Getting used to hands in front of the ball

I had my first lesson in a long time yesterday and I'm dedicated to learning to swing correctly. I really like the instructor and I've already committed to working with him a lot this summer.

The big thing we worked on last night was standing closer to the ball, closing the clubface more than I'm used to and having my hands a little in front of the ball with a slight forward press.

Man this feels weird! But by the time we were done, I was able to take 3/4 swings and hit some controlled punch shots doing this.

So most good players start with their hands ahead of the ball at address right?? This is the way I should learn?

I went to the range this morning to work on it again and it went alright. I still feel like I'm crowding the ball a little because I used to stand too far away and I am hitting a lot of shots to the right and shanking when I try to take a full swing with this new setup.

But I'm getting better with the 3/4 swing. Full swing is going to take awhile.

Anyone else have experience with going through this change and how it turned out? I can definitely feel a difference in compressing the ball and hitting it square but I'm hitting a lot of them FAT.

Youre going to hit alot of shanks, low slices and such when ajusting to being closer to the ball. I went through the same thing. But as far as forward pressing at address...i dont know. I dont forward press at all. The shaft is pretty much in a vertical position for me at address. I know alot of players press and have success, but i was never taught to lean the shaft forward that way.

Anytime you change something it's gonna be uncomfortable and you'll probably hit the ball worse. So long as it's a good change for you, in the longrun you'll be much better because of it. Just stick with it and try to think positive.

I started forward pressing a little bit to initiate the swing also at the suggestion of a good teacher. It helps get the swing started without tension and helps keep things smooth. It also seems to act as a "dress rehearsal" for where my hands should be on the downswing as the club approaches the ball i.e. seems to help create good muscle memory. The swing thought for me is that it feels like I'm dragging or pulling the clubhead through impact. Its helped me make more solid, compression-like contact and for the most part straighten out a nasty fade. Still hitting the occasional fat one too, but that's due more to slow weight shift. Stick with it, it really works.

It depends on the club. Generally, having the hands forward is known as "impact attitude" that is your set up resembles the impact position. Most instructors I have read feel it is easier to go to a position in a swing than maintain one throughout. That being said, hands should be somewhat ahead for a 7 iron up, even for mid irons and somewhat behind for a driver. The main problem with a generally hands ahead position is it tends to steepen the swing and promote a lifting move, not so bad for a 9 iron but bad for a 5 iron or a wood.

Thanks for all of the replies but this is exactly what gets me frustrated. If it isn't necessary than why am I spending all this time doing it. It sounds like it would be much easier to have them neutral at address and learn to get them ahead at impact.

Maybe he just wants me to get the feeling and then I'll address more even with the ball. You can find the opposite information for any golf fundamental.

Now I'm not sure what to practice? I don't want to keep hitting balls this way and ingrain something else that isn't correct.

I too am adjusting my stance closer to the ball with the aid of an instructor. It was actually a temporary step back in my iron performance, but I know that the good stuff is coming.

He cured my slice in five minutes and it transfered to the course wonderfully.

No way. Your body just isn't smart enough to accomplish this. Start with your hands ahead, like a "leaning hocky stick," maintain that position throughout the swing, and think of following through like you were actually hitting a hockey puck. If you disturb this position too much at contact (become more neutral) the result is a fat hit because the club head will be lower than where you started. All pros and better golfers hit irons this way--for reasons which would make this reply too long. If you don't learn to do this, you will be stunting your game.