The shot you hate
Most of your long-iron shots start
low and left, then slice wildly to
the right.
The causes
Three things combine to produce
this ugly shot: Your downswing is
too steep, your swing path is too
outside-in, and your clubface is
open. Chances are also good that
your chest and left knee face the
target at impact, which in turn
pushes your left hip back so that
it's inside (and farther away from
the target than) your left foot.
The cure
Have a friend stand opposite the
ball from you at address, then
swing your club to the top. Start a
slow-motion downswing and shift
your hips toward the target so
that your left hip is over your left
foot, and then very slowly bring
the club back down until the
shaft is just below your waist.
Have your friend check your
movements to make sure they
resemble the bottom photo, not
the top. Otherwise, you're in full
pull-slice mode.
Chest Ahead
If your chest
points ahead of
the ball at this
point in the
swing, you're
bound to cut
across the ball
and pull-slice it.
Sad Twist
If you simply
twist your hips
from the top your
left hip will move
away from the
target. It should
move toward
the target.
A Bad Break
Solid long-iron
shots need a
solid left side,
and if your left
knee bows out
like this you're in
serious trouble.
Chest Back
Shift more and
twist less to
stack your left
hip on top of
your left knee
and ankle.
Hip Forward
Keep your chest
pointing behind
the ball to
promote the
proper inside-out
swing path
and a straighter
ball flight.
A Solid Knee
If your knee
remains stable
like it should, it
will point away
from you-not at
the target-all
the way until
impact.
Latest Videos

Woods Has Momentum Heading to Pebble
GOLF.com's David Dusek discusses a Tiger Woods's momentum as Woods gets ready to Go to Video

Ask Travelin' Joe: Tucson
Travelin' Joe Passov helps a reader find the best courses to play near his home Go to Video




Top Stories
Woods shoots 68, trails by five at Pebble Pro-Am
Round 2 tee times at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am
In progress: McIlroy battles for lead in Dubai