Hitting Down on the Ball

[Jet116]

I wish i could hit the ball...

I just started playing golf for the first time in four years. When i get on the range, I can't consistantly make solid contact. Sometimes i hit it fat and other times i shank it. I have 2 questions

1. What is "hitting down on the ball" and how do i do it?

2. What is the best way to practice this? (drills, videos, training aids)

this is a very very general question.

I appreciate the help guys

[whsbuss]

May I suggest saving $$$ by not buying training aids (yet) and connecting up with a PGA pro for some lessons. Being away from the game that long will take some time getting into the grove again. Hitting down on the ball is something that comes with good swing basics.

[mrq]

lesson will give you better idea compare to any training aid, videos, or drills.

[mikpga]

Learn how to chip the ball first.

 

1. Ball positioned back in stance.

2. Hands forward of ball.

3. Lean weight into forward side.

 

If you experiment with easy swings, you will notice with having your weight forward the club will tend to swing 'down'...If you lean more towards your back leg, you will tend to swing 'up'...

[gators78]

If you don't want to buy lessons from a pro buy Bobby Clampett's book The Impact Zone. That explains everything.

[Viking Golfer]

Basically you hit down on the ball to get a penetrating good ball flight.

Hands a bit forward of ball at address position is the key, I think ;)

 

This is why people will learn it better from chipping the ball, because you need your hands to be way forward of the ball when you chip.

 

You scoop the ball by having your hands behind the ball at address position. This will result in a high weak lob shot that many rookies know too well :friends:

 

I only have my hands level to the the ball at address position when I use my driver and 3 wood.

Even when I use my hybrids, I have my hands slightly ahead of the ball at address position to make sure I hit down on the ball to get the proper ball flight.

 

Spend some $$$$ on a good PGA pro - he will help you better than some guys on an internet based golf forum :)

[maxxym]

Take lessons...simple 30 minutes introductory lesson could make wonders...it will give you good fundamentals to work on.

[Musashi]

I'm in the same boat. After 5 years of not playing can I tell people I've never played before? From the look of my swing I think I should. ;)

 

Anyways after topping and hitting a ton of balls thin, I corrected some of my problem by figuring out what I thought of a comfortable stance for me was actually too far away from the ball. I was addressing the ball incorrectly and making it physically impossible for me to hit the ball correctly.