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Ralph Salito
PGA Professional
Tip 10: Iron Play
A lot of golfers try to reach or use their hands to hit the ball with their irons. What they don't realize is that you need to maintain a natural shoulder tilt or angle throughout your swing. This angle is created because one of your hands is lower than the other when you grip the club. So if you move your hands to reach or catch the ball, you'll change that angle and mis-hit your shot. Concentrate on making a balanced movement forward to the target with your body. As you move forward with your swing, feel your body turn and face the target while keeping your balance. It's as easy as walking forward, and the club will naturally stay out in front of you. By not reaching, your shoulder tilt will remain at the same angle throughout the entire swing. Try this drill and then take a look at your position when you finish. You'll see that your balance has improved, and you'll begin hitting crisper and more accurate shots to the green.
Ralph Salito is the head professional at Richter Park Golf Course, Danbury, CT. To improve your game, visit a Connecticut Section PGA Golf Professional.