How can I gain more control over the ball?

Question

I'm a 5 handicap, have a great short game, but i feel whats holding me back is my inability to shape and control the ball. I have a pretty flat swing however i hit most of my irons either straight or with a draw. So my question is basically, how can i hit a CONTROLLED cut with a flat plane?

Answer 1

Sounds like you play pretty well. At your stage I would recommend some swing lessons.

Answer 2

Hey how can you expect me to teach you - I am a 10?!

i have seen how some guys do it. Try this (but first on the driving range).

1. Close your grip i.e. bring the right hand more to the left.

2. Open your stance a bit.

3. Swing path out to in.

Confusing? No man you can do it!

Good luck.

Answer 3

To cut the ball the face needs to be slightly open at impact and you can still do that with a flat plane swing.  Probably the easiest way would be to just "hang on" in otherwords try not to release the club at impact like you normally do.  This will hold the blade open a little and put some cut spin on it.

Answer 4

i used to have a pretty flat plane as well (thanks to 6 years of baseball) and realized it is more difficult to hit a cut with such a swing. try moving your grip counter0clockwise on the club and align your body left of the target. also try aiming your clubface where you would like the ball to end up and aim your body with where you want the ball to start but dont keep your grip with the clubface. grip it how you would if you were hitting a normal shot. with both of these different ways, put the ball further back in your stance and swing more from the outside and keep the emblem of your glove pointing at your target through impact longer.

also you probably know this because youre a 5 handicap but a set of blade irons help lol. i use the cleveland cg tours and they are amazing for shaping shots.

Answer 5

I don't know what part of your game is the weakest (not much with a 5 handicap!!!) but I would just continue to focus on the short game and keep hitting it straight.  It doesn't sound like you NEED to hit a cut.  Geez a 5!!