Tips on hitting with an Iron?

Question

Hey there, so I'm new to golf. I've had some previous experience when I joined the golf team in middle school, but that was one year, now I have all new golf clubs, nad such, and I want to work on my iron swing, Iknow my position basically, and I know how ot hold it, but I have problems with like actually hitting the balls when they aren't on tees, help?

Answer 1

I would suggest to set up to the ball so you are comfortable and try to really concentrate on watching the back of the golf ball. Tee the balls up at first than once you feel comfortable of how you are hitting the balls than try to start hitting off the ground. Good Luck and Have Fun.

Have a good one...

Answer 2

The setup to hit the ball off the tee is very different from hitting it off the ground.  Since you already have the basics down from your past golfing experience, I won't go in to those and assume you somewhat know what to do there.  I also assume you are asking because you are not taking lessons, otherwise, your professional teacher is the best person to help you since he/she can see and correct your swing on the spot.

To get better at hitting irons, you should start with the higher number irons (P-Wedge, 9 iron or 8 iron) because these are easier to hit properly.  Get comfy with these first before going to the next iron down.

Now on the swing... Hitting off the tee requires a sweeping motion at the bottom of your swing and straight follow-thru after impact.  Hitting off the ground is a more downward motion, where you actually hit the back part of the ball, then continue downwards as if you are digging a hole, thus create a pivot.  The ball is actually launched by your club head compressing it in to the ground, causing it to pop out and roll up your club face.

When you practice with your shorter irons, concentrate more on hitting down, don't try to 'lift' or 'push' the ball, let your club face do the lifting.  Also make sure you don't weight shift or move your head too early in anticipation of hitting the ball forward.  Let the momemtum of the club head bring your club back up and around.  What you will end up with is a swing that is a more circular arch that makes contact at the back of the ball and bottoms out under the ball (and in your divot).

Answer 3

Any ball laying on the ground must be struck with a descending blow leaving a divot.

At set up keep more weight on your front leg since you will be swinging on a steeper plane. Move the ball way back in your stance. Practice hitting down on the ball until your ball striking gets better. Then start to move the ball back to where you normally hit it.

Answer 4

If your hitting before the ball, chances are you're too close.  If you're "skulling" by ball, chances are you're lifting your body rather than shifting your weight.

Answer 5

alright, if you already know the basics of a swing, then all you need to remember is PGA. POSTURE GRIP AND ALIGNMENT. I am going to assume you are a righty. So your grip, you should either choose the overlapping or the interlocking, you shouldn't being using the ten finger or the baseball grip. Secondly, you should have good posture. Knees should be bent, your hands should be about a fist away from your belly button, and finally, your shoulders should be almost at a 180 degree angle across, with the left shoulder being a little higher than the right shoulder. Finally, you should align yourself so that you are left of your target, this means, that your left shoulder should be pointing left of the target. Your set up should be a little bit open with your feet, and your left foot should be opened about 50 degrees so it almost points to your target. this should help you get through the ball and keep your head down, which is the problem that most people have when they are hitting off of the fairway. Finally, you need to remember tempo is the most important part, you dont need to swing as hard as you can to hit the ball far. Finally, your ball position should never be past the middle of your stance. 3, 4,5,6 irons off your left heel. 7, 8, 9,  between the middle of your stance and your left heel, and wedge directly in the middle of your stance.

Answer 6

The common misconception with almost every golfer is to try and lift the ball into the air. What you should be doing is hitting down on the ball and creating a divot after the ball.  

Answer 7

the hardest thing about hitting off the ground is making clean contact. one thing to think about: make a shot and dont move. look down at where the ball was the where the divot is. if the divot is after the ball that is good. but if its where the ball was laying your hitting behind the ball and losing distance and control. try and concentrating on making contact with the ball first. hope this is helpful

Answer 8

If you hit an iron off the ground poorly. You may want to pick a spot just behind the golf ball when you are taking a swing. Look at the spot when you execute your swing. This should help your club lift the ball into the air.  So if your problem is that the ball hits and skips along the ground. I would try to look behind/ underneath it when you address the ball.

Another tip: remember that when you are standing over the ball ready to hit, your head should be leaning a little away from your target. This will slightly drop your right shoulder naturally, which helps lift the ball into the air as well.