European Tour pro Connor Syme gives us his top tips for sweeter iron strikes
7 Tour Pro Iron Play Tips – 7) Ball position
If you’re struggling with heavy or thin iron strikes, then check your ball position.
Even if you feel like you’re in a good position with a nice, stable base in your lower body, poor ball position will still throw your striking out.
If you have it too far back, you’re going to be way too early on the arc and either hit it fat or come in too steep.
If it’s too far forward, you’ll either hit it clean or catch the ground too early as you’re almost on the way up again by the time you make contact, so it becomes very difficult to catch the ball flush.
The correct ball position will allow you to complete your arc at the right point.
I use alignment sticks all the time when I’m struggling with my strike.
I would start with my wedges more or less in the middle of my stance, driver up towards the front heel and 7-iron about a third of the way between the two.
If I were hitting a 7-iron from too far forward, for example, I would most likely hit it a little clean and too high as I’d be turning its loft into something more like a wedge by the time I got to the ball.
Ball position is key and I spend a lot of time making sure mine is just right with every club.