The Absurd Reason 90% of Golfers Can't Strike Their Irons

Many recreational golfers believe that the key to getting the ball to launch higher is hitting more down on it. However, this common myth actually causes more harm than good, leading to inconsistent shots. In this post, we’ll debunk this misconception and explore how understanding loft and wrist action can lead to better ball flight and a more effective golf game.

The Myth of "Hitting Down for More Height"

One of the most frequent mistakes golfers make is thinking that a steeper angle of attack (hitting down on the ball) will send the ball soaring higher into the air. This idea stems from the misunderstanding that downward force translates directly to upward ball flight. The truth is, the loft of your club plays a crucial role in how the ball launches.

When you try to "hit down" too much on the ball, you’re essentially decreasing the loft of the club, which can lead to a low ball flight, not a high one. If you lean too far into your lead leg, or if you increase your shaft lean excessively, you reduce the loft of the club face (such as turning a 9-iron into something closer to a 6-iron). As a result, you’re unlikely to achieve the high launch you’re aiming for.

Understanding Loft and Wrist Action

To properly launch the ball higher, it's essential to understand how the loft of your club and wrist action work together. Instead of focusing on hitting down excessively, the key is controlling how you release the club and manage the loft at impact.

Here are some important insights:

Proper Release: When you try to hit down too much, your body often compensates by "scooping" the ball, leading to poor contact and inconsistent shots. This happens because your body subconsciously anticipates hitting the ground, and in the split second before impact, it tries to avoid hitting too hard, leading to the wrong release.

Managing Loft: To get a higher ball flight, you need to increase the loft at impact, which can be achieved through proper wrist action and a more fluid, less forced swing.

Drills to Adjust Loft and Ball Flight

So how can you adjust your ball flight to get it higher or lower as needed? Here are a couple of simple drills to help you control the loft and trajectory of your shots.

1. Half-Swing Drill for Loft Control

Setup: Begin by making half swings, focusing on your finish position. The goal is to exaggerate the feel of how your wrists release the club.

Execution: To hit the ball lower, try to feel as though you're holding the loft off, with the clubhead staying low at impact. For a higher trajectory, allow your wrists to unhinge earlier in the swing and finish with a higher clubhead position.

Tip: This drill encourages you to understand how wrist action can affect ball flight, which helps you manage loft without overcompensating or scooping the ball.

2. Wrist Release Drill with Club Alignment

Setup: Take a normal swing, but focus on where the butt of the club points at the finish.

Execution: If the butt end of the club points toward your body at impact, you’re likely to see a lower ball flight. Conversely, if the club points toward the target, you’ll create more wrist action, leading to a higher launch.

Tip: Visualizing the clubhead's alignment helps you better control the loft and ball flight.

3. Laser Drill for Loft Management

Setup: Imagine there's a laser coming out of the shaft of your club.

Execution: During your swing, try to keep the "laser" pointing toward the ground for as long as possible for a low ball flight. To get the ball higher, focus on having the laser point more upward as you finish your swing.

Tip: This is a great way to adjust the loft based on the ball flight you’re aiming for, whether it’s low or high.

Conclusion

The misconception that hitting down on the ball creates a higher launch is a common trap many golfers fall into. In reality, it's more about how you manage the loft of your club and the release through impact. By understanding the role of wrist action and the importance of your club's loft, you can adjust your ball flight for better performance on the course.

Practice the drills above, and you’ll gain better control over your trajectory, leading to more consistent shots and lower scores. Remember, a smooth and balanced swing with a focus on loft is the key to unlocking better ball flight.