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Irons: Compress the Ball Irons Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 11 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

A Short Backswing to Gain Distance with Irons

Have you been told to take a longer swing to hit the ball farther? Danny Maude demonstrates the opposite with his student George: first, consistent contact using the palm of the right hand, then speed with a very short backswing—simply by changing the rhythm.

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Danny Maude
Danny Maude · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

9 minSame problemThe Arm-Shoulder Triangle in Golf: Bringing It Back at ImpactSimon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate19 minNext Level UpHands in front of the clubhead at impact to compress the ballGabriel Anglade · Intermediate / Expert9 minFrom the same proPlaying from Slopes Made Simple: Danny MaudeDanny Maude · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

George was losing the’angle of the right wrist Before impact: the club was rising, his right arm was lifting away from his body, and contact was becoming inconsistent. Danny Maude changed two things. At address, his right elbow was tucked in, and his right arm was extended forward. Then, the feel of the swing: push down and slightly to the left with the palm of your hand with the right hand, not with the fingers. Pushing with your fingers causes the club to “flip.” Then, your entire right side rotates downward and through the ball, following an arc, without your body stopping. Start by practicing quarter and half swings, keeping your right elbow tucked in.

Once he made contact, George tried to lengthen his swing, and he lost contact, direction, and distance. Danny demonstrates this with the putter: same swing length, but more strength and a different pace, and the ball travels twice as far. With a backswing toward 9 o’clock, his shot goes from 80.8 yards to 120 yards just by changing the rhythm: keep your right elbow tucked in, and rotate your forearm toward the ball (or let your left shoulder drop if you’re left-handed). Count “one and two” and only then extend your swing.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. At address, bring your right elbow in and point your right arm forward.
  2. Without the ball, push down and slightly to the left with the palm of your right hand.
  3. Roll the entire right side down and across, following an arc.
  4. Hit balls with a quarter swing and then a half swing, keeping your right elbow tucked in.
  5. Keep your backswing at around 9 o'clock and take a few practice swings, trying to find a rhythm that transfers power to the ball.
  6. Type while counting “one and two,” without prolonging the upward stroke.
  7. Extend your swing only when your contact and distance are consistent.

Key Takeaways

Contact first, distance second.
Push with the palm of your right hand, not with your fingers.
The entire right side turns downward and through the ball.
Keep your right elbow tucked in; don't let your right arm come away from your body.
More speed comes from rhythm, not from a longer backswing.
You should only lengthen your swing once your short swing is effective.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Losing the angle of the right wrist before impact.
  • Push with your fingers and “flip” the club.
  • Stop moving your body and let your hands take over.
  • Extend your backswing to gain distance.
  • Hit hard at random instead of finding a rhythm.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Right-hand palm exercise, without a ball
  2. Quarter swings and half swings, right elbow tucked in
  3. Same backswing toward 9 o'clock, “one and two” rhythm”
  4. Compare the distance with and without a change in pace

Your Questions

What does it mean to push with the palm of your right hand?

Danny Maude advises you to feel the palm pushing the club down and slightly to the left at impact. Pushing with your fingers causes the club to “flip”: your right arm lifts away, and you lose contact.

How can you increase your distance without lengthening your backswing?

By changing the rhythm to put more power into the ball. In his demonstration, a backswing to the 9 o'clock position sends the ball 80.8 yards, and then 120 yards with a different rhythm.

Why not lengthen your swing right away?

George did that and lost his contact, his accuracy, and even his distance. Danny Maude wants to start with a short, effective swing and then gradually lengthen it.

What should I do if I'm more dominant on the left side?

Instead of extending your right arm and rotating your forearm toward the ball, feel your left shoulder drop toward the ball to apply force.

Learn More

All “Irons - Compressing the Ball” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you The Arm-Shoulder Triangle in Golf: Bringing It Back at ImpactMaintain the arm-shoulder triangle from address and bring the clubhead toward the inside of your front thigh at impact, first on a half-swing and then on a full swing. Hands in front of the clubhead at impact to compress the ballCompression comes from dynamic loft, not a steeper angle of attack: grip end toward the hip crease, timing, hands forward, left wrist bowed. Predicting Ball Contact: Edouard Montaz’s DrillContact is a prediction, not an action: lower your stance in stages (swing at the air, top, clean ball, ball-grass-ground) while aiming at the target. Danny MaudeAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Danny Maude). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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