Trust in the science

In the majority of sporting actions, following your instincts will generally result in a reasonable outcome. For example, if you ask someone to kick a ball as high as possible, they will tend to lean back in order to get the ball up into the air.

Similarly, if you ask someone to throw a ball as far as they can, they will instinctively load their weight on their back foot and then transfer their energy towards the target to create power.

Unfortunately, for those of you learning to play golf, whoever invented the game had a sense of humour. In order to correctly strike an iron shot from the grass, you have to (more or less) do the complete opposite of what your instincts encourage you to do.

Let’s discuss how to apply the correct science at impact.

Although it might be logical to think that when we strike an iron shot from the grass, the ball simply bounces off the face at the angle of the particular club, this is incorrect. What we must realise is that at high speeds, the grooves of an iron become sharp and essentially bite into the cover of the ball which tears it up the club face. The ball then departs the club face with back spin, which lifts it up into the air.

So, in order to apply the correct science at impact, a golfer must strike down onto the bottom of the ball to allow the grooves to do their job. While your sporting instincts will be encouraging you to lean back in order to hit the ball as high as possible (as with kicking a ball), science requires a descending blow into the back of the ball. Unfortunately, in the battle of instincts versus science to determine a positive outcome, science will always be the winner.

If you are leaning back to try and help the ball into the air, your club will be travelling upwards at impact and will likely contact the top of the ball. This results in the dreaded ‘top’, where the ball rolls pathetically along the floor. Additionally, if you are leaning back, your energy will be travelling away from the target!

The next time you are having a practice session, try to take this information on board. Make every effort to strike down onto the bottom of the ball and transfer your energy towards the target.

Every beginner golfer I have ever seen has tried to hit an iron shot (from the grass) by following their instincts and leaning back at impact. Never have I seen a successful outcome by using this method. Trust the science, it works.