Without a doubt, the single most helpful tip I have ever received about golf was to stop trying to hit the golf ball. Focus on making the best swing you can and just let the ball get in the way of that swing. That changed my game in a single year from being a recreational player, who was happy to break 100 to being someone who broke 80 routinely! Excellent tip!
I totally agree with this concept 'Gamer33', of just simply concentrating on getting a smooth swing, and letting the ball look after itself. My coaching lessons from the club Pro, we're over 30 years ago and I often hear myself saying to my grandson "just let the ball look after itself", and wondering if the Pro gave that thought to me? Too long ago to remember, but I believe 100% in that technique.
It’s the damn ball. I started looking ahead of the ball a couple of months ago and it’s really improved my ball striking. In fact I look at the ball on the backswing and shift my eyes to around 3 or 4 inches in front of the ball just before I start down. This eye shift makes me feel that I can’t reach that far ahead. Net result is that my weight shifts forward without even trying. I have only hit 1 fat shot since I started doing this. After the fat shot I realized I was looking at the ball.
Happy to admit this was my lesson Ali is referring too. The insight he gave me was invaluable and would highly recommend. Thanks again Ali and see you soon
Whenever I try to focus on something in front of the ball and hit it my brain won’t let me and I stop turning and hit behind it... was there any trick you used to fool your brain?
@@mikearon1970 yes draw the 2 lines like in the video. Practice hitting the 2nd line Infront of the ball without the ball being there. Do this 5 or 6 times to get a feel for it and then bring the ball in but keep your focus on the line Infront of the ball. Don't think about the ball at all. Hope this helps and good luck
I think my problem would be convincing myself that I’m not going to miss the ball if I don’t aim for it …have it 1000’s of balls looking at it so hard to change. Any tips ?
@@deantonna Don't look at the ball would be the best tip! Lots of practice doing it to 'undo' the focus on the ball being the target, which it is isn't. Don't worry about missing it or miss hitting it on the the range. Just persist.
This is probably the best piece of advice/instruction I've ever seen. When I took my last lesson, the coach asked me to aim in front of the ball and I was making decent contact, but understanding the reasoning and seeing it demonstrated is awesome. bravo!
I've only recently come across this advice, which now seems to be trending on TH-cam. I'm still trying to implement it, but already I'm seeing and improvement. I only wish you'd been around to tell me this 20 years ago!
Last year, a teaching pro got me to start looking in front of the ball (like an inch in front) while I was hitting my irons - it made a HUGE difference in my ball striking consistency.
Ali: I have been chasing this lesson my whole golfing career. I can't wait to get to the range to try it out. I hope to change my sweeping to correct ball strike. Results to follow. Great video.
I have to commend you. I literally did what you instructed in this video, at the range. IT WORKS!!!!! Everything you described as being a problem, was what I was dealing with. After only 3 balls hit, my irons were the most solidly struck balls I have hit in years!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the most important and helpful golf instructional video I have seen so far.
I've also been doing this, only focusing just in front of the ball. Looks like I need to focus even further in front. Definitely improves the ball striking and weight transfer (which I believe is affected the most since you have to make a conscious effort to move your body to hit that line in front of the ball - and the ball just gets in the way of the swing).
I started to stare at a spot about a ball forward of my ball. Now I make better contact and not near as many fat shots. Biggest difference was I gained about 15yrds, by making good contact now. Then I was shown a good drill to help stop hitting fat shots. Place a towel about 6-8 inches behind your ball and hit the ball without hitting the towel. Move towel closer as you go.
What a simple but brilliant explanation. Thank you from a guy who suffers from the exact issues you've described. Walked off the course a few weeks ago because I was catching the ground with my irons up to eight inches behind the ball. The more I tried to correct it the worse it got. Topped my three and five woods so badly that I could put my hand out and catch the ball coming down in front of me. Can't wait to try these tips out at the range.
I recently started picking a blade of grass right In front of the ball and just focusing on taking a divot right there. I don’t think about the ball at all, just hit that blade of grass and the ball just comes off so pure!
Just wow..."dont try to hit the ball, instead try to control the lowpoint" Is by FAR the best advice i have ever got. I felt like that could have been me in the session, 100%. I knew where to hit the ball, had good feeling practise swings, but failed far to often when the ball was there. And ive heard "look at the ball" soo many times. Wich obviously is completely wrong for a beginner. Big thanks!
Ali, I've been practicing this technique on my hitting carpet at home with those soft balls. And, OMG, no fat shots anymore and I never miss the ball. I think this has actually helped me resolve the problem of flipping my hands when striking the ball. A problem I've never been able to solve, no matter how many lessons and videos watched. I'm just so dominant with my right arm and hand. Because I'm concentrating on hitting a point about a ball's length ahead of the ball, I'm striking the ball before my hands flip. I am not having to think about keeping my left wrist flat or bowing it or anything. Next stop, the range with real balls. Will keep you posted. Thanks!!!
My buddies kept telling me I was placing the the ball too far forward, even though I was hitting shots they couldn't. Your "take your eye OFF the ball," is one of the best and most helpful vids I've seen to date. I previously noticedf that my practice swings almost always bottomed out (low point) ahead of my left foot. So, I told myself, maybe I should put the ball somewhere in that area! Your vid brought all that into reason. I have been using that with driver for over a year now with great success. (Of course there are other swing factors as well.) I'm 73 yo, and hit a 250 yd. drive last week. (consistantly 200-225)I will apply your tip in the fairway this week. Thanks for the best tip yet! 😁
Everything you have talked about here is me, Ali. My Driver, and 3 Wood off of the tee are my best clubs. Along with my Hybrid off of the deck. I can't hit 3 Wood off of the deck at all. My shallower Irons are terrible. My 5 and 7 iron are my worst pair. My 9 Iron, Sand Wedge and Pitching Wedge are my best Irons. I will have to try marking the mat, and looking at the line in front and see how I get on. Thanks for this.
At 08:25 is so true not only to me but could be to every single new golfer in the world about practice swing is being perfect but when there's a golf ball then it's a different story. My golf instructure always tell me to swing like my practice swing and I can't LOL --" "Low point control" is key!!!! Thank you so much.
I’ve been struggling lately with striking anything in the fairway. This video was just the reminder that I need to think about the club low point to be in front of the ball! My mind was trying to correct other aspects of my swing which just messed things up more. I can’t wait to get to the range and get my ball striking back. Thank you.
Ali! Thanks so much for this video. It truly helped me pull together a lot of things I’d been watching, learning and thinking about. So much so that with this idea as my primary swing thought yesterday, I broke 80 for the first time ever and scored 11 shots better than any of the 16 rounds I’ve played in the last year. Everything just clicked. Thanks again and keep up the great work!
This is my current problem, so lessons like this help a lot. I have perfect practice swings, knowing exactly where I want my low point to be and executing. As soon as I get to the ball and I have this underlying feeling that I have to get "under" the ball and I end up extending early and hitting it fat.
This is a great video!!! I have had this problem for 30 years and 2 instructors and 30 lessons never solved this issue until I saw your video. This is a classic. Thanks so much.
I love the way you put the requests to like and subscribe in the video background without taking 30-60 seconds to talk about it. Should be a "best practice" for other TH-camrs. Allows viewers to focus on your excellent instruction. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this game changing video!!! I saw this video last night and tried it out on the course today and could not believe the results. Absolutely amazing and what an incredible lesson to share. I have never had any lesson make such a huge immediate difference. I am a 23 handicap and shot a 42 on the back nine today after a 48 front. Absolutely unequivocally amazing and thank you thank you thank you!!!
Hi Ali Taylor Golf. I have also implemented these techniques ( Grip and this one ) over the last few days ( Newb golfer old fart recovering from Cancer ). I'm NEVER going to be a big hitter, but i have fairly consistently increased my drives from about 200 yds to about 220 yds ( according to the LM ). Trying to not look at the ball was the hardest thing, so i took a pen and pointed the nib at where i wanted to aim. Then extrapolate that line to behind or in front of the ball, made things easier. Thankyou Ali and Callum for taking that lesson.
I think this is one of the most important concepts a golfer can understand. I’ve been playing for 40 years & only just begun to really understand & implement it. It has significantly improved my ball striking but I need to improve direction! Your video clearly explains the concept & how to apply it to different clubs Ali, thanks.
Great video, I started looking ahead of my ball during my round yesterday and shaved 8 shots off my score. I really need to go to the range and really hone this into my swing. THANK YOU!!!!!
Took this to the course tonight - what a game changer. Zero fat shots and super crispy contact. Still need some work on where to focus with driver but it’ll come. Thanks so much Ali!
I figured this out 30+ years ago. With short irons I would put a tee an inch ahead of the ball and try to knock the tee out of the ground. It promoted a downward swing striking the ball first. The 6 through the 1 iron are sweep clubs and just like using a broom you bring the club down slightly behind the ball then sweep through. Driver is a sweep club, put a tee 3 inchs behind ball, focus and set up on that tee then focus on knocking that tee out of the ground. You will hit the ball straighter and further than you ever have.
This is a great video that explains the issue well. When I practice hitting after the ball with irons- it feels like I am going to top it and chop down on it. The ball starts to feel behind me if I turn and move correctly and it freaks me out. It happens when you put the ball down there. Once the hips get ahead of the ball - it feels like I'm chopping down.
Before, I took a short cut, by placing the ball a little bit to the right of my center. The swing result was great (hit the sweet spot), however, I felt a little bit guilty because it felt like "not a textbook" swing. Thus, place the ball back to my center, but have a harder time to hit the sweet spot. I have been struggling to find sweet spot, distance, and direction at the same time. It is either sweet spot and distance but no direction, or distance and direction but not sweet spot (which is hurting my hand), or sweet spot and direction, but no distance. Your tips, really helps me placing everything together. Thank you.
Did....I have a coaching session with you without me knowing? This is legitimately me, in every facet of my game. It's like you were describing me with every scenario. I'm taking my bag to the range soon and taking these tips, see how it goes.
I thought the exact same thing! Tried the forward aim point but it's really hard to stop my brain trying to lift the ball from behind, and hard to remember to keep doing it. Will try it again tomorrow as this is the most frustrating aspect of my game. Good luck!
@@tonymiddlehurst8438 I've been a baseball player my entire life. Over 25 years of hitting behind the ball, back leg power, etc. The mental change has been very challenging.
@@nukewurld Yep, no baseball here in the UK but I struggle with ground shots, very rarely take a divot, maybe it was my old man telling me to be careful with the lawn mower all the time! I don't want to damage the turf.
This is spot on but so difficult for the brain to comprehend. Brain wants to hit the ball not the low point. Need commitment to change the mentality of this. Great tip.
Good stuff! When I start to hit fat, I’m aiming at the front perimeter of the ball or the ground just in front of the golf ball. Has worked for me. Another thing causing fat hits is too fast start from the top, where my arms rushes in front of the shoulder turn. And to save that, I need to pull my arms by either bending the elbows or extending the body too early.
Hello Ali, this video is exactly my golf game. I can’t wait to go out to the range and implement this education. Thank you very much! I am super confident I will improve greatly.
This is the way I finally stopped casting. The ball bound concept always had my focus on hitting at the ball with the clubhead and not actually swinging the club. The visual trick i used was to watch and focus on my hands and grip moving around my rotating torso. It took a few weeks but after 35 years of ball bound golf it was a total rewiring of the process. The ball isn't gonna move till I swing through it and the shaftt may flex and twist a bit but basically stays as a constant distance from the ball so there really isn't a need to look at the ball. My peripheral vision just picks up the hands and grip moving and swinging the club freely to a nice full finish.
This video is by far the most helpful golf video I’ve seen. It almost felt like you were describing me. Every tendency you said that guy has, I have. Extremely insightful. Time to implement this in my game.
You are quite insightful ! I use Dave Stockton's signature putting method werein just before the forward press, your eyes trace the line to the hole back to a spot 2" in front of the ball & NOT back to the ball. Square contact everytime.
Thanks Ali. I really struggled with the concept of not looking at the ball initially but I persevered and it has become a game changer for my iron play. I especially find it useful off difficult lies and particularly where the ball might be lying on bare ground. I now get good contact whereas before I would invariably hit the ground first.
I love what you said about not being keen on telling them. I was PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America). I found that if I could get people to feel what I wanted them to do and then explained what the were doing, it was a lot more effective than the reverse.
Thanks so much, was hitting yesterday just terrible. Went here to get your idea and man what a difference. Looked ahead of the ball and hit 5 balls with a 6 iron just perfect and long! Thanks again.
You described my golf game exactly. I have good drives because I do what you suggest by focusing behind the ball then not so good second shots - many topped hybrids. I have tried to not look at the ball but can't quite make it work consistently. I even put a ball marker on the ground ahead to focus on. Going back to really practice the forward line/spot to look at. New subscriber. Thanks
For me, when I have my body start the downswing and not the arms, good things happen. Weight transfer is one of the keys to stop hitting bad shots. Rushing the downswing by initiating the arms first (without full rotation) usually ends in terrible results. The way I learned to help ingrain proper weight transfer was using the whip device. The flexible shaft with the ball on the end. If not sure how to transfer weight, use the whip. If you don't have the whip, take a 6 and 7 iron and swing them at the same time. This weight transfer drill allows me to hit ball first and then ground. Took care of my shanks too. As far as adding more distance goes, learn an in to out swing path. Thankfully, I learned a great drill to accomplish this. You add these two combinations together, you will produce better golf. It took me time to get there because these aren't natural movements for me but if you stick to your drills and keep working at it, you will start producing better golf. Pro tip: my score dropped dramatically when I started doing putting drills. I use to ignore my putter because of all my other swing issues. That was a mistake on my part. I spend anywhere from 3 to 5 evenings on a putting green doing drills and it has totally transformed my game and score. I even purchased an 11 x 3 foot putting mat for my home so I can keep putting during our long winters (Toronto guy).
This is just what I needed. I do exactly the same. Focus on the ball. Been for an iron fitting zero degrees attack angle. I don't take divots. Need to try and get the minus attack angle. When practicing I'm trying to focus on the front of the ball with irons. Back of the ball with driver. I'll try this and see how I get on.
For me is the best video ever for play golf. I never have see one talking about that before. It’s what I do since some months and that help me a lot for have good contact. All my friends say me I’m crazy 😜. I I find this tips solo and it’s great.
Hi, the problem is even though I knew I wanted to hit in front of the ball, the mind still wants to hit the ball. Even though I'm not looking at the ball and just focus on the grass in front, the mind still wants to hit the ball intuitively, causing some fat shots sometimes. Very hard to overcome that. On practice swing is easy but once the ball is there, very tough
I had a coach that used to put a broken tee in front of the ball and instructed me to hit the tee. With a physical object to focus on, I think that really helped
100% same issue for me….been focussed on hitting a dimple on the ball for 20 years to “help” me with contact. Wonder If anyone else topping the ball while practicing, hitting rock hard balls on crap driving range mats? Haven’t cracked it yet but will keep trying.
Holy moly. This described my golf game to a tee, no pun intended. My driver is my best club and I struggle with consistent strikes using my irons. Can’t wait to try this.
Very clear and super helpful. Described my situation to a tee (excuse the pun). After a swing analysis I improved my iron striking, but my driver than started to suffer. Explaining the low point differences really helped my understanding as to why. Thanks!
Yep! it worked for me just hit 20ish balls only fatted a couple, set up with ball in middle then place the clubhead forward of the ball made i little bruise in the turf to focus on then set the club behind the ball, tried to hit the mark. Also took your advice on fairway woods from a while back "look at the front of the ball"...much better, still fade/slice too much but rarely thin the ball now ;)
This is a FANTASTIC lesson that every golfer should get very early on in their career. You are NOT trying to hit the ball with an iron. You are trying to CREATE a divot 3 inches in FRONT of the ball. So look there. Don't look at the ball. With driver ... you're trying to hit the ground about 4-5 inches BEHIND the ball, so look there. The ball is incidental to the goal.
Thank you for explaining this contact drill. I’ve struggled with this for quite some time. When I’m hitting my irons, I have a high arching ball flight which I’m realizing now how far behind the ball I’m hitting.
Earlier this year I started looking in front of the ball. I hit fat as much as 4" behind the ball. I look at a spot 6" ahead of the ball with irons and 2" in front of the ball with wedges and woods. But I still have issues hopefully my lessons could fix. I don't feel I'm an 11.8 .... great video!
Finally a video that confirmed what I needed to do about looking ahead of the ball on my irons. Still have to work on now the z axis. The problem I have is in the fairway that is never flat. Maintaining a bent knee or straightening up for different lies is the next challenge to overcome.
After 66 years of golf, I've never heard to focus your eyes 2" or more in front of the ball. I tried it today on a 9 hole Executive course with 3 par 4s. 1st hole, par 4. I walk to the tee totally cold; took a couple of practice swings. Focused ~2" in front of ball with my driver & hit a great drive totally flush. Used 3 wood on other 2 par 4s & totally flushed those 3 woods with possibly more distance than normal. I sensed that my swing was more free & relaxed. I had good hand action. Due to a 20 mph wind in my face on 5 of the 6 par 3s, I was trying to hit shoulder high back & thru shots, not well executed. However, I'm anxious to play 18 holes on our regulation sized course soon & see how it works with full iron shots.
Thx for the tips. What my golf teacher always said to me is focus on the ball. I used your drill tips and I have the feeling that I strike the ball more consistant. I use razor or ref foam when I do the drill with irons.
This is me exactly in every way. I am fantastic with driver I never have an issue with it but I'm super inconsistent with my irons and this is exactly why
I Just came across your channel the other day and while watching this video really hit home with me because I just had one of my best holes ever in my life a couple weeks ago. I ended up getting a birdie on a 326 yards par 4 and I have been thinking all the things you were talking about that he thinks since then. My Driver off the tee was Ok but my second shot with a 4 hybrid got me on the green about 30 feet from the hole downhill put which I also made for birdie which was all my best put of my life. I cant wait to try this stuff you said out at a driving range to maybe help get my head out of that way of thinking I'll never have a hole like that again. Normally after I line up my shot for my Drivers of Irons before I shoot I just try to count to 3 to try and clear my head so I can let my body do its natural swing without my brain getting in the way which I do find helps a little. I hope what you talked about will help me build up some confidence.
So went to the range after this video. Amazing results for the driver. The ball was struck well and ball flight was high. Impressive. But not so much for the irons. I could not get over trying to hit the ball after the ball position. Will try this again. Thanks for a great driver tip.
Tried this before and it was as solid a strike as I've I ever felt before...then as usual reverted back to old way and back to rolling the turf over the ball aggravating disc out in my back.have to remind myself to not stop persisting with fantastic instruction as usual !
Man, looking ahead of the ball with most of the clubs in the bag except the driver is something I plan on putting to the test on the range and the course. Your tips on eye placement and how to train and ingrain it are simple and easy to use. looking forward to having better ball strikes and a lot more distance too. Thank you Ali.
Wasn't it Hogan who said that he never looked at the ball! He looked behind (driver) even with (fairway woods) and ahead of (irons) the ball. Sometimes...in front of,(away from him) depending how "hard" he wanted to hit the ball! Have only recently tried to do this....and it works!! Good info!!
my coach told me the opposite and I struggled. I followed this sight ahead of ball and it worked. so simple. an advise worth more than the thousand dollar coach time I paid
Ali. I like the way you teach. I watched your basic iron swing and your driver swing. I went out today with buddies and quit after 9. I need a basic swing lesson that I can repeat over and over before I stand over a ball. If you have one just point me to it. I’m 77, not an athlete, and will probably quit this spring if I can’t play a social game. I’m thinking I’d be better if I walk, play 9, and take my time. Can you help? Geoff
yeah i just make sure ball position is correct and aim at a spot in front of the ball, you can move that spot in front of the ball to shape shots or even fix slices or draws by changing your spot in front of ball . For irons do your practice swings find out your low point place ball behind that , for driver i look for a spot 45degrees or like 3 feet in front of me and i swing over that point i want, using toe of driver as a reference pointer i focus on points in front of ball rather then ball after you have your ball position correct. you need to stay back and release the club more on driver that is where people go wrong your driver is not the same as your irons and your ball position changes for each club and your low point will change with each club making you have to change your ball position. Also, if you hook, move your spot in front of ball left, if you slice more your spot more right . i corrected my swing path that way. What ben hogan did back in the day is came up with the palm facing target move to fight his hook, that also is a fade move , thats why alot of golfers slice too. Keep the club more vertical on up swing . i can shoot under par with this knowledge .
Haha this is exactly me! I’ve always been a good driver of the ball but always struggled with everything else. Always tried hitting down or keeping my hands ahead of the club head through impact but has been very inconsistent. Will try this shift of focus 👍
This is a very cool lesson. Always hearing about hitting down on the ball with irons and fairway woods. But never heard about changing where to focus eyes. I will be practicing this. Thanks.
Great video Ali. Tried it on my golf simulator worked great seven iron through to three wood including hybrids. Yet to try on driver. Thank you. Michael Fenton
I used this tip today...worked very well. I didn't get a chance to work on this with any range balls...just took it to the course. Hit my irons much better. The biggest issue was trusting it. But...hit my irons so much better! Try this!
I have only just come across Ali,s channel but your advice is great will be trying this tomorrow have already used the drill with the 2p coin and it really does work
This drill really apllies to me. I have always completely understood how to hit driver but for some reason the physics of hitting a iron have escaped me! This makes perfect sense to me and hopefully i can apply this philosophy to my iron game. Thx for the tip.
Oh my gosh, amazing demo. This is what I've been looking for, for years. I got extremely jealous when you mentioned your pupil was only playing six months?!!! This is a must try Next time out as I have this exact issue. Will provide feedback as well soon!
Without a doubt, the single most helpful tip I have ever received about golf was to stop trying to hit the golf ball. Focus on making the best swing you can and just let the ball get in the way of that swing. That changed my game in a single year from being a recreational player, who was happy to break 100 to being someone who broke 80 routinely! Excellent tip!
I totally agree with this concept 'Gamer33', of just simply concentrating on getting a smooth swing, and letting the ball look after itself.
My coaching lessons from the club Pro, we're over 30 years ago and I often hear myself saying to my grandson "just let the ball look after itself", and wondering if the Pro gave that thought to me? Too long ago to remember, but I believe 100% in that technique.
Is there a way to play a round of golf without using a golf ball? I think I would be quite good at that!
Haha, air golf ( like air guitar ). I’d probably still use a mulligan.😄
Try Frisbee Golf. Or soccer golf.
Fling golf!
Yes there is, just use your imagination then write it on the score card.
Presto , your first of many 59’s for 18 holes.
I actually won over 30 majors using this trick
It’s the damn ball. I started looking ahead of the ball a couple of months ago and it’s really improved my ball striking. In fact I look at the ball on the backswing and shift my eyes to around 3 or 4 inches in front of the ball just before I start down. This eye shift makes me feel that I can’t reach that far ahead. Net result is that my weight shifts forward without even trying. I have only hit 1 fat shot since I started doing this. After the fat shot I realized I was looking at the ball.
Thanks for that, saved me watching the whole video just to get the point of it 🙂🙂🙂
Happy to admit this was my lesson Ali is referring too. The insight he gave me was invaluable and would highly recommend. Thanks again Ali and see you soon
Whenever I try to focus on something in front of the ball and hit it my brain won’t let me and I stop turning and hit behind it... was there any trick you used to fool your brain?
@@mikearon1970 yes draw the 2 lines like in the video. Practice hitting the 2nd line Infront of the ball without the ball being there. Do this 5 or 6 times to get a feel for it and then bring the ball in but keep your focus on the line Infront of the ball. Don't think about the ball at all. Hope this helps and good luck
I think my problem would be convincing myself that I’m not going to miss the ball if I don’t aim for it …have it 1000’s of balls looking at it so hard to change. Any tips ?
@@deantonna Don't look at the ball would be the best tip! Lots of practice doing it to 'undo' the focus on the ball being the target, which it is isn't. Don't worry about missing it or miss hitting it on the the range. Just persist.
This lesson worked great for all my irons , but for some reason I still have to look at the ball for my woods.
This video has transformed my iron ball striking, and is the best advice I have had in 68 years of playing! Thanks so much.
How old are you?
This is probably the best piece of advice/instruction I've ever seen. When I took my last lesson, the coach asked me to aim in front of the ball and I was making decent contact, but understanding the reasoning and seeing it demonstrated is awesome. bravo!
I've only recently come across this advice, which now seems to be trending on TH-cam. I'm still trying to implement it, but already I'm seeing and improvement. I only wish you'd been around to tell me this 20 years ago!
Last year, a teaching pro got me to start looking in front of the ball (like an inch in front) while I was hitting my irons - it made a HUGE difference in my ball striking consistency.
Ali:
I have been chasing this lesson my whole golfing career. I can't wait to get to the range to try it out. I hope to change my sweeping to correct ball strike. Results to follow. Great video.
This is my exact issue. Keep hitting behind my irons but driver is strong. Love your coaching technique, Ali - regular viewer now!
I have to commend you. I literally did what you instructed in this video, at the range. IT WORKS!!!!! Everything you described as being a problem, was what I was dealing with. After only 3 balls hit, my irons were the most solidly struck balls I have hit in years!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the most important and helpful golf instructional video I have seen so far.
Glad it helped
I've also been doing this, only focusing just in front of the ball. Looks like I need to focus even further in front. Definitely improves the ball striking and weight transfer (which I believe is affected the most since you have to make a conscious effort to move your body to hit that line in front of the ball - and the ball just gets in the way of the swing).
I started to stare at a spot about a ball forward of my ball. Now I make better contact and not near as many fat shots. Biggest difference was I gained about 15yrds, by making good contact now. Then I was shown a good drill to help stop hitting fat shots. Place a towel about 6-8 inches behind your ball and hit the ball without hitting the towel. Move towel closer as you go.
What a simple but brilliant explanation. Thank you from a guy who suffers from the exact issues you've described.
Walked off the course a few weeks ago because I was catching the ground with my irons up to eight inches behind the ball. The more I tried to correct it the worse it got. Topped my three and five woods so badly that I could put my hand out and catch the ball coming down in front of me.
Can't wait to try these tips out at the range.
I recently started picking a blade of grass right In front of the ball and just focusing on taking a divot right there. I don’t think about the ball at all, just hit that blade of grass and the ball just comes off so pure!
Just wow..."dont try to hit the ball, instead try to control the lowpoint" Is by FAR the best advice i have ever got. I felt like that could have been me in the session, 100%. I knew where to hit the ball, had good feeling practise swings, but failed far to often when the ball was there.
And ive heard "look at the ball" soo many times. Wich obviously is completely wrong for a beginner.
Big thanks!
I’ve literally just implementing these exact techniques. They’ve had the biggest effect on my golf swing. New subscriber 👍🏼
Ali, I've been practicing this technique on my hitting carpet at home with those soft balls. And, OMG, no fat shots anymore and I never miss the ball. I think this has actually helped me resolve the problem of flipping my hands when striking the ball. A problem I've never been able to solve, no matter how many lessons and videos watched. I'm just so dominant with my right arm and hand. Because I'm concentrating on hitting a point about a ball's length ahead of the ball, I'm striking the ball before my hands flip. I am not having to think about keeping my left wrist flat or bowing it or anything. Next stop, the range with real balls. Will keep you posted. Thanks!!!
My buddies kept telling me I was placing the the ball too far forward, even though I was hitting shots they couldn't. Your "take your eye OFF the ball," is one of the best and most helpful vids I've seen to date. I previously noticedf that my practice swings almost always bottomed out (low point) ahead of my left foot. So, I told myself, maybe I should put the ball somewhere in that area!
Your vid brought all that into reason. I have been using that with driver for over a year now with great success. (Of course there are other swing factors as well.) I'm 73 yo, and hit a 250 yd. drive last week. (consistantly 200-225)I will apply your tip in the fairway this week. Thanks for the best tip yet! 😁
Everything you have talked about here is me, Ali. My Driver, and 3 Wood off of the tee are my best clubs. Along with my Hybrid off of the deck. I can't hit 3 Wood off of the deck at all. My shallower Irons are terrible. My 5 and 7 iron are my worst pair. My 9 Iron, Sand Wedge and Pitching Wedge are my best Irons. I will have to try marking the mat, and looking at the line in front and see how I get on. Thanks for this.
Best coach on here , I've been for 3 lessons and wasn't told any of this .
As a new struggling player, this is THE BEST video I’ve watched explaining ball position and bottom of the swing.
Thank you!
At 08:25 is so true not only to me but could be to every single new golfer in the world about practice swing is being perfect but when there's a golf ball then it's a different story. My golf instructure always tell me to swing like my practice swing and I can't LOL --" "Low point control" is key!!!! Thank you so much.
I’ve been struggling lately with striking anything in the fairway. This video was just the reminder that I need to think about the club low point to be in front of the ball! My mind was trying to correct other aspects of my swing which just messed things up more. I can’t wait to get to the range and get my ball striking back. Thank you.
Ali! Thanks so much for this video. It truly helped me pull together a lot of things I’d been watching, learning and thinking about. So much so that with this idea as my primary swing thought yesterday, I broke 80 for the first time ever and scored 11 shots better than any of the 16 rounds I’ve played in the last year. Everything just clicked. Thanks again and keep up the great work!
Why has it taken me so long to find Ali Taylor golf?! Outstanding lesson!
This is my current problem, so lessons like this help a lot. I have perfect practice swings, knowing exactly where I want my low point to be and executing. As soon as I get to the ball and I have this underlying feeling that I have to get "under" the ball and I end up extending early and hitting it fat.
This has been my problem also. Really looking forward to applying your technique this coming season. Thank you Ali.
It's really interesting because my swing thoughts were always "There is no ball", "Let the ball get in the way of my good swing"
This is a great video!!! I have had this problem for 30 years and 2 instructors and 30 lessons never solved this issue until I saw your video. This is a classic. Thanks so much.
I love the way you put the requests to like and subscribe in the video background without taking 30-60 seconds to talk about it. Should be a "best practice" for other TH-camrs. Allows viewers to focus on your excellent instruction. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this game changing video!!! I saw this video last night and tried it out on the course today and could not believe the results. Absolutely amazing and what an incredible lesson to share. I have never had any lesson make such a huge immediate difference. I am a 23 handicap and shot a 42 on the back nine today after a 48 front. Absolutely unequivocally amazing and thank you thank you thank you!!!
Hi Ali Taylor Golf.
I have also implemented these techniques ( Grip and this one ) over the last few days ( Newb golfer old fart recovering from Cancer ). I'm NEVER going to be a big hitter, but i have fairly consistently increased my drives from about 200 yds to about 220 yds ( according to the LM ). Trying to not look at the ball was the hardest thing, so i took a pen and pointed the nib at where i wanted to aim. Then extrapolate that line to behind or in front of the ball, made things easier. Thankyou Ali and Callum for taking that lesson.
"The problem is the ball"
Never has a truer thing been said about golf!
🤣
And your brain
I think this is one of the most important concepts a golfer can understand. I’ve been playing for 40 years & only just begun to really understand & implement it. It has significantly improved my ball striking but I need to improve direction! Your video clearly explains the concept & how to apply it to different clubs Ali, thanks.
He is an excellent teacher! He made me understand exactly what and why I was having problems with the ball on the ground but not on the tee!!!!
Great video, I started looking ahead of my ball during my round yesterday and shaved 8 shots off my score. I really need to go to the range and really hone this into my swing. THANK YOU!!!!!
Took this to the course tonight - what a game changer. Zero fat shots and super crispy contact. Still need some work on where to focus with driver but it’ll come. Thanks so much Ali!
I figured this out 30+ years ago. With short irons I would put a tee an inch ahead of the ball and try to knock the tee out of the ground. It promoted a downward swing striking the ball first. The 6 through the 1 iron are sweep clubs and just like using a broom you bring the club down slightly behind the ball then sweep through. Driver is a sweep club, put a tee 3 inchs behind ball, focus and set up on that tee then focus on knocking that tee out of the ground. You will hit the ball straighter and further than you ever have.
This is a great video that explains the issue well. When I practice hitting after the ball with irons- it feels like I am going to top it and chop down on it. The ball starts to feel behind me if I turn and move correctly and it freaks me out. It happens when you put the ball down there. Once the hips get ahead of the ball - it feels like I'm chopping down.
Before, I took a short cut, by placing the ball a little bit to the right of my center. The swing result was great (hit the sweet spot), however, I felt a little bit guilty because it felt like "not a textbook" swing. Thus, place the ball back to my center, but have a harder time to hit the sweet spot. I have been struggling to find sweet spot, distance, and direction at the same time. It is either sweet spot and distance but no direction, or distance and direction but not sweet spot (which is hurting my hand), or sweet spot and direction, but no distance. Your tips, really helps me placing everything together. Thank you.
Did....I have a coaching session with you without me knowing? This is legitimately me, in every facet of my game. It's like you were describing me with every scenario. I'm taking my bag to the range soon and taking these tips, see how it goes.
I thought the exact same thing! Tried the forward aim point but it's really hard to stop my brain trying to lift the ball from behind, and hard to remember to keep doing it. Will try it again tomorrow as this is the most frustrating aspect of my game. Good luck!
@@tonymiddlehurst8438 I've been a baseball player my entire life. Over 25 years of hitting behind the ball, back leg power, etc. The mental change has been very challenging.
@@nukewurld Yep, no baseball here in the UK but I struggle with ground shots, very rarely take a divot, maybe it was my old man telling me to be careful with the lawn mower all the time! I don't want to damage the turf.
This is spot on but so difficult for the brain to comprehend. Brain wants to hit the ball not the low point. Need commitment to change the mentality of this. Great tip.
Good stuff!
When I start to hit fat, I’m aiming at the front perimeter of the ball or the ground just in front of the golf ball. Has worked for me.
Another thing causing fat hits is too fast start from the top, where my arms rushes in front of the shoulder turn. And to save that, I need to pull my arms by either bending the elbows or extending the body too early.
Hello Ali, this video is exactly my golf game. I can’t wait to go out to the range and implement this education. Thank you very much! I am super confident I will improve greatly.
This is the way I finally stopped casting. The ball bound concept always had my focus on hitting at the ball with the clubhead and not actually swinging the club. The visual trick i used was to watch and focus on my hands and grip moving around my rotating torso. It took a few weeks but after 35 years of ball bound golf it was a total rewiring of the process. The ball isn't gonna move till I swing through it and the shaftt may flex and twist a bit but basically stays as a constant distance from the ball so there really isn't a need to look at the ball. My peripheral vision just picks up the hands and grip moving and swinging the club freely to a nice full finish.
This video is by far the most helpful golf video I’ve seen. It almost felt like you were describing me. Every tendency you said that guy has, I have. Extremely insightful. Time to implement this in my game.
You are quite insightful !
I use Dave Stockton's signature putting method werein just before the forward press, your eyes trace the line to the hole back to a spot 2" in front of the ball & NOT back to the ball.
Square contact everytime.
Thanks Ali. I really struggled with the concept of not looking at the ball initially but I persevered and it has become a game changer for my iron play. I especially find it useful off difficult lies and particularly where the ball might be lying on bare ground. I now get good contact whereas before I would invariably hit the ground first.
I love what you said about not being keen on telling them. I was PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America). I found that if I could get people to feel what I wanted them to do and then explained what the were doing, it was a lot more effective than the reverse.
Thanks so much, was hitting yesterday just terrible. Went here to get your idea and man what a difference. Looked ahead of the ball and hit 5 balls with a 6 iron just perfect and long! Thanks again.
You described my golf game exactly. I have good drives because I do what you suggest by focusing behind the ball then not so good second shots - many topped hybrids. I have tried to not look at the ball but can't quite make it work consistently. I even put a ball marker on the ground ahead to focus on. Going back to really practice the forward line/spot to look at. New subscriber. Thanks
For me, when I have my body start the downswing and not the arms, good things happen. Weight transfer is one of the keys to stop hitting bad shots. Rushing the downswing by initiating the arms first (without full rotation) usually ends in terrible results.
The way I learned to help ingrain proper weight transfer was using the whip device. The flexible shaft with the ball on the end. If not sure how to transfer weight, use the whip. If you don't have the whip, take a 6 and 7 iron and swing them at the same time.
This weight transfer drill allows me to hit ball first and then ground. Took care of my shanks too. As far as adding more distance goes, learn an in to out swing path. Thankfully, I learned a great drill to accomplish this. You add these two combinations together, you will produce better golf.
It took me time to get there because these aren't natural movements for me but if you stick to your drills and keep working at it, you will start producing better golf.
Pro tip: my score dropped dramatically when I started doing putting drills. I use to ignore my putter because of all my other swing issues. That was a mistake on my part. I spend anywhere from 3 to 5 evenings on a putting green doing drills and it has totally transformed my game and score. I even purchased an 11 x 3 foot putting mat for my home so I can keep putting during our long winters (Toronto guy).
I've seen a lot of golf tip videos and this seems like it's gonna help more than any other. I haven't put it into practice yet, but I'll try soon.
World class. I have watched 50 plus videos on this from many different teachers. This after 2 rounds has TRANSFORMED my ball striking. Thank you Sir !
This is just what I needed. I do exactly the same. Focus on the ball. Been for an iron fitting zero degrees attack angle. I don't take divots. Need to try and get the minus attack angle. When practicing I'm trying to focus on the front of the ball with irons. Back of the ball with driver. I'll try this and see how I get on.
For me is the best video ever for play golf. I never have see one talking about that before. It’s what I do since some months and that help me a lot for have good contact. All my friends say me I’m crazy 😜. I I find this tips solo and it’s great.
Hi, the problem is even though I knew I wanted to hit in front of the ball, the mind still wants to hit the ball. Even though I'm not looking at the ball and just focus on the grass in front, the mind still wants to hit the ball intuitively, causing some fat shots sometimes. Very hard to overcome that. On practice swing is easy but once the ball is there, very tough
Dizzy, I'm right there with you, still haven't over come it yet. It's one challenging mind...
I had a coach that used to put a broken tee in front of the ball and instructed me to hit the tee. With a physical object to focus on, I think that really helped
100% same issue for me….been focussed on hitting a dimple on the ball for 20 years to “help” me with contact. Wonder If anyone else topping the ball while practicing, hitting rock hard balls on crap driving range mats? Haven’t cracked it yet but will keep trying.
This tip instantly helped me strike my irons pure and with more consistency. I thought it was a fluke the first strike but it just kept working.
Holy moly. This described my golf game to a tee, no pun intended. My driver is my best club and I struggle with consistent strikes using my irons. Can’t wait to try this.
Very clear and super helpful. Described my situation to a tee (excuse the pun). After a swing analysis I improved my iron striking, but my driver than started to suffer. Explaining the low point differences really helped my understanding as to why. Thanks!
Yep! it worked for me just hit 20ish balls only fatted a couple, set up with ball in middle then place the clubhead forward of the ball made i little bruise in the turf to focus on then set the club behind the ball, tried to hit the mark. Also took your advice on fairway woods from a while back "look at the front of the ball"...much better, still fade/slice too much but rarely thin the ball now ;)
This is a FANTASTIC lesson that every golfer should get very early on in their career. You are NOT trying to hit the ball with an iron. You are trying to CREATE a divot 3 inches in FRONT of the ball. So look there. Don't look at the ball. With driver ... you're trying to hit the ground about 4-5 inches BEHIND the ball, so look there. The ball is incidental to the goal.
Great tip Ali. Super helpful and my ball striking improved straight away.
Always great to hear the improvement was so quick.
Ali, This is the best tip/lesson I have ever received. Immediate improvement from the first swing with it.
Glad it helped!
This is exactly what I need to do.
Thank you for explaining this contact drill. I’ve struggled with this for quite some time. When I’m hitting my irons, I have a high arching ball flight which I’m realizing now how far behind the ball I’m hitting.
Can’t wait for practice tomorrow! Thanks for these great tips!
Earlier this year I started looking in front of the ball. I hit fat as much as 4" behind the ball. I look at a spot 6" ahead of the ball with irons and 2" in front of the ball with wedges and woods. But I still have issues hopefully my lessons could fix. I don't feel I'm an 11.8 .... great video!
Finally a video that confirmed what I needed to do about looking ahead of the ball on my irons. Still have to work on now the z axis. The problem I have is in the fairway that is never flat. Maintaining a bent knee or straightening up for different lies is the next challenge to overcome.
Defo not the easiest way, much easier going up or down the grip
I like the drill with the lines, I struggle with a lot of things about golf. Thanks for your tips!
This is the best instruction so far. It was a game changer for me.
After 66 years of golf, I've never heard to focus your eyes 2" or more in front of the ball. I tried it today on a 9 hole Executive course with 3 par 4s. 1st hole, par 4. I walk to the tee totally cold; took a couple of practice swings. Focused ~2" in front of ball with my driver & hit a great drive totally flush. Used 3 wood on other 2 par 4s & totally flushed those 3 woods with possibly more distance than normal. I sensed that my swing was more free & relaxed. I had good hand action. Due to a 20 mph wind in my face on 5 of the 6 par 3s, I was trying to hit shoulder high back & thru shots, not well executed. However, I'm anxious to play 18 holes on our regulation sized course soon & see how it works with full iron shots.
Thx for the tips. What my golf teacher always said to me is focus on the ball. I used your drill tips and I have the feeling that I strike the ball more consistant. I use razor or ref foam when I do the drill with irons.
Thanks!
This is me exactly in every way. I am fantastic with driver I never have an issue with it but I'm super inconsistent with my irons and this is exactly why
Appreciate the effort to demonstrate this properly, Ali. Much obliged.
Game changer! His student mirrored my own thoughts ... it's useful to have a clear image of how it should be done. Thx.
I Just came across your channel the other day and while watching this video really hit home with me because I just had one of my best holes ever in my life a couple weeks ago. I ended up getting a birdie on a 326 yards par 4 and I have been thinking all the things you were talking about that he thinks since then. My Driver off the tee was Ok but my second shot with a 4 hybrid got me on the green about 30 feet from the hole downhill put which I also made for birdie which was all my best put of my life. I cant wait to try this stuff you said out at a driving range to maybe help get my head out of that way of thinking I'll never have a hole like that again. Normally after I line up my shot for my Drivers of Irons before I shoot I just try to count to 3 to try and clear my head so I can let my body do its natural swing without my brain getting in the way which I do find helps a little. I hope what you talked about will help me build up some confidence.
So went to the range after this video. Amazing results for the driver. The ball was struck well and ball flight was high. Impressive. But not so much for the irons. I could not get over trying to hit the ball after the ball position. Will try this again. Thanks for a great driver tip.
Can't wait to try this! I hit my driver okay... but my irons are trash.
Tried this before and it was as solid a strike as I've I ever felt before...then as usual reverted back to old way and back to rolling the turf over the ball aggravating disc out in my back.have to remind myself to not stop persisting with fantastic instruction as usual !
Man, looking ahead of the ball with most of the clubs in the bag except the driver is something I plan on putting to the test on the range and the course. Your tips on eye placement and how to train and ingrain it are simple and easy to use. looking forward to having better ball strikes and a lot more distance too. Thank you Ali.
Wasn't it Hogan who said that he never looked at the ball! He looked behind (driver) even with (fairway woods) and ahead of (irons) the ball. Sometimes...in front of,(away from him) depending how "hard" he wanted to hit the ball!
Have only recently tried to do this....and it works!! Good info!!
love the video, my problem is committing to the front line, i feel i will miss the ball if i go for that front line. i will keep at it
my coach told me the opposite and I struggled. I followed this sight ahead of ball and it worked. so simple. an advise worth more than the thousand dollar coach time I paid
Ali. I like the way you teach. I watched your basic iron swing and your driver swing. I went out today with buddies and quit after 9. I need a basic swing lesson that I can repeat over and over before I stand over a ball. If you have one just point me to it. I’m 77, not an athlete, and will probably quit this spring if I can’t play a social game. I’m thinking I’d be better if I walk, play 9, and take my time. Can you help? Geoff
I think this may actually help me become more consistent. Thank you.
yeah i just make sure ball position is correct and aim at a spot in front of the ball, you can move that spot in front of the ball to shape shots or even fix slices or draws by changing your spot in front of ball . For irons do your practice swings find out your low point place ball behind that , for driver i look for a spot 45degrees or like 3 feet in front of me and i swing over that point i want, using toe of driver as a reference pointer i focus on points in front of ball rather then ball after you have your ball position correct. you need to stay back and release the club more on driver that is where people go wrong your driver is not the same as your irons and your ball position changes for each club and your low point will change with each club making you have to change your ball position. Also, if you hook, move your spot in front of ball left, if you slice more your spot more right . i corrected my swing path that way. What ben hogan did back in the day is came up with the palm facing target move to fight his hook, that also is a fade move , thats why alot of golfers slice too. Keep the club more vertical on up swing . i can shoot under par with this knowledge .
Haha this is exactly me! I’ve always been a good driver of the ball but always struggled with everything else. Always tried hitting down or keeping my hands ahead of the club head through impact but has been very inconsistent. Will try this shift of focus 👍
This is a very cool lesson. Always hearing about hitting down on the ball with irons and fairway woods. But never heard about changing where to focus eyes. I will be practicing this. Thanks.
Perfect. A friend told me that 2 yrs ago. By far the biggest help for irons. Funny how I rarely hear this. Perfect!
Got an 8:08 Tee time in the morning.... On a good beginner course.... This lesson will be with me tomorrow....
Wish I'd had a good understanding about "low point", as a newbie ... Great lesson. Thanks for sharing =)
Great tip will definitely be taking that to the range!
Great video Ali. Tried it on my golf simulator worked great seven iron through to three wood including hybrids. Yet to try on driver. Thank you.
Michael Fenton
I used this tip today...worked very well. I didn't get a chance to work on this with any range balls...just took it to the course. Hit my irons much better. The biggest issue was trusting it. But...hit my irons so much better! Try this!
I have only just come across Ali,s channel but your advice is great will be trying this tomorrow have already used the drill with the 2p coin and it really does work
Same issue here, practice swings fantastic, get up to the ball and can not duplicate, I will try this next time out. Great video
This drill really apllies to me. I have always completely understood how to hit driver but for some reason the physics of hitting a iron have escaped me! This makes perfect sense to me and hopefully i can apply this philosophy to my iron game. Thx for the tip.
You have described my swing completely. I will try your tips, I'm sure they will help a lot. Thanks
Oh my gosh, amazing demo. This is what I've been looking for, for years. I got extremely jealous when you mentioned your pupil was only playing six months?!!! This is a must try Next time out as I have this exact issue. Will provide feedback as well soon!