Impact
Impact is the precise moment when the clubface comes in contact with the ball. It is at this point that the clubface tells the ball where to go. The entire swing is designed around the idea of achieving perfect and consistent impact to maximize control and distance.
Impact Lessons
Impact Drills
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Indoor Drill - Putting 2 Ball Drill
This is a great drill done indoors without the distraction of a… -
Indoor Drill - Open Face Bounce Drill
This drill trains you to master your splash away from the sand… -
Indoor Drill - Pre Set Impact Drill
This drill done indoors is a great drill for learning to return… -
Indoor Drill - Hanger Release Drill
The Hanger Release Drill is the perfect drill for testing to see…
Impact Tips
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Don't Practice Swinging at Air
Don't practice swinging at air. You will get really good at it! Practice hitting something...the ground. When you are on the driving range try taking a divot and then start your next swing at the front of that divot and take another one going forward. Pretty soon you will have made a nice straight line of divots across the range. The superintendent will love you! This way, you will get comfortable with hitting the ground on every swing and hitting it at the right spot; in front of where the ball lies.
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Lag the Clubhead
For all full swings keep the club head behind your hands as long as possible to make sure that you hit the ball first, then the ground. When you lag the club and let it release at the last possible moment you are storing your energy and maintaining control. Remember, as soon as the club catches up to your hands and starts to pass them you are no longer descending and no longer in control of the face.
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The Sweet Spot is the Key
Hitting the sweet spot is a must to maximize accuracy and distance with your driver. To check where you are hitting you can buy face tape or face spray at your local golf superstore. If you can't find those simply use a dry erase marker and color the face of your driver. All of these options will show you a nice ball mark on the face where you are making contact. Knowing where you are striking the ball on the face will give you great feedback about your swing.
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To Strike Down Move Your Weight Forward
Make sure to have your weight over the ball at impact so you can hit the ball first and then the ground. If your head and sternum are leaning back too much your weight will be on your rear foot and you will strike the ball with an upward blow. This will usually result in a thin shot and no divot. To hit down on the ball and compress it, you need to be more on top of it.
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Hit Down to Pop it Up
Make sure to hit down on your pitch shots. Hitting down allows the ball to pop back up. Just let the club go down by allowing it to use gravity and drop to the ground. You don't have to feel like you push it or help it down. When you push the club you will often release it early causing it to bottom out too soon and then you catch the ball on an upswing instead of with a downward strike.
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Stay Relaxed to Release
One reason why the arms don't extend is because the player doesn't let them release or roll over. Make sure that your rear arm rolls over your front arm as you come through impact. As you pivot through the shot and create rotational speed the centrifugal force will throw your arms out and extend them through impact. As long as your arms are relaxed and you aren't trying to control or force the swing, they will return straight just like they were at address.
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Play Irons at the Bottom of Your Arc
Play irons just forward of center. That way you will trap the ball at the bottom point in the arc if you are properly shifting your weight. It doesn't matter which iron you are hitting. If you are shifting your weight, the bottom of the arc will be forward of center. Remember, you need to hit down on irons to get the ball to pop back up in the air, so trapping it at the bottom point of the arc is crucial.
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Make Sure to Hit the Ground With Practice Swings
Practice hitting the ground without a ball. Swing down and take a divot about the size of a dollar bill. If you hit the ground, then hit your shot. If you don't make contact with the ground keep trying to take a divot on your practice swing until you get one. Don't hold up play though!
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Extend Your Arms Through Impact
To make sure your arms aren't getting shorter through impact, try extending them through the shot and making them longer as you hit the ball. After impact they should be fully stretched out. It is important to keep rotating and pivoting through the shot so that your arms have room to extend. If you stop your pivot your body will get in your way and your arms will buckle.
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Look at the Inside Quarter of the Ball
Try to focus on and hit the inside back quarter of the golf ball. Most good players will tell you to look there as it facilitates and inside/out swing path. An inside/out path will help you to hit either straight shots or draws. Some players look at the ball as a whole and others actually look in front of the ball so that they will hit down and through it. If you are trying to overcome an over the top swing or an outside/in path through the ball however, looking at the back inside quarter of the ball will help.
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Toe Hits Are Softer
When hitting a putt-chip, the more you hit the ball off of the toe of the club, the softer the ball will come off. This is a good idea for those slick down hill shots from the fringe. If you want the ball to come off super soft and then grab, a toe hit can come in handy. Just be aware that a strike off of the toe will cause the face to open a bit. I would recommend off setting this by aiming just a bit left of your target.
