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The Art of Puring Iron Shots | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JULY 2024 | 23 Golf, mostly thought of these days as a game of distance, demands a level of finesse and precision for golfers who want to shoot lower scores. Hitting iron shots with accuracy and consistency stands as a hallmark skill. Whether you're a novice golfer seeking improvement or a seasoned player aiming to refine your technique, mastering the art of striking irons can elevate your game to new heights. Here's a quick guide to help you pure your irons: Solid Setup: A strong foundation sets the stage for a successful shot. Start by positioning the ball slightly forward of center in your stance and move it back until you find successful contact that you can repeat. Your weight distribution should favor your lead foot, promoting a descending strike on the ball. Grip: Natural wrist movement during the swing. I always teach golfers to hold the club as a 4/10 on the "tightness scale." Maintain a relaxed posture with a slight bend at the waist, ensuring your spine remains straight and your eyes focus on the ball. Alignment: Proper alignment is crucial for targeting accuracy. Please make sure your club face points to the target first, then your body can run parallel to the line your club creates. Utilize alignment aids such as club markings or intermediate targets to enhance precision. Tempo and Rhythm: Develop a smooth and rhythmic swing tempo, avoiding abrupt movements that can disrupt your timing. Practice maintaining consistent tempo throughout the swing, transitioning seamlessly from back swing to down swing and follow-through. Weight Transfer: Initiate the downswing by shifting your weight from the trail foot to the lead foot in a controlled manner. This sequential transfer of weight facilitates proper body rotation, generating power and stability through impact. A tip I teach as a trigger to start the downswing is to imagine you are wearing a rodeo belt buckle and your goal is to get that buckle to the ball before your hands do. Maintain Lag: Preserve wrist lag during the downswing to maximize club head speed and accuracy. Avoid casting or releasing the club prematurely, maintaining the angle between the lead arm and the club shaft until just before impact. The hands should stay ahead of the club head until the golf ball is struck! Impact Position: Irons want to be struck at an angle. The shaft should have some level of "lean" as shown in the photo. Focus on maintaining a firm wrist and square club face at impact, optimizing energy transfer from the club to the ball. With this angle at the ball, you will really know what it feels like to hit the sweet spot of the iron and "PURE" it! Follow-Through: Complete the swing with a full and balanced follow-through, allowing the club to extend toward the target post- impact. Emphasize extension and rotation of the body, ensuring a smooth transition into a balanced finish position. By integrating these fundamental principles into your approach, you can develop the skills and confidence needed to consistently hit good iron golf shots. Remember, mastery is a journey, not a destination. Stay patient, stay persistent, and enjoy the process of improvement on the greens. Play well! ~ Daniel Miller, 1st Assistant Golf Professional

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