Introduction: Why Are These Drills Essential for Your Irons?
The iron game is a crucial stage in golf. Good contact with the ball, a controlled descending strike, and a harmonious connection between the upper and lower body are essential for successful approaches. Yet, many golfers face difficulties: divots before the ball, desynchronized swings, loss of balance…
These 3 viral drills on YouTube have captivated millions of enthusiasts for a good reason: they work! Today, we explain how to apply them correctly to transform your iron shots.
1. The Theory: Understanding Ball-to-Ground Contact
Before diving into the drills, it’s essential to understand what good contact with the irons is.
âś… The Key Principle: A Divot After the Ball
- In a good iron shot, the club must hit the ball first, then the ground.
- Ideally, the divot should start 3 to 4 centimeters after the ball.
- The hands must be in front of the ball at impact to achieve the famous shaft lean (forward shaft tilt).
⛔️ Common Mistakes:
- Hitting the ground before the ball.
- Trying to "lift" the ball with the club.
- Excessively forcing with the arms to achieve a descending angle.
👉 Tip: Practice your drills keeping these principles in mind to maximize your progress.
2. Drill 1: The Towel Under the Arms
🎯 Objective: Connection Between Upper Body and Arms
This drill is simple but extremely effective in preventing the arms from separating from the body during the swing.
📝 Instructions:
- Take a rolled towel and place it under your armpits.
- Keep the towel in place throughout the swing.
- Make full swings while keeping the towel still until impact.
âś… Why Does It Work?
- It forces you to use the torso rotation rather than letting your arms act independently.
- The movement becomes smoother and more connected.
- The impact is more precise and controlled.
👉 Tip: Start with half-swings to get used to it, then gradually move on to full swings.
3. Drill 2: Swinging with Feet Close Together
🎯 Objective: Improve Balance and Coordination
This drill focuses on stability and managing the center of gravity during the swing.
📝 Instructions:
- Place your feet together, almost touching.
- Take your usual stance over the ball.
- Complete a full swing while keeping your feet together.
âś… Why Does It Work?
- It eliminates unwanted lower body movements.
- You are forced to stabilize your center of gravity.
- The torso rotation becomes smoother and more controlled.
👉 Tip: Start with short irons (for example, a 9-iron) before trying with longer clubs.
4. Drill 3: Perfect Sync and Tempo
🎯 Objective: Improve Synchronization and Weight Transfer
This drill is especially useful for players with an irregular tempo or poor transition of weight from the back foot to the front foot.
📝 Instructions:
- Place your feet together for the backswing.
- At the top of the backswing, quickly spread your feet to your normal stance.
- Continue your swing maintaining a natural tempo.
âś… Why Does It Work?
- It improves the coordination between upper and lower body.
- You better feel the weight transfer forward.
- The swing becomes smoother and more dynamic.
👉 Tip: Work on this drill slowly at first, exaggerating foot movement to really feel the weight transfer.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid with These Drills
- Lack of Patience: Drills require time and regular practice.
- Overdoing It: Don’t try to hit too hard; focus on technique.
- Ignoring the Fundamentals: Always keep the basics of the swing in mind (posture, alignment, grip).
👉 Tip: Practice these exercises at the range before applying them on the course.
6. Integrate These Drills Into Your Training Routine
To maximize benefits, integrate these drills into your sessions:
- Warm-up: Start with a few swings with the towel under your arms.
- Main Session: Alternate between swinging with feet close together and synchronized swings.
- Finishing: End with a few free shots applying the sensations you’ve gained.
Conclusion: Simple Drills for Concrete Results
These 3 simple and effective exercises, validated by millions of golfers on YouTube, can transform your iron game if you apply them regularly.
- Drill 1: The Towel Under the Arms for better arm-body connection.
- Drill 2: Swinging with Feet Close Together for optimal balance.
- Drill 3: Perfect Sync and Tempo for smooth transition and controlled weight transfer.
Your turn! Practice these drills and feel the difference on the course. ⛳️🔥
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