Fairway woods and hybrids require that you play the ball an inch to an inch and a half just inside the heel. The stance
is a touch narrower with a long iron and your feet should be even closer together when playing a short iron.
FAIRWAY WOODS: FIT TO BE SQUARE
As clubs get shorter, the resulting effect is
that players must stand closer to the ball and
have a more upright, up-and-down swing.
This is true even with the fairway woods
when the ball is on the ground.
Whenever the ball is on the turf, it’s
imperative that the club hits the ball first
before taking a divot. It shouldn’t be much
of a divot with a fairway wood, but the
sequence is still ball first, then ground. The
secret in hitting a good shot starts before
the club is swung.
From a wide stance, position the ball an
inch to an inch and a half inside the left
heel. Now set your body in a more neutral
position, with your spine at a right angle
to the target line (not tilted back). Your
shoulders should be level as well as aimed
squarely to the target or just slightly open.
These changes will encourage you to swing
down with a slightly descending blow and
squeeze the ball at impact.
HYBRIDS: NO HELPING
Hybrid clubs are usually used when the ball
is on the ground. Again, if the ball is on the
ground, you have to hit down on it. Resist
the temptation to lift the ball into the air as
a result of leaning back or getting too flat.
Hybrids are designed to help you get the
ball airborne.
The most effective way to swing a hybrid
is to think that you’re swinging a 6-iron.
Narrow your stance, put the ball an inch and
a half inside the left heel. With your spine
straight up and down, your shoulders should
be level and slightly open to the target.
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IRONS: STANCE SAVER
As you proceed through the bag all the way
down to the wedges, keep your shoulders
level and slightly open. Your stance should
be narrower as the clubs get shorter,
making it easier to hit the ball first and then
the turf. Keep checking that you are taking
a divot after the ball. And remember: the
shorter the club, the deeper the divot.
FACE FACTS
No matter what club you’re swinging, I
recommend taking a strong grip. This
makes it easier to square the face at impact
without a lot of compensatory motion with
the hands and arms. I realize getting the
clubface square might be asking a lot, but
positioning your hands on the club correctly
is critical to sound ball striking.
Practice with your top hand rotated
to the left to different degrees until you
gain confidence in being square at impact.
Matching a square face with a sweeping
driver and a descending blow with the rest
of the clubs means most of your shots are
going to be struck crisply.
Co-author Scott Davenport is the head PGA
golf professional at Quail Hollow Club in
Charlotte, N.C. Co-author James A. Frank is
a writer from