why do you hit down on the golf ball

by Dr. Kale Wunsch Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Hitting down on the ball is the key to better iron shots. Essentially, you want to make impact just before hitting the low point of your swing. This is achievable for even the most casual golfers if you make small adjustments to move the low point of your swing forward.

Part of a video titled HOW TO HIT DOWN ON THE GOLF BALL - GOLF LESSON

1:34

8:40

So what that means is when your Golf Club makes contact with the ball it is in the process of goingMoreSo what that means is when your Golf Club makes contact with the ball it is in the process of going downwards it hasn't yet reached the bottom of the circle.

Full Answer

What does it mean to hit down on the golf ball?

Oct 28, 2018 · The centrifugal force of the golf swing naturally tries to pull your weight away from the target. Setting a little more weight forward counteracts this natural tendency. Start with pitch shots and wedge shots and feel the weight on the front foot. You’ll most likely notice how this helps you hit down on the ball.

Why do I hit the ball behind the ball?

Oct 11, 2021 · Similarly, Hitting down on the golf ball means that you need to hit it low and hard. This will ensure that the ball lands with a lot of power and initiates a speedy trajectory into its destination . The technique can be used when you want to get your opponent into trouble, or when you want to put a lot of distance between yourself and your competition.

Can you hit a golf ball up in the air?

Mar 14, 2022 · As simple as it sounds, hitting down on the golf ball means that the force applied during the initial touch of the club on the ball is in a downward direction. This is done by impacting the ball when the club is on its way down from the topmost position. The clubface should contact the ball first before hitting the ground.

How to hit a golf ball from the top of your swing?

Jun 09, 2019 · When you ask a golfer to hit down on the ball, they will often respond by trying to force the hands downwards through impact. Doing this can Slow the club speed (as we reduce parametric acceleration) Reduce our ability to square the clubface up – creating directional inconsistency Reduce the width of the clubhead arc – creating strike inconsistency

What does hitting down on a golf ball mean?

That's not just because he hits the sweet spot with lots of clubhead speed. He also delivers the clubface to the impact zone on a descending attack angle. Hitting down on the ball is what creates that pure, powerful feeling of flush contact. No matter how fast you swing, you can hit shots that hiss off your clubface.Feb 2, 2016

Are you supposed to hit down on a golf ball?

Down = Up. We have all heard that golf is a game of opposites – and this is true in many respects. However, it is a myth that hitting down on the ball causes the ball to go up. The angle of attack (whether the club is moving up, down or level with the ground at impact) has very little to do with the launch of the ball.Jun 9, 2019

How do I stop hitting down on the golf ball?

The three things you need to do to correct the issue of topping the golf ball is:

Keep your head still throughout the backswing. ...
Next, you need to make sure you take a divot at impact. ...
Finally, in order to create that divot, you'll need to shift your weight forward to your front side throughout the downswing.

Why do golfers hit the ground before the ball?

When a player hits the ground before the ball it is generally because their club is attacking the ball from too shallow an angle. Golf coaches refer to this as the "Angle of Approach".Feb 20, 2015

Do pros hit down with driver?

TrackMan launch monitor data indicates that PGA Tour pros typically have a negative angle of attack (AoA) on the ball of about -1.3 degrees. With so many PGA Tour pros in that measurement, it's basically that some pros hit up and some hit down, within a range. McIlroy hits up with driver anywhere from 1-3 degrees.Jan 19, 2017

Should you choke up on a golf club?

As you can tell, choking up on the golf club is a secret weapon that a lot of golfers don't take advantage of enough. Sure, you will lose some distance by choking up but in general, it's almost always worth it. This is a great way to add new shots in your bag and save yourself when you're hitting it poorly.

How do I stop topping the driver?

Part of a video titled How to Stop Topping Your Driver | Hit More Solid Drives - YouTube

0:08

2:51

Hand drop it down scratch the knee of your trail. Leg from there keep that posture. Put the club orMoreHand drop it down scratch the knee of your trail. Leg from there keep that posture. Put the club or your hand on the club.

How do I stop hitting the ground first in golf?

Part of a video titled HOW TO STOP HITTING THE GROUND BEFORE THE GOLF BALL

3:38

5:12

Check set up ball. Position weight distribution. And in the goal swing focus on a point two to threeMoreCheck set up ball. Position weight distribution. And in the goal swing focus on a point two to three inches in front of the ball shift. In front of it.

Why do I keep hitting the ground first with my driver?

Hitting the ground before the ball can have many causes. Among them are: 1) Hanging back or fall back with your weight onto your rear side through impact. 2) Releasing the club too soon.

How do you hit a golf ball solid every time?

Simply, are you hitting down on the ball, hitting it at the bottom of your arc or hitting up on the ball. All great ball strikers have a downward, or descending angle of attack. It's the only way to ensure solid contact every time.Jun 1, 2021

Why Hit Down and not Lift the Ball Up With an Iron?

In golf, as we want the ball to go up, our natural instinct is to hit it such that the club lifts the ball. Despite the apparent logic of this, it doesn’t work well as clubs are not designed for such an upward impact. This is a part of the initial confusion among new golf players when they think about hitting down on the ball.

How to Swing the Club to Hit Down on the Ball

To learn to swing the club correctly to hit down on the ball, practice is key. Before a shot, take a step back and check that your standing position is such that the bottom-most point of your swing is falling to the front side of the ball.

Tips on Achieving the Perfect Swing to Hit Down

When you are playing with an iron and want to hit the ball far, the following tips should help you hit down on the ball.

Why Not To Hit Down On The Golf Ball?

So, what’s all this fuss about? If getting the clubhead to move down at impact is what the pros do (with shots from the turf), why is the article titled “why you shouldn’t try to hit down on the golf ball”?

Man Down

Another big thing with “hitting down” is that it can cause a player to dive their body towards the ground through impact.

So, What Should We Do?

First, understand that hitting up or down is not the main reason for why a golf ball goes up –loft is the biggest influence.

What happens when you hit behind the ball?

Hitting fat, hitting heavy, chunking the ball, grounding the club, whatever you call it, hitting behind the ball can cause huge issues in your game. Hitting behind the ball causes a divot to get between your club and the ball, resulting in an ugly mis-hit which tends only to jump 5 or 10 yards forwards. Hitting behind the ball can happen ...

Where should the ball be in your stance?

The ball should be in the center of your stance for iron shots or even a bit further back for shorter clubs.

How to keep your lead arm straight?

Your lead arm should be kept straight throughout your swing as if it is bent at the point of impact. Bending the lead arm will shorten your swing and cause you to miss the ball and hit the ground instead. Concentrate on keeping your arm straight, but not tense, at the point of impact.

Why release the club early?

Releasing the Club Early. Also known as ‘casting’, releasing the club too early disrupts your swing plane, causing you to hit across the ball rather than through it . Not only is this an issue by itself, but it also promotes the hip movement we spoke about earlier.

How to get better at swinging?

Follow your swing and allow the momentum to turn your body towards your target . Keep your front foot planted and pivot your back foot to aid proper rotation. Check your belt buckle is pointing at your target on the finish. Ensure the majority of your weight is on your front foot.

Who is Angus Wright?

Angus Wright. Angus Wright is a freelance writer and amateur golfer based in the North East of Scotland. He has been playing golf for over 20 years and also spent 6 of them coaching junior golfers at his local club. He has written for several online publications and has covered everything from sports to travel guides.

Golf-FAQ.com