Winter Strike.

FixdePitchmark

I take a large divot on iron shots.

Question for single figure guys.

Do you ever change the way you swing or strike the ball off soft ground ?

Corkblowin

Not really, you're catching the ball first in any event so no need to change anything - only thing is your wrists won't take as much of a pounding!

Having said that there is less margin for error,so if its particularly soggy you could play the ball slightly further back and punch it more - bit like coming out of a fairway bunker. I wouldn't do that all the time though, otherwise come next April you'll have developed bad habits and your full swing will be off.

In summary - play your normal game as much as possible and enjoy the crisp mornings!

FixdePitchmark

Corkblowin wrote: »

Not really, you're catching the ball first in any event so no need to change anything - only thing is your wrists won't take as much of a pounding!

Having said that there is less margin for error,so if its particularly soggy you could play the ball slightly further back and punch it more - bit like coming out of a fairway bunker. I wouldn't do that all the time though, otherwise come next April you'll have developed bad habits and your full swing will be off.

In summary - play your normal game as much as possible and enjoy the crisp mornings!

That was my thinking, in the past I've tried to take less of a divot, this is flawed logic i think. Will see how it goes, but see what your saying on less margin for error, I tend to have total duffs into the sod.

Corkblowin

Yeah get it heavy in soggy ground and you're dead. Thats why its important to ensure that if you do make an error its in catching the ball a bit thin so that it has some chance of making the trip. With soft greens its less likely to shoot through coming in lower than in the summer. But like I said, just spend the winter working on your strike - it'll benefit on hard-pan next summer too.

Mizuno Man

Just try not to think about the soggy ground at all! Easier said than done I suppose!

I always try to play exactly the same game in wniter as summer. Remember that if you do catch a lot of shots heavy in winter on soggy ground then it is actually showing you that you likely do that all the time but just get away with it on the firmer summer ground, so be thankful for the feedback and concentrate only on getting the ball first. Don't try to change your angle of attack at all I would say...

irish bloke

I used have this shot in my bag alot before.
I would just catch the ball followed by a big divot, or just before the ball (fat) with a big divot.

Anyone I ever spoke to about this and including myself thought I needed to play the ball a little further back in my stance to promote ball first contact.

I eventually went to a pro and after 3 swings he corrected this for me.

He said I was:
a) leaning too much to the left at address
b) hands were ahead of the club face at address
c) playing all my clubs in the centre to back of my stance

This all promoted a steep angle of attack.

Now I distribute my weight abt 50/50 over the ball, hands in line with the club head at address and the ball is ALWAYS forward in my stance for all clubs (LW to 3I).

My ball position is always just inside my left heal now and I move my right foot out further as the clubs get longer.

It might not help you but it was like a eureka moment for me..:)

FixdePitchmark

irish bloke wrote: »

I used have this shot in my bag alot before.
I would just catch the ball followed by a big divot, or just before the ball (fat) with a big divot.

Anyone I ever spoke to about this and including myself thought I needed to play the ball a little further back in my stance to promote ball first contact.

I eventually went to a pro and after 3 swings he corrected this for me.

He said I was:
a) leaning too much to the left at address
b) hands were ahead of the club face at address
c) playing all my clubs in the centre to back of my stance

This all promoted a steep angle of attack.

Now I distribute my weight abt 50/50 over the ball, hands in line with the club head at address and the ball is ALWAYS forward in my stance for all clubs (LW to 3I).

My ball position is always just inside my left heal now and I move my right foot out further as the clubs get longer.

It might not help you but it was like a eureka moment for me..:)

Well said, that is me, are you me ?

I read somewhere (bad tip), that you progress the ball back in your stance with more lofted clubs, then I went to middle stance, now I'm thinking I was wrong all along, play ok (11). I then seen 2.5 balls from left heel, head wrecked. I'm going to Carton House for lesson. Strange I am striking the ball well, 8 iron 165 yrds. But it could be that the ball is so far back I'm losing loft , so not an 8 iron in a way.

FixdePitchmark

irish bloke wrote: »

I used have this shot in my bag alot before.
I would just catch the ball followed by a big divot, or just before the ball (fat) with a big divot.

Anyone I ever spoke to about this and including myself thought I needed to play the ball a little further back in my stance to promote ball first contact.

I eventually went to a pro and after 3 swings he corrected this for me.

He said I was:
a) leaning too much to the left at address
b) hands were ahead of the club face at address
c) playing all my clubs in the centre to back of my stance

This all promoted a steep angle of attack.

Now I distribute my weight abt 50/50 over the ball, hands in line with the club head at address and the ball is ALWAYS forward in my stance for all clubs (LW to 3I).

My ball position is always just inside my left heal now and I move my right foot out further as the clubs get longer.

It might not help you but it was like a eureka moment for me..:)

Is your right foot moving for every iron, that is tough ? So much changing.

AldilaMan

If I'm standing on particulary soggy ground I will stand a little taller to compensate for sinking below the ball. Stops me hitting a big fat one that goes 40 yards :mad:

irish bloke

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Strange I am striking the ball well, 8 iron 165 yrds. But it could be that the ball is so far back I'm losing loft , so not an 8 iron in a way.

It’s not strange to strike the ball well like this, as when you connect with them they will move quite well, problem is consistency connecting with them. For me I had a slightly lower trajectory on a lot of shots too.

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Is your right foot moving for every iron, that is tough ? So much changing.

I keep my ball position the same relative to my left foot for all shots off the deck.
My right foot just moves out depending on club length.
I.E. right foot would be further away from the ball with a 3 Iron then it would be with a lob wedge.
Note: I don’t think about this right foot move and let it rest where I feel comfortable; I just concentrate in getting my ball position correct relative to my left foot.

Butch Harmon would say that the ball position should be directly under the logo of your shirt (or left nipple) for all shots

k.p.h

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Is your right foot moving for every iron, that is tough ? So much changing.

Moving the ball around just makes it harder to hit ...

FixdePitchmark

irish bloke wrote: »

It’s not strange to strike the ball well like this, as when you connect with them they will move quite well, problem is consistency connecting with them. For me I had a slightly lower trajectory on a lot of shots too.



I keep my ball position the same relative to my left foot for all shots off the deck.
My right foot just moves out depending on club length.
I.E. right foot would be further away from the ball with a 3 Iron then it would be with a lob wedge.
Note: I don’t think about this right foot move and let it rest where I feel comfortable; I just concentrate in getting my ball position correct relative to my left foot.

Butch Harmon would say that the ball position should be directly under the logo of your shirt (or left nipple) for all shots

Great stuff lads, who needs a lesson.

Was out today, went well, more height on the ball and less distance, but good. Will take time.

I've been playing a punch all my life.

87 around portmarnock links (first round on course). Played well, but lost two balls not knowing course.

Thanks all.

Tones69

Was happening me in Gowran today, was driving me nuts catching too many of them heavy

DC1976

Large divits are usually from being far too steep, try and swing more flat. Dont pick the club up as quick, arc it