Iron Play ----Piercing Ball Flight - appreciate some suggestions or drills to fix this

[sashallen]

I play to high 70s on the golf course mostly because I hit the ball straight. However, to get my game to the next level there are some changes that I need to make.

My ball flight with my irons is not a piercing ball flight. It goes high and not too far (struggle on longer holes). Some of the good golfers I play with have a piercing ball flight that is not affected too much by wind and it starts off low then launches up high. My instructor said that a few things I do that needs to change:

1) My first move in the golf swing makes my hips sway a bit to the right and I need to keep the lower body still. It's a habit and would like any tips or drills to avoid this.

2) Need more of a one piece takeaway instead of breaking wrists early

Also, I never take divots with my long or short irons, and I know you have to take divots after striking the ball.

Any drills to help with the above?? Would this help my ball flight with my irons become more penetrating. Would appreciate any thoughts.

Thank you!!

[TourSpoon]

Take a look at Bobby Clampett's book The Impact Zone .  It's all about impact.  For any advice about your swing you should post a video.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/15211/the-impact-zone-by-bobby-clampett

Here's a link about the book.  There is a video on one of the posts.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by sashallen

I play to high 70s on the golf course mostly because I hit the ball straight. However, to get my game to the next level there are some changes that I need to make.

My ball flight with my irons is not a piercing ball flight. It goes high and not too far (struggle on longer holes). Some of the good golfers I play with have a piercing ball flight that is not affected too much by wind and it starts off low then launches up high. My instructor said that a few things I do that needs to change:

1) My first move in the golf swing makes my hips sway a bit to the right and I need to keep the lower body still. It's a habit and would like any tips or drills to avoid this.

2) Need more of a one piece takeaway instead of breaking wrists early

Also, I never take divots with my long or short irons, and I know you have to take divots after striking the ball.

Any drills to help with the above?? Would this help my ball flight with my irons become more penetrating. Would appreciate any thoughts.

Thank you!!

A swing video would help... But instead of having 50/50 weight at address... Get 60/40 - or even exagerate that to 70/30 during practice sessions so that you can get through the ball.  I read the Stack and Tilt book, and a tip that they provide is practice taking divots down a line like this.

http://pardreamer.com/divot.JPG

If you can consistently take a divot past the line - or after impact with the ball... You will compress the golf ball and get more of that piercing or boring ball flight that you're looking for.

[slabm7]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

A swing video would help... But instead of having 50/50 weight at address... Get 60/40 - or even exagerate that to 70/30 during practice sessions so that you can get through the ball.  I read the Stack and Tilt book, and a tip that they provide is practice taking divots down a line like this.

http://pardreamer.com/divot.JPG

If you can consistently take a divot past the line - or after impact with the ball... You will compress the golf ball and get more of that piercing or boring ball flight that you're looking for.

Agreed, I watched a PGA event live back in July and never realized how much they hit down on the ball. So I made that my new goal going forward. The Stack and tilt book help that greatly. Getting your weight forward and keeping it forward. My ball flight is much more penetrating now. I used to be the same as you, high short shots with no divots. Now I take a divot on all my irons and even small ones with my fairway woods. The ball comes out with much more spin and even with the lower ball flight it is much easier to hold greens. I started shooting some of my best rounds late in the year once I got that hang of it, much more confident with an iron in my hand now.

[mvmac]

The handle is probably back at impact.  If the hips are sliding back the hips might be turning enough.  I'd definitely like the suggestions above with setting up with the hips forward, head centered, hands forward.  Also make sure the feet are turned out 20*, especially the right foot, will help the hips to keep turning.  Turn the feet out like this

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by mvmac

The handle is probably back at impact.  If the hips are sliding back the hips might be turning enough.  I'd definitely like the suggestions above with setting up with the hips forward, head centered, hands forward.  Also make sure the feet are turned out 20*, especially the right foot, will help the hips to keep turning.  Turn the feet out like this

I open my left (front) foot up like you have shown... But not my right.  What does the opening the right foot do for you?  I remember seeing that in the Stack and Tilt, but can't remember what they stated about that.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

I open my left (front) foot up like you have shown... But not my right.  What does the opening the right foot do for you?  I remember seeing that in the Stack and Tilt, but can't remember what they stated about that.

Does a few things.  Allows the right knee to turn out which prevents injury to the right hip.  Allows the right knee to change flexion, which keeps the hips and shoulders turning on an incline plane and the arms to gain depth.  Also makes it much easier to bank the right foot (roll the right foot onto instep) and extend.

First swing I'm trying to keep my right knee as flexed as possible.  Notice the difference in the slant of the hips and how the arms have to lift in the first swing.

[Beachcomber]

Cool, thanks for the help Mike!