Iron Play: Hit Forward and Let the Down Happen
IRON PLAY: HIT FORWARD AND LET THE DOWN HAPPEN
by Dr. T. J. Tomasi
Keiser University College of Golf Senior Faculty and Director of Research
Why do tour players hit the ball so far?
Well, one reason is that they compress the golf ball more than the average golfer.
In the hands of a tour player, a 6-iron with a 30-degree loft at address turns into a 5-iron at impact (26 degrees) because the pro has learned to tilt the shaft toward the target at impact.
But, if you try this by simply “hitting down,” as most mistakenly do, you won’t increase how much you compress the ball.
Why? Because, all things being equal, compression is dependent upon the size of the angle between your clubface’s downward movement at impact and the loft of the club – and the less this angle, the more compression.
So, let’s say you’re the pro, and you hit down on the ball 3 degrees with a standard 6-iron (30 degree loft), but, because you lean the shaft forward at impact, you deloft the clubface to 26 degrees, while your amateur buddy using the same club hits down 5 degrees but arrives at impact with 34 degrees loft.
Since your angle of compression is 29 (26+3) and his is 39 (34+5), you hit it farther, even though you both swung at 90 mph.
You did this by using the correct concept, which is: “Keep your hands ahead of the clubhead and hit forward toward the target” – a different concept than hitting down into the ground.
Given that manipulation is the mother of errors in the golf swing, you never want to consciously tilt your hands forward while you swing; so, to produce the intended result, simply position the ball correctly.
If your hands are quiet through impact (no flip), and the ball is correctly placed, you will hit down on it automatically – exactly how much depends on how far back in your stance you position the ball.
Thus, the angle of attack affects trajectory, while clubface loft determines spin (the more loft, the more spin and the less distance).
So don’t simply beat down on the ball to compress it – if you do, you’ll get less of what you want, not more.
The other way to shrink the angle of compression is to bend your irons 2 or 3 degrees strong so at impact you’ll have less loft, more compression and more distance.
Please note: I am not talking about the ball’s compression – i.e., how it’s made at the factory (e.g. 80, 90, 100 compression), rather how much the ball is compressed at impact due to the quality of strike.
The first you buy, the second you learn.
If you enjoyed this golf tip, and want more information on a golf school in Florida, contact Keiser University College of Golf.
