Ball Control

[SasQuatch<3]

While watching this years Ryder Cup, they would show the shots some players made(with there irons) and the ball flight would be shown on the tv, the ball doesnt go straight, it curves or draws and the announcer called such a thing "ball control". How does this occur, how do you actually hit an iron and draw the ball back to your target?, is it your swing, or your your stance, or set-up positioning? If im a righty, the ball will go to the left, then come back to the right? What irons, or any clubs can you do this shot with?
Sorry to throw so many questions at you!
Just a curious young player!

[Stacey_E]

While watching this years Ryder Cup, they would show the shots some players made(with there irons) and the ball flight would be shown on the tv, the ball doesnt go straight, it curves or draws and the announcer called such a thing "ball control". How does this occur, how do you actually hit an iron and draw the ball back to your target?, is it your swing, or your your stance, or set-up positioning? If im a righty, the ball will go to the left, then come back to the right? What irons, or any clubs can you do this shot with?

The shot tracers are pretty cool on TV! Most players, even the pros, have a shot shape that they prefer.

As for ball flight and control, all of the factors you mentioned can contribute. The best way I can explain ball flight (for a right hander) is this: The ball leaves on a path that mimics your downswing path. If you are straight down the line it leaves straight. If you are outside in, the ball leaves left. If you are inside out, the ball leaves right. How the ball curves later in the flight is based on how closed/square/open the clubface is relative to your swing path. To use your example: the ball starts left from an outside in path and curves back right from an open face, relative to that swing path. This would be a pull/cut. This is how I hit my driver. You can shape the shot with any club in the bag, although the higher loft of the shorter clubs make it more difficult. The extreme backspin on these clubs tend to overcome any side spin you put on the ball. This is just a beginning explanation though. You'll get better info later I'm sure. Good luck!

[jonanthans]

While watching this years Ryder Cup, they would show the shots some players made(with there irons) and the ball flight would be shown on the tv, the ball doesnt go straight, it curves or draws and the announcer called such a thing "ball control". How does this occur, how do you actually hit an iron and draw the ball back to your target?, is it your swing, or your your stance, or set-up positioning? If im a righty, the ball will go to the left, then come back to the right? What irons, or any clubs can you do this shot with?

Drawing/Fadind the ball is relatively easy. Set up for your normal, straight shot. Then, move your rear foot back (directly behind your heel) 2-3 inches, and make your normal swing. As a righty, that would promote a baby draw. To fade to ball, take your normal, straight shot stance. Then, move your front foot back (directly behind your heel) and make your normal swing. That promotes a baby fade. Do not overthink, just swing your normal swing and tempo. You now know how to work a ball.

[kc8kir]

There are many, many ways to "work the golf ball". It is preferred by tour pros because it allows some margin for error, and tactical advantages based on playing to the course design.

To shape the shot, some people change their grip, some change their weight at address, some change a feel during the swing, some move the ball position, some change their feet position. Many methods and combinations. Requires some experimentation on your part to discover what works for you.

Well worth your time to learn how. Your ball striking will improve as a result.

[Chas]

I used to be able to play a fade, or a frank slice, on the course when I needed to (and often when I didn't ..... ). Now, even though I know how to do it still in theory, I seem to automatically compensate on the way down and end up hitting it fairly straight much of the time.

This can be very painful indeed. Last Sunday I tried a big slice from behind a tree with a 5 iron, to run it up close to a blocked green. Looked pretty easy, lots of fairway to work with. I used the open stance, open grip method as per the book. Well I hit the thing clean as a whistle and straight as an arrow ...... and the ball ended up over the fence along the left side and out on a road somewhere off the course entirely. This is how I drop lots of shots on the course - pulling dumb stuff like this!

I'm thinking about forgetting the open stance etc routine for this shot and maybe trying an intentional outside to in swing plane (regular set-up) with high finish like Tiger seems to do. Is this a good idea, or will I still end up hitting it in the road anyway?

[zeg]

... or you could just chip out from behind the tree and play a straight shot...

[BigDave]

The best advice you can get as a young golfer is to find a good golf teacher. Trying to learn golf online is not going to work well. Look for someone who knows how to teach, not just how to play golf.