iron shots

Question
can you recommend for me a drill to get me to hit down and through the ball with my irons. for 30 years i have been picking my iron shots, in spite of knowing that this causes inconsistency and lack of distance.  i have on rare occassions hit an iron shot properly and can see the difference, i just cannot duplicate this motion.  i am  a 52 year old father of a freshman who plays varsity golf, and is leving me in the dust on the course

Answer
Hi Dick, and thanks for your question.

One really good, really simple drill is to stick a tee into the butt of your grip and "trace" the path/plane of your swing.  If you lay three clubs together along your target line to make a guide, then make slow practice swings back and through, keeping the tee pointed towards the target line, you can begin to feel the proper path and plane of your swing.  This feeling, as long as you practice, will go a long way towards crisper shots.

By "picking" your iron shots, I assume you are referring to catching them thin?  I am going to assume something is amiss in the path/plane as well.  Think of the golf swing as a circle on a tilted plane.  Your posture will dictate the shape of your swing.  Complete your circle!  Back and through.  I know it sounds simple, but its tough to do.  My recommendation is to go see your local PGA Professional and get a check up.

The drill I described in the beginning is simple to do, it gives you good visual feedback, and you can feel the proper motion.  Give it a try.  If you can do it in front of a mirror, even better.  And lastly, don't let your son beat you up too much!  He is still a kid!

Sincerely,

Rick Williams
PGA Head Professional
Bucks County Country Club