| Re: Want to make DIVOTS!
I too, was a picker. The biggest problem I had was over shifting my weight to the right side and then staying back on the right side to try to LIFT the ball in the air. I also tended to come over the top. 2 HUGE mistakes when trying to play solid iron shots. However, to your questions….
1) If you want to learn how to hit down and take proper divots, hit on the grass. The game is not played on a mat. The only acceptable alternative is those tall bristle mats that prop the ball up about 1 inch. They allow you to hit down through them. Game is played on grass, so practice on it.
2) I hurt my wrist hitting too steeply into a mat once. If you make contact with the ball 1st like you are supposed to, you shouldn’t hurt yourself. You just have to make a conscious effort to hit the ball 1st.
3) I gained about 10 yards on each club. I now hit a 6 iron about 180 yard and a 5 iron about 190. This happened because I learned to make “ball 1st contact,” the proper “inside approach” and a proper weight shift.
4) Here is what I practice to continue to make ball 1st, divot 2nd swings….
- 1st, half sand and pitching wedge swings. I make 3 practice swings with the ball about 3 inches in front of my club head. I make sure that my club contacts the turf IN FRONT of the ball. This also shows me where I need to position the ball in my stance. I also keep 60% of my weight on the left side and make it stay there. This promotes a descending blow.
- 2nd, three-quarter 9 thru 7 iron swings. Again, same 3 practice swings with the ball 3 inches in front. Same contact. Looking for where I need to put the ball in my stance. I continue to keep weight on the left side, but not as much. I let the weight shift a little more. ***NOTE: I focus on my 1st move down being a SLIGHT, SLIGHT bump of the left hip to drop the club in the slot.***
5) Yes you should. My ball striking has dramatically improved. I went from a 14 HC down to a 6 in about 2 years.
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What's in my bag....
Cleveland VP 2 Blade Putter
Ping Tour Wedges, 54 & 60
TaylorMade rac LT2, 4i thru PW
Tour Edge Exotics Iron-Wood 21* 3i - Aldila NV 90 Stiff Shaft
Ping G5 18* 5 Wood - ProLaunch Blue 75 Stiff Shaft
Ping G5 15* 3 Wood - Aldila NV 75 Stiff Shaft
Cleveland HiBore XL 9.5* - Fujikura Fit-On Red Stiff Shaft |