JohnC

So, JetFan1983. I think you have hit on something that is vital to great ball contact with irons. That is my opinion and I shot in the low eighties and high seventies - so - I'm not a pro.

Frankly, I think this is a key fundamental of a good golf swing that I had to learn on my on to become a better iron player. Until I learned to regain the proper shaft angle to have the club head return to impact level (like you have at set up), I could not strike the ball well. Of course, I also hand to understand that the swing path and face angle and angle of attack required that I be open on my irons to hit it straight.

"It all depends" is the key comment for me. I am a relatively new serious golfer. What does that mean? Well, I am 49 andI have played golf throughout my life but like once or twice a year to drink beer with friends and generally hang out. Golf for me was a reason to drive golf carts while drinking in the sun and telling bad jokes, smoking good cigars and generally getting my ya-yas out. Then in 2010, I decided I wanted to give this game a shot. For me, chipping is one of the most "fun" aspects of the game. Sure, who doesn't like a great long drive. I like 'em. Yet, chipping is special. It is a feel. I have learned that the more I need to open up the face on a 60 or 54 degree wedge, the more open my stance. I learned that if I line up the lines/gooves on the wedge to be perpendicular to the target line and open up my stance AND ensure that the handle moves along the line made by my feet, waist and shoulders, the clubface comes nice onto the ball and I get a nice high "pop" up onto the green with backspin. I love this shot. The flop. It feels great OR, I will stand almost square and and put the ball in the middle or slight forward in my stance and use the "hinge and hold" and the ball also "pops" out high but not a flop. If I have a square stance and put the ball back in my stance, (right handed) toward my right foot, then I get more of a bump and run shot. JBC

Excellent topic.

I think the best swing is Ryo Ishikawa. It looks like all the check points are perfect AND it is smooth as silk.

Engineering Project Manager for a large firm and USN-R.

Great idea. My garage floor is slightly sloop to the front - built in break. I just need the green turf. Thanks for sharing.

DaveS - Point number 2 - I"m starting to learn that the hard way. You nailed it. I got Phil Mickelson's "Secrets of the Short Game" for Christmas and on the practice area I could really start to see some improvements. The "hinge and hold" is great but I've learned it takes a great deal of skill. I could work the "hinge and hold" in practice but it required a lot of reps to see results. Then, the next day, s**** city until I got the reps. Then, it started to work. The weather has been a little rough, so, I have only played two rounds since Christmas. The first I raked in an 89 due to 4 s***** around the green. The next round I saw some results. I had several pars with one putts due to real nice chips to with 3 to 5 feet. That was nice and a real "eye opener". I'm learning that the second shot, short irons on par 4 holes and good work within 50 yards is huge for scoring.

Thanks on the tip with the wife. I'm going to try. Time will tell. She likes travel and the combo just might work. That is one of the great ideas about this game. Everyone can have a legit goal. Some folks, i've learned we call them the "players", want a 60 or 70 something, Some want an 80, 90 something. That all can happen at the same time on the same course in a group of four. Good stuff.

Sorry, Hardy...

Have not read the book but I did practically memorize the Josh Zander web site before it went to "pay to view" status. Zander was very clear that there is not clear understaning of how Handy defined a "one plane swing". Josh made it clear. It is defined by the fact that the left arm is on the same plane (level) with the shoulders at the top of the backswing. A two plane swing has the left arm slightly above the shoulder plane at the top of the back swing. Josh explained it clearly in his videos.

Greetings, I started playing, well, with the idea of actually learning to play, in 2010. Before that it was an excuse to hang out with friends and drink beer once a year. So, my advice might just be the "blind leading the blind". So, take this as informantion from whence it comes - a novice. Nonetheless, I learned the following. Get a lesson or lessons. BUT. I have also learned that eventually, it is your swing. I have found that I have to "understand" what a pro teaches me in a lesson. He may say, I want you to do such and such. If I know why? I find it helps. So, being of technical bent, I also think you must know basic swing fundamentals and "how the body works" to make a good swing. Translation - read about the swing. Occassionally, I find that my swing is good (i.e.the ball flight is what I want) without thinking about it - that is fun.

That's funny!

SCFanatic, thanks. The move from 100s to 80s required a lot of reps on the range trying to hit a target and learning to piece together the moves that make a swing. John.

Greetings Everyone, My first post on the Sand Trap. Started playing golf in 2010 after decades of getting my physical fix playing soccer since high school. Now, I turn 50 soon and it just hurts too much. Tried to keep up with my 17 and 14 year boys for one too many seasons. I coached them for years and played the game with them whenever possible. Luckily, I'm not in too bad a shape and I have full use of my knees, ankles, arms, etc. No serious injuries just a lot of bumps, bruises, broken bones, twists and sprains. I felt like I needed a new hobby, or, I might end up limping the rest of my life. So, I started swinging a golf club. WHAM! Now, I'm in trouble because I love to hit a golf ball. I mean, I really love to hit a golf ball. I cannot stand to have a day pass without hitting a golf ball. I will go out and hit golf balls in the rain, in the cold and in the scorching heat. I use every minute after work that is usable - as we say in the US Navy - I max out on the "pinky" time (dusk). My wife thinks I have lost my mind. I don't care because, you guessed it, I love to hit the golf ball. I mean sometimes, I don't need to play. I just want to hit the damn ball. Okay, I started off loggin 100 and 105's and a wicked slice. I just bought a set of clubs, started watching the Golf Channel and hit the range. I just set up like I thought it should look and started wackin' balls. Then, I realized this was the idiot method of learning golf and got a few lessons and read like hell. Got my game to the mid to low 80's. An average round for me is 83 to 85. I have carded an 80 once and had a 39 on 9 holes. Then, you guessed it, shot a 46 on the back nine. Thank heavens for ice, coolers and cold beer as it made everything much better. Anyway, It is a great challenge and I like the precision and mental focus required in the game. Enough for now but wanted to get started. Thanks, John