Question: I am having, and have always had, trouble hitting my irons. I can never seem to hit them solid and the distances that most of my golfing friends do. It amazes me how easy some golfers seem to swing and how far the ball goes off their irons. My question is this: If you can imagine the numbers on a clock, the ball being located at 6:00 o’clock and my shoulders at 11:00 and 1:00 with my head at 12:00, feet at 7:00 and 5:00. If my backswing is somewhere between 11:00 and 1:00 what would be the clubhead speed (slow to impact) from the top of my backswing to impact at each number and what would be the approximate angle in degrees of my left arm to the club at each number? I have tried hitting the ball hard and that doesn’t do anything but mess up my alignment and balance. I have always heard about the "release" of the club and in my own mind I believe that may mean whipping the club from about 8:00 to 6:00 (impact). Is that what gives you the power of the swing and if so what are some good drills to build that skill? Thanks so much and again I really enjoy your advice.

Answer: I enjoy writing the column and I’m glad you like reading it. Your question is a great one and it shows that you have given your swing issues some extensive thought. It’s quite common to fall into a trap when you overanalyze your golf swing in searching for lasting error correction. The trap is simply that you spend your time thinking/working on the wrong thing which creates a ripple effect due to the cause and effect nature of the swing. For example, the concept of using the hands to "whip" the clubhead from 8:00 to 6:00 is clearly one of the worst pieces of advice that anyone could ever give a golfer. It makes my "Top Ten Worst Golf Tips List" along with keep your head down and keep your left arm straight! In truth, attempting to whip the club from 8 to 6 creates a tremendous loss of clubhead speed because you are now trying to "push" the club through impact instead of feeling as though you are "pulling" the club through impact. This "pushing" action leads to all kinds of mis-direction and un-solid contact. Ugh! Let’s drop that swing key like a hot potato.

Let’s get to the root of your problem. Our goal in ball striking with irons is to effectively apply the downward force (letting the force release through impact vs. making the release happen) created within the swing through impact.

Improving your direction and distance can be achieved by improving the application (delivery of the clubhead through the ball) and alignment (swinging the club on plane) of force through impact. Being able to consistently deliver the club on plane through impact is made easier by improving your pre-swing fundamentals. Therefore, as you heard me say before, recheck grip, alignment, ball position, posture. There is no getting around these pre-swing fundamentals so if you have any questions, please go see your favorite PGA teaching professional.

All golf swings generate force. The key is to properly apply that force through impact. The most significant element in the swing for club head velocity is wrist cock. I like to see a minimum 90 degree angle between the left arm and the club shaft which sets the club into a perfect position to allow for an effi cient downswing sequence. This position along with quiet hands during the change of direction will maximize your ability to create maximum clubhead velocity in the downswing.

A good way to think of your downswing is an overall effort to "pull" the club through impact into the finish. Remember, there is "no crying in baseball" and there is no pushing of the clubhead in the downswing in golf! Try seeing this from the top of your swing) as a sequence that goes like this: the shoulders start pulling the club on plane into the downswing transferring that pulling feeling to the arms who transfer that pulling feeling to the hands which continue the pulling feeling of the clubshaft/clubhead on plane through impact.

It's a beautiful motion to watch when done correctly. That is why you're left with the impression that your friends seem to "swing easy" yet the ball goes far. A nice drill to help you develop a feel for the sequence is as follows: 1) Take a long iron, turn it around (so you are holding the shaft near the clubhead not the grip). 2) Take your golf grip, stance, etc. 3) Set a 90 degree angle of the shaft and left forearm while still in your address position (the shaft is parallel to the ground and parallel to the target line). 4) Make your normal backswing but pause at the top. 5) Start the proper downswing sequence by using your shoulders, then arms, then hands, to 'pull' the shaft through impact and into a complete follow through. 6) You will know you are doing it correctly when the "whooshing" sound of the shaft comes much later in the down swing vs. early in the downswing. 7) Once you've got the feeling, go ahead and recreate that feeling when you are actually swinging through a golf ball.

This is just one of many drills that you can do to develop an efficient delivery of the force you've created in the downswing. Believe me, you too can learn how to get the most out of your swing. So, take heart and keep the energy flowing in a positive direction!

Question:I was hoping if you had two seconds, you may be able to answer a quick question for me. What is the most likely cause of a "pull?" My sense is that I am probably opening my hips too quickly on the downswing. I feel as if I am making solid contact and the ball is traveling far . . . but dead left with no "hook" spin. My only other thought was that I may have too strong a grip. I've tried looking this up on the internet for ideas, but I have completely struck out. Thought you might have some quick thoughts. Hope all is well in Durham!

Answer: Assuming that you are aligned properly (parallel left of the target line), the "pulled" golf shot is one of the most solid shots in golf and yes, it does go far. Unfortunately, as you've discovered, far and mis-directed doesn't cut it in golf. Let's solve the problem. It's likely that your problem is not grip position related in that you are hitting a dead straight shot and therefore imparting very little side spin. To double check your grip, go see your local PGA golf shop and ask one of the professionals to look at your grip and see if they think that either hand is in a "closed face" position. Ninety nine percent of the time, the cause of a dead straight pull is simply that your clubhead is traveling on a path that is across the invisible line from the ball to the target (this is often referred to as an outside-to-in path or swinging across the line), and the clubface at impact is dead square to your outside-to-in path. Again, this is clearly a bad combination which creates a shot that is unplayable but you have three options for correction.

1) You can keep this ball flight and simply mis-align your body to the right of the target. This would make your current shot pattern of a dead pull fly towards the target.This option works great for a quick fix weekend game but is a bad long term choice - please avoid for any length of time.

2) You could change the ball flight with a pre-swing change that will create a ball flight that slides that ball left to right into your target. This can be done by 'opening' your clubface (aim your clubface to the right of the target line), now take your normal grip and simply execute your current swing pattern. The result will be a ball that starts to the left of the target and spins on a left to right ball flight back into your target. The drawback to this shot is that it will result in a fairly significant loss of distance unless you are generating a lot clubhead speed to offset the side spin. Frankly, I'm only a fan of this ball flight for the low handicap to elite player.

3) Your last choice is the most difficult and time consuming but it will make for a MUCH better long term solution. The primary objective in making this change is to correct your downswing clubhead path. Your concern that your hips are opening too quickly could be adding to the problem but it's unlikely that it's the primary cause. In addition, remember that the hips produce only 10-15% of an efficient swings force so if you are thinking about your hips - "faagetabodtit!" Let make the change by first double checking your alignment, ball position, weight distribution, posture, and grip. All OK? Let's get at it. First, buy a piece of three foot long, inch thick, PVC pipe at your local hardware store (about $3.00). Take it to the range and select your target. Use an alignment aid on the ground to establish and maintain your target line while at address. I prefer you use a string tied to two tees and set snugly in the ground however, a golf clubshaft will do in a pinch. Place your ball on a tee, set your clubhead behind the ball, now set your PVC pipe parallel to your target line with the leading edge (closest to the target) almost touching the toe of your clubhead. Begin to hit golf shots. The object is to simply swing through the ball and not hit the PVC pipe. At first, it's likely that your club will come crashing down onto the PVC and you'll have to reset its position for each shot. Don't worry; it won't hurt you, your golf club or the PVC pipe! You should avoid thinking about making a change in your swing vs. simply letting your mind and body slowing begin to figure out how to swing the club through the ball so the clubhead doesn't hit the pipe. After a half bucket or so, you should start to see your shots begin to straighten out. Try to develop an understanding for what you are FEELING as you swing correctly. Please remember, swing key thoughts fade but 'feeling' lasts much longer and definitely transfers to the golf course better! Best of luck and let me know how you come out.