Photo courtesy of Kerry Corcoran
Start the ball on the target line for more consistent ball striking.
Grab a 5 iron. (A 5 iron is a good middle-length club to use for practice) Place a coin 5 feet in front of the ball, in line with your target. Then place a clubshaft or something similar 10 yards in front of the ball in line with the target. Practice lining up to the coin, then tracking your eyes to the shaft in the ground and then to the target. Practice this a few times then hit the shot. Having someone stand behind you and tell you whether the ball started left or right of your target can be helpful feedback.
If the ball is starting to the left of the target consistently, try moving the ball back in your stance a little bit. If you are still pulling the ball to the left, try visualizing your target more to the right and aim your hands on the downswing more toward the inside part of the ball so that you feel as if you are going to push the ball to the right of your target. Do this until the ball consistently starts on line.
If the ball is consistently starting to the right of the target, try moving the ball more forward in your stance. If you are still pushing the ball, work on clearing the left hip quicker on the downswing so that the hands will aim and swing more quickly and farther to the left through the impact zone. In changing your ball position, keep tabs on making sure you’re maintaining a 4 inch in front swing bottom.
If your shots start on your intended line of flight, but then hook or slice off line down range, feel good about the fact that you have swung correctly on plane through The Impact Zone, then make a grip adjustment. To correct hooks, weaken your grip by turning your hands to the left on the handle of the club. To correct slices, strengthen your grip by turning your hands to the right on the handle of the club.
The same drill can be used outdoors or inside hitting into a net.
Bobby with a 5 iron just past impact. This shot started a hair to the right of the target. I made a small correction moving the ball 1/2 inch more forward in my stance. Through constant use of this drill, I’ve improved the start line on my shots. The better your start line, the more accurate a player you’ll become.
If the ball is starting to the left of the target consistently, try moving the ball back in your stance a little bit. If you are still pulling the ball to the left, try visualizing your target more to the right and aim your hands on the downswing more toward the inside part of the ball so that you feel as if you are going to push the ball to the right of your target. Do this until the ball consistently starts on line.
If the ball is consistently starting to the right of the target, try moving the ball more forward in your stance. If you are still pushing the ball, work on clearing the left hip quicker on the downswing so that the hands will aim and swing more quickly and farther to the left through the impact zone. In changing your ball position, keep tabs on making sure you’re maintaining a 4 inch in front swing bottom.
If your shots start on your intended line of flight, but then hook or slice off line down range, feel good about the fact that you have swung correctly on plane through The Impact Zone, then make a grip adjustment. To correct hooks, weaken your grip by turning your hands to the left on the handle of the club. To correct slices, strengthen your grip by turning your hands to the right on the handle of the club.
The same drill can be used outdoors or inside hitting into a net.
Bobby with a 5 iron just past impact. This shot started a hair to the right of the target. I made a small correction moving the ball 1/2 inch more forward in my stance. Through constant use of this drill, I’ve improved the start line on my shots. The better your start line, the more accurate a player you’ll become.
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