Swing problem

Question

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Thanks Eddie for your explanation, but please let me see if I understand, the idea is that, when in the downswing in the moment of impact, the center of my chest should be align with the ball or just a little bit forward (past the ball) and not behind the ball? Is it better that the center of my chest be align or past the center?
Also, regards the drill you tell me, how much distance should I put one tee from the other? I made the exercise setting a distance of 2 Inches from one to the other, and sometimes I hit two or three tees at once. I'm doing this drill with a 6 iron.
I also notice that when using the 5,6,iron I磎 hitting the ball, almost near the toe of the club face. Since I磎 sure my stance is correct, I guess my body is coming back at the moment of impact.  Does this has also something to do with my swing problem with 5,6,7 irons?

Thanks again and best regards!



Hi Eddie, I am learning how to play the game but I have a problem that I磎 trying to solve and perhaps with some of your recommendations and explanations I will fix them. 20% to 30% of the shots I make with 5,6,7 Iron, I hit the turf about 1 to 0.5 ft back the ball. This does never happen when I use an 8,9,pw or sw. With these, I make good and straight shots. I do 130-140 Yds with my 8 club.
Eddie could you tell me / explain me the 3 or 4 most common problems/situations why this occurs? Is it because, with a larger club, the swing plane is different?
What does it mean "hit down..." to make divots after the ball. Can you also give me a drill for this?
Thanks for your help.

-----Answer-----
Hello Bernardo:
The most common problem is incorrectly using your hands (right hand in particular)in an effort to help get the ball up in the air.  When you have this thought of trying to lift the ball up, when you begin the forward swing towards the ball, your center (the center of your chest) will start to move backwards away from the target in an effort to "get under" the ball.  The club tends to bottom out opposite your center, so if your center moves backwards behind the ball, you are likely to hit behind the ball.  Make sense?  So, here is a drill I do with my students that really helps them.  I line up 5 tees in a row but do not put balls on them.  I ask them to set up to the first tee so that the clubhead is in the center of their stance.  Then, one by one, I ask them to make sure they hit each tee with the leading edge of the clubface (at the bottom of the face).  Once they start swinging, they see where the club strikes the ground.  If they hit a foot behind the tee, they see it.  So without balls, start trying to hit the tees first.  Once you get good at hitting the tees with the leading edge, put a ball on the fifth tee.  Make 4 practice swings at the other tees, clipping the grass or breaking the tee with the leading edge, then step up to the golf ball and do the same thing.  Notice where you hit the ground?  Was it where the tee was or was it behind the tee?  The more you can swing your club forward towards the target to a complete finish, the better your contact will get.  The more you try to use your hands incorrectly in an attempt to "get under or help the ball" up in the air, the worse it will get.  Give it a try, You'll like what you see.

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

Answer
Hi Bernardo:
At impact, the center of your chest should return to the ball, facing it.  If your upper body moves backwards away from the target in an attempt to lift the ball up, you hit behind the ball.  I tell all my students to practice making some swings and when you begin to swing the club forward towards the target, I want their chest and their belt buckle turning towards the target.  When finished, your belt buckle faces the target, all your weight is on the outside of your left foot, and your back foot is straight up and down, no weight left on it.  As far as the drill goes, if you laid a club on the ground directly out in front of you at your address position and the club was in the middle of your feet, place 5 tees along the front edge of the shaft on the ground about 6 inches apart. (Picture the letter T upside down laying on the ground.  You would be standing against the top of the T.  Notice how the rest of the tee is pointing away from you directly in front of your center).  Place the tees along that line about 6 inches apart.  The clubhead goes in the center of your stance.  The ball would be just forward of the center of the stance.  Make some swings at the tees and see where you hit the ground.  You should strike the tee first then the ground.  Try to break the tees.  If you keep hitting behind the line, keep trying until you begin to hit the turf in front of the line.  You'll get it, it just takes practice.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member