Become a Better Ball Striker

One of the most annoying parts of golf is stepping up and hitting the ball off the toe, the heel, thin, or fat. Nothing is worse than hitting these shots, especially when you know you are capable of hitting it square in the face. The good thing is that you can practice and become a better ball striker. 

Improving your ball striking in golf requires a combination of technical skills, practice, and mental focus. Here are some tips to help you become a better ball striker:

• Develop a solid setup: Everything in the golf swing begins at the setup. Position yourself correctly at address by aligning your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line. Maintain a balanced stance with your weight evenly distributed.

• Proper grip: Ensure you have a proper grip on the club. A neutral grip with both hands working together is essential for consistent ball striking. You do not want to squeeze the club as hard as possible or barely hold on to it. You need a middle ground. Seek guidance from a golf professional to ensure your grip is correct.

• Establish good posture: Maintain a relaxed and athletic posture throughout your swing. Bend from your hips, keeping your spine straight and your knees slightly flexed. 

  1. Think of it this way, if you were a linebacker getting ready to tackle a running back, would you stand there straight-legged? Of course not. You would be on the balls of your feet and in an athletic position ready to move and attack. This is the same with a golf swing, be an athlete. 

• Maintain a smooth and connected swing: Work on creating a fluid and connected swing. Start your backswing by turning your shoulders, allowing your arms and hands to follow naturally. Avoid excessive tension or jerky movements.

• Tempo and rhythm: Develop a consistent tempo and rhythm in your swing. A smooth and well-paced swing can improve your timing and strike quality.

• Focus on the ball: Keep your eyes on the ball throughout the swing. This helps ensure a clean strike and promotes better contact with the ball.

  1. An easy drill for this is to have a friend stand in front of you and hold a golf club handle against the side of your head pointing towards your target while you take a swing. This object touching your head forces you to keep your head down and still through impact. 

• Practice with purpose: Allocate time to practice regularly, focusing on specific aspects of your ball striking. Incorporate drills that help improve your swing mechanics, such as hitting balls off a tee, using alignment aids, or practicing with impact tape to analyze your contact pattern.

• Work on your iron play: Iron shots require precision and control. Practice hitting a variety of iron shots, including full swings, half swings, and knockdown shots, to develop your ability to strike the ball cleanly.

  1. There are a variety of drills that can help you develop "shaft lean" at the moment of impact. One of the easiest is to start a swing at the impact position. Your hands should be in front of the club head, club head square to the ball, head in line with the ball, and hips and legs moving towards your target. From this position, complete a swing.

• Develop a consistent pre-shot routine: Establish a pre-shot routine that includes visualizing the shot, selecting a target, and taking practice swings. A consistent routine can help you relax, focus, and prepare for each shot.

• Seek professional instruction: Consider working with a golf instructor who can analyze your swing, provide personalized feedback, and offer guidance on improving your ball striking technique.

Remember, improving your ball striking in golf takes time and patience. Focus on consistent practice, seek feedback, and maintain a positive mindset throughout your journey.