To hit your mid irons higher, a key focus, according to golf instruction, is to improve your ball compression. Addressing a "lack of compression" is often the primary factor preventing high, penetrating iron shots.
Understanding Compression for Higher Iron Shots
Compression in golf refers to the quality of the strike where the clubhead hits the ball firmly while still moving downwards or at the lowest point of the swing arc, ideally slightly after the ball. This action traps the ball between the clubface and the ground (momentarily), allowing the club's designed loft to launch the ball high with significant backspin.
A lack of compression, as highlighted in golf instruction, often results in shots that are struck thin, fat, or with a "scooping" motion, where the clubhead attempts to lift the ball. This reduces the effective loft and decreases backspin, leading to a lower ball flight that may lack stopping power on the greens.
Key Factors to Improve Compression and Launch Angle
Improving compression and achieving a higher trajectory with your mid irons involves several fundamental aspects of your swing mechanics:
- Proper Ball Position: For mid irons (like 6-iron, 7-iron), position the ball slightly forward of the center of your stance. This encourages hitting down through the ball as the club reaches the bottom of its arc just after impact.
- Forward Weight Shift: Ensure your weight is transferring forward onto your lead leg through impact. This promotes a downward angle of attack and helps the clubhead maintain its downward path as it strikes the ball, leading to better compression.
- Downward Angle of Attack: Aim to hit the ball slightly before the lowest point of your swing arc. This creates a downward angle of attack, which is crucial for compressing the ball and utilizing the club's loft effectively for height and spin. Avoid trying to "lift" the ball into the air.
- Maintain Clubhead Speed and Loft: Avoid decelerating or trying to "scoop" the ball at impact. Maintain speed through the hitting zone, allowing the natural loft of the iron to launch the ball. Scooping adds loft but usually reduces speed and consistency, resulting in weak, high shots without much power or spin.
- Divot Location: With a good compressed strike, you should take a shallow divot after hitting the ball. If your divot is before the ball or non-existent, it indicates a potential lack of compression.
Focusing on these elements helps ensure you are hitting down and through the ball effectively, improving compression and naturally increasing the height and spin of your mid iron shots.
