Hi Alex. I had an epiphany playing at Reunion in Florida back in February around this very issue. I always struggled to hit a divot. All of a sudden I decided to line up with my club face IN FRONT of the ball. Then, without moving my body position, I would lift my club gentally over to the back of the ball. This position now naturally aligned the bottom of my swing slightly in front of the ball. I can now hit a divot every time without even thinking.
This is exactly what I ended up figuring out for myself. I started doing half swings for more control and then I started purposefully delofting my clubs so that I could force my hands forward right from the start. I also transfer the majority of my weight forward while I'm bringing my backswing up. There's no sway at all backward. I never transfer any weight to my back foot at any point. I just stay with the mindset of playing a "punch" shot for everything. It might be sacrificing distance for someone who is good, but for someone who never gets compression, this method will actually fly further for even less effort.
Alex I've been there. This is a major tip for pickers. But you did not mention relaxed grip. If you follow this video without relaxed hands, you will still fail to compress the ball. With relaxed hands, you introduce lag and allow the bounce to help you find the bottom of your swing. A Stricker-style swing doesn't work for most of us IMHO.
Alex, you should be rewarded with the Order of Merit for this video. The most valuable golf tips are those which are effective and can be implemented at address, before starting any movement, as they are the simplest to do. Thanks, I’ve had the best round of my life by just following this guidelines.
Hi Alex, I can’t thank you enough for your tip about addressing the ball about a club head length behind ball and off the toe. I have taken it to the range and can’t believe how pure I’m now hitting my drives. I’ve been a chronic slicer and now I’m hitting it down the middle. Pure genius Alex. I guess the true test is tomorrow when I take it to the course for the first time. I’ll let you know how it all goes.
Oh my gosh! Took this to the course today after watching yesterday and I have never hit straighter shots at the pin like this. Looking forward to a golf trip next week. Thank you!!!
Brand new to this channel. Scratchy playa now with broken shoulder and frozen for about 5 to 6 months after healing. I really think I can absorb our great instruction MENTALLY. Thank you while I use Physical Therapy and something to love to listen too. Thx.
Ok. So, I look at a lot of golf videos. Finally something really helped. Kudos to Alex! I practiced this technique and then played. For the first time I was 2 over par. I will be following Alex.
Great tips! I practiced this a bit for several days on the mat and then to the course. I've been hovering between 86 and 92, but shot an 81 using these techniques. Going to practice this more and break 80 soon!Thank you!
That's as simple an explanation of the steps involved in striking a ball as I've heard. Having the majority of your weight on your forward leg from beginning to end is the "secret" information much talked about but not followed by struggling golfers (which I learned the hard way myself). Let body rotation "swing" the arms. The arm muscles just relax and let the momentum of the rotation of the torso do the work. It's a peculiar habit to develop but will bring great rewards. Great video!
Just hearing this about the arms. Danny Maude showed the arms trailing in a video. Cant wait to try that at the range. I definitely have never done that with my swing.
Excellent tip for using the scoring clubs Alex! I have started to grip down more on my irons (mostly one inch) and I play my most of my irons, hybrids and fairway woods off of center or just in front by a club head or so. In viewing this video, I now find maybe I should grip down just a little further for more control. Good Job Alex! Always learning from you! Keep up the good work!
This is stack and tilt basically. And it has changed my game. I am no longer hanging back in the back foot, and the low point gives me a natural divot. I play more like 80/20 on the front foot and no longer am thinking about shifting my weight. Just tilt, back right pocket up, and tilt down, letting shoulders lead. I no longer think about my weight shift. Big improvements for me, more distance, downward strike, and less thinking. Thx Elliot, this confirms my change.
Tried this today and had best ball striking for years, even tried it with 5 wood and driver. No heel strikes at all. Very little distance loss. Thanks ,Alex
You made me a subscriber after using this tip during my round this morning and had the best round of my life! I’ve only been playing for a year but was hitting my 5 iron onto the green… unreal tip! Thanks Alex!
Thank you for the great advice alex. Ive always felt i scooped the ball and not dug into it more. This is going to help im sure. Ive managed to start shooting into the low 90's and this little bit of advice i hope will knock another 5/10 shots of my rounds👏👏
I am an extremely compeitive ex baseball player trying to learn the golf swing many years later. I am too stubborn to pay for lessons, so I watch a lot of TH-cam videos and go to the range way more than I actually play golf. Most of the time I leave the range more confused about the golf swing than when I arrived. This video is the only video that has ever made a difference in my swing and I left the range today hitting every single one of my irons from 9 to 3 hybrid ball first and consistently. Im not sure what it is about imagining a "punch" shot, but it definitely worked for me. Good luck out there
If you’re competitive (ie wanting to play well), I suggest getting over the lessons thing. You may be an athlete, but a golf swing is a specialized, nuanced skill. It’s invaluable to have another set of eyes on it. You’ll fast forward past a lot of frustration.
Oh my gosh, this is amazing. Tried on the range, then right out to the course. First hole, PW, stuck to 6' (missed the birdie putt). Used this method multiple times during the round, and outside of 2 or 3 bad swings worked like a charm. This 'cheat code' was the real thing for me. So much so, I told my just met playing partners (I went out as a single) about it. It's too good to keep a secret.
This worked! I'm serious. Tried this today on the range before my round and absolutely striped every ball in the bucket. I took it to the course and had the best ball striking day I've had probably in the last 5 years. In fact, I actually got into some trouble because I was hitting my approach shots too good! The course and greens were firm and fast and I was hitting each club further than expected so I was hitting through the greens pretty often and my short game, which is normally my bread and butter deserted me today leading to a disappointing score, but It didn't matter to me because I was striking the ball SO...Damn...Good! Now I just need to dial in the right clubs and distances.
My struggle right now is that I do all this stuff in practice. I might even do it for the first couple of holes on the course. But then it just falls apart as I think I start to either get lose or tired. I also hate feeling like everyone is watching me when I'm swinging. Any advice for these problems?
I really like this one.a half swing or punch shot . Because when I try to hit the ball hard my timing goes way off and it goes nowhere. I am definitely going to practice this one 👍 keep them coming.
Thank you for your channel. Was out with foot surgery and found your channel. Since I started playing again in Mid July, I have dropped almost 4 strokes from my USGA handicap. It sits at 10.9. I shot a career best 75 this oast Monday. I am 72 years old.
Thanks, Elliot from Chris Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I'm 60, I just started hitting balls after a soso hip replacement. One day was good the next day, yikes. This reminded me of my routine when I was a 6. Brilliant 👏
Thank you Alex for another great video. I have learned , that you must absolutely hit the turf after the ball for a good shot. Aside from that you ruin your wrists on the range, when constantly hitting before the ball on a hard base.
The club face don't hit DOWN on the golf ball. It's only about a few degrees of attack angle differens so speaking of hitting DOWN on the ball can be misleading. It's about a very small shaft leaning and The Release plus hitting the ball before the ground. You can "take a divot" in many different ways and far from all are a good golf shot. Just placing the ball back in the stance might help one issue but at the same time create new ones.
I agree with stack and tilt but idk when I'm swinging really well, I rarely take divots with my irons, basically pick it right off maybe small divot might just be my swing or frequent wet conditions
I get the biggest kick out of videos like this. Last month, Tiger Woods taking no divot was the rage and now this. People stop! I have been a PGA Professional for 20 years….now that professional golf has lost its mind maybe that does mean as much…but it does mean I have been teaching and playing prof for a long time. My mentor was Jimmy Ballard and I assure you a Hogan based fundamental golf swing is all you will ever need. Stay connected throughout the swing from a braced setup and you WILL take a natural divot. More importantly learn to simply put the ball in play on every hole. The game has been and always will be from 150 yards in. I will play ANYBODY with zero stress as all I need to do is get to 150 yards out. Every tour pro in the game knows this. Practice that and your short game. 300 yards from the tee is worthless if you don’t have that 150 yard game and in.
Thanks! Wish I could go back in time and convince my younger self anything is possible and to never give up on a dream regardless of the situation and the obstacles. I just wanted to play golf 365 and smell the fresh crisp morning air.
Yeah 😂 I literally don't know how losing momentum making a divot improves your accuracy. I rarely ever scratch the dirt on grass with my irons unless Im hitting from the rough or with a hybrid.
There was no divot on your tee shot. Could you demonstrate this on a mat? I’m always confused when divots are taught yet so much instruction is done on mats as well as a lot of club fittings.
That works... and that's called "Stack and Tilt"... I have been trying this. I hit my irons more crisply with keeping my weight left. On the driver I hit about 10 drives in a row on the range dead straight by keeping my weight on the left foot and concentrating on falling "back" with my upper body on the downswing (while keeping my weight on the front foot still and hips forward) and I believe this works because the falling back of the upper body on the drive keeps me "behind the ball" allowing for an "upward strike" which is what you want with the driver. For fairway woods and irons, I keep the weight left but don't fall back with the upper body ... what would the modern term be? Covering the ball? That is the upper body is centred. What do you think of this. Although with your method of weight left I don't take big divots, i hit the ball fairly solidly. I am 62 now and had scores as high as 94 last year and a score as low as 72. My problem with driving the ball has always been too much hooking the ball. The weight forward, upper body back seemed to straighten this out a lot. When hooking my driver, I believe my upper body was too much over the ball. Your thoughts? Additionally... this leads to another phenomenon of the golf swing... I analyzed a lot of old pros... Hogan, Snead, Nicklaus etc. Although Hogan didn't seem to keep his weight left, he started it left before the backswing was even finished... I believe he got more whipping action...stretching the elastic band so to speak by doing this. But.... in keeping the weight forward, there was an appearance of the right knee straightening on the backswing. It is seen in a lot of more classical swings and I don't think it is a bad thing. What I think is bad is the players who don't turn the hips at all and torque the back and I think these young guys can do this now but will have back problems in the future. The classical swings with good hip turns were less stressful on the low back. Your thoughts? See youtube video by Tom Saguto and Eric Cogorno about straightening the right leg like the classic swings. th-cam.com/video/TL6EspI3w1o/w-d-xo.html
Alex, you've never miss-hit a shot in any of your TH-cam tutorials. You're the real deal dude!!! I've got to ask you though... Why and the heck are you not on the PGA Tour winning tournaments and winning millions from those tournaments? Even if you come in a tenth place finish, depending on what size the pot is, you could still bring in 6 figures.... And that's only one tourney! I could never figure out why the golf instructors who work with "the best in the world" wouldn't therefore be the best in the world as well since they're coaching the best!!!
Recently listened to a podcast with Hal Sutton who said when he wanted to get his ballstriking tuned up he just focused on hitting the top of the ball with the 5th groove of the clubface. When you focus on these impact dynamics the body will do what it needs to get that 5th groove impacting the ball first. Flush city 👌
So when I've tried this on the range and on the course, the result is an extremely well hit shot, striking ball first and grass after, it goes much further aswell. Lovely change. However, I wanna know why I all of a sudden punch my ball to straight left (I'm a leftie), it doesn't cause a slice or something like that, it's just that I hit my ball slightly to the left (still very much straight, but just not where I aim). I cannot get rid of this habit right now because I don't know what I do wrong. Thanks for the awesome tips by the way!
Hi Alex, thanks for this tip. I took it to the course right away, some teething problems (too deep of a divit at Times) otherwise the results are looking very good.
Just a quick update, it is working for me for all clubs, from wedges to 3 wood, straight and consistent shots. My irons improved also in distance a plus of 10 Yards, due to the new found compression. To keep the weight on the left foot throughout the Swing, works for every shot for me. Had the best score in years last Tuesday. But it needs practicing to see constant results. Thanks again for the tip. By the way, for Driver, I use the John Rahm technique, slice IS now only an accident, not a regular thing anymore.
Awesome tips! Can you play this way without shortening your grip on your clubs and play a normal shot? Just curious because I’m guessing if you hit a full swing your distance will be different..
I really appreciate your videos. It's a great help. But I want to address the idea that you need to take a divot with your irons. I'm a 68 year old golfer. I've only been playing for about a year and 6 months. Currently, I'm making good contact with my irons (e.g. I can get about 150 yards or a bit more with my 7i). I've yet to take a divot. I have a playing partner who experiences the same thing. So he posed the question to me "What's the big deal about taking a divot if we are getting clean strikes on the ball for an average senior distance with our irons?" I don't have an answer for him and I'm starting to wonder the same thing.
Hi, do you take the same club you usually do for the same distance, or do you change to a longer club but gripping down on it. In other words, does the ball travel the same distance hitting your normal 7 iron, and gripping it down?
Do you place the club behind the ball square to the direction and then grip it? Because if you grip it first with a normal grip and then place it one ball (or more like John Rahm) further back the clubface will be tending to point slightly right i.e. open and then you would have to do a minor but artificial left rotation of the hands & arms to get it square. Look at John Rahm's setup about 6 inches behind the ball. Is his clubface square or pointing right?
Further to that, Paul Broadhurst places the clubhead carefully behind the ball with his right hand then places his left hand on the club and brings the right to it
I'm trying this tomorrow because this is where I use to have my ball, but watching videos over the years and moving the ball more forward has caused me to struggle with good contact. I will let you know the results tomorrow. Thanks in advance!
Alex, can you do something on taking too much of a divot, but after the ball? I’ll hit the ball and make good contact ball goes about where I want but I tend to get too much ground after and my club get stuck into the ground. I know it’s a choppy type of problem. If I get in my head about it I’ll get a thin low shot. I’m a 3.7 handicap. But that’s what I’ll end up doing is taking a huge divot but it’s after I make contact. About 25 percent of the time I’d say so it’s a tendency I would say. Ball goes a lot higher on these shots . Even managed to put a 5 wood into the ground yesterday. People watching the ball ended up 5 feet past the green from 230 to the back so I’m not losing anything off the strike. Sorry for rambling just wanted to be as detailed as possible if you do decide to do a video on it
I hit my scoring irons from gap wedge to 7 iron all the way from 110 to 160. My problem is I still don’t take divot. Would this help as well? I have a tournament this weekend, I will try this out
4:10 pm, 5.2.23. How can I increase my angle of attack on my driver. I have lowered my right shoulder, swung under the "sticks", teed it up higher, etc. No matter what I do, I am consistent at 9 degrees with a 10.5 degree driver. I have resorted to using my 3 wood off the tee (220 yds and straight). Help! Thank you in advance...Mark
Great video Alex, new subscriber. Q: it looks like you're left foot is opened more in this stance? Do you open the left side and by how much with these scoring irons?
*This is ONE thing I tell all Golfers to do to SEE INSTANT IRON STRIKE RESULTS*
I was under the impression but correct me if wrong,that the amazing jack Nickalous never took a divot,do we really need too!
Thanx, Alex, fot this marvelous advice. I tried it today and my iron shots were straighter and longer! I had more good contacts, too.
Hi Alex. I had an epiphany playing at Reunion in Florida back in February around this very issue. I always struggled to hit a divot. All of a sudden I decided to line up with my club face IN FRONT of the ball. Then, without moving my body position, I would lift my club gentally over to the back of the ball. This position now naturally aligned the bottom of my swing slightly in front of the ball. I can now hit a divot every time without even thinking.
By😂😊❤ 5:17
@@honestharry2035 I going to try that!
This is exactly what I ended up figuring out for myself. I started doing half swings for more control and then I started purposefully delofting my clubs so that I could force my hands forward right from the start. I also transfer the majority of my weight forward while I'm bringing my backswing up. There's no sway at all backward. I never transfer any weight to my back foot at any point. I just stay with the mindset of playing a "punch" shot for everything. It might be sacrificing distance for someone who is good, but for someone who never gets compression, this method will actually fly further for even less effort.
100%…punch mindset. Great connection, and dead straight!
Alex I've been there. This is a major tip for pickers. But you did not mention relaxed grip. If you follow this video without relaxed hands, you will still fail to compress the ball. With relaxed hands, you introduce lag and allow the bounce to help you find the bottom of your swing. A Stricker-style swing doesn't work for most of us IMHO.
Love the simplicity of his videos. Straight and to the point, and short.
Alex, you should be rewarded with the Order of Merit for this video. The most valuable golf tips are those which are effective and can be implemented at address, before starting any movement, as they are the simplest to do. Thanks, I’ve had the best round of my life by just following this guidelines.
Hi Alex, I can’t thank you enough for your tip about addressing the ball about a club head length behind ball and off the toe. I have taken it to the range and can’t believe how pure I’m now hitting my drives. I’ve been a chronic slicer and now I’m hitting it down the middle. Pure genius Alex. I guess the true test is tomorrow when I take it to the course for the first time. I’ll let you know how it all goes.
Result?
Still waiting on hearing his results?
Oh my gosh! Took this to the course today after watching yesterday and I have never hit straighter shots at the pin like this. Looking forward to a golf trip next week. Thank you!!!
Brand new to this channel. Scratchy playa now with broken shoulder and frozen for about 5 to 6 months after healing. I really think I can absorb our great instruction MENTALLY. Thank you while I use Physical Therapy and something to love to listen too.
Thx.
Ok. So, I look at a lot of golf videos. Finally something really helped. Kudos to Alex! I practiced this technique and then played. For the first time I was 2 over par. I will be following Alex.
Great tips! I practiced this a bit for several days on the mat and then to the course. I've been hovering between 86 and 92, but shot an 81 using these techniques. Going to practice this more and break 80 soon!Thank you!
GOT SOME MORE TIPS coming your way!!!
So the downswing has to be at an acute angle to hit the ball first ,the rest is swagger.
That's as simple an explanation of the steps involved in striking a ball as I've heard. Having the majority of your weight on your forward leg from beginning to end is the "secret" information much talked about but not followed by struggling golfers (which I learned the hard way myself). Let body rotation "swing" the arms. The arm muscles just relax and let the momentum of the rotation of the torso do the work. It's a peculiar habit to develop but will bring great rewards. Great video!
Just hearing this about the arms. Danny Maude showed the arms trailing in a video. Cant wait to try that at the range. I definitely have never done that with my swing.
Excellent tip for using the scoring clubs Alex! I have started to grip down more on my irons (mostly one inch) and I play my most of my irons, hybrids and fairway woods off of center or just in front by a club head or so. In viewing this video, I now find maybe I should grip down just a little further for more control. Good Job Alex! Always learning from you! Keep up the good work!
Thank you John! Please ignore the fake message form AlexElliottGolfs it’s not me
Have you ever been fitted for clubs I'm curious 😊
what difference does it make to you if I have or have not? Mind your own business!!!!!!@@christopherroscoe9886
Good tips. Solid ball-striking comes from an engaged core, no swaying, and that downward motion.
This is stack and tilt basically. And it has changed my game. I am no longer hanging back in the back foot, and the low point gives me a natural divot. I play more like 80/20 on the front foot and no longer am thinking about shifting my weight. Just tilt, back right pocket up, and tilt down, letting shoulders lead. I no longer think about my weight shift. Big improvements for me, more distance, downward strike, and less thinking. Thx Elliot, this confirms my change.
Glad this helps you !!
Tried this today and had best ball striking for years, even tried it with 5 wood and driver. No heel strikes at all. Very little distance loss. Thanks ,Alex
Used this technique on my last round.... works like a champ. TH-cam is filled with golf tip videos; yours are some of the best. Thanks.
thank you!
I tried this tip on the range and then on the course after. I've been struggling with my irons just lately and this has done the trick. Thank you!
Thanks!
Thank you so much
I switched to punch shots in Florida to control the ball in wind. Would you suggest closing the club face a bit?
This is an excellent lesson Alex thank you it totally makes it much easier when you choke down a little and move the ball back and shorten your swing
100% stack and tilt! This is how I hit every iron shot for the last 5 years, game changing!
6i is my longest iron and so it's easy to use this through all my irons.
Yeah…. Tom Saguto has been making vids about this for years!
@@TheAlfonzoBonzocrispy KFC😂
Yep...I haven't figured it out for driver and woods BUT irons...oh man it's money...
@@TheAlfonzoBonzo Yeah, he is the best. Stack and Tilt is the best swing in my opinion. And i am angry that none of my teachers is teaching that. .-)
Alex, Your tips have improved my game tremendously. My clubs are fitted, do I still grip down? if so, how much.
Thanks. Brian Dunston
Watch my latest video!! It’s all about a grip routine - th-cam.com/video/7gEyZth-dwg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6OdawN-sAoqt7So1
This absolutely works, best iron striking for a long time, thanks Alex.
You made me a subscriber after using this tip during my round this morning and had the best round of my life! I’ve only been playing for a year but was hitting my 5 iron onto the green… unreal tip! Thanks Alex!
Tom Saguto golf, look him up😉
Thank you for the great advice alex. Ive always felt i scooped the ball and not dug into it more. This is going to help im sure. Ive managed to start shooting into the low 90's and this little bit of advice i hope will knock another 5/10 shots of my rounds👏👏
Thanks for all the proper instruction Alex. That is a lovely old mature looking golf course here. What is the name and slope rating?
I am an extremely compeitive ex baseball player trying to learn the golf swing many years later. I am too stubborn to pay for lessons, so I watch a lot of TH-cam videos and go to the range way more than I actually play golf. Most of the time I leave the range more confused about the golf swing than when I arrived. This video is the only video that has ever made a difference in my swing and I left the range today hitting every single one of my irons from 9 to 3 hybrid ball first and consistently. Im not sure what it is about imagining a "punch" shot, but it definitely worked for me. Good luck out there
If you’re competitive (ie wanting to play well), I suggest getting over the lessons thing. You may be an athlete, but a golf swing is a specialized, nuanced skill. It’s invaluable to have another set of eyes on it. You’ll fast forward past a lot of frustration.
A quick follow up to my last comment... Used your technique again today and holed my second shot from about 100 yards for an eagle... thanks again!
Oh wow, brilliant!!
Thank you Alex I used to look at the back of the ball but since your video about aiming at the front of the ball the results are amazing
Oh my gosh, this is amazing. Tried on the range, then right out to the course. First hole, PW, stuck to 6' (missed the birdie putt). Used this method multiple times during the round, and outside of 2 or 3 bad swings worked like a charm. This 'cheat code' was the real thing for me. So much so, I told my just met playing partners (I went out as a single) about it. It's too good to keep a secret.
This worked! I'm serious. Tried this today on the range before my round and absolutely striped every ball in the bucket. I took it to the course and had the best ball striking day I've had probably in the last 5 years. In fact, I actually got into some trouble because I was hitting my approach shots too good! The course and greens were firm and fast and I was hitting each club further than expected so I was hitting through the greens pretty often and my short game, which is normally my bread and butter deserted me today leading to a disappointing score, but It didn't matter to me because I was striking the ball SO...Damn...Good! Now I just need to dial in the right clubs and distances.
My struggle right now is that I do all this stuff in practice. I might even do it for the first couple of holes on the course. But then it just falls apart as I think I start to either get lose or tired. I also hate feeling like everyone is watching me when I'm swinging. Any advice for these problems?
Great video I tried this at the range today! You weren’t lying it’s like a cheat code! Thank you for the tips!
I really like this one.a half swing or punch shot . Because when I try to hit the ball hard my timing goes way off and it goes nowhere. I am definitely going to practice this one 👍 keep them coming.
Thank you for your channel. Was out with foot surgery and found your channel. Since I started playing again in Mid July, I have dropped almost 4 strokes from my USGA handicap. It sits at 10.9. I shot a career best 75 this oast Monday. I am 72 years old.
So good to hear!! Hope you have recovered all ok
So true. Weight on the left is the key. Great video.
I rarely EVER take a divot. Doing my head in! I'm give this a go Alex.
Thanks, Elliot from Chris Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I'm 60, I just started hitting balls after a soso hip replacement. One day was good the next day, yikes. This reminded me of my routine when I was a 6. Brilliant 👏
Great concept but because it’s so wet this year I can’t stop taking big divots or chunking it and suggestions for these conditions
I actually used this today and man it really works ! As the 7-9 are my worst clubs ! But today what a improvement! Outstanding cheat code!!!
Thank you Alex for another great video. I have learned , that you must absolutely hit the turf after the ball for a good shot. Aside from that you ruin your wrists on the range, when constantly hitting before the ball on a hard base.
The club face don't hit DOWN on the golf ball. It's only about a few degrees of attack angle differens so speaking of hitting DOWN on the ball can be misleading. It's about a very small shaft leaning and The Release plus hitting the ball before the ground. You can "take a divot" in many different ways and far from all are a good golf shot.
Just placing the ball back in the stance might help one issue but at the same time create new ones.
Alex what about long irons and wedges. Where would you place the ball for those Irons?
Once again your 5 min, to the point videos give me ideas to take to the driving range. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Ryan!!!
Is there any disance loss with this technique?
Brilliant advice. You see this all the time - pro's hitting short iron punch shots into greens. It's a no-brainer.
I agree with stack and tilt but idk when I'm swinging really well, I rarely take divots with my irons, basically pick it right off maybe small divot might just be my swing or frequent wet conditions
I get the biggest kick out of videos like this. Last month, Tiger Woods taking no divot was the rage and now this. People stop! I have been a PGA Professional for 20 years….now that professional golf has lost its mind maybe that does mean as much…but it does mean I have been teaching and playing prof for a long time. My mentor was Jimmy Ballard and I assure you a Hogan based fundamental golf swing is all you will ever need. Stay connected throughout the swing from a braced setup and you WILL take a natural divot. More importantly learn to simply put the ball in play on every hole. The game has been and always will be from 150 yards in. I will play ANYBODY with zero stress as all I need to do is get to 150 yards out. Every tour pro in the game knows this. Practice that and your short game. 300 yards from the tee is worthless if you don’t have that 150 yard game and in.
Thanks! Wish I could go back in time and convince my younger self anything is possible and to never give up on a dream regardless of the situation and the obstacles. I just wanted to play golf 365 and smell the fresh crisp morning air.
If you can consistently get down in three from 150 yards you are an excellent player
I’ll buy that@@crispyduck1706
Well said sir .
Yeah 😂 I literally don't know how losing momentum making a divot improves your accuracy. I rarely ever scratch the dirt on grass with my irons unless Im hitting from the rough or with a hybrid.
There was no divot on your tee shot. Could you demonstrate this on a mat? I’m always confused when divots are taught yet so much instruction is done on mats as well as a lot of club fittings.
Solid advice as always Alex. I've often gripped down on a club if felt I needed more control. It 100% works
The Hank you James!!!
That works... and that's called "Stack and Tilt"... I have been trying this. I hit my irons more crisply with keeping my weight left. On the driver I hit about 10 drives in a row on the range dead straight by keeping my weight on the left foot and concentrating on falling "back" with my upper body on the downswing (while keeping my weight on the front foot still and hips forward) and I believe this works because the falling back of the upper body on the drive keeps me "behind the ball" allowing for an "upward strike" which is what you want with the driver. For fairway woods and irons, I keep the weight left but don't fall back with the upper body ... what would the modern term be? Covering the ball? That is the upper body is centred. What do you think of this. Although with your method of weight left I don't take big divots, i hit the ball fairly solidly. I am 62 now and had scores as high as 94 last year and a score as low as 72. My problem with driving the ball has always been too much hooking the ball. The weight forward, upper body back seemed to straighten this out a lot. When hooking my driver, I believe my upper body was too much over the ball. Your thoughts?
Additionally... this leads to another phenomenon of the golf swing... I analyzed a lot of old pros... Hogan, Snead, Nicklaus etc. Although Hogan didn't seem to keep his weight left, he started it left before the backswing was even finished... I believe he got more whipping action...stretching the elastic band so to speak by doing this. But.... in keeping the weight forward, there was an appearance of the right knee straightening on the backswing. It is seen in a lot of more classical swings and I don't think it is a bad thing. What I think is bad is the players who don't turn the hips at all and torque the back and I think these young guys can do this now but will have back problems in the future. The classical swings with good hip turns were less stressful on the low back. Your thoughts?
See youtube video by Tom Saguto and Eric Cogorno about straightening the right leg like the classic swings.
th-cam.com/video/TL6EspI3w1o/w-d-xo.html
Adopted this technique and had instant great results. Try it, you’ll love it.
Alex, where do you look for this? Back of the ball? Front of the ball? In front of the ball? (Loving the tips BTW) Thanks, Paul
Alex, you've never miss-hit a shot in any of your TH-cam tutorials. You're the real deal dude!!! I've got to ask you though... Why and the heck are you not on the PGA Tour winning tournaments and winning millions from those tournaments? Even if you come in a tenth place finish, depending on what size the pot is, you could still bring in 6 figures.... And that's only one tourney!
I could never figure out why the golf instructors who work with "the best in the world" wouldn't therefore be the best in the world as well since they're coaching the best!!!
F
Hi Alex, thanks for all your advice 👍, can you please help am can't hit my 3&5 wood off the ground , any advice would be fantastic
Recently listened to a podcast with Hal Sutton who said when he wanted to get his ballstriking tuned up he just focused on hitting the top of the ball with the 5th groove of the clubface. When you focus on these impact dynamics the body will do what it needs to get that 5th groove impacting the ball first. Flush city 👌
This set up I have been trying for a long time. Really encourages a nasty hosel shot for me. Any tips?
So when I've tried this on the range and on the course, the result is an extremely well hit shot, striking ball first and grass after, it goes much further aswell. Lovely change. However, I wanna know why I all of a sudden punch my ball to straight left (I'm a leftie), it doesn't cause a slice or something like that, it's just that I hit my ball slightly to the left (still very much straight, but just not where I aim). I cannot get rid of this habit right now because I don't know what I do wrong. Thanks for the awesome tips by the way!
Hi Alex, thanks for this tip. I took it to the course right away, some teething problems (too deep of a divit at Times) otherwise the results are looking very good.
Just a quick update, it is working for me for all clubs, from wedges to 3 wood, straight and consistent shots. My irons improved also in distance a plus of 10 Yards, due to the new found compression. To keep the weight on the left foot throughout the Swing, works for every shot for me. Had the best score in years last Tuesday. But it needs practicing to see constant results. Thanks again for the tip. By the way, for Driver, I use the John Rahm technique, slice IS now only an accident, not a regular thing anymore.
you keep your lead foot open, is this something you teach for rotation or something that works specifically for you and is tailored to your swing?
How do you control overdrawing the ball from this position?
Awesome tips! Can you play this way without shortening your grip on your clubs and play a normal shot? Just curious because I’m guessing if you hit a full swing your distance will be different..
I really appreciate your videos. It's a great help. But I want to address the idea that you need to take a divot with your irons. I'm a 68 year old golfer. I've only been playing for about a year and 6 months. Currently, I'm making good contact with my irons (e.g. I can get about 150 yards or a bit more with my 7i). I've yet to take a divot. I have a playing partner who experiences the same thing. So he posed the question to me "What's the big deal about taking a divot if we are getting clean strikes on the ball for an average senior distance with our irons?" I don't have an answer for him and I'm starting to wonder the same thing.
Hi, do you take the same club you usually do for the same distance, or do you change to a longer club but gripping down on it. In other words, does the ball travel the same distance hitting your normal 7 iron, and gripping it down?
What adjustment has to be made since you move your grip a few inches down the shaft into “the middle of the grip”?
Does it work on the putting green ?
Does this even work with one length irons that have been fitted for you, cuz I have the cobra rad speed 1 length irons that have been fitted for me
So am I understanding you correctly that you grip down on the club and set the ball back in your stance a ball or so?
yes
Alex how wide should your feet. Also it looks like you have a open stance. Is this correct for this shot?
I was always told you move the ball to the left towards your left foot the longer the club is
Alex I am having a problem pull hooking when I'm on my left foot even though I make such flush contact. Do you have any advice regarding that?
Yeah i will defiantly try and cover this for you !
What drill can I do to help my arms extend through the ball
Do you place the club behind the ball square to the direction and then grip it? Because if you grip it first with a normal grip and then place it one ball (or more like John Rahm) further back the clubface will be tending to point slightly right i.e. open and then you would have to do a minor but artificial left rotation of the hands & arms to get it square. Look at John Rahm's setup about 6 inches behind the ball. Is his clubface square or pointing right?
Further to that, Paul Broadhurst places the clubhead carefully behind the ball with his right hand then places his left hand on the club and brings the right to it
I'm trying this tomorrow because this is where I use to have my ball, but watching videos over the years and moving the ball more forward has caused me to struggle with good contact. I will let you know the results tomorrow. Thanks in advance!
Yes let me know how you get on with this! Id love for you to report back!
Will give this a go today in our world matchplay game at The Warwickshire. 🤞
I struggle big time with my irons. This makes perfect sense! But seems gripping down on the club would cause me to top the ball 🤔
New sub.
Damn Alex. You are a credit to the game and a huge help to me. Thank you!!!!
Alex, can you do something on taking too much of a divot, but after the ball? I’ll hit the ball and make good contact ball goes about where I want but I tend to get too much ground after and my club get stuck into the ground. I know it’s a choppy type of problem. If I get in my head about it I’ll get a thin low shot. I’m a 3.7 handicap. But that’s what I’ll end up doing is taking a huge divot but it’s after I make contact. About 25 percent of the time I’d say so it’s a tendency I would say. Ball goes a lot higher on these shots . Even managed to put a 5 wood into the ground yesterday. People watching the ball ended up 5 feet past the green from 230 to the back so I’m not losing anything off the strike. Sorry for rambling just wanted to be as detailed as possible if you do decide to do a video on it
As always you never fail to deliver great advice 👍
Thank you so much Andy!!
What would be the average distance with those scoring irons
Great video! Thanks so much, Alex! 👍😎
What a great video. Superb as always mate 👍👍
Does it work if my divot is behind the ball? 🤔🤔
Doesn't this reduce loft though? And therefore distance?
No it shouldn’t do
Exactly the lesson I needed !
I hit my scoring irons from gap wedge to 7 iron all the way from 110 to 160. My problem is I still don’t take divot. Would this help as well? I have a tournament this weekend, I will try this out
I HAVE YOU SORTED LARRY KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE CHANNEL
@@AlexElliottGolf I watch your channel everyday. One of the best in all of TH-cam
4:10 pm, 5.2.23. How can I increase my angle of attack on my driver. I have lowered my right shoulder, swung under the "sticks", teed it up higher, etc. No matter what I do, I am consistent at 9 degrees with a 10.5 degree driver. I have resorted to using my 3 wood off the tee (220 yds and straight). Help! Thank you in advance...Mark
The message below is FAKE! Alexelliottgolfs is not me please ignore.
Thank you for the support
Great video Alex, new subscriber.
Q: it looks like you're left foot is opened more in this stance? Do you open the left side and by how much with these scoring irons?
by opening your left foot its easier to get your hips through on contact im a 8 handicap it works for me and your wedges especially.
The punch shot has changed my game, especially playing in windy conditions 👍
i believe you've just described a stack and tilt golf swing :)
Is this Stack and Tilt?
Yes, it’s the 747 method using the stack and tilt.
how can I know how far to choke my hands up the club?
keep it up great videos i watch all the time
how do i stop blading with the sand wedge? its the only one i cant get right
I played 18 today.seems like any iron shot around 100 yards, I either top it,or hit it fat, any chip within 30 yards or about im great.
You're videos are DYNAMITE!
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
Well done and thanks !
Wow, I figured this out on my own but I thought I was doing it wrong because my grip was so far ahead of the ball at the start of the swing
Trying this tmrw Alex.
How do I start using the iron's as a beginner
Loads of tips across the channel on irons