Question About Skill 1

I have found that I can hit the ball fat and still remove the leaf in front of it. As an alternative to placing the leaf in front of the ball, I was thinking about placing a thin piece of wood about 2/3 inches behind the ball. My thinking here is that, in order to hit down at the ball, I would have to miss the wood. Hitting the wood means that I have hit it fat. What are your thoughts of this? Would this dillute Skill 1 in any way? Thanks.

Hmm. Interesting idea.

I don't know the answer myself as I too have only recently become a 'Nail It!' convert and practising SK1 etc.

However, I do have a refinement idea... a box of matches!

1 in front instead of leaf, 1 behind as you suggest e.g. like this ! O !

Miss the first, hit the 2nd on the way thru.

And even if it doesn't give a good shot, at least you have a match handy for that Hamlet moment ;-)

Just off to the range to give it a try

I've seen a few sites with movies where they use this exact drill, a piece of 2x4 behind the ball, if you miss it you hit down, if you hit it, you sure as hell learn how not to hit it.....fast. Maybe use an old club at first as if you hit the board to often then you may alter the lie angle of the iron.

I've used a head cover instead of a 2x4. If you hit the cover, no harm. That drill is a good one. It helps to ingrain retaining of the left wrist through impact and makes for crisp shots.

Ted

Yes, I have seen that drill with a head cover. If you can practice on grass then a divot in front of the ball position will show you are doing it correctly.