Golf iron skills are critical for anyone seeking a well-rounded game. Golfers frequently use irons for mid-range shots outside of the green. They are especially useful in the rough, when the terrain is too thick and poorly groomed for drivers to be used. But irons also hit much differently than drivers, so employ different techniques with these clubs. Rather than pay a pro top dollar for instruction, there are things you can do at home to improve your game.
Striking On the Downswing
Using your irons usually causes divots in the grass where the club cuts into the ground. A divot is part of every good iron stroke, but the placement of the divot can tell you a lot about the way you are hitting the ball. Divots are created by the lowest point of your downswing. This downswing should occur just in front of the ball, causing the iron to hit the ball on its way down. This allows you to hit the ball without the ground interfering, creating a more accurate and powerful swing. To do this, scratch a line in the ground perpendicular to your swinging line. Place tees along this line about six inches apart. Set up and swing at each of these tees and practice making a divot in the ground just in front of the tees on the other side of the line.
Avoid Flipping the Arms
Many golfers don't put the same amount of force into their iron shots as they do their drives. Because of this, they may not put much effort into their form and can become lax on the follow-through. Typically, this is manifested as a flipping of the iron in which the elbow is used as a pivot point. But during the swing, the arm should be held stiff, with the wrist bending to provide extra torque to the tail end of your swing. To work on this aspect of your irons swing, take slow practice swings while focusing on your arms staying straight. Over time, you will develop the muscle memory needed to do this while focusing on other parts of your game.
Firm up Your Front Knee
Many golfers struggle with a wild front knee, which occurs when the knee at the front of the swing bends out during your downswing. This can affect the accuracy of your shot and how well you hit the ball off the ground. It can also cause huge divots made before ball contact. An easy way to correct this is to place a long stick into the ground alongside your front leg when it is positioned for a club swing. Practice slow downswings and use the stick as a guide for your leg. Continually increase the pace of your swing while maintaining a straight leg until you are comfortable with holding form at regular swinging speed.
Member Comments