does this really fix your swing?

[Dr. Slice]

when people tell you to hit down on the ball its as simple as looking a blade of grass that is about 3-4 inches in front of the ball and thats where your divot will be if you are a "picker"?

is this something that im going to want to do?

[Galactica_Actual]

Yes, that will keep your club head going down and through the ball and keep you from lifting and "picking" the ball up from the ground. This was one of the first tips I received from an instructor and it has helped much. It's better to "trap" the ball between the club and the ground.

[Backspinalot]

No, you shouldn't swing and TRY to make the divot come 3-4 inches in front of the ball. Make good solid contact. If you try to make the divot 3-4 inches in front of the ball you may end up skulling it. If you make solid contact and the divot is 3-4 inches in front, great.

[Zeph]

It can work, but may be hard to be consistent with. I'd rather suggest you work on getting the weight forward, hands low and not throwing the club at the ball.

[double_j]

I would say that if it works for you, use it. I use it all the time and it works very well. It's exactly the same thought I use when hitting out of a fairway bunker (focus on making a divot 3 to 4 inches in front of the ball).

In fact, I'll sometimes hit fairway bunker shots if I feel like I'm struggling with iron contact since to me, fairway bunker shot quality really depends on those swing mechanics where I sometimes struggle (quiet lower body, good release through the ball, etc.).

No, you shouldn't swing and TRY to make the divot come 3-4 inches in front of the ball. Make good solid contact. If you try to make the divot 3-4 inches in front of the ball you may end up skulling it. If you make solid contact and the divot is 3-4 inches in front, great.

I'll respectfully disagree and would argue that 'good solid contact' and 'putting a divot 3-4 inches in front of the ball' are the same thing, except that the former can lead to stabbing at the ball as opposed to swinging through it. Stabbing at the ball is a sure way to produce skulls and chunks all day long.

Maybe 3-4 inches in front of the ball is a bit too rigid of a description. It's really making sure that you're trying to put a divot in front of the ball, whether it be one inch or four. More than four and you'll probably whiff all together!

[ERdiesel]

I'm currently reading "The Impact Zone: Mastering Golf's Moment of Truth by Bobby Clampett that was highly recommended in several threads on this site and in the beginning of the book he talks about how he was taking divots right at the ball or slightly behind the ball so he began to practice employing the "aiming point" technique which involves directing your aim not at the ball but at a point in front of the ball as your backswing transitions into the downswing. He said it worked for him.

As someone else mentioned in this thread, if that helps use it. If it doesn't well........good luck finding some other technique that will help you.

[right handed phil mickelson]

Just hit the dumb guy (ball) into that dumb guy (air) into that dumb guy (hole)......

[zeg]

It doesn't work very well for me. I find I either need to aim at the front or back of the ball. If I aim farther ahead, I just miss badly. I think it's different for everyone---by all means try it, I don't see that it can hurt anything.

[saevel25]

I think the 3-4" inches is a bit of extreme. I honestly thing that is with regards to hitting tea shots on par 3's. For me that just seems like such a shallow swing path.

[double_j]

I think the 3-4" inches is a bit of extreme. I honestly thing that is with regards to hitting tea shots on par 3's. For me that just seems like such a shallow swing path.

Regardless of the actual distance in front of the ball that you aim, it's the overall thought process that counts. I learned to hit down on the ball by focusing on the front edge of the ball instead of the middle and now I use the "couple of inches in front" method as a simple swing thought to keep myself fluid throughout the whole swing.

That said, actually try to take a divot 3 or 4 inches in front of the ball without actually hitting the ball (while using a normal swing and address position). I'm guessing that you'll probably hit solid iron shots more times than you'll be able to pull it off!

[sean_miller]

I think the 3-4" inches is a bit of extreme. I honestly thing that is with regards to hitting tea shots on par 3's. For me that just seems like such a shallow swing path.

I'm with you on this one. I believe golf is like snowboarding - look at the ground and you'll fail. Focus on taking a divot and you'll hit it fat.

Hit the ball first and follow through - the divot will magically appear.

[saevel25]

I know some people focus one point on the ball or an area in front of the ball. I don't know if i like this because i would think it would promote casting. Your trying to get your clubhead to that point, so a person might be more willing to throw there hands at it to get the clubhead there. I am in the personal opinion of setting up a two clubs in the shape of a "t" were the golf ball will be at the top of the "t". Then take your normal stance, and swing. I would try to just get the divot on the otherside of the ball. If you don't then your probably not getting off your right side. The only reason a person will hit a ball fat is either they are staying on there right side. Its not usually dipping the head down that causes fat shots because your lateral movement will still carry you to the ball. Actually tiger woods head lowers down at the ball greatly, a few inches, its a power move. But he gets to his left side. I rather focus on that than trying to focus on a spot. I played sports like baseball and basketball were you look at were your going to throw the ball. But that motion and concept is different in golf, since your not trying to throw your club at the ball, more than just gettting the ball in the way of the club.

[westcyderydin]

some people will tell you to change things in your swing to hit down on it, but most people with this problem are just trying to hit the ball the wrong way. instead of trying to sweep the clubhead perfectly under the ball, just hit the ball in your downswing. dont try to come down really steep on it and take a huge crator divot or anything, just use your normal swing path and adjust where the bottom of your swing is. if you are sweeping it, the bottom of your swing will be at or probably before you hit the ball. not a recipe for good or consistent contact. if this is what you do then you just want the bottom of your swing to be just a bit in front of the ball. thats why there will be a divot in front of the ball. so before you start changing a bunch of things in your swing, just think about where the bottom of your swing is and adjust it as needed. this might mean moving the ball back farther in your stance. good luck

[a.youden]

i wasn't told to hit 3-4 inches in front of the ball, but aim for the middle of the ball! for your long irons, all you need to do is scrape the grass, not take divots!

[saevel25]

depends, if your swing arc is shallow you can get away with little divot on the long irons. But if your swing arc is steeper, then i wouldn't try to sweep the irons. Just take the divot. If you try to sweet you are going to try to hold onto the club and stay back during the downswing. This will probably cause a push slice, fat shot, thin shot. To me i rather hit all my clubs with my natural swing.