Your impact position should never look like address. Here’s why

A fallacy shared among most rec golfers is that the goal on iron swings is to return the club to the same position it held at address. Uh-uh. The two positions are dramatically different and may explain why mid- to high-handicappers never improve. 

Here’s a drill to fix the problem.

Stick an alignment rod in the ground right behind where you play the ball at address. Make sure the shaft is straight up and down. Place another rod next to the first, but angle it, say, 20 degrees toward the target as shown in the photo above.

Set up to the ball, using the first rod as your guide. (Your hands can be a little bit in front if that’s what you prefer.) Now, press your hands forward and shift your hips toward the target until your clubshaft matches the angle of the second rod.

This is the preferred impact position, which guarantees the ball-first contact all great ball strikers achieve. Add a little lower-body rotation, too. If you can re-create these positions during actual swings, you’re money.

Jake Thurm is a GOLF Teacher to Watch. You can learn more from Jake on Instagram: @jakethurmgolf.