The 8 iron has always been my favorite iron.

Growing up, the 7 iron was of course the first club that was put in my hands. But there is something about the 8 iron and the way that I can manipulate the ball flight that makes it one of my favorite choices.

In addition, I have learned how to hit the 8 iron a variety of distances depending on the shot that I need to hit. However, it pays to know exactly how far your 8 iron flies if you want to make some great shots on the course.

How Long Should You Hit an 8 Iron?

The average 8 iron will travel about 130 yards. However, this does not give you the full story. The distance that an 8 iron flies has quite a bit to do with your swing speed. Faster swing speed golfers can hit an 8 iron considerably further than the low swing speed player.

High Swing Speed Player

High swing speed golfers should be able to get 145 or more yards from the 8 iron. In fact, some can get 155 or more. The PGA Tour Professional, with really fast speeds, should be able to see close to 170 yards with the 8 iron.

These golfers are almost always using an 8 iron with a steel shaft that is built more for accuracy than for total distance. High swing speed players are also known for their high ball flight on the 8 iron.

Low Swing Speed Player

Lower swing speed players are those that continue to struggle with distance in their game. The lowest swing speed players usually hit the 8 iron around 120-130 yards. Of course, some golfers may hit it less than 120 if they really struggle to get the clubhead moving fast.

The lower swing speed players typically use a golf club with a graphite shaft. This lightweight shaft helps increase total launch and improve the consistency in the results seen on the course.

Average Swing Speed

The average swing speed golfer is a player who hits the 8 iron about 130 yards. Players on the LPGA and PGA Tour generate considerably higher swing speed and ball speed than the average swing speed golfers, so expect to see more distance from those golfers.

Most average swing speed players use game improvement equipment which helps them hit the ball further. With modern lofted golf irons, some of the 8 irons in these sets are more like 7 irons.

If you are shopping for new golf irons and can suddenly hit your 8 iron considerably further than your 7 iron, chances are you went from a traditionally lofted set to a set with a modern loft.

Distance Based on Handicap

One of the things that I find most frustrating about determining golf club distances is when people talk about distance in relation to handicaps. It is assumed that higher handicap golfers can’t hit the ball as far as lower handicap golfers.

This is just not true.

Research has shown us that the further you can hit the ball, the easier it can be to score. However, there are plenty of players that go low without hitting an 8 iron any further than 135-140 yards.

Try to remember that the distance you can hit your irons has more to do with speed than anything else.

How Far PGA Players Hit an 8 Iron

PGA Tour players can hit their 8 iron anywhere from 150 to 170 yards or more. At some point, it becomes difficult for PGA players to hit the shots they want to hit because they hit the ball so far. With an 8 iron for PGA Professionals, the loft angle is generally a little lower.

These players use a blade style 8 iron for the most part, and although it may take away from total distance, they often have more accuracy.

On average, female golfers on the LPGA Tour can hit the 8 iron about 140-150 yards.

Can You Hit an 8 Iron 150 Yards?

Hitting an 8 iron 150 yards is entirely possible. In order to do this, you will need quite a bit of clubhead speed. With higher club head speed, the 8 iron will fly 150 yards. Remember that to hit an 8 iron consistently 150 yards; you should also be hitting the ball high in the air with the proper descent angle.

Some golfers don’t get the proper ball flight, and it may increase roll distance, but it won’t help with accuracy or consistency.

If you want to learn to hit an 8 iron 150 yards, you will need to look at increasing your clubhead speed from where it is now. For a golfer that already hits the ball 140 yards, there is a good chance that getting to 150 is entirely possible.

Tips for Hitting Your 8 Iron Further

The 8 iron is a golf club that should be more about consistency and accuracy than distance. However, as an amateur golfer, chances are iron distance matters to you, and you are always looking for a few extra yards of carry distance when possible.

Here are a few of the tips I have used to increase my total distance with my 8 iron. However, it is essential to use a launch monitor from time to time to look at things like the smash factor, spin rate, ball speed, and swing speed mph.

You can get much more insight into why you are getting the distances you are currently getting and where to go from there.

Create More Stability in Your Lower Legs

If you want to hit any golf shot further, it’s important to have stability in the lower body. The lower body is your base of support for the rest of your golf swing. These ground forces that golfers have are being studied more and more to help increase the overall effectiveness for golfers.

To create more stability in your lower legs, you can do things like work on the total strength of your legs. Working out at the gym or adding a walking/running regime to your life can help.

In addition, it does help to have the right pair of golf shoes that grips you to the ground a bit better. I like a spiked design when looking for increased power.

Lastly, I would recommend thinking about where your weight is on your feet. If you have weight on the toe or heel of the foot, you will see considerably less total distance as your balance will be a little off.

Compress The Golf Ball

We’ve talked about this before, but anytime that distance comes to mind, it’s really important to understand what golf ball compression can do for players. If you want to compress the golf ball, you must hit down and through it.

Golfers that strike the ball while they are still on their right foot or when they have yet to make a weight transfer will notice that they are not compressing the golf ball quite as well.

Unfortunately, when you don’t have excellent golf ball compression, you will almost immediately notice a lack of total distance.

I like to think about a small spot in front of the ball. During my swing, I think about hitting the golf ball and this spot in front of the ball. When I think about attacking both, it makes it much easier to get a higher ball flight and more carry distance.

The club stays in the impact zone longer, and the consistency and control are typically greatly improved.

Work on Your Swing Speed

Swing speed is how you get the distance in the game of golf. If you are able to increase your swing speed, you will see more distance with your 8 iron and all the other clubs in your bag.

The two most common ways to increase swing speed include getting stronger and making your golf swing more efficient. If your swing is more efficient and you are able to use the same amount of effort but generate more power, a higher swing speed is easy to achieve.

Here are a few of my favorite drills to help you work on increasing your swing speed:

Make Sure Your Setup and Ball Position Is Correct

Last but certainly not least is to ensure your setup is actually correct. If you don’t have the ball in the proper position or your weight is not balanced at the start of your swing, it’s really hard to maximize distance with your 8 iron.

Most golfers can play the 8-iron shot directly in the middle of the stance. This position creates some consistency from one setup to the next and allows for easier compression of the golf ball.

The ball position can move slightly if you are trying to hit a lower lofted shot with the 8 iron.

In addition, make sure your stance allows for stability but is not too wide. Save those wider stances for the longest clubs in the bag.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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A 2 iron is not typically a golf club that many players have in the bag. With the lower loft and traditionally narrow profile, a golf swing has to be pretty accurate to hit a 2 iron well.

However, with the release of some driving iron or utility-type clubs, this 2 iron has seen a bit of a re-emergence.

If you’re thinking of putting a 2 iron in the bag or have one currently and want to do a better job with it, here are some of the most important things to understand.

How Long Should You Hit a 2 Iron?

The distance that you can hit your 2 iron depends on your swing speed. The average swing speed golfer can hit a 2 iron about 195 yards. Those with higher swing speeds can go well over 200 yards with their 2 iron.

Slower swing speed players often get about 170 yards out of their 2 iron.

If you’re currently hitting a 7 iron about 140 yards, you can do the math to figure out how far you should hit your 2 iron. Each club should allow you about 10 yards more distance. So if your 7 iron goes 140, your 6 should be 150. Work your way up to the 2 iron, and you will see distances in the 190 range.

This information is beneficial because it will make it easier for you to determine whether or not you should have a 2 iron in the bag.

I know that with my golf swing after I get to the 4 iron, I don’t see a major difference in the distances that I can hit the ball. When I try the 2 iron loft, it just goes as far as the 4 iron. However, if I use a hybrid or a fairway wood, I see a major jump in distance.

This all has to do with clubhead and swing speed.

How Far PGA Players Hit a 2 Iron

PGA players have much higher swing speed as well as accuracy levels in the shots that they hit. Therefore the distances they see are considerably longer. Not all PGA Tour players choose to hit a 2 iron because of other clubs they would rather have in their bag.

The golfers that do play a 2 iron typically hit it about 240 yards. With the distances that these players can hit their other clubs, they will probably need to hit the 2 iron 240 yards to keep it in the golf bag.

Overall, PGA players will often use a utility iron of some sort or a hybrid or fairway wood in place of a 2 iron. Most professional golfers have a 3 iron in the bag, but when it goes to the 2 iron, it often switches to some alternative type of golf club.

Some great ball strikers that like a more traditional set may keep the 2 iron in the bag. Another option is to put a graphite shaft in the 2 iron to help improve swing speed and the ability to max out on distance.

Tips for Hitting Your 2 Iron Further

If you have a 2 iron in your golf bag currently and feel as though you could do better with it, here are some of my best tips for hitting your 2 iron further.

Work on Speed

The best way to hit a 2 iron solid is to have a bit more clubhead speed. The higher clubhead speed makes it easier to have a clean strike and maximize the distance. Remember that the 2 iron has a very low launch, so without this speed, you will also notice that the ball flight is not what it should be.

The good news is that you can work on increasing clubhead speed.

One of the best ways to do this is to use a speed training aid. Something that allows you to gradually increase how far you hit the ball and how fast you swing. For most players, this is a weighted type of club.

In addition, you can work on getting physically stronger, which will help increase the overall distance that you can hit your 2 iron. It takes some work to gain speed, but it will help with more than just the 2 iron.

Make Sure The Ball Position Is Correct

The ball position for the 2 iron has to be slightly forward of center. If your setup is not correct with the 2 iron, it makes it incredibly more difficult to hit this club.

Remember the 2 iron is longer than other clubs in the bag, and therefore you also have to stand a bit further away from it. With the distance from the ball being further and the clubface having this lower loft, the ball position and setup are critical.

If you are not feeling like you are maximizing distance, play around with the ball position and see if it makes a difference.

Think About a Graphite Shaft

With the 2 iron being longer than other golf irons in the bag, it is also a bit heavier and harder to swing. This is why many players have put a graphite shaft in their 2 iron. The graphite shaft allows golfers to increase their clubhead speed without having to fight too hard for it.

Changing your 2 iron to a graphite shaft should also help to increase the ball flight and the forgiveness that the club offers.

There are times that a graphite shafted 2 iron will have higher dispersion rates than a steel shafted 2 iron. If your major struggle is accuracy and not distance, then you may want to stick with the steel.

As soon as I switched to swinging a 2 iron with graphite, I was certainly able to increase my total distances. This club took a little customization time, but it’s certainly an option.

Be Realistic About Yardage

I think it’s essential when trying to hit your 2 iron further to be realistic about what the 2 iron is there for.

Let’s say you normally hit your 4 iron 200 yards. When you try to hit the 2 iron, the maximum distance you can get is 210 yards. I would try some of the tips for working on clubhead speed or customizing the club to work for you.

However, at some point, you may need to realize that your golf swing is maxing out, and the loft of the 2 iron golf club is just too low for you to keep it in the bag. For high handicappers, beginners, and many average golfers, this is really what happens.

Don’t Push It

Low-handicap golfers will tell you that you can’t push a golf club to work. If it takes every effort in you to be able to hit the 2 iron well, chances are it’s a club that should not be in the bag. You should be able to take your normal aggressive swing and see results with the 2 iron.

If you feel like you are swinging out of your shoes to hit the ball well, the results and the shots will not be ideal. Each golf club in your bag should have a high percentage of going somewhere near the target, don’t push it if you don’t want to see issues with forgiveness and consistency.

Which Goes Further: A 2 Iron or 3 Wood?

The 2 iron and the 3 wood have a similar loft. A long hitter can usually see very similar distances between these two clubs. However, in my experience, the 3 wood almost always goes further than the 2 iron.

The 3 wood has some extra distance technology incorporated into the club head. Amateur golfers are going to notice a big jump in ball speed as soon as the golf ball leaves the clubface. In addition, the 3 wood tends to be slightly longer and has a graphite shaft.

The graphite shaft and the length are two features of the club that lead to extra distances and also more roll when it does hit the ground. If you are a distance-seeking player, I would recommend the 3 wood.

What Degree Hybrid Replaces a 2 iron?

Hybrid and iron loft replacement is not always an exact science. However, most golfers will find that the 2 iron is replaced best with an 18-degree hybrid. Most golf manufacturers are not making hybrids that are less than 18 degrees.

Most players that are replacing a 2 iron in their bag will look to a fairway wood instead of a hybrid. The fairway wood has a larger sweet spot and slightly higher loft and can help even a short hitter to improve overall ball speed and distance.

Hybrid golf clubs are an excellent replacement for the 3, 4, and 5 iron. Some golfers even put them in the bag for the 6 or 7 iron. However, you will find very few companies manufacture the 2 iron hybrid, as it is simply not a popular choice.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Do you have a golfer in your life that’s about to retire? If so, you’re probably searching for the perfect gift for their retirement party. Well, thanks to the following list, your search is over!

We’ve compiled a list of the 7 best retirement gift ideas for every type of golfer. Each of these retirement gifts will surely bring a smile to any golfer’s face.

1. Funny Golf Ball Set

This golf ball set from CybGene gets our vote for the best golf gift for retirees. Each set comes with 3 golf balls, each with a different funny saying printed on it. The retiree in your life will love the hilarious slogans like “Let’s Par Tee” or “My Retirement Plan is On Course.”

Another nice thing about these golf balls is that the logo and inscriptions won’t fade over time like other brands. CybGene didn’t just design these balls as a novelty, either. Each golf ball has a center core that is built for maximum speed and distance off the tee.

CybGene also offers a Money-Back Guarantee, which only a few companies do nowadays. Oh, and folks will also appreciate the great price of this golf ball set. There’s a whole lot to like about this retirement gift!

2. Retirement Embroidered Golf Towel with Clip

This may be the most practical of all the unique golf gifts on our list. Every golfer needs a quality golf towel to clean their clubs during their rounds. Blupark made this highly durable golf towel with a nice carabiner clip that’ll easily fasten to a golf bag or belt loop.

Retirees who are avid golfers will love the funny but true saying on the front of the towel. It says, “Ahhh, Retirement, Golf Yesterday, Golf Today, Golf Tomorrow! That sure does sound like the perfect retirement plan to us!

Most golfers will use this towel to clean their irons or golf balls. However, this towel is soft enough for wiping sweat off as well. The price point isn’t too bad either, which is always good!

3. My Retirement Plan Golf Hat

Here’s another fantastic retirement gift that can be worn on any golf course. This unique and funny hat was designed and embroidered by artists at the Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company in Michigan.

These folks have been making quality items for quite some time. They’ve hit a home run with this classy hat that features a golf ball on a tee with the words “My Retirement Plan” above it. That’s a perfect saying because golf and retirement go together like peanut butter and jelly.

This hat has an adjustable buckle on the back, so it’ll fit most folks just fine. This hat’s also very durable, so people can throw it in the washing machine without any worries about it getting damaged. Some reviewers have raved about how comfortable this hat is, which is also a definite plus.

4. Golfer’s Best Tool All-In-One Multitool

This is one of the handiest golf items we’ve seen in quite some time, and it’d make a great retirement gift for a golfer. This little handheld multitool has a club groove cleaner, stroke counter, cleat tightener, divot repair tool, cleaning brush, and a ball marker in it.

The golfer in your life will get good use out of this tool on both the golf course and the driving range. This tool is only 5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, so it’ll easily fit in a golf bag or even a pocket. It also has a clip on the back for folks that want to fasten it to their belt.

Heck, we forgot to mention one of this tool’s best features. It also comes with a bottle opener, which is perfect for when it’s time to crack open an ice-cold adult beverage!

5. Engraved Beer Glass

Beer, golf, and retirement go hand in hand. This beer glass would make a great retirement gift for any type of golfer. It has a hilarious inscription that says, “This beer tastes a lot like I’m not going to work tomorrow.”

This saying is not only funny, but it’s true. How much better does a beer taste when you aren’t having to get up and go to work the next day? If you get this for your golfer, it’ll probably end up being their favorite beer glass!

The glass will hold 16 ounces of your favorite beverage, and the saying on the side is engraved with a specialty laser. This means that the inscription won’t fade no matter how many times you use it or run it through a dishwasher.

6. Bushnell Tour V4 Rangefinder

What’s the perfect retirement gift for a golfer? One that’ll actually help them shoot lower scores! The Bushnell Tour V4 will do just that by giving them an accurate yardage reading for every single shot.

Of all the rangefinders on the market, the Tour V4 is our favorite. We did a full review on it in a previous article. The Tour V4 comes with a 2-year warranty, and the Pin Seeker feature makes it easier than ever to lock in on a target.

This rangefinder also comes with a Slope Mode, which is very helpful when playing on a course with lots of hills. If your loved one happens to be a pro-golfer, don’t worry, they can turn the Slope Mode off and still use this rangefinder during tournaments. The Tour V4 is pricey, but in our opinion, it’s well worth it.

7. Retirement Golf Ball Marker Gift Set

Here’s a nice retirement gift that’s inexpensive, funny, and useful. Every golfer needs their own signature ball marker, and this one is perfect for any retiree. It has the words “Retirement Is Now In Full Swing” etched on it.

The ball marker also comes with a magnetic clip that will snap onto the side of any golf hat. Both items are made out of stainless steel, so you won’t ever have to worry about any rust. The material is also very scratch resistant, which is an added benefit.

Every time your golfer is on the green and goes to mark their ball, they’ll get to enjoy this thoughtful gift. The clip and ball marker comes in an elegant gift box that’ll wrap easily. The price of this gift won’t break your budget either!

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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We all know that Tiger Woods had quite a few contributions to the game of golf. Perhaps one of the most important was the stinger shot.

Of course, Tiger didn’t really invent this shot, but he made it something that every golfer wanted to have in their bag.

Learning how to hit the stinger can help your game in various ways. This shot that became popular in the late 90s is still something golfers want to use in their game today.

Let’s take a look at how to hit a stinger far and low.

When It’s Best to Hit a Stinger Shot

The great thing about the stinger shot is that it can cut through the wind and travel for a long time. If you are looking at a fairway where the grass is cut tight and things are rolling well, the stinger is a perfect shot to get you rolling toward your target.

This shot becomes easy to hit straight when you learn how to do it. For those that struggle with control, it can help you hit some straight shots with very low spin.

Stinger shots can be hit from the tee box, the rough, and the fairway. Some golfers use them to get out of trouble; others use them to put themselves in a great spot.

How to Hit a Stinger: 4 Simple Steps

There is no better way to learn how to hit a stinger far and low than to have Tiger Woods show us how to do it. The low stinger requires a consistent swing, stable movement, and a square club face. Here is how Tiger did it:

Now we’ll do a break down of each step below…

Proper Setup

The setup on this shot does not have to be modified all that much. We like to see the ball just forward of the middle of the stance. Probably one ball forward will be enough, don’t play it all the way up in your golf stance.

Another trick I like to use when hitting the stinger shot is I put a little more weight on my front foot. It helps me to feel like I can keep the trajectory lower and complete that wriststop on the follow-through.

Shortened Backswing

The stinger shot is about getting plenty of club head speed and applying it with a square club face, so the ball rolls for quite some time. This shot is not entirely about distance, so there is really no need for a full swing.

In addition, if you plan on stopping the golf club just after impact, you will have a much harder time if you take a full backswing. Most golfers that have success with a stinger shot are only taking the club back about ¾ of the way.

Most players have a hard time feeling where the top of their backswing is and don’t know when to start the downswing. Once you have made that shoulder turn where the shoulder is beneath your chin, you are in a position where you can make that transition to the downswing.

When learning how to hit the stinger, you may see more initial success if you take a shorter rather than longer swing.

Low Stop On Follow Through

The key to this shot is to feel as though you are stopping the wrists just after impact. Tiger mentions that the way he feels this is to keep his arms loose and feel as though he can stop them just after impact.

Of course, we know with science and momentum and physics that you won’t really be able to stop the club just after impact. However, it will feel like it.

This is where you will need a little bit of strength to hit the stinger tee shot because you are working to stop the momentum that you have just created on the backswing. I like to think of the golf ball and imagine a two foot area extending on the left side of the golf ball (after impact).

The line, I imagine, extends towards the target, so it is straight. As I’m in my backswing and making my transition to the downswing, I see this area as the place I would like to stop my shot.

Of course, I’ll end up with about a ¾ finish, but feeling this hold in this area is what keeps the trajectory of the stinger low.

Golfers need to be sure to take a divot when hitting a stinger and to maintain wrist angle at impact. The shot needs to come as a descending blow into the ball and not something that you hit up on.

Compression here is key, and nobody shows us that better than Tiger. These stinger shots always looked like they were hit with a tremendous amount of power because they were.

Abbreviated Finish

As you work so hard to stop the club just after impact to get that lower flight, you may not make it to a full finish on these stingers. However, you can see from Tiger’s golf shots that he still makes a full turn of the hips and a weight transfer.

Make sure that as you are working on stopping the club after impact, you are not stopping your body from rotating. In fact, Tiger mentions that hip rotation and turn are the key elements to hit the stinger well.

Some of the miss hits that you can get with this shot are hitting slightly behind it or even hitting the shot higher than you expected. Players that get really good with the stinger can learn how to hit a stinger draw or stinger fade.

The variations on a stinger shot should be relatively simple and can be made with small movements in the setup.

Best Clubs to Use for a Stinger

One of the key elements to hitting a stinger shot is to choose the proper club as well as the appropriate lie. Here are a few of the best clubs to use for a stinger.

Long Irons

One of the great things about long irons is that they are already lower lofted. These clubs have a lower loft that helps keep the ball flight down, and it can be considerably easier to get the trajectory that you are looking for.

Long irons like a 3, 4, or even 5 iron would be our first choice for learning how to hit this stinger. Hitting a stinger out of the rough with a long iron can be tough; I would recommend switching to the mid irons if your ball is a bit buried.

Mid Irons

It’s hard to get the proper trajectory for a low and far stinger when using a short iron. However, if you are strong with your 6 and 7 iron, you can usually get them to work. With the 7 iron, expect a slightly higher ball flight and maybe a little more spin.

This means that your total distance will probably be a few yards shorter, but it’s still a shot you can use.

Fairway Woods

When fairways are tight or the wind is in your face, a fairway wood stinger is an excellent shot for an approach on a par 5. You can get a little extra distance and maybe even run one up on the green.

When hitting this shot with a fairway wood, make sure that you don’t get too quick with your tempo. Since these clubs are graphite shafted and lightweight some players get a little too eager and end up hitting the top of the ball.

Driver

The driver may seem like an unlikely club to use when learning how to hit a stinger far and low, but it’s a really great shot to have in the bag.

Certain holes require a bit more precision, and the driver can help you send your shot down the center with a more abbreviated swing. One thing to be careful of here is that you are still releasing the club head.

If you don’t release the clubhead, your shot won’t go straight, and you may end up in a predicament.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Every golfer wants to know how to hit a draw.

They look great, increase distance, and it’s what most of the pros do.

For many golfers though, the draw remains an unattainable goal. A mountain too big to climb.

Sound familiar?

You’ve done all the research, practiced the drills, and feel like you’re ready to consistently hit a draw. You crush the ball off the tee, starting it 15 yards out to the right, and wait for it to swing back into the middle of the fairway.

But the movement never comes.

Or worse still, the ball swings even further to the right through the air, leaving you with a lost ball and a terrible start to your round.

Maybe your golfing buddies mutter something about “bad luck”, or “maybe next time”.

Imagine if you could consistently hit a beautiful draw.

A shape that made them wonder, “where did this come from?”

Fortunately, you can.

Photo via OneBeardedGolfer

There are a number of key elements to your swing that will have you drawing the ball like Jordan Spieth (these drills can help you putt like him too), and smashing it 30 yards past your opponents, in no time.

These 8 proven steps are the simplest and most effective ways to hit a draw.

Imagine how good it will feel when you’re consistently walking up the middle of the fairway towards your ball. When you’re the last one in your group to hit your second shot because you’ve outdriven your playing partners… again.

The first 5 steps you can apply in order, from your setup through to your follow through. Steps 6 through 8 are more general principles, which will go a long way to helping you launch it long and strong.

As usual, for the purpose of the article we’ll assume you’re a right hander. If you’re a lefty, simply switch the steps around to suit your needs.

Step 1: Align yourself to the right

Photo via GolfTipsMag

This is an easy step to implement, even if it sounds counterintuitive.

The natural response is to wonder why on you should aim right if you want to curve it left. After all, the right side of the hole is where you’re trying to keep the ball away from.

When your ball is sliding 20 yards right to left in the air though, you’ll be happy you aimed out there.

Choose a spot to the right of your target.

Exactly how far to the right depends on how far you want the ball to move in the air – the further to the right you go, the larger the draw is likely to be. For the sake of a controlled ball flight, try around 20 yards to the right for a drive.

Set up everything as though you’re trying to hit the ball to this spot. Your feet should be aligned with this point, as should your shoulders, as should your club.

Step 2: Re-align your club face so it’s facing your actual target

This step requires you to keep your body aligned exactly as you set up in step 1. The only change you need to make is to move your club face.

Find your target – i.e where you want the ball to land. Presumably, this will be the middle of the fairway or the green.

Without moving your body, slowly close the club face until it is pointing directly at this target.

If someone takes a picture of you from behind after this step, you should see your entire body facing down the right hand side of the hole, while your club is facing up the middle.

If so, you’re halfway there.

Step 3: Re-grip

During step 2, assuming you kept your entire body aligned in the same direction while adjusting the club face, your grip will have changed.

As you closed the face, your left hand (top hand) will have slowly crept slightly underneath the grip, and you will have lost sight of one or two knuckles.

As we explained in how to fix a slice, you should be able to see three knuckles on this hand during your set up. Having a proper golf grip helps to both eliminate the slice, and hit the draw.

Without altering your set up, or club alignment, shuffle your left hand back around the grip so that you can see three knuckles.

Now, your body is aligned to the right, your club is facing down the middle, and your grip is perfect.

You’re ready to hit a draw.

Step 4: Swing along the line of your body

Again, this may sound counter-intuitive. To hit the draw though, you need your club to follow the line of your body, meaning your follow through will head towards the right of the target.

If you trace the line of the club during a swing which generates a draw, you’ll notice the downswing and follow through all lead out to the right of the ball’s final landing spot.

The reasons for this are complex, but basically the movement of the ball in the air is determined by the direction of the club at impact, and the orientation of the club face.

Picture a soccer player taking a free kick. A right-footer will often curl it right to left, and the process for achieving this is much the same as hitting a draw.

It requires a leg swing which follows through out to the right of the target, and a foot which faces inwards, towards the target. This creates the right to left spin on the ball which helps it move left in the air, and your golf swing is no different.

If your club direction is towards the right – i.e. the point to which you aligned your body in step 1 – and your club face is pointing towards the target in the middle of the fairway, the ball will move right to left.

It’s that easy.

This is the inside-out swing path which is so fondly spoken of by those wishing to hit a draw. Follow this step, and you’re doing it.

Step 5: Finish strong

Many golfers wonder why on earth the follow through even matters. After all, it all happens once the ball is well on the way to its destination, right?

The reason there is such an emphasis on the follow through is because it is hugely reflective of all that has happened before it.

Finishing strong is a great way to ensure that all the previous steps work in tandem to create your draw.

What do we mean by finishing strong? Easy. Finish with your chest out, and your right shoulder facing towards your target.

Focussing on this will ensure that all the mechanics of a good golf swing exist in the earlier parts of your swing. It will help with weight transferral, shoulder rotation, and importantly, the inside-out swing path.

A lazy, sloppy follow through, where you finish with a sunken chest and a club which barely reaches around your left shoulder, will mean that you have likely kept your weight on your back foot, your club face open, and the ball will be flying out to the right.

In contrast, a strong finish will help you hit a long, strong, right to left curving ball.

Step 6: Swing smooth

This step is relatively easy, but it is also incredibly important. Many golfers get so excited by the prospect of hitting a big, long draw, that they actively try to smash the ball as hard as they can.

This will cause problems. If you swing too fast, you are likely to over-rotate your body, and keep the club face open. In more simple terms, you’ll hit the ball out to the right.

The beauty of the draw is that it generates the extra distance all by itself. There’s no need to swing harder to get the extra distance everyone associates with a draw – the ball will do it by itself.

A byproduct of following all the previous steps properly is right to left spin on the ball, a drawing flight path, and more distance.

So there’s no need to worry about getting any extra legs on your drive. Focus on the steps above, swing smooth, and you’ll see your ball sailing past your friends, right up the middle.

Step 7: Swing shallow on drives

Photo via GolfWRX

A common mistake amateurs make is to swing their driver too steeply. Basically, this means that they raise the club too quickly, and subsequently drop it too quickly on their downswing.

This movement causes a number of problems, including a loss of distance and ‘good spin’ (the right-to-left spin you’re after to create your draw).

Generally, pros have much shallower swings than amateurs, so this is what you want to be striving for. As well as making it easier to play a draw, a shallower swing will give you a heap more distance in your shot. Master this step and you’ll be crunching it down the middle in no time.

So how do you do it? There are a number of techniques which can help, but the easiest is to neutralize the shaft.

At this point you’re probably questioning what on earth that means, but it is a relatively simple concept. Many amateurs have their hands too far ahead of the ball (towards the target) during their set up for a drive.

This promotes a steep swing, and is likely to cause your drive to balloon up in the air and impart the kind of spin that you don’t want – either left-to-right spin, or just too much of it.

Neutralizing your hands is simply moving them back, so that the shaft of your driver is at closer to 90 degrees from your body, rather than angled diagonally towards you.

This will automatically promote a shallower swing, an inside-out swing path, and a drive 20 yards past your buddies.  

Step 8: Visualize a draw

Last but not least, the mental aspect.

As well all know, what’s above the shoulders plays as big a role in golf as what’s below them. If you believe you can hit a draw, you’ll be able to. If you think about the water hazard on the right, you’ll see your ball slicing straight into it.

Visualization works for some of the top athletes in the world, and it can work for you.

Imagine smashing your drive past your friends. Visualize your club moving on an inside-out swing path, and your club head facing straight at your target as you hit the ball.

Picture your friends faces when your ball starts curving back from the right side of the fairway to the middle, or when your ball lands past where theirs have come to a rest and bounces another 20 yards.

The mind is your most powerful tool on the course, and believing you can hit a draw plays a big role in being able to do it.

Fortunately, anyone can hit one if they use these 8 simple steps, including you.

Follow these proven steps and you’ll be hitting a powerful draw in no time!

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a low handicapper to hit a long, accurate, consistent draw.

All of these steps are actionable for any golfer.

Each step is, individually, very simple to implement. When they are all performed together, they create a thing of beauty.

They create the draw.

That elusive ball flight which you so often see, but never seem to be able to do.

That right to left movement which all the pros have, and which you are so certain would improve your golf game markedly, if only you had the talent to do it.

I’m here to tell you… you do.

If you have the talent to align yourself to the right, you can hit a draw.

If you are capable of following through like you mean it, you can hit a draw.

You don’t need to be Rory McIlroy to follow these simple and effective steps.

All you need is a bag of clubs, a couple of balls, and a willingness to follow proven instructions.

Before you know it, your friends will be asking you for advice.

August Noble

August Noble was first introduced to golf at 7 years old. In 2013 he started seriously working on his game and was able to reduce his handicap from 19 to 3.4 in less than two years. He’s been helping other golfers do the same ever since.

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Driving distance and accuracy… the two things that every golfer on the planet wants more of.

Sure, we all know that putting is the key for success at the professional level, but as a recreational player, you want to have the confidence to step up to the first tee and smash a drive down the middle of the fairway.

There are many different ways to gain distance and hit more fairways, but the reality is simple. Once you master the basic concepts of solid ball striking, you have to increase your clubhead speed in order to increase your distance.

If your driving of the golf ball is something that frustrates you, you’re in luck, you have now found the ultimate resource for golf driving tips to help you hit longer, straighter, and more consistent drives.

Here are the 20 golf driving tips that will instantly help you gain more precious yards off the tee:

1. Widen Your Stance

There is a reason you can swing your driver faster than any other club in your bag. Simply put, the driver is the longest club in your bag and therefore has a larger swing arc which results in more speed.

It’s important to remember that you will swing the driver faster than any other club and therefore need a solid base for your swing. Set up so the outside of your shoulders extend down to the inside of your feet at address. This will ensure you have a solid enough base to swing the club in balance and with authority when you start to increase your clubhead speed.

2. Tilt Your Spine

Although the basic elements of the iron and driver swing are the same there is one aspect that is completely opposite between the two shots.

With an iron swing the ball is on the ground and we must strike “down” on the golf ball. With the driver, the ball is placed on a tee and therefore we must do the opposite and hit “up” on the ball. Notice in the position above how the left shoulder is slightly higher than the right shoulder. This is a result of a slight tilt of the spine at address.

The purpose of the spine tilt is put the player in a position to hit up on the golf ball, a key element that you should focus on when increasing driver distance.

3. Use More Loft

What loft do you currently use on your driver?

After working with thousands of amateurs over the years, we have found a direct correlation with driver loft and ego. Players with the biggest egos tend to have the smallest amount of loft on their driver.The reason? People think that the lower the loft of their driver the more powerful of a player they are.

While it’s true that some of the long drive competitors use driver lofts under 6 degrees, the vast majority of PGA Tour players, the most elite group of golfers on the planet, are using more and more loft every year on their drivers.

Due to advancements in technology, we know now the most efficient way to “launch” a ball is with high loft, low spin and hitting up on the golf ball. Dustin Johnson, one of the most powerful drivers of the golf ball on the PGA Tour uses an 11-degree driver!

No wonder he hits those towering tee shots that carry well over 300 yards. Most of the drivers today come with adjustable faces giving players a range of about 4 degrees of loft to experiment with.

Next time you go to the range bring your adjustment tool and start to experiment with a higher loft, it just might be the key to unlocking a few extra yards.

4. Train With a Lighter Club

The average clubhead speed of a PGA Tour player using a driver is 113mph, while the average 15 handicap is 93mph.

In order to increase distance, one must narrow this gap and begin to swing the club faster. One of the most effective ways to train speed in your golf swing is to swing a lighter club. Your body is composed of both fast twitch and slow twitch muscles that when activated are both important parts in the golf swing. Swinging a lightweight club will allow you to activate the fast twitch muscle fibers in your body.

The best tool we’ve found to do this (after trying nearly all of them) is the SuperSpeed training system. It includes 3 specifically-weighted training clubs, nearly 2 years worth of online video instruction and is used by more than 600 tour pros worldwide, including Phil Mickelson.

If you don’t want to use the SuperSpeed system you can practice by taking an alignment stick and swinging it as fast as you can from your normal golf stance. When practice this drill focus on creating a loud “swoosh” sound with the club after impact as you focus on accelerating as fast as you can in the downswing.

5. Train With a Heavier Club

While swinging a lighter club is an excellent way to practice building speed, practicing the complete opposite is also beneficial.

The SuperSpeed training system includes a club designed to be 5% heavier than a driver for this exact reason.

If you want to try to recreate this without the system grab two irons from your bag and perform practice swings holding the two clubs together. Swinging two clubs together will be substantially heavier than the alignment stick you just used and will further train your fast twitch muscle fibers. We recommend switching back and forth between both heavy and light weight clubs to further develop these important muscles or following the prescribed trainings from SuperSpeed’s system.

After time, your muscles will begin to develop strength by swinging the heavier club and you will be able to increase your clubhead speed.

6. Get to the Gym

Look at the top of every PGA Tour leaderboard each week and you’ll find the best players in today’s game are all strong athletic specimens of power.

Tiger Woods brought a new generation of golfers to the game and with it the realization that fitness is an important part in hitting the ball great distances. Exercise is an important part of daily life as a human being, but it is also important as a golfer.

While there are some very specific exercises that directly benefit the golf swing (we’ll cover that later) starting any type of exercise program that will improve your overall fitness will have direct benefits to your distance off the tee.

7. Establish Width Early in the Swing

Look at the classical swing of Ben Hogan and notice how much space he creates in the beginning of his swing.

We mentioned earlier that you can swing the driver the fastest speed because it is the longest club and therefore creates the widest swing arc. Continuing with the theme that width equals power, it’s important that your initial takeaway is one that gets the body turning and your hands extending away from the body.

Many amateurs initiate their hands too early in the swing by lifting the club with a “cocking” motion of the wrists. Copy the long hitters of today and practice a slow, wide takeaway with little wrist cock. As you start your swing, imagine the buttons on your shirt rotating backwards while your hands extend away from your body. This will encourage you to use more of your body to hit the ball instead of leading with the hands.

8. Implement a Stretching Routine

We mentioned earlier the importance of adding a gym routine to your weekly routine, however one of the most overlooked exercises for golfers is the simple habit of stretching.

As you age, your strength will decrease over time, this is not a theory but a fact. The best way to combat this loss of strength is to maintain a high level of flexibility. Being able to touch your toes, rotate your shoulders as close as you can to 90 degrees, and perform a deep squat are all important exercises that golfers should be practicing all the time.

The key with stretching is to make it a part of your daily routine. Start by using the first five minutes of each morning to practice these basic golf stretches. You will start to see amazing results after just 7 days. Keep it up for an entire month and you will be blown away by the results!

9. Practice with a Launch Monitor

There is a reason why more and more PGA Tour players bringing mobile launch monitors with them to every golf tournament. The best players in the world need to know their exact numbers and pay close attention to spin rates, launch angles, clubhead speed and smash factor. While we don’t think it’s necessary for you to go out and purchase your own launch monitor, if you have never spent time on one it’s a great tool to use to better understand your own swing dynamics.

Visit your favorite retail golf shop (stores like Golf Galaxy and Dick’s Sporting Goods allow patrons to access their launch monitors to demo new equipment) and bring in your current set and ask to compare them with the newer equipment. You don’t need to purchase anything, but this will allow you to see your important numbers like your clubhead speed, spin rate, and launch angle.

However, if you are interested in purchasing a launch monitor that you can bring with you anywhere the one we most often recommend is the FlightScope Mevo. It’s the most portable launch monitor on the market, connects to your phone and is used by some of the best drivers on the PGA tour (including Bryson DeChambeau):

10. Decrease Your Spin Rate

Most amateurs suffer from excessively high spin rates. There can be a variety of reasons for spin rate problems but one of the most common is a downward strike on the ball that puts excess backspin on the shot. We can’t stress the importance of “hitting up” on the golf ball with a driver and will make the point again. If you are using an iron setup to hit your driver (golf ball in the middle of your stance, flat shoulders, ball teed up too low) you will strike down on the ball and hit the type of shot that balloons in the air and loses valuable distance.

The longest drivers hit the golf ball with a high launch and low spin. Their spin rates average between 1,800-2,300 rpm (revolutions per minute). Again, using a launch monitor is a great way to see where your current spin rate is and get instant feedback on each swing. Anything above 2,800rpms and you no doubt are giving up valuable yardage.

You should feel a little more pressure on the inside of your right thigh.

We’ve mentioned the importance of “hitting up” on the golf ball with your driver and one of the best ways to encourage this action is to set up with slightly more weight on your trail foot at address.

Take your stance and begin with your weight evenly distributed between both feet. The ball position should be forward in your stance and your spine slightly tilted away from the target. For the right-handed golfer, slightly shift your body until you feel about 60% of your weight is loaded into your right glute. Having a slight amount of weight on the trail foot ensures that you can stay back and deliver that powerful upward strike into the ball.

 

12. Practice Bad Posture

Don’t worry that’s not a typo! If you struggle with hip mobility, practice arching your back like a cat (left photo) to relax your shoulders and level your hips. It may not look pretty, but it will definitely allow you to rotate your hips more. This is an especially helpful tip for those seniors golfers looking to unlock a few yards.

Not yet a senior golfer? Practicing the “arching cat” posture in the left photo is still a good drill to use. Curl your back up and then let it relax and you can find yourself in a more neutral posture (right photo) that will achieve the same goals.

13. Eliminate Early Extension

One of the most common problems we see in a variety of players from the PGA Tour level to nearly every amateur over a 15 handicap is a problem called “early extension”. Early extension occurs when a player’s hips thrust toward the golf ball in the downswing rather than rotating and turning around. The reason Early Extension is such a common problem for many golfers is that eliminating it for your golf swing requires a certain range of flexibility.

Luckily if you can successfully learn the Overhead Deep Squat, you can learn to eliminate Early Extension. To perform the exercise, grab a golf club and hold it with both hands, shoulder width apart directly above your head. Get into an athletic setup position and perform a standard squat while keeping your back straight and golf club above your head. Your overhead deep squat is considered a success if you meet the following four conditions:

The golf club does not pass your head as you squat

Both heels remain on the floor

Knees do not pass in front of the toes

Thighs break parallel to the ground

As we mentioned earlier, we feel this movement is so important for the golfer that you should include it on your daily stretching routine to help improve your body’s health and your golf swing.

14. Raise Your Left Heel

You can significantly gain more shoulder turn by simply raising the left heel.

One of the best tips that can instantly transform your backswing dynamics involves a simple raise of the left heel in the backswing.

Spend some time watching the classical swings of Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson and you will notice that each of these players raise their left heel in the backswing. Raising the left heel directly benefits your swing as it allows your hips more flexibility to rotate more in the backswing, and it also allows the shoulders to turn more in the backswing.

15. Pull your Pocket

Pretend someone is standing behind you and “pulling” your right pocket backward to engage your hips more.

One of the most common mistakes we see with players is a lateral shift in the backswing. This movement, also referred to as swaying, is an immediate distance killer in the golf swing. If your hips are swaying they can’t rotate, and without the rotation of your hips your swing will lack some major power. Greg Norman used to use the swing thought of “right pocket back” to start his backswing.

If you have trouble sliding and swaying your hips in the backswing, take your setup position and feel as if someone is pulling your right pocket directly backward to start your backswing.

16. Turn Your Head in the Backswing

One of the best ways to reduce tension and increase your turn in the backswing is allowing your head to tilt slightly in the backswing.

This was a staple move in the full swing of Jack Nicklaus and became the “trigger” for his golf swing allowing him to start his backswing by the tilting of his head. If you’re struggling with excessive tension in your neck try the following drill:

Setup in a normal golf stance with your club of choice

For a right-handed golfer, slowly rotate your head counter-clockwise while keeping your left eye focused squarely on the ball

This tilting of the head should happen at the same time you initiate your backswing.

This is a very subtle move. You only need to tilt the head about an inch to release the tension in your neck and allow your shoulders to turn more freely. Start with slow practice swings and then start hitting balls with this new move.

17. Preset your Hips

If you suffer from a lack of flexibility with your hips and shoulders, you need to think outside-the-box and find creative ways to allow your body to turn more. The more you can rotate your shoulders and hips in the backswing, the more potential energy you can create.

One of the best methods involves presetting your hips and shoulders by dropping your trail foot back at address. With the trail foot now behind, you will find it much easier to rotate and make a complete turn to the top. In addition, this setup position will encourage a more inside takeaway and help you approach the ball from the inside leading to a powerful draw off the tee.

18. Practice on an Uphill Lie

One of the best ways to practice your perfect setup position for your driver is to find a gentle upslope at your driving range and perform some practice swings on the slope. Most amateurs make their first mistake with their driver at the setup. With the ball on a gentle upslope you will easily be able to experience a correct drive setup.

Setup up your shoulders parallel to the upslope and you will feel your spine slightly tilt away from the target, your weight slightly favoring your trail foot, and the ball position clearly forward in your stance, all the correct variables to hit the ball a long distance.

19. Hold Your Finish

Have you ever noticed the amazing balance that even the longest drivers on the PGA Tour have in their swing?

One of our favorites to watch is the 2017 PGA Tour Player of the Year, Justin Thomas. The long hitting star swings the club well in excess of 125mph but seems to finish every swing in perfect balance. If you can hold your position at the end, you will be much more likely to:

Have a more square clubface at impact

Approach the ball with a proper swing path

Establish a consistent rhythm in your swing

Start your next practice session by hitting 5 consecutive shots and hold the finish for a minimum of 3 seconds afterwards. Once you’ve mastered that drill, incrementally increase your speed while making sure you finish in a balanced position.

20. Swing Left Handed

If you wanted to be a bodybuilder would you go to the gym and only work out one side of your body? Of course not, balance between all muscles is the key to successful bodybuilding. For the body builder their right and left legs, arms, shoulders, and other body parts should be equal between both sides.

Most golfers never even think about training their non-dominant side, but in an effort to create more balance and power, professionals are spending a significant time in the gym, throwing, catching, and performing speed swings with BOTH sides of their body. One of the key fundamentals in training speed is to be able to swing a lightweight club approximately the same speed between both sides.

Practice training your non-dominant side with an alignment stick. At first you will be noticeable slower, make it a goal to get your non-dominant swing speed within 5% of your dominant swing speed and you’ll achieve the balance and power that will lead to longer drives.

The best swing speed training programs (like the one mentioned below) will always insure you’re equally training both sides of your body:

Use these tips and start hitting longer, straighter, and more consistent drives…

There’s nothing stopping you from improving your driving.  Head to the range with these driving tips and wear them out!  Commit at least 1 hour per week implementing these tips you’ll be smashing beautiful drives in no time.

Get the confidence to KNOW you are going to hit the fairway.  There’s no reason why you can’t be a great driver of the golf ball and improve your game drastically.

You control whether or not you improve your driving.  Put the time in and reap the rewards.

August Noble

August Noble was first introduced to golf at 7 years old. In 2013 he started seriously working on his game and was able to reduce his handicap from 19 to 3.4 in less than two years. He’s been helping other golfers do the same ever since.

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Do you struggle with a big, looping banana slice off the tee?

If so, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone! 60% of all golfers fight a massive slice, especially when using their driver.

Did you know that there are some specific golf balls on the market today that will help limit your slice? We break down what type of ball is best for golfers who slice and which brands to try.

For golfers that just need a quick recommendation, here are our top choices:

Do Anti Slice Golf Balls Actually Work?

Yes, certain golf balls will help reduce the severity of your slice. While anti slice golf balls will not completely cure your slice, they can at least turn it into more of a power fade. This can help you play from the fairway more often, which almost every golfer would happily welcome.

Golf ball manufacturers all have certain patented technologies that help reduce side spin during the ball’s flight. Sidespin is what causes the golf ball to slice so any reduction in sidespin is going to limit the slicing action.

One way that manufacturers look to limit slicing is by designing their golf balls with a special dimple pattern. Each of the brands on our list has a specific number of dimples and a unique shape that helps reduce slicing.

Will More Expensive Golf Balls Slice Less Than Cheaper Ones?

No, it’s actually the opposite. As a general rule, the more expensive golf balls are designed for highly skilled golfers and professionals. Most highly-skilled golfers need more spin to control their irons on approach shots. Most slicers are high handicappers who need less spin.

Before getting to our list of best golf balls for slicers, keep in mind that no golf ball will eliminate your slice. That is something that can only be achieved by changing some of your swing habits and patterns. If you hit such a wicked slice that you are losing lots of golf balls each round, consider taking a few lessons with a PGA teaching pro.

However, if you don’t have the time or money for a few lessons, the golf balls on this list can help with your slice. I’ve used a few of these golf balls personally and they’ve helped reduce my slice to a more manageable level.

6 Best Golf Balls to Reduce Slices

1. Bridgestone E6 Soft Golf Balls

If you struggle with a slice from the tee box, the Bridgestone E6 may be the perfect choice for you. Bridgestone invests lots of time, energy, and resources into all of their golf balls and the E6 is no exception. This is currently the golf ball that I play with during my rounds and I love it!

The E6 provides a rare combination of accuracy and distance. This is because of their Delta Dimple technology that helps the ball fly high, long, and straight. Golfers all over the world have written positive reviews about the E6 so it is worth trying if you’re a slicer.

Why is Bridgestone so great at making quality golf balls? They have over 900 rubber science engineers that help with the design of all of their products! It’s hard to argue with a resume like that.

2. Nitro Maximum Distance Golf Ball

If you’re a habitual slicer who wants a cheap golf ball that will fly straight, the Nitro Maximum Distance is a great option. These little beauties cost less than one dollar each and have very little sidespin. This makes them a phenomenal choice if you need to decrease your slice off the tee but are on a limited budget.

The dimple design of this ball is very aerodynamic-friendly. This means that it will have lots of trajectory and less drag. The Nitro features a super reactive 2-piece titanium core that delivers plenty of distance with the longer clubs in your golf bag.

The only negative about the Nitros is that they are indeed hard as a rock. This means that they won’t feel or react the best on the greens. However, their low spin, cheap price, and high level of durability make them a popular choice amongst slicers of the golf ball.

3. Titleist Velocity Golf Balls

Titleist is one of the most trusted brands in the golfing world. These folks have been making amazing golf balls for more than 85 years. The Titleist Velocity has a 4.8 rating on Amazon so it was a no-brainer to put it in our top spot.

Most folks have heard of Titleist because of their countless commercials that are run during PGA Tour golf tournaments. Almost all of their commercials promote their Pro V1 and Pro V1X golf balls. While those are both great choices, they are both super expensive and will probably create too much spin for the average slicer!

The Velocity is Titleist’s best option for golfers who struggle to hit the ball straight. These balls won’t feel as good at impact as the Pro V1’s but they will fly straighter off the tee if you tend to slice the ball.

Golfers also love that the Titleist Velocity golf balls also provide a very high ball flight. The high trajectory not only helps you stop your approach shots on the green, but it helps you hit the ball straighter off the tee as well.

I used the Velocity golf balls during my early years of playing golf. I was amazed at how they helped reduce the severity of my slice.

Did I still hit the ball way right? Of course, but I noticed that with the Velocity golf balls I didn’t lose as many balls each round. That was enough proof to make me a believer in the Titleist Velocity.

4. Polara Self Correcting Golf Balls

This ball almost didn’t make our list because it is not approved for tournament play. However, most amateur golfers never enter tournaments and simply want a golf ball that will fly straighter when playing rounds with their buddies. The USGA decided to outlaw this golf ball because it does such a good job at fixing hooks and slices!

Polara’s Ultimate Straight Self-Correcting Technology helps reduce the severity of slices by up to 50%. This is a 2-piece golf ball so it will not spin nearly as much as premium golf balls. That is a great thing for those that fight a massive slice.

The only negative about the Polara’s is the price, which is a bit higher than the other golf balls on our list. However, if you are wanting to keep more balls in play, these are worth a shot.

5. Wilson Smart Core Golf Balls

Wilson calls this golf ball “the only intelligent distance ball that reacts to your swing speed”. This ball is self-correcting and will adjust to both your swing speed and your swing type. Golfers rave about how the ball reacts upon impact and love how it limits their slices and hooks.

This golf ball explodes off the tee because of the Smart Core Technology, but it also has a softer feel while putting on the green. That’s a rare combination that all high handicappers love! The only negatives about this golf ball are its lack of availability and its lack of durability.

6. MaxFli StraightFli Golf Balls

Here is a brand that does not get a ton of hype but offers a great product. The MaxFli StraightFli has been put through numerous lab and robot testing. The results show that this golf ball travels 20% straighter than any other golf ball that MaxFli offers.

The added accuracy is due in part to the Find the Fairway Dimple Pattern, which uses 374 large and small dimples. The dimples are packed and positioned in a specific way that helps keep the ball from spinning too much. The soft Ionomer cover also feels pretty nice while putting on the green.

How to Select the Right Golf Ball for You

Finding the right golf ball for you and your game can be a daunting task. Before deciding on which golf ball to buy, here are a few aspects to consider.

1. Severity of Your Slice

How bad is your slice? It helps to be gut-level honest about the severity of your slice before deciding what type of golf ball to buy. Like we told you before, fighting a slice is very common and nothing to be ashamed of.

Is your slice so bad that you lose several golf balls every single round? If so, you may want to look into one of the self-correcting golf balls on this list. They may be a little more expensive, but you are likely to have better luck with them.

Is your slice just more of a mild annoyance? Do you find yourself losing a couple of balls per round and playing too often out of the tall grass? If so, any of the golf balls on this list will help to decrease your slice.

2. How is Your Short Game?

Do you struggle with your putter? If so, the two-piece golf balls on this list may not be a good option for you. The cheaper two-piece balls work great for limiting slices but most golfers dislike the hard feel of them while putting on the green. In golf, like in life, everything is a trade-off.

If you are a golfer who putts well no matter what type of golf ball you use, this is less of a concern. Feel free to use any on this list at your discretion.

3. What’s Your Budget?

When buying golf balls, price should always be a consideration. If you’re on a tight budget, consider the cheap Nitros on this list. If you have some extra money, maybe try out the more expensive self-correcting golf balls.

If after trying out a few of the brands on this list you are still not hitting the ball as straight as you’d like, save up enough money for a few golf lessons. The most effective way to cure a slice is by finding the root cause instead of just a quick fix. A few simple swing adjustments are probably all you need to start hitting the ball straight down the fairway!

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Tight lies are a common obstacle for golfers, but there are specific ways you can hit the ball to get out of it unscathed.

We’ve compiled a list of the most effective ways to hit tight lies during your next round of golf.

What is a Tight Lie in Golf?

A tight lie occurs when the golf ball comes to rest at a part of the course where there is very little grass underneath it. When there is little to no grass underneath the golf ball, the golfer cannot take his normal divot while swinging. A lot of folks also refer to a tight lie as a thin shot or a bare lie.

Golfers of every skill level often struggle to hit shots from a tight lie because the margin of error is so slim. Tight lies make it difficult for the golfer to make solid contact because the ball isn’t sitting up. This is why specific clubs for tight lies, from companies like TaylorMade and Adams Golf, have risen in popularity over the years.

There are several common places where tight lies may occur on a golf course. The most common of which is on the fringe around the greens where the grass is extremely short. Tight lies can even occur while in the fairway, especially in the winter months when the grass doesn’t grow as well.

Most golfers, especially high handicappers, are more comfortable with the golf ball up on the tee or at least sitting up nicely on a patch of grass. This is because, in their minds, it is much easier to get the ball in the air when it is elevated.

However, it is possible to still strike the golf ball well even from the tightest of lies. Here are a few tips from various pro golfers.

5 Pro Tips to Hit a Tight Lie

Hale Irwin’s Tips for Hitting Chip Shots with Tight Lies

Hale Irwin was one of the best short game players on the PGA Tour during the prime of his career. Irwin won 20 PGA Tour events including 3 major championships. Here are some of Irwin’s best tips for hitting chips out of tight lies.

• “Never try to lift the ball when chipping out of a tight lie. If you do, you’ll either hit it too thin or too fat.”
• “Hit down on the ball to make it go up. You want to have a descending blow.”
• “Open the clubface a little to add 1 or 2 more degrees of loft on your low-bounce wedge. This will make for a softer landing on the green.”

Phil Mickelson’s Tips for Hitting Chip and Bump and Run Shots

Mickelson has been a fan favorite on the PGA Tour for several decades. The 6-time major champion has won 45 PGA Tour events which is tied for 8th on the all-time list. Here are some of Mickelson’s best tips for hitting chips or bump and run shots from tight lies.

• “Keep the shaft as vertical as possible during your setup. This will help to get rid of the bounce and allow you to make solid contact with the ball first.”
• “While addressing the golf ball, stick the toe of the club into the ground. This will help the shot come out like a normal chip.”
• “As crazy as it sounds, you want to eliminate the sweet spot of the club to keep the ball from coming out too hot.”
• “When chipping from tight lies, use the same stroke as you would with your putter.”

Moe Norman’s Tips for Pitching Out of Tight Lies

We’ve talked at length on this blog about Moe Norman’s incredible ball-striking ability. Most people don’t know that Norman was a master at hitting shots from tight lies.

Norman learned to play golf in Canada on a municipal course with lots of tight lies called the Rockway. Here’s how to execute Norman’s Rockway Move that he used when hitting out of tight lies. These tips come from Tim Graves, who is known for teaching Norman’s best golf techniques.

• “When pitching out of tight lies, focus on keeping your back foot flat on the ground at all times.”
• “Play the golf ball in the middle of your stance with your feet slightly open.”
• “Make contact with the ball with your back foot still flat on the ground. The hips won’t turn since these shots are only a short distance to the green.”
• “Remember, there’s no forgiveness when hitting out of tight lies. That’s why it’s so important to keep your head down and completely still. Any type of peeking will cause the shoulders to shift forward and will limit your accuracy.”

Xander Schauffele’s Tips for Hitting Out of Tight Lies

Schauffele is one of the PGA Tour’s brightest young stars, as he has already won four events. The 28-year old is an excellent ball striker and he has some good tips for when hitting out of tight lies. Here is some of Schaffele’s best advice.

• “You want to make sure you hit the back of the ball. ”
• “Play the ball off of your right foot.”
• “Keep the hands ahead of the golf ball.”
• “You want your hands to return to where they started.”

David Leadbetter Shows How to Hit Fairway Woods from Tight Lies

When most golfers hear the term tight lie, they automatically think of shots that they’ll have to hit with their pitching wedge or sand wedge. However, tight lie shots with a fairway wood or a hybrid can also be very intimidating.

David Leadbetter may not have played on the PGA Tour, but he did play pro golf on both the European and South African Tours. Leadbetter is one of the most famous golf instructors in the world and has coached the likes of Nick Faldo, Lydia Ko, and Michelle Wie. Here are Leadbetter’s top tips for hitting a fairway wood with a tight lie.

• “Never try to lift the ball. You want to swing down and try to make a small divot in the ground.”
• “Play the ball toward the middle of your stance just as if you were hitting an iron.”
• “Be sure to complete your backswing. Too many golfers have a tendency to rush through it.”

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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A 3-iron is my favorite golf club in the bag because it is a utility iron. That means I can use it in multiple scenarios.

That is not a statement you hear amateur golfers make. That is because they struggle to consistently launch the stronger lofted and longer shafted iron. In this article, I am sharing the tips from 10 Pro Golfers on how to hit a 3 iron.

This iron has fallen out of favor so much that manufacturers do not include them in most game improvement iron sets. It is a pity because a 3-iron produces low spin and launch, for optimal yardage.

There are several reasons why you may struggle to hit a 3-iron. These include excessively stiff or heavy shafts, an imbalance rhythm, or positioning the ball too far forward in your stance. Instead of dwelling on the problem, let’s see how the Pro’s suggest you solve it.

Tip #1: Shoulder Width Stance – Dave Myers Tour Academy TPC Sawgrass

PGA Tour Academy coach Dave Myers recommends setting up with your feet shoulder-width apart. This position maximizes your stability to help you optimize rotation and coil during your golf swing.

He further advises that you keep your head still during the swing. If you position the ball correctly and strike it cleanly, you enjoy superior control at the low point of the swing. Inducing clean contact.

Tip #2: Center Ball Position – Dave Myers

Myers finds the biggest mistake an average golfer makes with long irons is their ball position. The marginally longer shaft causes many amateurs to position the ball too forward in their stance.

Myers says he often sees the ball placed parallel to the front heel of a player. That gives you no chance of catching the ball cleanly off the clubface. When the ball is excessively forward, you will likely strike it low off the face leading to a low launch, loss of carry distance, and stinging hands.

He recommends setting up with the ball in the middle of your stance as if you were swinging a 6-iron or 8-iron. If you feel that is too far back, move it towards your front foot by no more than two balls.

Tip #3: Back Ball Position For A Low Shot – Billy Horschel

Billy Horschel was among the top ten best PGA Tour Players in 2021 and knows how to strike a long iron. The advice he shares pertains to your ball flight.

To hit a low launching 3-iron that gathers forward momentum and releases upon landing, position the ball further back in your stance than usual. Billy recommends placing your golf ball, a ball, and a half back.

Placing the ball back in his stance causes the clubface to catch the ball with less loft than usual, generating a low flying shot.

Horschel finds that this shot offers the most value off the tee when you need the ball to run on the fairway.

Tip #4: Forward Ball Position For High Shots – Billy Horschel

Billy also explains how you can increase your ball flight when striking a 3-iron. For starters, he says the golf ball should be placed half-a-ball to a ball forward from your usual setup.

Next, he advises that you get your hands to finish as high as possible on your follow-through. Striking the ball just before commencing your upswing enables you to weaken the loft of the face and produce high-flying shots.

This shot is ideal for playing long par 3s when you need to send the ball long and get it to land it quickly.

Horschel cautions that the average golfer may struggle with this shot if you position the ball excessively forward.

Tip #5: Ball Position – John Parry

European Tour Professional John Parry recommends placing the ball slightly forward of center in your stance to consistently launch a 3-iron. He says if you intend on hitting a consistent fade with the 3-iron, you will want to open your face at impact to generate left to right sidespin to encourage the cut.

Sean Foley knows how to develop champions. Lydia Ko, Justin Rose, and Hunter Mahan are a few of the golfers he has guided to success. Foley recommends opening your back foot slightly so that your toes are pointed in the opposite direction of your target.

This position helps you maximize your rotation and build up immense energy at the top of your iron swing. Then transition your weight to your leading leg and shift the energy from the clubface to your ball. That results in a powerful launch and optimal distance.

 

Tip #7: Take It Back Low – Geoff Ogilvy

Ogilvy suggests that the secret to striking consistent 3-iron shots is to keep the club low on takeaway. He takes the club back low and slow for the first couple of feet, with the shaft aiming along your target line and the toe of the club halfway to the top of your swing.

Getting into this position enables you to produce a sweeping motion that catches the ball cleanly and lifts it off the ground.

Tip #8: Right Arm Straight On Takeaway – Annika Sorenstam

The number one all-time earner on the LPGA Career Money List suggests keeping your right arm relatively straight on takeaway. Sorenstam says that the straight arm encourages her to rotate her upper body and not lift the arms.

When she gets to the top of her backswing, she pushes off her right foot and shifts the weight to the left. When the weight is on her left, she clears her hips to allow the arms to drop the clubhead into place at impact.

Tip #9: Shorten Your Swing – Dave Myers

Sticking with the advice of Dave Myers, we turn to your swing. Often, when we swing our long irons, we take the clubhead back excessively to accelerate our clubhead speed. We fear that the ball will not get airborne, so we wind up, ready to accelerate on the downswing.

I know this feeling well and have been guilty of it. The truth is, the further back you take the club, the higher the possibility that it could veer off the path and wreak havoc to your long iron shot. The compact profile of these irons provides minimal forgiveness, which is why you need to get the face square at impact and strike it in the sweet spot.

Myers’ advice is to produce a compact backswing to produce consistent contact with the ball and optimize your rotation. The shorter your backswing is, the more it forces you to rely on coiling to maximize energy transition from the clubface to the ball at impact.

Tip #10: Sweeping Swing – Tom Watson

Adding to Geoff Ogilvy’s advice on a sweeping swing is Tour Champions legend, Tom Watson.

He says that you should position your ball slightly forward of center in your stance to sweep the ball into the air on the up.

To achieve this, Watson recommends employing a shallow swing arc. He also suggests employing this long iron drill on the range without a ball. Place a marker where your ball would be, and practice hitting the marker consistently to get used to the motion.

Tip #11: Pretend It Is A 7-Iron – Greg Norman

Greg “The Shark” Norman says the best advice for an amateur hitting a 3-iron is to picture it like a 7-iron. Then he says that you should envision that you are only a 7-iron from your target and make a smooth, easy swing. A smooth, controlled tempo will allow the rotation of your body to generate the power for a long iron shot.

Tip #12: Control The Attack Angle – Chris Ryan, Director Of Coaching At HIT Golf Academy

Chris Ryan finds that one of the main reasons amateurs struggle to launch long irons is because of their attack angle. He says that often students will set up to play a lofted club, the same way they would their short irons, leading to a steep angle of attack.

In the video, Chris uses a 2-iron, but the principle is practically the same as you would employ with your 3-iron.

Ryan recommends that you position the ball marginally towards your front foot, adding just over half of your weight to your lead leg. He says that setup prompts you to catch the ball on a descending angle, resulting in optimal compression, launch, and distance.

Tip #13: The Stinger – Tiger Woods

Before I relay Tiger’s advice on the stinger, I must say this shot is difficult to pull off. Therefore, I only recommend trying it in certain situations. However, if you know how to hit a 3 iron stinger, it can boost your game in windy conditions.

I learned to play the stinger while living in Cape Town for 10-years. I did not play one round where there was no wind. As a result, the stinger kept me in the game.

For starters, you need to place your golf ball, one ball back in your stance, to help strike it with precision.

Woods explains that this shot is all about the braking mechanism, post-impact to lower your flight. He achieves this by softening his arms and speeding up his hips to help stop his hands as soon as possible after impact. Ultimately, he brings his hands to a halt around shoulder height.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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There are fewer satisfying feelings in golf than flushing an iron shot to within a few feet of the pin.

Unfortunately, this happens less often than it should, leading to amateurs despising their irons. In this post, I teach you 8 tips to hit your irons pure, for optimal distance and spin on approach.

I will take you through every step of the golf swing from your stance to the low point, helping you strike cleaner iron strikes for superior consistency. In addition, I shall touch on the mistakes amateurs typically make when swinging an iron.

What Does Hitting Irons Pure Mean?

Butch Harmon explains that you hit your irons pure when you connect the ball on your downswing and avoid scooping it up off the floor. In other words, you strike the ball before the clubhead touches the ground. That results in your low point occurring after impact.

Professionals strike the ball and then proceed to take a divot out. Because of the optimal compression at impact, they produce significant distance compared to most amateur golfers.

Tiger Woods illustrated that perfectly at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open. After every shot that he hits, he moves the ball back, and at the end, there is a long straight divot. That shows how he flushes most of his iron strikes and achieves optimal distance and spin control:

As amateurs, I suggest focusing less on your divot and more on making clean contact with the ball. If you can consistently do that, you will notice a remarkable improvement in your iron yardage and accuracy.

8 Tips to Hit Your Irons Pure

Tip #1: Stand Closer To The Ball

Remember, your irons carry shorter shafts than a driver. Therefore, you need to restructure your setup for striking the more compact clubheads. Before you decide on your preferred ball position, take a few practice swings so that you can catch the ball on your downswing.

If you stand too far away from the ball, you will attempt to correct your plane during your swing, causing you to reach for the ball. That can lead to shots out of the toe of the club or an open clubface at impact.

Tip #2: Forward Weight

Contrary to the age-old theory, the first step to pure iron shots is to place approximately 60% of your weight onto your front foot. Some coaches believe that sets you up to lose balance at impact, but it helps get you into position for a pure strike.

Me And My Golf explain that this position enables you to strike down on the ball and generate optimal compression at impact:

If you place excess pressure on your back foot, it prompts you to hit up on the ball. That is suitable for a tee shot, but not irons, as It can cause you to strike the ground before the ball, resulting in a topped shot or loss of power at impact.

Tip #3: Ball In Line With Lead Heel

Harmon recommends employing the same ball position for every iron shot. He favors aligning it with the logo on your shirt, which works for right-handers, but not so much for lefties. If your legs are shoulder-width apart, your logo lineups with your lead heel.

Me And My Golf agrees with Harmon and offers a simple solution for consistency with your ball positioning. They also recommend placing the ball on the inside of your front heel for all shots. But suggest moving your back foot to widen your stance for different clubs.

For example, if you are hitting a 3-iron, you will move your trailing foot a few inches back to widen the stance. That helps you cater for the longer club and still promotes you strike it cleanly on your downswing.

Furthermore, if you are hitting a 7-iron or 8-iron, you should position your trailing foot closer to your front leg. That closes your stance slightly.

Finally, if you hit a 9-iron or wedge, you need to bring your back foot slightly closer to the lead leg than you would for a mid-iron shot. That helps you cater for the shorter iron length without impacting the rotation of your hips and torso. Thus, delivering for a clean strike.

Basically, you never change the position of your ball. You only reposition your trailing leg to widen or shorten your setup.

Tip #4: Rotation

A standard error made by amateurs is swaying from the front leg to the back leg. This eradicates all momentum produced from supreme hip rotation.

When you sway away from the target, you place all your weight on your back leg and send the club offline. It is challenging to shift your weight back to your front foot and can lead to you hitting the ground before the ball.

The other problem with limiting rotation is that amateurs struggle to get their club on plane when the shaft is parallel to the ground. That could cause the golfer to hit across the ball and generate side spin that prompts a slice.

Tip #5: Swing Wide

Although your backswing doesn’t determine the outcome of your shot, an incorrect takeaway can send your club off the target line, causing an erratic strike.

Harmon recommends that you swing wide to the top so that your hands are towards your trailing shoulder and not by your head. You need optimal rotation to get into this position at the top of your backswing.

Once you are in this position, it prompts the desired swing path bringing the clubface square to the ball at impact.

Tip #6: Straight Line Release

Clay Ballard recommends that rotation is the answer to getting the golf club out in front to catch the ball before the low point of your swing. He explains that you achieve that by opening your shoulders and hips through contact for supreme power:

The momentum from this action sends the clubhead hurtling towards the ball, helping increase the coefficient of restitution (COR) for optimal ball speed. By following this approach, you enjoy crisp iron shots and increased yardage.

Tip #7: Strike The Ball On Your Downswing

One reason why the average golfer struggles to strike irons is because of the angle of attack. Unlike a driver, where you hit the ball on your upswing, irons require contact on your downswing.

If you strike the ground before your ball, you will hit it fat, or your clubhead could bounce up and catch the top of the ball. That is why the clubface needs to catch the ball before it touches the turf.

Me And My Golf demonstrates a handy drill that you can do on the driving range. Draw a line with chalk and place five to ten balls on it. Next, focus on hitting down and catching the ball cleanly. Executing this drill should leave your chalk line intact. If there are any divots on the line, it shows that you hit the ground before the ball.

Another drill that you can undertake to promote pure iron shots requires only your golf towel. Place the cloth a few inches behind the ball, and focus on bringing the clubhead down after it. That will help you get used to the motion of hitting down on the ball.

Tip #8: Low Point

The term low point is self-explanatory. It means the lowest point that the golf club head reaches in your swing arc. Your clubface needs to strike the golf ball towards the bottom of your downswing for optimal compression of your golf ball at impact.

That means that the low point comes after impact. You can practice this drill using the chalk method of Me And My Golf, and you don’t actually need any golf balls. Draw the chalk line, and focus on hitting the turf after it.

Therefore, you will improve your muscle memory of the motion to consistently repeat that swing.

As your ball striking improves, you can start to take larger divots on your iron shots and learn how to impart controlled back or sidespin on the ball. However, as a beginner or high handicapper, focus on catching the ball cleanly first.

How Do You Hit Your Irons Pure Every Time?

By following the above instructions and tips, you should begin to enjoy consistent iron strikes. Stand closer to the ball than you do with woods or hybrids, and strike it before the clubface catches the fairway.

Hitting down increases your compression at impact, thus imparting accelerated speed onto the ball. That leads to maximum distance with your irons.

Saying it is easier than executing it, which is why you need to put the practice in to perfect the art of ball striking. Without practice, you cannot train your muscle memory. That makes it harder to repeat the required downswing for optimal distance.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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