Toe hit

Question
Hi Eddie,

My question concerns hitting the ball continuously on the outer toe of the irons and drivers. I compensate by having a good hand rotation. I want to hit the "sweet spot" center. What are the most common issues with this condition?  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Mark:
The biggest reason toe hits occur is because the club is moving across the target line towards you in a cutting across motion.  We just have to figure out why.  Usually, it's incorrect hand action which causes it.  If the hands do not rotate correctly but instead flip the clubhead at the ball, it will result in the clubface moving across the line at impact.  That would leave a mark on the toe.  If a persons swing is too upright (vertical), they will tend to pull down and towards themself, which would cause the clubface to move across the line again, causing a toe hit.  Anytime the club is being pulled it is moving towards you..........result is a toe hit.  So let's focus on what you should do.  Picture the target as 12 o'clock.  Make some practice swings trying to catch the ball on the inside portion closest to you as it is swinging out towards 1 o'clock.  This inside / out swing path will get you releasing the club more out away from you instead of the clubhead coming towards you.  With toe hits, the clubhead is moving towards 10 or 11 o'clock.  So picture the club swinging on the correct path, make some small swings with a 7 iron, and swing out towards 1 o'clock.  The marks will start getting more to the middle of the face.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member