The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort
Pro's Tip

PGA PROFESSIONAL : Daniel Greenwood based at Forest Pines

A very important factor in striking the ball solidly and consistently with your irons is getting the "bottom" of your swing in front of the ball (i.e., the lowest spot in the swing's arc on the target side of the ball (see picture).

This promotes contacting the ball before the ground (this is a good idea).

You can develop a feel for this by scratching a line on the ground with a tee, or making a row of tees spaced about 6 inches apart, perpendicular to your target line. Straddle the line and take divots until you consistently make the divots in front of (toward the target from) the line, or row of tees. You can certainly hit balls this way too -- with the balls on the line or between each of the tees.

Once you can do this you'll hit your iron shots much more solidly and with more control.