Tips on hitting down with irons

I will tell you a tip that worked with my son. However, if you are an adult, you will have to "buy" into it 100%, at least until it becomes second nature. That means when you have that long carry over water, you forget about the water and just try to accomplish your key. The tip or key is; "hit the ball to China". Of course to accomplish this, your hands will have to lead the club into the ball by a considerable amount compared to what you are probably use too. This also will most likly mean that you are shifting your weight to your front side earlier than you have been. But, you don't have to think about either of the last two points if you just think "hit the ball to China".

I don't remember who I first heard this key from at least 15 years ago. (I like to call it a "key" as this opens the door to my goal.) I think it was in an magazine article by Lee Trevino but it works, at least for kids with imagination. Once you see that the ball will go up plenty high and with good distance by "hitting it to China", it becomes much easier to consistently hit down. You will soon realize that your thin and fat shots have gone by the waste side. I will say that as you move up to your longer irons such as a 5 or higher, you may find that you need to only "hit the ball to Italy".

RC

Phillip, a good way to practice hitting down on your iron shots is to put 55-60% of your weight forward, like you would a chip or a pitch. This insures you hitting down onto the ball.

Sounds like the Stack and Tilt Michael.

My swing was screwed up for about 18 months because I tried consciously to hit down on the ball.  I ended up exagerating the motion to a point where I was taking huge, deep divots.  I finally realized that "hitting down" is more a result of ball position than actually changing my swing.  I focused on setup--moving the ball slightly forward and back in my stance until I was making contact just before the bottom of the arc.  The other key, for me, was keeping my posture throughout the swing (not dipping the shoulders.)  

The last 3 months of the last season I felt good about what I was doing.  Irons were crisp and true. Then came the snow. Now I'm looking forward to spring so that I can continue what I started.

Good luck

If you are serious about learning how to hit down on the ball then you need to do yourself a favor and get yourself a Tour Striker.  Best training aid to force you to hit down on the ball, otherwise you'll just roll the ball.

Get the Tour striker!!

Hi Phillip,

I know just the cure! Choke up on your club down to the bottom of the grip (this drill is best done with a shorter club, it's easier to change your swing with a shorter club), then address the ball as you would. Make sure you are still in your same stance, and keep the club hovering in the air. When you hit a few balls, you'll understand the feeling of hitting down on the ball. Keep going until it's habitual. After you get good at that, hit a couple of balls with a normal grip. Many people may tell you to play the ball off your back toe and trap the ball with a huge divot. It's very inconsistent and will hurt you in the end. This drill will shave strokes off your rounds and you'll hold many more greens.

-Nunzio