Why You Shouldn’t Try to Hit Down on the Golf Ball

The source is an excerpt that challenges the common golf instruction to "hit down on the ball," arguing that this advice is a flawed concept that negatively impacts performance. It explains that the appearance of a divot after hitting an iron shot is a consequence of proper swing mechanics, such as weight shift and shaft lean, rather than an intentional goal. The episode details how focusing on hitting down can lead to numerous swing flaws, including an overly steep path and poor weight transfer, which result in inconsistent and weak shots. Instead, the author advocates for golfers to concentrate on swinging through the ball with a fluid, rotational motion to achieve a natural, shallow angle of attack and maximize consistency and power. Ultimately, the article suggests that trusting the club's design and focusing on foundational mechanics are key to improving ball striking.