Welcome to Play Smarta regular GOLF.com game improvement column that will help you become a smarter and better golfer.
If you are a beginner golfer, you may be surprised to find that you need to use different swings for different clubs. Sure, you’ve probably concluded that some specialty shots required unique techniques, but some did most basic shots in the game require very different techniques.
Case in point: driver swing vs. iron swing. While it’s true that there is a lot of overlap between the two, if you want to become a competent ball-striker, it’s important to slightly change your technique when hitting a driver versus an iron. Failure to do so can penalize your ability to hit your driver effectively.
GOLF Teacher to see James Hong explains more in the video below.
The difference between a driver and an iron
In order to hit the ball flat with a driver and iron, you need to make some adjustments to the way you are swinging the club. While there is some overlap in technique between the two swings, there are also some key differences that can have a big impact.
“A lot of people may have heard the saying, ‘It’s the same move for all clubs,'” says Hong. “And that’s not the case at all.”
One of the main changes occurs in the configuration. With an iron, the ball will usually be in the center (or near the center) of your stance. However, with a driver, the ball position will be much further forward.
But when beginners move the ball forward in their stance, it can lead to an unintentional setup error.
“What happens with a lot of people is they’re so used to seeing the ball in the center that when they set up for their driver, all of a sudden they’re moving their upper body forward,” says Hong. “It will lead you down the path of disaster.”
Everyone knows that with a driver you want a shot that catches the ball on the rise. But when you move the ball forward in position and then turn your shoulders accordingly, you are putting yourself in the position that actually hit down on the ball. This may be great for an iron, but it spells disaster for a driver.
To guard against this, Hong suggests tucking the ball inside your lead foot, but then placing the clubhead right in the center of your stance. From here, you can slide the clubhead forward—instead of turning your shoulders—up to the ball on the fairway.
“You notice my shoulders naturally tilt,” says Hong. “This will help you configure your driver.”
With your shoulders back, you’ll be in a great position to swing up over your driver and hit bombs from the top.
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