Help Hitting Ball First Then Divot

Fred99x · May 17, 2007

I'm looking for some help in figuring out how to hit the ball first and then taking the divot. Currently, I don't have a problem as long as there is some grass under the ball but on hardpan or fairway bunker using a mid to long iron, I will usually hit the ground first and then the ball. I normally hit the ball descently and I don't have a balance problem in swing but I just don't seem to hit the ball first. With the short irons, I use the swing thought of pretending the ball is actually three inches forward and concentrate on that spot. This seems to work for the short irons as long as I remember to do this. Am I missing something or is there some drill that will provide the proper movement to accomplish hitting the ball first?

***iacas*** · May 17, 2007

I'm looking for some help in figuring out how to hit the ball first and then taking the divot. Currently, I don't have a problem as long as there is some grass under the ball but on hardpan or fairway bunker using a mid to long iron, I will usually hit the ground first and then the ball. I normally hit the ball descently and I don't have a balance problem in swing but I just don't seem to hit the ball first. With the short irons, I use the swing thought of pretending the ball is actually three inches forward and concentrate on that spot. This seems to work for the short irons as long as I remember to do this. Am I missing something or is there some drill that will provide the proper movement to accomplish hitting the ball first?

1) Ball position

2) Location of (majority of your) weight, arms, head at impact 3) Swing path It's probably one of those three, in order. Start at the top.

**flatom** · May 17, 2007

Fred, to hit the ball crisply you cannot sway and must stay centered; now, having said that, when you are in a fairway bunker or on hardpan, move the ball back of center, stay over the ball on backswing, and hit down on the ball.

This will help.

I'm looking for some help in figuring out how to hit the ball first and then taking the divot. Currently, I don't have a problem as long as there is some grass under the ball but on hardpan or fairway bunker using a mid to long iron, I will usually hit the ground first and then the ball. I normally hit the ball descently and I don't have a balance problem in swing but I just don't seem to hit the ball first. With the short irons, I use the swing thought of pretending the ball is actually three inches forward and concentrate on that spot. This seems to work for the short irons as long as I remember to do this. Am I missing something or is there some drill that will provide the proper movement to accomplish hitting the ball first?

Fred99x · May 17, 2007

I do not sway backwards and I stay centered over the ball which I keep towards the centre of my stance. My thoughts are that I somehow should have my centre positioned forward on the downswing but how to do this without swaying forward. When I do sway forward, I then tend to slice the ball.

**flatom** · May 17, 2007

MOVE THE DARN BALL BACK.

I do not sway backwards and I stay centered over the ball which I keep towards the centre of my stance. My thoughts are that I somehow should have my centre positioned forward on the downswing but how to do this without swaying forward. When I do sway forward, I then tend to slice the ball.

**MPS67** · May 18, 2007

I'm studying information from some good golfers, Ben Hogan's Five Fundamentals etc.

What I read and see is that your hips must sway forward and rotate while you keep your upper body and head back. With a fully extended left arm (right arm slighly bent) at impact, you should hit dirt right after the ball if everything is in balance. The arms should both be fully extended about two feet after the ball impact area and this is the point of highest swing velocity. Subsequently, the momentum of the arms will pull the upper body and head back up near verticle.

**flatom** · May 18, 2007

That makes my head hurt to even think about it, even if I did understand it.

There are much simpler ways to play.

I'm studying information from some good golfers, Ben Hogan's Five Fundamentals etc.

**fanofsaosin** · May 18, 2007

In a fairway bunker i've found it is about having a very stable base and relying on your upper body to hit the ball, if you sway in the bunker u can kiss making good contact good bye. I usually club up or two and swing easy while keeping a stable lower body. Also play it more in the middle of your stance to get clean contact. You might have to experiment wit the ball placement finding where the bottom of your swing arc is.

**jb1982** · May 18, 2007

That makes my head hurt to even think about it, even if I did understand it.

Me too. There's no way I could even hit the ball if I thought of all that!

**lamebums** · May 18, 2007

I'm looking for some help in figuring out how to hit the ball first and then taking the divot. Currently, I don't have a problem as long as there is some grass under the ball but on hardpan or fairway bunker using a mid to long iron, I will usually hit the ground first and then the ball. I normally hit the ball descently and I don't have a balance problem in swing but I just don't seem to hit the ball first. With the short irons, I use the swing thought of pretending the ball is actually three inches forward and concentrate on that spot. This seems to work for the short irons as long as I remember to do this. Am I missing something or is there some drill that will provide the proper movement to accomplish hitting the ball first?

Put the ball back in your stance (towards your right foot, if you're right-handed.) You'll hit down on the ball, causing more spin at impact and you'll be sure to get it off a tight lie.

May 18, 2007

The best thing I did is to get your body working for you. Find your impact position - i.e. how your body is at impact. Your weight should be forward and your back heel up. Start hitting balls this way and you will learn to 'feel' hitting the ball first and the taking a divot. This is a great drill for that and to promote good impact.

**flatom** · May 19, 2007

Hey Fred, have you heard this before, ie. my post a few days ago.

If you hit as you say "fine" off grass but not tight lie, you are probably scooping. If you routinely hit the ball first, it shouldn't matter if it is on grass or a parking lot. Try staying centered over the ball to hit it crisp off of any surface.

Put the ball back in your stance (towards your right foot, if you're right-handed.) You'll hit down on the ball, causing more spin at impact and you'll be sure to get it off a tight lie.

**hurley9192** · May 21, 2007

Seve Ballesteros had an article years ago in Golf Magazine showing him hitting 9 irons off of the beach near the water where the sand was heavy and firm. He used that technique to better his ball striking. If you have a course you play more often that has some low lipped fairway bunkers you could work on this.

**TarDawg** · May 21, 2007

take your long iron out somewhere where there this a hardpan surface. No Ball. Now just start swinging at a specific spot in the ground. On top of what the other guys are saying you've probably just lost a little focus with the long iron on hard pan surface and now it's mostly mental for you.

**Dminn23** · May 23, 2007

Don't forget to check the position of your hands at address in relation to your ball position. If your playing the ball in the middle of your stance with a large forward press, you will come down steep and possibly hit ground, then ball.

Keep your head behind the ball, turn your shoulders behind the ball getting your weight primarily onto your right foot. At the top, don't start turning your shoulders, feel a little lazy and make a bump with your left him towards the target. DON'T MOVE YOUR UPPER body, your weight should shift onto your left foot and then the downswing SHOULD happen effortlessly.

Of course there are many other factors, just make sure your weight shift is happening correctly and your getting behind the ball. And remember, if your forward press at address (hands ahead of the ball) is too great, it will create a narrower arc and a steeper swing.

Andrew.r.w · May 23, 2007

There's a book on this! It's called "Hit Down, Dammit!"

Check the web page: http://www.hitdowndammit.com/

I've never seen the book, but the title says it all. The phrase is in my head a lot these days, and I'm golfing better for it!

Andrew

Fred99x · May 24, 2007

I've had some success this past weekend. I found that by starting my swing keeping the club to the ground longer versus more upright (circular swing), and then ensuring that I am pulling through the hitting area to keep my hands ahead of the club face, this worked quite well for the shorter irons. The long irons were more difficult. This same swing worked really well for my driver as well. When I do it right, it feels really good but it is difficult to repeat every time. On a side note, the advice of hitting down is probably where my problem started. In my area, all the driving ranges use matts and that does not promote hitting down. When I do happen to be at a range that has a grass hitting area, it does make quite a different on how I hit the ball. It is much easier to hit down on the ball in grass versus the matts.

**flatom** · May 24, 2007

I've had some success this past weekend. I found that by starting my swing keeping the club to the ground longer versus more upright (circular swing), and then ensuring that I am pulling through the hitting area to keep my hands ahead of the club face, this worked quite well for the shorter irons. The long irons were more difficult. This same swing worked really well for my driver as well. When I do it right, it feels really good but it is difficult to repeat every time. On a side note, the advice of hitting down is probably where my problem started. In my area, all the driving ranges use matts and that does not promote hitting down. When I do happen to be at a range that has a grass hitting area, it does make quite a different on how I hit the ball. It is much easier to hit down on the ball in grass versus the matts.

Fred:

Mats are bad for your clubs and hands as well not to mention the false sense they give you with irons in that the irons will bounce into the ball and you think you have hit a good shot when actually you have not. With mats, hitting the ball first is the only way but I am glad you are keeping your hands ahead which produces the wrist angle you need to hit a good shot.

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