Getting the Fundamentals Correct
With Amy Millward, PGA Professional, Els Club Dubai
Most bad irons swings start before you even start the swing, with most amateurs overlooking the most important part of a great iron shot and that’s the setup. These are the key fundamentals you need to hit better iron shots!
Your setup controls your strike, your ball flight, and ultimately your consistency. Here is a simple 6 step guide to building your iron setup.
Fundamental 1 – Ball Position
The ball should be positioned just forward of centre in your stance. Too far back and this encourages steep, digging strikes. Too far forward more commonly encourages thin or heavy contact.
A ball position just forward of centre allows you to hit the ball and then turf.
Fundamental 2 – Stance Width and Weight Distribution
Your stance width should be approximately shoulder width apart, giving you an athletic stable base.
From there feel around 55% of your weight favouring your lead foot. This should encourage a descending strike and prevents hanging back through impact; one of the biggest causes of thin shots.
Your weight should also be on the balls of your feet, you don’t want the weight bias towards your heels or toes to help you feel grounded.
Fundamental 3 – Grip
Your grip is the only connection to the club so it must be correct more anything else. Hold the club in the fingers, not your palms. I like to hang my lead hand by my side before I start and this naturally lets the club fall into the fingers. You should see two or three knuckles on your lead hand and should be secure but not tight. Your trail hand should then come on and cover the lead hands thumb. Make sure the clubhead is square to help you with clubface alignment.
Fundamental 4 – Hand Position and Shaft Lean
At address, your hands should sit slightly ahead of the ball creating a small amount of shaft lean.
This position mirrors where your hands should be at impact and will help you compress the golf ball, improve distance control and produce a more consistent ball flight.
Avoid having your hands behind the ball as this adds loft and lead to weak, higher shots, losing distance.
Fundamental 5 – Posture
Great posture allows your body to rotate freely and stay balanced throughout your swing.
You want to hinge forward from the hips, have a soft flex in the knees, with a long neutral straight back with shoulders back and arms hanging naturally.
You should feel strong and athletic.
Fundamental 6 – Alignment
Always aim the clubface first directly at your target, then build your stance around it so your feet, hips and shoulders are parallel to the target line.
Using an alignment stick on the range is a great way to improve your accuracy and build consistency.
A great iron shot starts long before the club moves Master these 6 set up fundamentals and you’ll find it much easier to strike your irons cleanly, control your distance and hit more greens.
