club and your belly button.

You can adjust it SLIGHTLY, but it will be pretty close.

Hit Down
 

As a senior player and range rat, hitting down becomes painful and problematic. Sore thumbs and bones in the hand beg for a Tylanol. During the last year we have had scenes of Tom Watson practicing. As he hits iron shot after shot the turf seems barely disturbed. Jack and Lee also became sweepers as they matured.
How can I continue learning and applying TGM and not pounding the ground?

Diggin' Deep
 

Divot depth is controlled by Plane Angle (Steep versus Flat), Ball Location (Back versus Forward), and Clubface Loft (more versus less). Otherwise, you should never 'try' -- or not try-- to take a divot. Study 1-L- #13; 2-J-2; 2-N-0; and especially, 7-6.

I have written on all these things. Those interested should search the archives, unearth the posts and weigh in with their observations and opinions.

:golf:

On my way, and as always thanks for the "expert" help.

I seem to get the best compression when I focus not on the ball, but on a spot in the grass immediately in front of it.