FORE! (If you yell this a lot, try a lesson!) Can you hit this thing right every time?

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Questions & Answers
Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK
From Richard, golfer:
What do you mean when you say "hit down on the ball?"
PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES:
California
"Richard to hit down on the ball means to trap the ball between the leading edge of the club face & the ground (descending blow)." - Rick Chartrand, Teaching Professional
California
 "Richard - Hitting down on the ball is a carryover from the days when we all played blades and courses were not as manicured as they are today You actually had to make a concerted effort to hit down on the ball to get it airborne off the harder ground and also move the ball back in your stance for shorter irons and up for longer ones. Nowadays, the swing is not as upright. It is more rounded and divots much shallower, as irons sweep through the grass with their wider soles and rounded leading edges. It is so much easier to hit the ball today which is why so many more people are playing. As long as you maintain your spine angle, or posture, throughout the swing, your club will automatically bottom out and take a thin divot. The only time you should intentionally hit down on a shot is a buried lie in a bunker, in
deep rough, or a divot. Good Golfing." - Kati Biszantz, Teaching Professional
California
"Tom: What I find in players who are a true 0 handicap, is that they have a great short game. The more time and effort you put into your short game and understanding the what subtle changes in hand position and hand pressure can do, the more you will improve on your full game. There is less stress on the full game as the short game ( Inside 60 Yards) improves. On par fives for example many players try to hit the green in to and end up leaving themselves with very difficult approach shots. They become frustrated because they hit a poor shot, which then effect the next shot. If your short game improves you will more likely play safer shots that allow you open access to the green with your approach shots. The safer shots will in turn allow you to hit a higher percentage of good shots, your frame of mind will be positive moving into the next shot instead of negative. Spending some time laying up on shots and working your short game will give you a greater appreciation of how to score. As your ball striking improves you can then allow yourself to take shots with more risk."
- Bob Veroulis, Teaching Professional
Florida
"That is a good question. I never could figure it out. Since I don't want to hit the ball into the ground I never could figure out why anyone would try to swing down at all. If I were you, I would forget that ridiculous statement entirely." - Pat Kimball, Teaching Professional
Georgia
"Richard. hitting down on the ball will produce the trajectory depending on what iron you use. Having the shaft leaning forward at impact will help achieve this. It will also hopefully get the divot on the target side of the ball. Ball ground contact is a must. Hope this helps." - Bin Brandon, Teaching Professional
Texas
Dear Richard: "Hitting down" on a golf ball is a very overstated maneuver during the golf swing.  Personally, I wish the notion was never passed on in the beginning. The golf swing is created by swinging the golf club in a circular motion. Any motion during the golf swing that causes the golf club to leave its natural orbit around the body, changes the resulting impact with the ground and the golf ball.  The loft of the face of the golf club causes most of the back spin on the golf ball.  The faster the club head swings during impact, the more back spin you impart. An old myth is that if you "hit down" on the golf ball you impart more spin. Although this is somewhat true, the fact that the steeper angle of attack increases the back spin on the golf ball. However, with today's variable spin rate golf balls, the need to "hit down" has decreased. My advise to you, Richard, is to avoid this advise and learn to swing the golf club consistently in a circular motion avoiding any changes to the natural swinging motion of the golf club. Golf is tough enough with one motion...don't try to confuse it! Good Luck!" 
- Dan Howard, Teaching Professional
Texas
"Hitting slightly down creates backspin, thus creating lift with the dimples. Which is why every shot should be hit down on - except the driver which is teed up and placed off the left heel, in a position to be swept slightly up on." - Bob Hasbrouck, Teaching Professional