No divots with irons

[bergsey]

Hi guys, i've got a frustrating problem with my irons. If i concentrate on a full release and horizontal hinge i tend to pick the ball cleanly even with wedges and don't take a divot.

If i concentrate on hitting down more then i hit a lot of shanks as my hands tend to lock up and do not square the face.

I've been really trying with chip shots etc to keep the hands ahead, so much so that it blocks the hinge action.

Anyone else had the same problems and any remedies?

Cheers

[12 piece bucket]

Hit the practice bunker. Line in the sand. Divots on the forward side of the line. Make sure you can do it without your upper body lunging forward. At least, that's my trouble.

[hcw]

Hi guys, i've got a frustrating problem with my irons. If i concentrate on a full release and horizontal hinge i tend to pick the ball cleanly even with wedges and don't take a divot.

If i concentrate on hitting down more then i hit a lot of shanks as my hands tend to lock up and do not square the face.

I've been really trying with chip shots etc to keep the hands ahead, so much so that it blocks the hinge action.

Anyone else had the same problems and any remedies?

Cheers

if the ball flight and results are acceptable, why is this bad?

-hcw

[Trig]

if the ball flight and results are acceptable, why is this bad?

-hcw

Three dimensional impact (down, out, forward) is desired to get maximum compression which results in more power and a more controllable trajectory.

bergsey: This issue could be as simple as ball position. Ensure you are setting up with your low point (left shoulder) ahead of the ball. Another cause could be that you are not maintaining a flat left wrist at impact. I've seen guys "flip" at the ball which will scoop it instead of hitting down properly and taking a divot.

Make sure your set up is correct. Then start by hitting some short pitch shots where you finish with both arms straight and a follow though no further than waist high. Concentrate on down, out, and forward. You should be taking divots with this procedure. The divots should be in front of the ball. See 12-5-2 Aquired Motion.

[hcw]

Three dimensional impact (down, out, forward) is desired to get maximum compression which results in more power and a more controllable trajectory.

but why does the down HAVE to end up underground?

-hcw

[strav]

If i concentrate on a full release and horizontal hinge i tend to pick the ball cleanly even with wedges and don't take a divot.

Any golfer who tries to scoop the ball into the air will take no divots at all. (Hale Irwin)

[MJCB]

No Diviots with the Irons!
Well I have heard some wonderful suggestions but I recomend you apply 3-F-5. You mentioned that when you try to hit DOWN which you MUST do you shank the ball. Set your radius correctly ie sole the club towards the TOE. Surely if we are driving DOWNWARD OUTWARD & FORWARD WHICH WE MUST, a shank is likely if one soles the club towards the center.
Now you are driving down on the ball and providing you have followed 3-F-5 correctly your divot should come from impact point plane line to the low point plane line.
www.blackburngolf.com

[bergsey]

Set your radius correctly ie sole the club towards the TOE.

Thanks, that might well be it as i'm currently setting up at impact fix (address?) with the club soled at the sweetspot. I'll give that a go! (at worst coming off the toe has to be better than off the hosel...

Cheers

[jim_0068]

It just sounds like you're a flipper.

Also, there are only 2 main reasons why people shank the ball in my opinion:

1) You let the face open in the backswing like a swinger and then you try and "hit" the ball through impact. Because you let it open and are hitting, nothing has closed the face and wala...SHANK

2) You are too close to the ball at address. As you make your backswing your weight will move to your heels and on the downswing back onto your toes bringing everything "closer" to the ball and thus bring the hosel into ball.

[bergsey]

It just sounds like you're a flipper.

Also, there are only 2 main reasons why people shank the ball in my opinion:

1) You let the face open in the backswing like a swinger and then you try and "hit" the ball through impact. Because you let it open and are hitting, nothing has closed the face and wala...SHANK

2) You are too close to the ball at address. As you make your backswing your weight will move to your heels and on the downswing back onto your toes bringing everything "closer" to the ball and thus bring the hosel into ball.

Is there an easy way (i don't have access to a vid camera at the moment unfortunately) to try and isolate which one of those two it may be? i'm thinking getting a bit close to the ball which is why addressing the ball at impact fix off the toe sounds like a good idea. Even if i keep my balance etc would you expect a shank if you soled the club aligned with the sweetspot at impact fix and swung from there?

cheers