The Best Ball Striking Tip I've Ever Heard

Summary

In this video, the host and expert Jeff Ritter share valuable tips on improving ball striking. Jeff explains the concept of the 'low point' in a golf swing, revealing how it's crucial for solid ball contact and consistent shots. Through two key drills, the duo demonstrates techniques to help golfers understand and practice hitting the ball with a slight downward strike, emphasizing the importance of weight and hands positioning. With the help of visual aids like four golf balls and a wooden block, viewers learn how to achieve proper extension and forward motion, leading to more effective and powerful ball striking.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understanding the low point of the golf swing is crucial for solid ball striking. The low point should be several inches in front of the ball, not at the ball itself.
• 😀 One common misconception is that the golf club should hit both the ball and the ground simultaneously, which is incorrect. Instead, the goal is to hit the ball first, then take a divot in front of it.
• 😀 A proper golf setup, including ball position relative to the lead heel, ensures that the low point of the swing is in the right place for a downward strike.
• 😀 Weight shift to the forward foot and hands traveling past the field of vision are key components for striking the ball cleanly and compressing it.
• 😀 High handicap golfers often struggle because they don't shift enough weight forward or turn enough during the swing.
• 😀 To strike the ball solidly, the weight needs to be forward, and the hands must extend past the field of vision during the downswing.
• 😀 Rehearsal swings are essential for golfers to gain confidence in their ability to strike the ball correctly. Practicing with multiple balls helps ingrain the right feel for the low point.
• 😀 Using visual aids like the four golf balls on the ground helps golfers exaggerate the motion needed to get the low point to stretch toward the target.
• 😀 A wooden block or similar object can be used to reinforce the sensation of weight and hands moving forward in the swing, improving the overall strike.
• 😀 To create a full extension of the arms, golfers should feel their hands stretch toward the target, engaging the loft of the club properly to reduce the chance of hitting the ball too high.

Q & A

What is the main tip for improving ball striking in golf?

The main tip is to adjust your understanding of the low point of your swing. Instead of the low point being at the golf ball, it should be a few inches in front of the ball, allowing the club to hit the ball first and take a divot after the ball.

Why is it important to have the low point in front of the golf ball?

Having the low point in front of the ball ensures that you strike the ball with a downward motion, creating proper compression and consistency. This helps in producing a more solid, controlled shot.

What is one common misconception golfers have about the low point of their swing?

Many golfers mistakenly believe the low point should be at the ball or behind it, leading to hitting the ball inconsistently and not taking a divot, which results in poor ball striking.

What are the two drills Jeff Ritter recommends to help golfers improve ball striking?

The first drill involves setting up four golf balls in a line and trying to hit them consecutively, which helps practice a forward motion and full extension. The second drill uses a wooden block (or similar object) to push towards the target, reinforcing the idea of weight forward and full arm extension.

What is the purpose of the four golf balls drill?

The purpose is to exaggerate the feeling of getting the low point of the swing further forward, requiring golfers to shift their weight and extend their arms fully to hit all four balls consecutively.

How does using a wooden block in drills help improve ball striking?

The wooden block provides resistance, helping golfers feel the correct body mechanics, such as weight forward and arms extending through the shot. It also reinforces the idea of pushing the hands and body towards the target.

What is the key body movement needed to achieve the correct low point?

The key movement is to transfer weight forward onto the front foot and allow the hands to move past the golfer's field of vision, creating a downward strike and encouraging a forward low point.

How does weight shift affect the golf swing?

Shifting weight forward is crucial for striking the ball cleanly. Without weight transfer, golfers may end up staying on their back foot, resulting in weak shots and poor ball contact.

Why is it important to understand the design of golf clubs when trying to improve ball striking?

Golf clubs are designed with loft and forward lean to help get the ball in the air. By using the club as intended, with the correct hand and body positioning, golfers can more easily achieve a downward strike and compress the ball properly.

What does Jeff mean by 'belt before buttons' in the follow-through?

The phrase 'belt before buttons' refers to the idea that, during the follow-through, the golfer's belt line should be closer to the target than the buttons of their shirt or their face. This encourages proper extension and rotation through the shot.