Delo’s Divots: If you practice hitting a ball on the upswing
with an iron, you will probably play the same way
I was participating in a golf clinic a few weeks ago, and every time I got to the same student he would be teeing up an iron about one inch off the ground. Now you might not see anything wrong with that, but if you practice hitting a ball on the upswing with an iron, you will probably play the same way. Last time I checked, iron shots that are hit off the ground on an upswing will not work most of the time.
If you have difficulty hitting the ball from the ground, practice hitting it off the ground. Don’t tee it up just because it’s easier that way.
Remember, if you go out and shoot 100 for 18 holes, you have to hit 82 of those shots with the ball resting on the ground. So be tough on yourself while you practice.
Practice hitting with thin lies, with the ball sitting down and with the ball tucked away in thick grass. It’s much easier to hit a ball that is teed up, but go ahead and challenge yourself in practice. Your game will improve.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
