How to Be an Impact Player

Are you down with your iron shots?

For all the brainpower that goes into making it, the golf ball isn’t very smart. It doesn’t really care what your swing looks like. It only cares about your impact position. That is the moment of truth in the golf swing, and it results from three key principles:

1. clubface angle

2. club path

3. angle of attack

The first of the three, clubface angle, has the greatest influence—recent studies suggest 85 percent—on the direction the ball will travel. Without a square clubface at impact, it is going to be difficult to get your golf ball to your target.

The path of the club through impact also influences the direction of the ball. When the path direction contradicts the face angle, the golf ball will curve either left of right. For your shots to start and stay on target, the clubface and path must match each other.

However, the most critical of the three principles is the angle of attack, which influences whether the ball gets airborne. It is OK for the club head to travel upwards when hitting a driver but not with your irons. Hit on an upswing, a perfectly squared-up iron shot may go really straight but will rarely get off the ground.

To send it airborne, you consistently need to hit down on the golf ball, making a divot after it. This drill will help you attack the golf ball on a descending angle and become a more consistent ball-striker.

1. Before taking your stance, place a tee six inches behind the golf ball. Set up to the ball but start with the club head behind the tee, not the ball. This ensures your weight stays evenly distributed.

2. As you take back the golf club, keep your weight on the instep of your back foot. This will allow you to make a full shoulder turn without pivoting your body too far to your right side (if you’re right-handed).

3. Start your downswing with your left hip turning far enough left to transfer weight to your left foot. This movement lowers your hands and arms to the midpoint position. Notice that the handle is leading the charge into impact, with the clubhead lagging behind. A lot of speed and power is being stored in your wrists at this point. Make sure they don’t unhinge too soon and you’ll deliver the club on a better angle of attack.

4. At the moment of impact, the left hand, forearm, and shaft of the club form a straight line. By correctly timing the release of the club through impact, you are able to keep your hands ahead of the club head and take a divot without hitting the behind tee. This allows the clubface and path to be more consistent through impact.

5. By the time you get to the end of the swing, most of your weight is transferred on to the inside of your left foot, and your left leg is straight. You should feel the majority of your weight on your left side and hold your balance as you watch the parabolic flight of a solidly struck iron shot.

Watch a video of this drill, using alignment sticks instead of a tee:

Originally from England, Alex Fisher (alexfisherpga.com; 602-363-9800) is the PGA director of instruction at the Glacier Club in Durango. For four straight years, Golf
Digest
has named him to the list of “Best Young Teachers in America.” During the winter, he instructs at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix.

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