Hit Down
Hit down on the golf ball with an iron for it to get flight. This concept is about physics, yet time and time again, I see golfers thinking they know more about physics than Isaac Newton. There are literally two clubs that you should present positive attack angle with, maybe the driver if your swing speed is slow and the putter. On the PGA Tour, the average attack angle to the ball with driver is actually negative. Think about that. All other clubs, need an attack angle that hits with a descending blow upon the golf ball. The main reason, perfection. Golfers are not perfect.
If you hit down on the ball, here is what is going to happen:
- The ball cannot go to China. Hitting down on the ball is not going to plug it into the ground unless you are in some very sloppy mud with practically standing water. I would also state that if you are hitting in water that usually is not present, See USGA Rule 16.1b which will grant you free relief in the general area. So, if the ball cannot go down into the earth, the only other option is to ride the clubface angle, which is pointed to the sky, so you will generate backspin and gain elevation in your golf ball.
Those that believe the golf club needs assistance will “scoop” or help the ball into the air. This will happen to them:
- Perfection comes from the fact that you must put the leading edge of the golf club directly underneath the golf ball at impact. Just a couple millimeters high, and you are presenting the leading edge of the club to the ball, missing the club face with all the grooves to get spin, and you are left with a knuckle ball with top spin. When you see top spin in tennis, does the ball stay in the air long? What about in pool? Do they use topspin to hop over other balls? It is not possible. Top spin makes the ball want to fall to the ground. So, you are helping to ensure you have a poor shot.
- I understand that for those who suffer with this, for the majority it’s mental. ” I wanted to make sure I hit it well,” is usually the response I hear, and in their conviction of wanting to hit it well, they did not hit it well. If you do not trust the $1,000-$1,500 set of irons you purchased, then why did you buy them in the first place? Your job is to hit down on the ball, the loft of the club is designed to get the ball in the air. You have a job; clubs have a job. You cannot do the club’s job.
So hit down on the ball, the results will always be kinder than anything else you attempt to do with a club. I am a fan of David Leadbetter and his teaching methodology, listen to his keys to hit down on the ball with irons with this link:
-David