Hitting down..

Has been tweaking my swing to hit down more on the golf ball, and to lean my shaft toward when striking the ball... Got more challenging as I progress to the longer irons.. The minute I tried shifting my weight and rotating to add more power, I screwed up... When the four moves got integrates nicely, i can really hear the difference in the impact sound and kinda feel that I am compressing the ball more effectively... Still lacking the consistency of getting it right every time....
Anyone tried integrating all four power moves and manage to see the difference in distance and accuracy?

kissthegreen, what would be your average distance for your irons? <-- leading question

Pretty average.. And I tend to do 3/4 swing on course.. 7 iron about 140-145m.

Carry distance? 7 iron won't have much of a roll anyways

I'm not trying to pick a fight, so please don't take this the wrong way. You've probably guessed what I was going to say by that leading question.

What's wrong with that distance? I had a golf mentor who told me "why are you trying to shoot 170m with your 7 iron, just grab your 5 iron"

Bro, my 7 iron goes exactly 145m carry in average. I'm happy as I have many other clubs which can take me further. 

Now back to your question, you could be playing with the fire with the forward shaft lean. If you do this too much, then you will have problems with your longer iron shots. Try to have more centered rotation, the centrifugal force will force your club head more away from your center and you can hit your downward blow shots more consistently. When I need to add distance to my iron shots, I align my shoulders parallel to the ground and swing exactly the same. Plus, rather than trying to shift weight I start the swing with weight on my left and again rotate... I'm sorry bro, I'm finding it hard to actually explain over text.

What I'm trying to say is that you need to find a way to simplify, don't over complicate your swing. Golf is already hard as is. 

Hi ktg bro, i sort of face the same problem n i think for me the greatest prob is my rhythme and tempo. When i try to think of too many things, i tend to rush, esp for longer irons and then my tempo and rhytme can get out of sync. Most of the time, i become more consistent when my tempo gets grooved in n i dun think so much and sort of let everything go by muscle memory. Not sure you find yourself in a similar situation? :☺

What's wrong with being able to hit 170m with a 7 iron?  In fact, it is an advantage! A 7i creates more stopping power vs a 5i.  When the 7i hits the green from 170m, it definitely will not roll as much vs a 5i.  I will advocate gaining as much distance as possible as distance will be a big advantage to the game, provided that the player can chip n putt competently.  No point arriving for an eagle putt and ending up with a bogey score.

Ok back to topic.  Hitting down holds dear in my heart as this move will truly release the butter from my irons.  Do you know that all irons, be it jdm la, China fakes la, cast or forged la, feel buttery soft when hit on the sweet spot?  Try topping any club and tell me if it is buttery soft....

Dennis Clark from golfwrx recently wrote an informative article on some important points in order to hit down on the ball.

http://www.golfwrx.com/255961/how-to-hit-down-on-the-golf-ball/

I always had issues hitting down and I will shank quite often. After reading this article, the one important point I learned was, to hit down on the ball, I must cater for a left to right swing path. I needed to swing left in order to hit down effectively!  I used to try to hit down and try to shape a draw shot which probably caused my shanks.  Now I take a nice divot with a fading ball flight that lands soft on the green.

There are a lot of information in this article, save it and focus on the points that addresses your swing but make one change at a time. Trying to change two aspects at one go will be too complicated.

Denmeister wrote:

I always had issues hitting down and I will shank quite often. After reading this article, the one important point I learned was, to hit down on the ball, I must cater for a left to right swing path. I needed to swing left in order to hit down effectively!  I used to try to hit down and try to shape a draw shot which probably caused my shanks.  Now I take a nice divot with a fading ball flight that lands soft on the green.

Not the dreaded word please

.... "sh..k"...can't even spell it   

Denmeister, There's nothing wrong with hitting 170m with your 7 iron if you can manage to get a decent trajectory and spin. but if you have to deloft, shifting weight, and adding all sorts of complexities in order to achieve it which in return ruining your long iron shots and potentially your woods and drivers... I've also seen guys who work on hitting down so much, they are fantastic with anything upto 5 iron, but anything after that gets all too difficult. Reason? not doing it the right way. That was what I was trying to get at. 

We all have different strategy. For whatever reason, my woods including the driver is longer than most average golfer and on par 4s (blue tee) it is rare to hit anything longer than a 7-6 iron for a second shot. Actually most of the time I end up pulling out my wedge. I've always been into hitting easier irons as it gives me better accuracy but that's just way it's been for me. 

reallys wrote:

Denmeister, There's nothing wrong with hitting 170m with your 7 iron if you can manage to get a decent trajectory and spin. but if you have to deloft, shifting weight, and adding all sorts of complexities in order to achieve it which in return ruining your long iron shots and potentially your woods and drivers... I've also seen guys who work on hitting down so much, they are fantastic with anything upto 5 iron, but anything after that gets all too difficult. Reason? not doing it the right way. That was what I was trying to get at. 

We all have different strategy. For whatever reason, my woods including the driver is longer than most average golfer and on par 4s (blue tee) it is rare to hit anything longer than a 7-6 iron for a second shot. Actually most of the time I end up pulling out my wedge. I've always been into hitting easier irons as it gives me better accuracy but that's just way it's been for me. 

Yes I agree. When the distance is achieved through EXCESSIVE delofting, the ball will not land soft at all. 

I often play with top competitive amateurs and they produce amazing distances so effortlessly.  Their technically sound swings seems to be using 50% of my efforts and yet the distance are 10 to 20 yards longer.  Driver distances are 30 yards longer without swinging out of balance.


Looking at your equipment, I can safely assume that you have a sound swing that fully exploits them.  


Way to go bro.  You play competitively in amateur open tournaments?  

kissthegreen wrote:

Pretty average.. And I tend to do 3/4 swing on course.. 7 iron about 140-145m.

I thought 7i with a distance of 140-145m is pretty good for a social golfer. If I can do 140-145m and hit the ball consistently where I wanna the ball to land (+/- 0.5 m dispersion tolerance), I will take it anytime ... Accuracy counts the most for approach shot.

BTW, Tour pros 7i carry distance is around 180 - 185 yards (would be more if the altitude is high and air is very thin) which is about 160 - 167m ... Hence, 140-145m carry distance for a 7i is considered very decent for a social golfer ... Whats the point of hitting 170m if you are not consistently accurate? Golf is about getting consistency and accuracy (if possible) ... Agree?

Unless your problem is not able to repeat the 140-145m distance consistently, it should not be an issue then ...

Denmeister wrote:

Yes I agree. When the distance is achieved through EXCESSIVE delofting, the ball will not land soft at all. 

I often play with top competitive amateurs and they produce amazing distances so effortlessly.  Their technically sound swings seems to be using 50% of my efforts and yet the distance are 10 to 20 yards longer.  Driver distances are 30 yards longer without swinging out of balance.


Looking at your equipment, I can safely assume that you have a sound swing that fully exploits them.  


Way to go bro.  You play competitively in amateur open tournaments?  

Bro, My day job keeps me fully occupied. I also travel a lot for business... Wish I can, but survival instinct got the better of me. I used to play competitively when I was in college which is so far from my memories. I love the game, and I will till the day I can't play anymore.  

Distance is a weird thing, and most will agree. Harder you try, shorter you end up. Make sure you have a sound foundation and relax... swing through the ball rather than trying to smash it, you'll be surprised how much further the ball will move for you.

Turbo wrote:

kissthegreen wrote:

Pretty average.. And I tend to do 3/4 swing on course.. 7 iron about 140-145m.

I thought 7i with a distance of 140-145m is pretty good for a social golfer. If I can do 140-145m and hit the ball consistently where I wanna the ball to land (+/- 0.5 m dispersion tolerance), I will take it anytime ... Accuracy counts the most for approach shot.

BTW, Tour pros 7i carry distance is around 180 - 185 yards (would be more if the altitude is high and air is very thin) which is about 160 - 167m ... Hence, 140-145m carry distance for a 7i is considered very decent for a social golfer ... Whats the point of hitting 170m if you are not consistently accurate? Golf is about getting consistency and accuracy (if possible) ... Agree?

Unless your problem is not able to repeat the 140-145m distance consistently, you may have an issue then ...

Turbo: very good summary 

reallys wrote:

... is a weird thing, and most will agree. Harder you try, shorter you end up. Make sure you have a sound foundation and relax... swing through the ball rather than trying to smash it, you'll be surprised how much further the ball will move for you.

Not only far but straight as well ... Golf swing defies Physics ...

Turbo wrote:

reallys wrote:

... is a weird thing, and most will agree. Harder you try, shorter you end up. Make sure you have a sound foundation and relax... swing through the ball rather than trying to smash it, you'll be surprised how much further the ball will move for you.

Not only far but straight as well ... Golf swing defies Physics ...

... And Logic, lol I should have quit the game long time ago but I'm in love even more than ever before. Go figure    BTW Turbo, have you received your '15 Stadry?

I am decent with 7 iron and get indecent moving down the numbers so much so much that the incremental distance from 7 iron to 5 iron is less than probably 7-8 meters each.. Funny thing is that I range a lot with 7 iron but I green more often with 6 and 5 irons. At times I find myself taking my iron 6 to hit between 145m when I should trust my swing more and got it rather than to manage my swing and come out short.. That's social golfer for you..

reallys wrote:

Turbo wrote:

reallys wrote:

... is a weird thing, and most will agree. Harder you try, shorter you end up. Make sure you have a sound foundation and relax... swing through the ball rather than trying to smash it, you'll be surprised how much further the ball will move for you.

Not only far but straight as well ... Golf swing defies Physics ...

... And Logic, lol I should have quit the game long time ago but I'm in love even more than ever before. Go figure    BTW Turbo, have you received your '15 

My Titleist StaDry Standbag has just arrived at Vpost Oregon warehouse but I have not instructed Vpost to ship out yet because I wanna consolidate with the Scotty putter shipment.

Is your StaDry bag serving you well so far, bro?

Turbo: I love it, they've taken the model off now  bought it June '14 it's super light and compact and completely keeps my gear dry. I got the hooded towel as well, an awesome look! Bit small though for 14 clubs lol but I'm not complaining as it only weighs 1.6kg!

milos9680 wrote:

Denmeister wrote:

I always had issues hitting down and I will shank quite often. After reading this article, the one important point I learned was, to hit down on the ball, I must cater for a left to right swing path. I needed to swing left in order to hit down effectively!  I used to try to hit down and try to shape a draw shot which probably caused my shanks.  Now I take a nice divot with a fading ball flight that lands soft on the green.

Not the dreaded word please

.... "sh..k"...can't even spell it   

A shank happens when the hosel hits the ball from an extremely in to out swing path.  If you have a out to in path, the chances of a shank is greatly reduced.  So don't worry about the shanks anymore.  

Out to in swing with the club face square or slightly closed will then create a gentle cut shot. Playing such a shot shape is less penalizing for me as a mishit will reresult in a straight ball the starts a little left.  Easier mistake to manage than a hooking shot that drifts further left.

When a cut is executed properly, the landing is soft and stays onto the green with minimal roll.

I play so much better now with such a shot. 

No more shanks, baby!!!!

reallys wrote:

Denmeister wrote:

Yes I agree. When the distance is achieved through EXCESSIVE delofting, the ball will not land soft at all. 

I often play with top competitive amateurs and they produce amazing distances so effortlessly.  Their technically sound swings seems to be using 50% of my efforts and yet the distance are 10 to 20 yards longer.  Driver distances are 30 yards longer without swinging out of balance.


Looking at your equipment, I can safely assume that you have a sound swing that fully exploits them.  


Way to go bro.  You play competitively in amateur open tournaments?  

Bro, My day job keeps me fully occupied. I also travel a lot for business... Wish I can, but survival instinct got the better of me. I used to play competitively when I was in college which is so far from my memories. I love the game, and I will till the day I can't play anymore.  

Distance is a weird thing, and most will agree. Harder you try, shorter you end up. Make sure you have a sound foundation and relax... swing through the ball rather than trying to smash it, you'll be surprised how much further the ball will move for you.

Golf is a game of opposites.  To go left, you swing right. To go right, you swing left.

And what u say is true, to go far, u relax.  When u swing hard, u end up short.

What you just said made me think... Just as it says on your signature, why are we doing this!!! But simply can't stop and still love it to bits

Denmeister wrote:

milos9680 wrote:

Denmeister wrote:

I always had issues hitting down and I will shank quite often. After reading this article, the one important point I learned was, to hit down on the ball, I must cater for a left to right swing path. I needed to swing left in order to hit down effectively!  I used to try to hit down and try to shape a draw shot which probably caused my shanks.  Now I take a nice divot with a fading ball flight that lands soft on the green.

Not the dreaded word please

.... "sh..k"...can't even spell it   

A shank happens when the hosel hits the ball from an extremely in to out swing path.  If you have a out to in path, the chances of a shank is greatly reduced.  So don't worry about the shanks anymore.  

Out to in swing with the club face square or slightly closed will then create a gentle cut shot. Playing such a shot shape is less penalizing for me as a mishit will reresult in a straight ball the starts a little left.  Easier mistake to manage than a hooking shot that drifts further left.

When a cut is executed properly, the landing is soft and stays onto the green with minimal roll.

I play so much better now with such a shot. 

No more shanks, baby!!!!

!!!NO NO NO NO!!!!!

i always wonder...for graphite & cast cavity clubs...cannot achieve divert issit? even when hit down like daff it? that why those hao liao pro use blade???

paiseh, i watch PRO shot all got big patch of soil fly out.... when I hit wedges also have soil come out...like cangkul!

I mean when i hit my Callaway FT-ibrid iron very hard also cannot have soil fly out one compare to wedges... can conclude cast cavity clubs, not design to did soll??? Any1 can teach?

reallys wrote:

Turbo: I love it, they've taken the model off now  bought it June '14 it's super light and compact and completely keeps my gear dry. I got the hooded towel as well, an awesome look! Bit small though for 14 clubs lol but I'm not complaining as it only weighs 1.6kg!

It is still available, bro ... Check up Titleist Website ... Mine is a 2015 model ... Mine is about 4.5 lbs only ...

Turbo wrote:

It is still available, bro ... Check up Titleist Website ... Mine is a 2015 model ... Mine is about 4.5 lbs only ...

Bro, I was talking about my model... no longer available and for whatever reason they didn't produce that many of them. Wow, 2015 model is very light! Have fun with it take some pictures for us.