Play Irons with ball forward like a driver.. Need help

[Djamhour]

I typically shoot around 110 as Ive been playing for 2 years off and on. Ive been struggling with a steep transition like most do, took huge divots with irons and inconsistent strikes mainly hitting fat. So Ive read through forums and watched videos to help and a drill I decided to try was placing the ball forward like you would a driver and making sure you go get it. Took some time to adjust but I started hitting extremely high iron shots and some with a baby draw on them somewhat consistent. I was not hitting very far about 125-130 with a 9 iron(Driver averages roughly 250-260).. After a few weeks of practicing that drill,  I was hitting the ball fairly well but as soon I move that ball back I just can not hit it anymore, I have to play it off of my left heel so far forward in my stance. I really noticed it when I was practicing my pitch shots, I was shanking 90% of my shots unless I played the ball forward near my left heel. Im not sure what I have to do now.. any tips will be great appreciated. 

[Piz]

You have to determine where the bottom of your swing arc is.  It varies from shot to shot.  That is true whether you are on the tee, with a driver, or putting.  A set-up that works well on a flat lie is going to, necessarily, be slightly different on an uphill, downhill, or sidehill lie.  Take a couple practice swings...take note of the arc...and adjust accordingly.  To paraphrase Bob Rotella:  Golf is not a game of perfect...it is a game of imperfect.  At the end of the day...only 18 shots work out exactly right.

[MarvChamp]

1 hour ago, Piz said:

Golf is not a game of perfect...it is a game of imperfect.  At the end of the day...only 18 shots work out exactly right.

Yes. Great thoughts.  Your body mostly will determine the bottom of the arc. And there are many ways to get the job done...Some dictated by lie, terrain, target, my aching old body, etc. @Djamhour, I am assuming you aren't slicing your shots. If not, may I suggest that you do some Internet research regarding playing the ball forward in your stance with irons. I think you will find that Nicklaus and others played the ball in a constant, same forward position for all shots. I believe Harmon teaches this; could be wrong. My instructor suggested this ball position. It helped me (1) stay behind the ball, (2) with a proper side bend and (3) drive into the ball with my legs. Finally, remember that your visual perception may make you think that you are playing the ball more forward than you really are. You can take what I say with a grain of salt; I'm old and have no qualms about going against the "traditional" in order to keep playing. But what you see as a "problem" helped me. Keep searching and work with an instructor. Best wishes, -Marv

[we5rnuts]

47 minutes ago, MarvChamp said:

Yes. Great thoughts.  Your body mostly will determine the bottom of the arc. And there are many ways to get the job done...Some dictated by lie, terrain, target, my aching old body, etc. @Djamhour, I am assuming you aren't slicing your shots. If not, may I suggest that you do some Internet research regarding playing the ball forward in your stance with irons. I think you will find that Nicklaus and others played the ball in a constant, same forward position for all shots. I believe Harmon teaches this; could be wrong. My instructor suggested this ball position. It helped me (1) stay behind the ball, (2) with a proper side bend and (3) drive into the ball with my legs. Finally, remember that your visual perception may make you think that you are playing the ball more forward than you really are. You can take what I say with a grain of salt; I'm old and have no qualms about going against the "traditional" in order to keep playing. But what you see as a "problem" helped me. Keep searching and work with an instructor. Best wishes, -Marv

I like the idea of ball forward, and in limited situations, it has gotten me out of a jam. What did it take to not blade it the bulk of the time?

[Djamhour]

Thanks for these responses guys. This game can get insanely frustrating.. Im not trying to be perfect but much better. Im talking about at the range on a flat lie I can still get different shots. I just have been hitting the ball better when the ball is forward but i dont get much distance and its hard to control especially when it gets windy. I line up with the ball extremely forward like with with my left foot. with all shots from a driver to my wedges.. I just cant seem to hit a ball it lined up in the "normal position". I would like to hit the ball lower which will give me more distance because I still hit fat when i dont hit it well. I shank my full and partial wedge shots unless the ball is aligned with my left foot..

[Piz]

There is no normal position.  There is only the position appropriate for each shot.

[Djamhour]

19 minutes ago, Piz said:

There is no normal position.  There is only the position appropriate for each shot.

I know but I want a much lower ball flight which should give be better distance. I cant really see how to get shaft lean when the ball is so far forward in the stance.. 

I know a video will help and I will try to get one when it stops raining here but does my swing sound too out to in now? too Shallow? 

[Piz]

It is difficult to get too shallow.  Most poor passes are a direct result of the opposite.  A topped ball is a mid-swing correction that didn't work.  So is a duff, stuff, schook,....whatever you want to call it.  Every time you strike the ball...it goes exactly where it has to go.  There is no alternative.

[RussUK]

Maybe its worth starting a "my swing" thread? May well be something simple that you are missing?

For me, I play ball in middle for wedges and short irons and the ball moves forward going up through the bag. I can change the position if i need to play a higher shot or a lower shot but tend not to do that too often if i can help it.

[MarvChamp]

23 hours ago, we5rnuts said:

What did it take to not blade it the bulk of the time?

Well, I forgot something important...The position is constant but the stance width gets narrower progressing from driver to short iron. To make sure I compress the ball , I begin my back swing with a slight forward press, and I come back straight with the club while making my turn. It's just me doing what I need to do with the old body I have. Nicklaus also adopted a turn of the head that I like. Best, -Marv

[Club Rat]

@Djamhour
Here is a suggested drill using a 5 iron.

Start with hitting 10 slow speed punch shots at a 100 yd target.
Then hit 10 slow punch shots at the 125 yd target.
Then 10 more at 150 yd
Then make full swing punch shots at any target.

Then repeat the drill, only choke the 5 iron an inch or two.

You will find using the 5 iron, the flight will be low and progressively attain a boring / penetrating ball flight.
It also trains your swing in a manner which will occur with all clubs.