Do you struggle to hit compressed iron shots? If so, you’re not alone. Making solid contact with the iron shots is the most challenging part every golfer struggles in a golf game.
It happens for two main reasons. The first one is that they don’t practice with irons enough. The other reason is that the majority of amateur golf players don’t have the correct technique. They try to hit the ball up instead of hitting down, resulting in a solid divot.
The good news is you’re here. I’m going to share simple moves that will make it easier for you to hit the irons dead center, resulting in more accuracy and distance.
Resource: Golf Plan to Help You Break 80 for 18 Holes
What Is an Iron Shot in Golf?
Before you learn how to hit irons, first understand what an iron shot is.
It’s a golf shot that you make with an iron. All you have to do is to hit down on the golf ball. It means the impact should occur before the low point at the time of the shot.
For some reason, if you struggle with the iron shot, the problem could be not hitting down the ball. Here’s a quick tip to solve it.
How to Hit Down On the Golf Ball?
- Adjust your position, place the golf ball in between your stance.
- Take your hands in the target direction, so your club is just in front of the clubhead.
- In the transition, don’t throw the club out and down with your trail hand. Instead, pull on the club with the lead hand.
Now you know how to hit down on the ball. It’s time to learn why compressed iron shots are important, and how it affects your golf game.
Why Is Compressing the Golf Ball Important?
The two main reasons why an iron shot is a crucial part of your golf game:
- Allow You to Shape the Golf Ball
The biggest reason golfers choose to hit an iron shot is that it provides greater control to shape the ball. It means players can spin the ball easily from left to right or right to left, depending on the shot requirement.
Having the ability to work the golf ball in both left and right directions makes you a better player.
- Helps to Control Trajectory
Controlling the ball trajectory is another crucial part every golfer often seems to practice. Hitting irons allows a player to have control over the trajectory and distance. If you can hit the golf high and low, you’re probably on the right track to hitting crisp irons.
For some reason, if you don’t, learning how to compress your irons will help you to gain control over your shot accuracy and distance.
How to Hit Compressed Iron Shots?
Before you learn to hit irons, do you think we hit all irons the same way? Of course, no.
Irons come with different lofts and a few different lengths. So, you have to handle them differently. Let’s take a look at it.
Irons: Short vs. Long
First, you have to know which golf clubs in your bag are considered short irons and which ones are long irons. Let’s explain it further.
Short irons are 8, 9, and pitching wedge that helps to pop the golf ball up when you take a position closer to the green. They also have a higher loft, and players use this to cover for a short distance between 130 to 150 yards.
Long irons (2 to 4) have the longest shafts and lower lofts and help to cover more distances between 180 to 260 yards.
Middle irons are typically from 5 to 7. Players use this for rough and fairways for shots between 130 to 210 yards.
Now, you know about differences in irons. However, the trick lies in the golf ball compression and its position. Always try to note where the ball is in relation to:
- The hands
- The feet
- The club shaft
The slightest change in the ball position will lead to a bad shot. Let’s break it down.
Resource: Golf Plan to Help You Break 80 for 18 Holes
Ball Position for Long Irons
When using long irons, make sure to position the ball slightly ahead of the stance. It helps avoid steepness and try not to go too much forward, as it results in a driver shot.
Try these steps to position the golf ball:
- Keep your feet together and align the ball in the space between them.
- Step up your lead foot slightly toward the designed target.
- Take a little bigger step back with your trail foot compared to your lead foot.
- Now, check the position of the golf ball. It must appear slightly ahead of the center.
Setup for hitting long irons:
- Place the ball slightly ahead of the center in the stance.
- Check whether it aligns with your lead ear or with the logo on your shirt.
- Keep your club shaft handle in the front of the golf ball.
- Keep your neck relaxed, and chin raised.
- Have a relaxed bend in the lead arm.
- Allow your trail knee to release, move the head away from the target, and rotate hips on the backswing.
- Relax your lead arm.
- In the transition, pull the club handle down.
- Finish the golf swing with your knees touching.
Ball Position for Short Irons
When it comes to short irons, place the ball in the center of your feet. To make sure you did it right, check these steps:
- Keep your feet together and position the ball between the stance.
- Take your trail foot away and your lead foot towards the target in equal distance.
- Now, check the placement of the ball. It must be in the center of the stance.
Setup for hitting short irons:
- Place the ball in the center of the stance.
- Check whether it aligns slightly forward of your nose or with the inner part of the lead eye.
- Keep your club shaft handle in the front of the golf ball.
- Keep your neck relaxed, and chin raised.
- Allow your trail knee to release, move the head away from the target, and rotate hips on the backswing.
- Relax your lead arm.
- In the transition, pull the club handle down.
- Finish the golf swing with your knees touching.
Now, you know the ultimate goal of iron shots, i.e., to hit down on the ball. You also understood the key difference between setting up shots for short irons vs. long irons.
These two iron shots will solve your query of how to compress the golf ball. Practice these to hit the ball right on the sweet spot. Let me tell you how.
- Get ready in your position without the ball.
- When you swing the club back, take your trail foot back, perpendicular to the lead foot.
- As you swing through, step the trail foot back into its place.
The drill helps to make you feel a smooth body movement and strong rotation.
Final Thoughts on Golf Ball Compression
If you want to become a more consistent golf player and start shooting lower scores, it’s better not to neglect your irons. Don’t try to hit only drives to scramble for bogey or par and ignore your iron game.
Hitting irons might not be a fun part as blasting drivers at the course. Improving these is a key to becoming a better player. Use these tips to give yourself a variety of options to shoot lower scores.