How to Hit Crisp Iron Shots Consistently

Golf Swing Tips: How to Hit Crisp Iron Shots Consistently for Duffers
by Wayne Hudler

Click. That is the sweet sound of a crisply struck iron shot. The crisp sound and beautiful ball flight are a key part of what makes us love the game so much. How often does that happen for you? Uncover the truth about how you too can hit crisp consistent golf shots here today. You'll find the secret to pure irons revealed here today.

When it comes to hitting consistent iron shots we all have been told we need to "hit down". The question becomes just how to go about doing that.

I've noticed golfers who move the ball back too far, others who employ excessive forward press and still others who combine both techniques. We will ignore the multitudes who scoop or lift for this article. They are not even trying to hit down, yet.

While the techniques above will work to create a downward strike on the ball they require other swing adjustments to make them work. That is too many things to keep track of or execute correctly every time all the time. The goal should be to keep the swing as simple as possible.

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If you desire to hit consistent iron shots that travel the expected distance with the correct trajectory and have them stop on the green shortly after landing then you need to learn to hit down.

Dooley taught me this a few years back. Once I got the hang of it I began to hit the ball about club or club and a half longer. Also I began to take a small divot, something I never did before. He even said to use this same technique with hybrids.

The design of the club dictates that for maximum performance the club face needs to strike the ball while traveling in a downward motion. Hence the long standing golf edict: "Hit down".

Don't make the mistake of employing an excessively steep downswing to do this as many duffers might. The club head should be traveling downward toward the ground and forward toward the target at the same time.

The angle of approach is determined by the length of the club so that it varies from club to club. Work with the club, not against it.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

To help you accomplish this Dooley recommends you focus on the following:

1. Maintain your spine angle throughout the swing. Don't allow the head to lift up but stay down all the way through the shot. Trust the club to do its job.

2. Don't lift or scoop. The shaft should be leaning slightly forward at impact not backward.

3. Understand that it is counter intuitive to hit down on something you want to go up. This is just another of what Dooley calls the rule of opposites in golf. Train you mind to know the hitting down will get the ball airborne.

4. Use this drill to train both your mind and your swing.

At the range draw a line in a grassy area perpendicular to your target line (yes you should have a target even at the range).
Place several balls along this line.
As you hit these balls using your favorite short iron take notice of your divots.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

                 i. Did you make a divot at all?
           ii. Where did the divot begin? Behind the line? At the
line? Or past the line? You want them past the
                line.
          iii.   How deep are they? You want them shallow just
               below the surface.

Once you become proficient at this golf technique you will have taken a huge step in breaking your next scoring barrier.

You will know just how far each iron will send the ball and have the confidence to know you can make the shot when it counts. How much more fun will that be?

Whether you're aiming to play in the 90's, the 80's or the 70's your journey will be that much closer to its end.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Find your crisp iron shots here: Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of over 30 years and golf writer. He has been recognized as an expert by the leading online article directory.

Dooley Duffer Golf is devoted to helping ordinary golfers (duffers) improve. Are you a duffer? Visit Dooley Duffer Golf where you will find an ever growing collection of improvement resources.

www.DooleyDuffer.com

Contact Dooley: dooley@dooleyduffer.com