You'll Be Blown Away How Easy This Makes Hitting Fairway Woods!

Fairway woods can be one of the trickiest clubs to master, especially when it comes to getting the ball in the air and striking it consistently. Many golfers struggle with how to approach the ball, often trying to sweep it like a driver or positioning it incorrectly in their stance. But with the right understanding of ball position, weight shift, and the intention to hit down on the ball, you can transform your fairway wood shots. In this post, we'll break down how to approach hitting down on the ball with a fairway wood, providing you with practical tips and drills to improve your ball striking.

The Importance of Hitting Down on the Ball with a Fairway Wood

It’s easy to think of a fairway wood as just a smaller version of a driver, so many players make the mistake of placing the ball too far forward in their stance and trying to sweep it like they would a driver. However, this approach is less than effective because, unlike a driver, a fairway wood has less loft and the ball is sitting on the ground.

To get the ball airborne with a fairway wood, you need to strike it with a downward motion. The smaller size of the golf ball means there’s less surface area to contact, so hitting down ensures the clubface meets the ball effectively, using the loft to lift it into the air. This is especially true with a stronger three-wood, which can be more challenging to get up in the air if you’re not striking down on it properly.

Understanding Ball Position and Low Point Control

To achieve the proper downward strike, you must focus on your ball position. Many golfers mistakenly place the ball too far forward in their stance, which can lead to hitting the ball too high on the face or missing it entirely.

For a more consistent strike, the ball should be positioned a little further back in your stance. This adjustment will allow you to hit the ball with the correct downward angle, rather than sweeping under it. A key principle here is that your low point should be ahead of the ball at impact, much like in an iron shot.

Low Point and Ball Position:

Ball Position: The ball should be placed about a comfortable clubhead’s distance inside your lead foot. The goal is to have the left armpit (for right-handed players) aligned with the inside of your lead heel when the club is in position to strike the ball. This ensures you are not too far behind the ball, which would lead to an ineffective, shallow strike.

Low Point: To achieve proper low point control, focus on getting your weight shifted forward in the downswing. Your lead arm will extend through impact, helping to push the low point ahead of the ball, leading to a cleaner, more solid strike.

Drills to Improve Your Fairway Wood Strikes

Left Armpit Drill

Setup: Stand with your fairway wood in hand and focus on your ball position relative to your feet.

Execution: Make a few practice swings, but instead of thinking about hitting down, focus on where your left armpit is in relation to your body. Keep the left armpit ahead of the ball at the moment of impact. This will encourage a forward-shifting motion and help you hit down on the ball with the correct loft.

Tip: Visualize the left armpit “leading” your swing, pushing forward into the ball and helping you create that downward strike.

The Rehearse-and-Swing Drill

Setup: Take your fairway wood and set up as you would for a regular shot.

Execution: Perform a rehearsal swing, bringing the club to the top of your swing and focusing on pushing your body forward into the downswing. You should feel like you’re actively moving your weight forward as your club descends toward the ball.

Tip: Keep the clubhead pointing at the golf ball for as long as you can during your rehearsal swing. This will help you develop the feeling of shifting your weight forward while staying connected through impact.

Putting It All Together: The Importance of Intention

The key to hitting down on the ball with your fairway wood is not simply thinking about “hitting down,” but rather ensuring your body is in the correct position at impact. Too many golfers try to scoop the ball into the air or lean back, but this only causes poor contact.

Instead, focus on pushing your body forward, allowing the club to naturally strike down and through the ball. The combination of ball position, weight shift, and the proper extension of your lead arm will allow you to compress the ball effectively, creating powerful and consistent shots.

Conclusion: Improve Your Fairway Wood Strikes with a Downward Strike

By understanding how to set up and execute a downward strike with your fairway wood, you can drastically improve your consistency and power. Remember that the goal isn’t to sweep the ball off the ground like a driver, but to make a solid, downward strike with the correct body position and intention. By practicing the drills above and incorporating these key concepts into your game, you'll be hitting crisp, high-quality fairway wood shots in no time.

Keep working on your ball position and weight shift, and don't be afraid to take a divot—this is a sign that you’re making solid contact and utilizing the proper technique. With time and practice, you’ll notice a major improvement in your fairway wood game!