DNA STEP 2
Well done, the correct answer was C. Why C? Well, you're trying to swing in the direction you want the ball to go in so it can't be A or B they will only dissipate the power to the ball, even more so with B.
So, the grip end of the club starts a little left at address and is even more left at impact. In fact it's just about physically impossible to over achieve this desired position. So do it as much as you can! How do we achieve this position in the swing? Well we have two main factors, the first being the angle your club is approaching the ball and the second is the hand position at impact, both are married and one can't be achieved without the other.
Understanding the correct impact position is far easier than applying it. Obviously, if you don't understand it then you can never apply it. So let's look at the application and the execution of the movements involved.
Let's look at the first point, the angle of approach. The angle of approach can be broken down into two distinct categories, the first is an upward approach and the second is a downward approach. All good players have a downward approach to the ball, in other words they are trying to hit the ball down to achieve the correct contact on the ball. 90% of the world's golfers have an upward approach to the ball in order to try to hit the ball up, even if they don't think they are. Trying to hit the ball up, or help the ball up, or flick the ball up is the nemesis of all golfers, in fact the words ‘up' and ‘under' are the swear words of golf.
Hitting the ball down is hard to grasp, for most people it goes against the grain and is backward in its logic. Providing you use the clubface, you hold the club with both hands, your head stays still and your ball position is correct, you can't hit the ball down. But by trying to do so means you will only end up in the perfect hitting position regardless of swing technique. There are many unorthodox swings on tour but they still manage to get the club back to the ball properly. It really is all about getting that clubhead back to the ball and in the correct fashion.
Take a look at Ernie Els in this video, he's hitting a three wood and provides compelling evidence insofar as hitting down through the ball at impact. Watch it closely, the key point here is when the video reaches about 50 seconds, it will surprise you. (remember to pause my narration whilst you watch the video).
Well done, the correct answer was C. Why C? Well, you're trying to swing in the direction you want the ball to go in so it can't be A or B they will only dissipate the power to the ball, even more so with B.
So, the grip end of the club starts a little left at address and is even more left at impact. In fact it's just about physically impossible to over achieve this desired position. So do it as much as you can! How do we achieve this position in the swing? Well we have two main factors, the first being the angle your club is approaching the ball and the second is the hand position at impact, both are married and one can't be achieved without the other.
Understanding the correct impact position is far easier than applying it. Obviously, if you don't understand it then you can never apply it. So let's look at the application and the execution of the movements involved.
Let's look at the first point, the angle of approach. The angle of approach can be broken down into two distinct categories, the first is an upward approach and the second is a downward approach. All good players have a downward approach to the ball, in other words they are trying to hit the ball down to achieve the correct contact on the ball. 90% of the world's golfers have an upward approach to the ball in order to try to hit the ball up, even if they don't think they are. Trying to hit the ball up, or help the ball up, or flick the ball up is the nemesis of all golfers, in fact the words ‘up' and ‘under' are the swear words of golf.
Hitting the ball down is hard to grasp, for most people it goes against the grain and is backward in its logic. Providing you use the clubface, you hold the club with both hands, your head stays still and your ball position is correct, you can't hit the ball down. But by trying to do so means you will only end up in the perfect hitting position regardless of swing technique. There are many unorthodox swings on tour but they still manage to get the club back to the ball properly. It really is all about getting that clubhead back to the ball and in the correct fashion.
Take a look at Ernie Els in this video, he's hitting a three wood and provides compelling evidence insofar as hitting down through the ball at impact. Watch it closely, the key point here is when the video reaches about 50 seconds, it will surprise you. (remember to pause my narration whilst you watch the video).
The second point is hand position. The hands must lead the club back to the ball. They lead and pull the club back to the desired position. Your hands are holding the club and therefore must lead the club at all times in order for them to achieve the optimum impact position. They must be left of the ball at impact never behind the ball or to the right at impact. They continue to lead and be left of the clubhead well into your follow through.
So you hit down into the ball with your hands in the left/forward position. If you try to achieve this you will hit the ball properly and to the best of your natural ability. Unfortunately no one can achieve this perfect position every time, we are human after all. But what it does mean is your bad shots will still be acceptable because you are closer to the correct position.
When you play a full shot with a sand iron through to a six iron, you should expect to take a divot out of the turf. The downward movement you are trying to achieve continues down into the ground, producing a divot. As the clubs get longer the amount of ground contact decreases, this is because you will automatically stand further away from the ball as the clubs get longer. The shorter the club the bigger the divot you will produce.
So when do I use my hands and wrists I here you ask? Never is the answer! Providing your grip is good then your hands and wrists will function automatically, remember the club is catching up with you so let it do so. Never try to help the club back to the ball this is the biggest misconception in golf. If the goal is to lead the club back to the ball how on earth can you achieve it if you're poking the club back with your wrists. The wrist action has been and always will be open for debate, but not with me, the conclusion I have given you is unconditional and correct.
This picture is my favourite. Here Tiger demonstrates that even after the ball has left the clubface his hands are still in front of the club. The clubhead itself is racing to catch up through impact applying maximum power and energy to the ball.
So you hit down into the ball with your hands in the left/forward position. If you try to achieve this you will hit the ball properly and to the best of your natural ability. Unfortunately no one can achieve this perfect position every time, we are human after all. But what it does mean is your bad shots will still be acceptable because you are closer to the correct position.
When you play a full shot with a sand iron through to a six iron, you should expect to take a divot out of the turf. The downward movement you are trying to achieve continues down into the ground, producing a divot. As the clubs get longer the amount of ground contact decreases, this is because you will automatically stand further away from the ball as the clubs get longer. The shorter the club the bigger the divot you will produce.
So when do I use my hands and wrists I here you ask? Never is the answer! Providing your grip is good then your hands and wrists will function automatically, remember the club is catching up with you so let it do so. Never try to help the club back to the ball this is the biggest misconception in golf. If the goal is to lead the club back to the ball how on earth can you achieve it if you're poking the club back with your wrists. The wrist action has been and always will be open for debate, but not with me, the conclusion I have given you is unconditional and correct.
This picture is my favourite. Here Tiger demonstrates that even after the ball has left the clubface his hands are still in front of the club. The clubhead itself is racing to catch up through impact applying maximum power and energy to the ball.
The ball flight you are trying to attain is a long, rising ball flight. Similar to an F16 taking off, certainly not a NASA rocket to the moon. Once you have understood the science and the fundamentals of metal meeting plastic, you can then start adding the swing mechanics to help you achieve the desired position more consistently. Remember the swing parts are bolted on to your conception not the other way round.
So if you're trying to get left and hit down what about the swing? What should I do with my movement? You shouldn't need to do anything consciously with your swing
other than make sure your grip and set up is good or very good.
By now I hope you are getting to grips with conception and how important it is. However, to be able to move to the the next step requires you to answer a question based on the content of this page. As your GOLF GURU I have to make sure that you have understood this tutorial in order for you to improve your game properly.
Here's the question
When hitting your iron shots correctly, where should your divot start?
A, Before the ball has been struck?
B, At the same time the ball is struck?
C, After the ball has been struck?
Tip - A wrong answer will simply reload this page.
So if you're trying to get left and hit down what about the swing? What should I do with my movement? You shouldn't need to do anything consciously with your swing
other than make sure your grip and set up is good or very good.
By now I hope you are getting to grips with conception and how important it is. However, to be able to move to the the next step requires you to answer a question based on the content of this page. As your GOLF GURU I have to make sure that you have understood this tutorial in order for you to improve your game properly.
Here's the question
When hitting your iron shots correctly, where should your divot start?
A, Before the ball has been struck?
B, At the same time the ball is struck?
C, After the ball has been struck?
Tip - A wrong answer will simply reload this page.