[July 2021: The move that created this shot is a sharp rotation of the forearms the moment before impact. I no longer recommend this method as it is too difficult to time consistently.]<\/p>\n
Funny you should mention that. That’s what I did just a few days ago. Surprised the heck out of me, but then, again, maybe I should have seen it coming. I took a lesson four days before that which changed everything.<\/p>\n
If you follow this blog, you might have read, more than once, the imperative for hitting any shot when the ball is on the ground (except putts): Ball first, ground second. If you want to make anything your improvement project this year, make it that. It will pay off like you wouldn’t believe.<\/p>\n
Most recreational golfers hit the ground behind the ball routinely. I’m not talking about laying up sod, which we all do on occasion. I’m talking about bottoming out maybe a half-inch or so behind the ball. You get a decent shot out of it, but there’s no power, no backspin, and the reverse divot is lurking.<\/p>\n
The proper place for your divot to start is in front of the ball. I thought that if you hit the ball first, ground second, that would be the result. Silly me.<\/p>\n
I went to the range last week and the grass tees were finally open. After I had warmed up, I put a ball on the ground, and laid two tees beside it, pointing to the front of the ball and to the back of the ball. That way I could see exactly where my divot started.<\/p>\n
It started behind the back tee. Sometimes by a lot, sometimes by a little. Sometimes, when I hit it really solid, the divot started between the tees. I never could get it to start in front of the front tee. Not once. Not good. I could not figure out how to start the divot in front of the front tee without sliding to the left, which we all know not to do.<\/p>\n
Since I was at a driving range, I went right into the pro shop and the pro was behind the counter. I explained the problem to him, and asked if he could teach me how to start the divot in front of the ball. Of course, he said, I signed up for a lesson the next day.<\/p>\n
It worked. He taught me how to do it. It was so easy, but most things about golf are like that. It’s easy once you know the secret.<\/p>\n
I won’t tell you what it is*, not because I want it to be a secret, but because it’s difficult to describe, and if you got it wrong it would be disastrous. Besides, your pro should be able to teach you what to do.<\/p>\n
If you want to see what the move is, get Johnny Miller’s Fixing Your Swing instructional videos and watch the segment titled Slice Cure. You’ll see it at the 2:25 mark. It concerns what you do with your hands when they come into the hitting area. This video is available only at eBay as of this update (Feb 18, 2019).<\/p>\n
Here’s the thing, and this is a big one, it’s hard to install into your swing. I’ve been hitting my 9-iron for four days and am getting reasonably consistent with the new move. I tried moving up to my 8-iron and it’s like starting the process over again. I tried the 7-iron and it was a disaster. You learn this move one club at a time.<\/p>\n
Back to the 145-yard 9-iron. After a productive practice session with the 9-iron with plastic balls in my backyard, I took a couple of real balls into the big field only a few blocks away from where I live. I connected with the first shot and it took off fast, low, and straight. So did the next one, and yes, the divot started in front of the ball each time.<\/p>\n
I stepped them off. Normally, I get 125 tops. I got 145 and 148. I figure they released a bit after they landed, so about 142 in the air is close enough. I didn’t hit them that hard, either. I hit them the right way.<\/p>\n
It’s will likely take me a few months to get this change in place through the bag reliably. After that, watch out. And I mean it.<\/p>\n
* Yes, I will. See Covering the Golf Ball<\/a><\/p>\n My new book, The Golfing Self<\/i><\/b>, is now available at www.therecreationalgolfer.com<\/a>. It will change everything about the way you play.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [July 2021: The move that created this shot is a sharp rotation of the forearms the moment before impact. I no longer recommend this method as it is too difficult to time consistently.] Funny you should mention that. That’s what I did just a few days ago. Surprised the heck out of me, but then, … Continue reading Hitting a 9-Iron 145 Yards<\/span>