No divots with irons

Hi guys, i've got a frustrating problem with my irons. If i concentrate on a full release and horizontal hinge i tend to pick the ball cleanly even with wedges and don't take a divot.

If i concentrate on hitting down more then i hit a lot of shanks as my hands tend to lock up and do not square the face.

I've been really trying with chip shots etc to keep the hands ahead, so much so that it blocks the hinge action.

Anyone else had the same problems and any remedies?

Cheers

Hit the practice bunker. Line in the sand. Divots on the forward side of the line. Make sure you can do it without your upper body lunging forward. At least, that's my trouble.

Originally Posted by bergsey Hi guys, i've got a frustrating problem with my irons. If i concentrate on a full release and horizontal hinge i tend to pick the ball cleanly even with wedges and don't take a divot.

If i concentrate on hitting down more then i hit a lot of shanks as my hands tend to lock up and do not square the face.

I've been really trying with chip shots etc to keep the hands ahead, so much so that it blocks the hinge action.

Anyone else had the same problems and any remedies?

Cheers

if the ball flight and results are acceptable, why is this bad?

-hcw

Originally Posted by hcw if the ball flight and results are acceptable, why is this bad?

-hcw

Three dimensional impact (down, out, forward) is desired to get maximum compression which results in more power and a more controllable trajectory.

bergsey: This issue could be as simple as ball position. Ensure you are setting up with your low point (left shoulder) ahead of the ball. Another cause could be that you are not maintaining a flat left wrist at impact. I've seen guys "flip" at the ball which will scoop it instead of hitting down properly and taking a divot.

Make sure your set up is correct. Then start by hitting some short pitch shots where you finish with both arms straight and a follow though no further than waist high. Concentrate on down, out, and forward. You should be taking divots with this procedure. The divots should be in front of the ball. See 12-5-2 Aquired Motion.

Originally Posted by Trig Three dimensional impact (down, out, forward) is desired to get maximum compression which results in more power and a more controllable trajectory.

but why does the down HAVE to end up underground?

-hcw

Originally Posted by rwh Where is your ball position in relation to your left shoulder joint?

Hi there, i swing from impact fix. So for wedges the ball is around mid point in my stance with my hands over my left foot.

If i concentrate on a divot in front of the ball - e.g. the line in the sand drill i can do it. My problem is when i do this i lose the clubface control and tend to drag the hosel in first. So it tends to a choice in my mind between shank with divot or pick clean

Chips and small shots aren't a problem - this is more for half swings and beyond

Thanks

Originally Posted by bergsey If i concentrate on a full release and horizontal hinge i tend to pick the ball cleanly even with wedges and don't take a divot.

Any golfer who tries to scoop the ball into the air will take no divots at all. (Hale Irwin)

No Diviots with the Irons!
Well I have heard some wonderful suggestions but I recomend you apply 3-F-5. You mentioned that when you try to hit DOWN which you MUST do you shank the ball. Set your radius correctly ie sole the club towards the TOE. Surely if we are driving DOWNWARD OUTWARD & FORWARD WHICH WE MUST, a shank is likely if one soles the club towards the center.
Now you are driving down on the ball and providing you have followed 3-F-5 correctly your divot should come from impact point plane line to the low point plane line.
www.blackburngolf.com

Originally Posted by MJCB 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

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.

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.