Hitting the ball before the ground...?

Question

I know you exposed to hit down on the ball, then the ground. Hit the ball first. I have never been able to do this until recently. I simply put the ball a little back in my stance and had my hands a little ahead of the club.

Is this a good way to play better or am I about to cause myself a lot of problems???

Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

That is what you supposed to do when you chip and hit wedge shots.  You can also do this when you want to hit lower iron shots.

Answer 2

your on the right track

Answer 3

I learned by going to a driving range and hitting until I got the right stance and grip

Answer 4

It's VERY important with irons to have your hands slightly ahead of the ball at address (on the ground, not tee). If not, your shots will be 'wristy' and you'll have a hard time getting constancy.

Players usually move the ball forward or backward in the stance to impart a draw or fade, as well as downhill and uphill lies, etc.

You won't do too bad if it's only a few inches from center one way or the other, but they aren't called fundamentals by accident.

Answer 5

The club makes a semi-circle at the bottom of your swing.  The low point of that circle, the bottom-out point, will tend to fall below your head and sternum.  Thus, to ensure contact with a slightly descending blow, the ball needs to be 'slightly' back of your 'center'. Conversely, with the driver, because the ball is on a tee, you want to strike it slightly on the upswing.  Thus the ball is played more forward and ahead of your center.  Hope that helps you understand the importance of ball position a little better.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Put a ball back your stance and hands little ahead of the club should be good setup for chipping strokes where you want your ball low and more roll...

With iron, I put the ball little bit left... maintain the balance start from backswing until finish.... hold the finish until at least the ball on the ground.

Balance are very important for every sport, including golf.  Without balance, your upper body will collapse.. either to front, back, right or left.  This will be very difficult to make solid impact.

Answer 7

What you are now doing is making the ball flight lower.  When you hit the ball before the ground you are pinching the ball with the club and ground so it will fly straighter.  You probably wont lose distance.  You are not really causing your self a lot of problems by doing this.

Answer 8

Here's a good practice tip for helping to hit the ball first then the ground.  When at the range put a tee in the ground directly in front of the ball.  When setting up for your shot use the tee as the target instead of the ball.  If hitting off mats just put a dime down in front of the ball.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

If it works for you then go for it.  I have seen some very unorthodox swings and stances.  Sure, it might be wrong, but it isn't against the rules.

Answer 11

I'm not a pro, 20 handicap myself. But I have found that with my iron shots it works well to put the ball a bit back in my stance to ensure i strike the ball first. It shouldn't cause any problems for you. As long as you hit the shots consistently, you have to build a rhythm with your swing. Practice at the driving range with the ball back in your stance until you get comfortable with it.

Answer 12

I think you will be OK. But on the other hand - you know how golf is!? It is like life - it changes every day and you never stop learning!!

And furthermore - it is always a challenge!!

Good luck.

Answer 13

if it works, what the h**l

Answer 14

dont work on your ball stance..

work on the posture...maintain of posture through out the swing...your arms...you hips..legs..

some people tend to move their hips...

Answer 15

If it works well for you, go ahead ans stick with it. look at Jim Furyk's swing, he doesnt swing like a professional but his ball go where he wants it to most of the time.

But if you can, of course try to learn the correct method of using your arms, rather than shifting your stance.

Hope it helps

Cheers!

Answer 16

i think that's okay

(i don't really know what you mean by 'put the ball a little back in my stance ')

but you could practice putting the ball a bit to your right (or left i you're left handed) and it's easier to hit the ball that way

over time, move it bit by bit to the middle and if you get good enough you could put it towards your left (or right if you're left handed)

anyways, i think a bunch of golf magazines (like golf digest) has info on that.

p.s. look at the edge of the ball (about 1/2 inch from the ground) and concentrate on hitting there.

hope it helps

Answer 17

I have to assume that you are talking about an approach shot where you are trying for the green. Putting the ball back in your stance will keep the ball lower to the ground and I am not sure that is going to help on an approach shot.

If you are trying to get the ball up out of the grass, you need a higher tragectory and not a lower one. To do this you need to have the ball in the middle of your stance (where it belongs) and come down on the ball at a sharper angle. Keep your weight forward a bit to do this.

Unless you are trying to shoot under some obsticle like trees, do not put the ball back in your stance. Putting the ball back in the stance is only going to take off some loft from the club and make the ball harder to hit.

Answer 18

Always practice the right way, or in the end you will get too used to the wrong way and never reach your full potential.