No divots with irons

[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

[bergsey]

Tonight tried to stand further back from the ball and address the ball off the toe of the club - worked great, no shanks! I had though previously it was the clubface opening but at the moment it seems like distance from the ball is a problem.

One last question then, is there a reliable method of getting your distance from the ball correct so that you can swing down and out ?

thanks

[jim_0068]

Tonight tried to stand further back from the ball and address the ball off the toe of the club - worked great, no shanks! I had though previously it was the clubface opening but at the moment it seems like distance from the ball is a problem.

One last question then, is there a reliable method of getting your distance from the ball correct so that you can swing down and out ?

thanks

Make a fist...then extend your thumb and pinky finger. That's how much room you should have between the butt end of the club and your belly button.

You can adjust it SLIGHTLY, but it will be pretty close.

[Florida Lefty]

As a senior player and range rat, hitting down becomes painful and problematic. Sore thumbs and bones in the hand beg for a Tylanol. During the last year we have had scenes of Tom Watson practicing. As he hits iron shot after shot the turf seems barely disturbed. Jack and Lee also became sweepers as they matured.
How can I continue learning and applying TGM and not pounding the ground?

[Yoda]

As a senior player and range rat, hitting down becomes painful and problematic. Sore thumbs and bones in the hand beg for a Tylanol. During the last year we have had scenes of Tom Watson practicing. As he hits iron shot after shot the turf seems barely disturbed. Jack and Lee also became sweepers as they matured.
How can I continue learning and applying TGM and not pounding the ground?

Divot depth is controlled by Plane Angle (Steep versus Flat), Ball Location (Back versus Forward), and Clubface Loft (more versus less). Otherwise, you should never 'try' -- or not try-- to take a divot. Study 1-L- #13; 2-J-2; 2-N-0; and especially, 7-6.

I have written on all these things. Those interested should search the archives, unearth the posts and weigh in with their observations and opinions.

[Scottgas2]

I seem to get the best compression when I focus not on the ball, but on a spot in the grass immediately in front of it.