Just wanted to say I have just gotten back into golf after being out of it for 20+years due to an injury, I have played about 20 games since getting back into the game. I watch your videos religiously and want to personally thank you for doing what you do. I watch, I listen, and I take what you show to the course and the range and practice. My game has improved so much since getting back into the swing of it and following your lead. started at well over 100 on 18 and have gotten it down to an 84 . Very Happy with myself. Thank you again for your videos.
After 10-15 years of watching golf videos I finally have come across an instructor who recommends looking a few inches ahead of the ball for better striking. This is absolutely true. If you chip look a few inches ahead of the ball and same result; all ball and no more ground. Very good info on the driver as well. Hardest part is following the ball as my eye is used to looking at the ball before hitting. Work in progress.
Weird, I was hitting crappy at the range about two months ago and came up with this same idea. At address, I started focusing on the ground, two inches ahead of the ball and started hitting like a pro. All of my shots were crisp and all of my divots were in front of the ball, meaning that I hit the ball first then the turf. It was amazing! Lob wedge thru driver, focus two inches ahead of the ball. For a draw, focus two inches ahead and one inch up and for a fade, focus two inches ahead and one inch down.
I’ve experimented with this in my own game…ahead of ball, out, in, etc to make club pass over. Works like a charm. Have stated to show my HS golfers I coach to help with divot, speed through ball, and a host of other issues!
Went to the range this morning, absolutely changed my game. Best session I’ve ever had. Saying “one hundred and one” through the swing and aiming ahead of the ball. Incredible.
I've been playing golf for over 30 years now and I have always struggled hitting good solid compressed shots with my irons. I went to the range after watching your video and hit a small bucket of balls before going to work. Out of the entire bucket of balls, I may have missed about 5 shots and when I say missed, they weren't good compressed shots. The rest of the balls were hit solid and compressed like it should be. I am super excited to go back to the range to try it again. Thank you for sharing this tip. Definitely a keeper in my golf book of knowledge. Keep them coming...
Been many years since I played. Went to driving range, played 18, wasn't striking the ball well with anything off the deck as in the past, plus lost some speed. Never knew this 'secret' or if I did, didn't remember. Went to the range after watching a few times and what a difference!! Hitting the ball off the deck consistent and straight with every iron and finally able to hit a 3 wood, well! Driver is better, more consistent but working on a tee height best suited for my swing. Can't have the tee as high as you, I tried, but I have raised it from where I used to hit and seen a big improvement. Have watched many more of your videos for that as well and I'm so grateful. Hoping to hit the range this week and possibly play 18 the next day (weather permitting) to continue implementing what I've learned and make it become automatic. THANK YOU.
I figured this out a few years back and it was a complete game changer. I look about 10cm ahead of the ball for wedges, the front of the ball for fairway woods and the back of the ball for driver. Look where you want the low point of the swing and let your hand/eye coordination do what its good.
I went through a point a few weeks ago where everything was going right then just lost it. This video made me realise that these are the things I’m no longer thinking about. Can’t wait to get back out on the course and see if I can get that good contact back again
This is excellent advice, but it's so hard to do! When I manage to do it, I definitely strike the ball a lot better. But having been taught to "keep your eye on the ball" and playing that way for so many years, it's a really hard habit to break. Even when I start looking ahead of the ball, my eyes dart back to the ball mid-swing, which really screws me up. I'll keep working on it, though!
Thanks Ali this really helped my iron strike. I hit my woods and hybrids very well but have struggled with some heavy iron shots. Used this tip today and my iron shots were centered and crisp with a divot in front of the ball. Thanks!
Ok, I am going to watch this about 5 more times!!! I have always been told..."YOUR PULLING YOUR HEAD!" Even though I have golfed for about 15 years off and on, I have never had a lesson, speaking to a pro about a lesson, told him my problem, he said, it has to do with your swing, not pulling your head. I am so going to the driving range to practice this!!! Do fine with a tee...cant seem to get any height to the ball more times then not, when on the fairway...especially with my 3 and 5 wood. Thanks so much!!
Another great video. Control that low point is working for me. My shots have improved radically with iront, fairways, and driver as I keep this "swing thought" in mind. "Control the low point".
Thank you!!! Tried this today with my driver and the results were amazing! Went up to orange tees from pink and gained 17 yards... driver sat 3 inches behind the ball and looked at the crown of the driver and just swing. Stopped me hitting at the ball and just swing up and through it. Totally different thoughts over the ball. First time in months I felt confident over the shot.. can't thank you enough!!!!
It Works! Since watching this video, I have played 3 rounds. I am a life long slicer, or was until utilizing these tips. In the 3 rounds, I hit 1 slice. All the rest were straight down the middle. I got more distance even on "mis-hits" and they were all straight. This has totally changed my game!!!!!!!
I’ve been doing this with my irons for years since I read Clampett’s Impact Zone. I actually tell myself to trap the spot I focus on in front of the ball. It works!
Wow this make sense. I started playing this summer and once I was able to improve my swing and hit more consistently, I started developing this problem where I constant hit just behind the ball and dig huge divot under the ball, causing it to go not far at all. This might help get out of that habit.
@@ericsmith564 Yep I did, it feels a little weird at first, but after lining club up behind the ball I just concentrated on looking in front of the ball with irons and it worked a treat
A young instructor in Cleveland told me the same thing last spring. He had me putting a broken tee or twig an inch or so in front of the ball, and focusing on that rather than the top of the ball. I should have paid more attention. He was exactly right.
I used to be a 3 hdcp, never even thought about this. After not playing for many years, the natural swing I had when I was younger disappeared and I think this is the missing key. I can play once a year and shoot low 80s every time now, I this is going to make a difference that one time this year! Thanks!
I’ve never had to do this trick in my life but I do now. I was a 5-7 handicap player in my younger days! I hit all my clubs really well. What happened? AGE and losing flexibility. I now hit too many fat shots because I’m slower moving through the ball. I used to be able to carry my 7 iron 150-160 yds. Now it’s more like 125 yds. By looking now in front of the ball, my contact is cleaner. I now carry my 7 iron 135 yds. Not too bad for a 70 year old senior. Try it out. I suggest half swings to start for a week. It’s amazing how far the ball goes with a half swing when you hit the sweet spot. Oh and don’t forget to follow through to the finish with that half swing. Great video!
Having just marshalled at The Open, I have seen pro's consistently hit great shots. Now I know "the secret" I will do the same. Positive statement! Playing Friday so will let you know result.
This looking in front of the ball and HIs shaft lean impact drill is helping my ball striking, I literally just need to do them both on every shot, need to incorporate them into your PreShot routine..
I love it. Easy to understand instruction. It is a wonderful way to chip, as I feel a thump in the carpet when I focus ahead of the ball. Looking forward to getting to the range. Thank you.
I've heard before that for fairway shots we should focus on a spot a couple of inches ahead of the ball (easier said than done for most of us who are so "ball focused"). But for drives, I never thought to focus on a spot before the ball. It makes a lot of sense so as to hit the ball slightly on the upswing. I'll work on this. Thanks for the tips!
A very thought provoking video Ali! I have been "toying" with the idea of focusing on the front of the ball on the irons and fairway woods. With driver I try to catch the ball on the upswing. Now, after viewing your video, I guess I need to focus on my "low point" in the swing. It probably will be the same outcome with driver, but a different thought process. Also, because of the winter conditions now in California creating "thin" fairway conditions, I have taken the 3 wood out of my bag.
Ali, thank you for this lesson. I have always had trouble with the point of impact, there has been an incredible improvement at the impact. You really are a great teacher.
Incredible! Just got back from the range, significant improvement. Night and day. I am struggling with the Driver, but hitting all the other clubs with ease now. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you Ali! This is the best tip I've had for a long time. Used it on the course today and had my best ever round (2 over). Quick question though. Would you change the low point from 7 iron into wedges? Should it be further forward with wedges? Or the same as you say for 7 iron for mid irons through to wedges?
Man I’m 68 and played golf for maybe 30 years and I haven’t heard this explained this way . I’ve always struggled with my 3 wood but not my long irons maybe I need a 4 or 5 instead. Off to the range tomorrow to put this advice to use. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Wow,mate I started using this. I wasn't breaking 90, but after practicing not looking at the ball I am consistently breaking 90even hitting mid to low 80ties.. 70ties just around the corner?🤗😊 thanks for the tip 👍
Like most others I've looked at the front of the ball and have suffered all the issues you explained, I will certainly try your technique next time out - thanks
Played today using this tip. It worked very well. Driving was much straighter and irons more solid. It is going to take a lot of practise to "not look at the ball!" It feels strange and disorientating when you have been looking at the back of the ball for such a long time. I will persevere.
I struggle with fatting all irons shots, frustrating when I pure a drive and am left with 120 or less in and still take a 5 because I fat the iron shot. Have to admit I focus on the ball, I'm going to try focusing a few inches ahead. Great tip!
It’s weird, when I first started playing I used to do a drill where I’d place a piece of tee or a twig in front of the ball and I’d try to aim to hit that when I swung my irons. But for some reason I stopped doing this. Coincidentally I was at the range today and someone mentioned not looking at the ball and doing what you’ve just suggested. Crazy, eh.
Hi Ali great video I tried this yesterday and today and apart from working with the driver and irons I decided to do it with my wedges and guess what it works with them too putting loads of spin on my 56 and 60 . Thanks again great tip
Excellent tip! Even though I don't find solid contact a challenge, your point about focusing ahead is an excellent practice regimen. I will incorporate this tip into my practice.
I have been doing LOADS of research on exactly this subject. It seems that where you look, that is where the club hits...makes sense to those of use that grew up playing baseball. Looking after the ball where I want the low point for the irons has worked great. On the driver though, are you saying to look at where you want the low point before the ball? You don't really say in the video even though it is implied. I have been struggling to make that work though although I'm convinced that is the proper thought. Thanks! I'm glad to see someone make a video on such a simple thought that really helps.
@@AliTaylorGolf Thanks for the quick reply, but can you please confirm if you are saying to look at the lowpoint before the ball when hitting the driver?
@@underworldevents265 I think he is more so just referring to the setup change needed for driver. I think with the ball being on a tee, you would have to look at the ball whereas with the irons, the ball just gets in the way of your path to the ground.
@@corletbt69 Thanks Brian, that is what I'm wondering as well. I'm amazed how well this works with the irons, but for some reason looking at the lowpoint for the driver hasn't yielded the same results. I guess I'll keep messing around with where I look and hopefully find the silver bullet! Damn game...haha
@@underworldevents265 A pro I was with years ago advised looking at a point behind the ball with the driver. More or less where you address the ground with the driver head around 2-3 ball widths. I used it for years, quite successfully, but at some point reverted back to looking at the back of the ball. Quite surprising how well it works. Must try looking ahead with the irons and see if just once in my life I can get a divot after the ball rather than before!
I just happened to watch this video prior to going to try out some new drivers. So in the simulator I tried focusing on a spot in front of the ball on the tee and I was getting great contact. With my irons I have been focusing on the front of the ball with varied success. Next time out I will try your method. Thanks for this video
This is a very good lesson. A great clear, accurate and precise lesson on where the bottom of the club target should be. I will use this for my High School teams.
It was a secret until I watched this! I am a beginner, thank you, it’s the best description that I have seen on ball placement and the relationship to the club used.
For the irons I would use Ali's drill but using trail arm only half swings as that encourages proper shaft lean & proper angle of attack. But this video is a great explanation of what you need to do. In simplistic terms I look at a point just ahead of the ball with my irons and just behind the ball with my driver. I now understand how to vary that a bit more depending on the length of the club
This is one of the best tips I've come across in 50 years of playing golf! No more topping woods off the fairway, or thinning/chunking wedge shots. All round strike quality and ball flight has improved noticeably. Thanks a lot Ali!
So I'm not looking at ball but 2 inches ahead when I'm hitting irons. Would you not miss the ball all together? I will give this a try today. Thanks. Good video.
Unfortunately I didn't see this video i worked it out on my own but I can confirm when I first started this is what helped me alot. If your inconsistent with where your shots contact the ball definitely follow this video.
Thank you! This was such a helpful tip/video. I've been trying to learn for a month and getting worse every outing. I was constantly hitting the top of the ball with my irons. Thanks again.
A first! Identify the low point, focus on a blade of grass at the low point, and control the low point of the swing arc. Who knew! Well done and much needed.
This seems like a solid swing thought and I'll be giving it a try. He talks about where to focus, but I wonder if he means to actually move where the center line of the body is or keep the center line over the ball and simply look (focus) on a point in front of the ball.
Ali means set up normally and focus (look) in front of the ball (for irons). Don't modify your swing - swing normally. You brain will take care of the rest, ensuring you shift your center of mass that little bit forward to achieve the strike where you are focussing.
I understand the low point idea, and I can work on this. However, with the low point changing around the ball, I struggle with squaring up the face... Mainly with the driver. When I hit up on the ball and the low point is behind the ball, the face ends up being closed by the time it reaches the ball and I hook. When the low point is at the ball or just slightly behind, it's square and I can get it to go straight, but I then lose distance because the ball pops up
