Switching from sweeper to digger - possible?

[bbarnard52]

I am and have always been a sweeper. I rarely take a divot and when I do it is almost always behind the ball (especially when trying to hit a little harder). Should I/ is it possible to switch from one to the other? When I hit the ground I feel like I've made a mistake and tend to stop my swing. But I feel like I'm really leaving distance by sweeping rather than digging. Thoughts?

[Chunkitgood]

Is it possible to learn to use the club as designed to hit down on the ball?

 

Certainly.  I’ve done it.  I could tell you how I did it but you would not have any confidence in what I said and other people would certainly disagree.  I will say the wheat is out there in golf teaching but there’s a lot of chaff to go through.

 

Or heck try this, it might just work:

 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/sean-foley-solid-irons

 

 

[getitdaily]

Trade your broom for a shovel.

[Ghostwedge]

8 minutes ago, Chunkitgood said:

Is it possible to learn to use the club as designed to hit down on the ball?

 

Certainly.  I’ve done it.  I could tell you how I did it but you would not have any confidence in what I said and other people would certainly disagree.  I will say the wheat is out there in golf teaching but there’s a lot of chaff to go through.

 

Or heck try this, it might just work:

 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/sean-foley-solid-irons

 

 

I tore that exact page out of the GD, laminated it and gave it to my son.

I should send Foley a few bucks, my son has hit towering iron shots ever since.

[MountainKing]

Are you a sweeper or somebody who flips into impact?  The hitting it fat and distance comment lead me to believe you're flipping into the ball.   Most sweepers I see still damage the ground to some extent.

[Z1ggy16]

Being a digger isn't really any more efficient per say. You'll potentially launch it lower with more spin. 

 

I hit down on my 6i about -6 or -7 and my carry is around 185 but at 95mph. If I was -2 instead with out adding any more loft dynamically, I'd probably get another 15 yards.

 

It doesn't sound like you need to become a digger, you need better low point control.

[KimmerBH]

Have you ever tried stack and tilt? I know it's not for everyone but when I experimented with it briefly my entire strike completely changed instantly. The compression was totally different and I was taking divots for the first time ever. 

[ShortGolfer]

I'm working on ball first contact this season.    Work in progress on hot summer afternoons!

Also learning how to play in the heat and humidity of summer.

Edited July 27, 2023 by ShortGolfer

[phizzy30]

I'm a prime example of someone who used to be a sweeper but I'm a digger with irons now.  I purposely made the swing change awhile back and my irons are now flying 10-15 yards farther.  I tend to take big divots with my short irons and small divots with my long irons.  My distance control has also gotten much better as well.  For example, I used to carry my 7 iron 180 as a sweeper, but now it's a consistent 190 to 195. 

Edited July 27, 2023 by phizzy30

[Valtiel]

6 hours ago, bbarnard52 said:

I rarely take a divot and when I do it is almost always behind the ball (especially when trying to hit a little harder). 

 

4 hours ago, Chunkitgood said:

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/sean-foley-solid-irons

This is pretty much always due to a level of hanging back and/or not properly getting into your front side. WHY you're not getting into your front side is the question which would be answered by posting a face on video. The link Chunkitgood posted is one of the many types of ideas that can help get you moving in the right direction, but the overall goal to keep in mind is NOT "I want to be a digger" but rather "I want my weight to be in the correct place at impact so I always hit the ball first, ground second". The club bottoms out where your weight is centered, so the thing to chase is a proper pivot and weight shift to get that center in front of the ball. 

[Patnachts]

I agree with everyone else here, being a digger/sweeper is not what you are encountering. Your low point is just not correct. The low point should be in front of the ball and from there you can be a digger or a sweeper.