Am I striking the ball first?

I think one of the big improvements in my game in the past few years is the idea of hitting down on the ball, with the irons that require it, rather than scooping or sweeping. But am I hitting the ball first or the ground? The proper sequence is supposed to be hit the ball first then make the divot right? For some reason I think I am hitting just behind the ball making contact with the ground first. Is this possible to do and still make a good shot?

"Good shot"? ok. The best possible? probably not.

Anytime you put something between the ball and your face, you add error. Be it grass, dirt, sand...etc. So hitting the ball first reduces the possible error.

Now, that is not to say that the ball will not fly correctly, it might. It also reduces spin. And into the wind, great. Holding a green, not.

You get the idea.

If you are having problems hitting the ball first, the first trick I like to suggest is to look at the front of the ball. The second is try to hit the top of the ball driving it into the ground. Both work, and your choice. There are other "swing" changes that can be at fault, (Reverse-Pivots, over-extension, ball position to far back...) but let's start to assume you are ok there.

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I'm a golfaholic, no question about that. Counseling wouldn't help me. They'd have to put me in prison, and then I'd talk the warden into building a hole or two and teach him how to play. ~Lee Trevino

I had a similar problem some time ago. When I thought about it and the Engineer in me came out, I reached the following conclusion:

As the left arm remains in line with the shaft at impact the low point of the swing will be in line with your left armpit. This is slightly complicated due to the fact that as your spine (or sternum), leans back and forwards with varying clubs, a line projected from your left armpit and down the shaft to the ground will point forwards with the driver and longer clubs and further back with shorter clubs. Clear so far?

If the ball is placed centre of stance (For example) and the sole of the club is grounded behind the ball at address then at impact the leading edge will strike the ground just behind the ball and have to either complete its arc by digging into or bouncing over the ground until reaching the low point (left armpit to turf line), otherwise you will be forced to lift up during the downswing to compensate, thus chancing a topped shot. Still with me ?

So, my answer is to address the ball with the sole of the club hovering just above the grass. This allows me to hit down crisply into the back of the ball, pinching it into the turf and taking a nice shallow divot just in front of the ball. The low point of the swing being just forward of the ball.

Try it at the range on a mat, you will get that nice sound of the club just brushing forward of the ball, instead of that deadly thump.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Thanks for the tips. I get very little spin on my balls so that is a good indication that I am not quite hitting the ball first. And I am just not getting that really satisfying "woomp" and effortless feel when one strikes it correctly. I will try what you two suggest until I figure what works best.

I remember reading somewhere that a 'perfect strike' will actually start the divot 1 to 2 inches in front of the ball. It would definitely suggest ball first contact!

Isnt hitting down on the ball wrong...Sounds like over the top to me, which is bad and inconsistent

No...."hitting down" on the ball is not the same thing as coming over the top, although it is a natural beginner impulse to come over the top in an effort to hit down on the ball.....natural, but incorrect.

ok thanks ive been playing less than a year so im still new to all ideas

It's also called "trapping" the ball. Trapping the ball between the club face as it strikes the top of the ball and the ground.