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Irons: Compress the BallImpact Position Irons Intermediate ⏱ 7 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Compressing the ball with your irons: Adrien Dubois's drill

Do you ever watch the pros smash the ball and wonder how they do it? Adrien Dubois, a coach at InsideGolf, explains a key aspect of compression—the shaft line: the position of the shaft just before impact—and shares an exercise to help you get a feel for it.

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Adrien Dubois
Adrien Dubois · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

9 minSame problem5 Pro Tips from Tommy Fleetwood: From the Drive to the GreenTommy Fleetwood · Intermediate14 minSame problemCollin Morikawa's Irons: Clubface on the TargetCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert7 minFrom the same pro3-Foot Putts: The Ball-Under-the-Wrist DrillAdrien Dubois · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Adrien Dubois observes that among Tour players such as Jon Rahm, Tiger Woods, and Dustin Johnson, a shaft that is tilted sharply forward just before impact, with the clubface pointing almost straight down at the ground. The shaft extends downward for a long time keeps the square shape longer in the impact zone. Another guideline: the point of contact must be high on the face, between the third and fifth strings. If the hands come back too far, the contact point ends up in front of the ball, resulting in fat shots, thin shots, and poor contact.

It’s your body that lowers the shaft and clubhead toward the ground, and the push off the ground creates a reaction that helps you extend through your legs. Here’s the exercise: After the backswing, let your arms drop while maintaining the swing position, with the shoulders beginning to turn toward the target, followed by the hips. Start by hitting the ball very gently, filming yourself to make sure your hands are forward and your hips are open at impact, then increases the tempo in stages, using small clubs. Divots should appear after the ball.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. First, film yourself to see if your form holds up after impact or if your hands come back too early.
  2. On the grass, take your backswing.
  3. Let your arms drop while maintaining your aim, with your shoulders beginning to turn toward the target.
  4. Then let your hips rotate and reach toward the target to finish.
  5. Hit the balls very gently, at a very slow tempo, using small clubs.
  6. Watch the video to see how to keep your hands forward and your hips open at impact, then gradually increase the tempo in 10% increments.

Key Takeaways

The shaft is tilted forward, and the clubface is pointing toward the ground just before impact.
A long-swinging shaft keeps the clubface square.
Contact at the top of the face, between the third and fifth striations.
It's the body, not the hands, that brings the club down.
The push off the ground causes the legs to extend after impact.
Divots after the ball, never before.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • A backhand swing that is too dominant, placing the low point before the ball.
  • Reach impact with the shaft upright, the end of the grip pointing toward the sky.
  • Use your arms instead of your body.
  • Relying on your instincts without checking the video.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Drill for dropping the arms while maintaining the ready position, without a ball
  2. Very slow tempo with small clubs
  3. Video at each gear level
  4. Checking for divots after hitting the ball

Your Questions

What is a shaft line?

This refers to the position of the shaft relative to the impact zone. Adrien Dubois shows that pros approach the ball with the shaft leaning far forward and the clubface pointing almost toward the ground just before impact.

Where should the contact point be located on the face?

High on the clubface: at least between the third and fifth grooves, depending on how your clubhead is machined. He compares it to the nail of a half-inch placed on the clubface.

Isn't there a risk that the club will scrape the ground with a shaft that's so angled?

No, according to him, because pushing off the ground creates a reaction that forces you to extend your legs. He emphasizes this point for players who don't use their legs much, such as some older players or women looking to increase their power.

How can I improve at this exercise?

Start very slowly, using small clubs, and film yourself. Once you're satisfied with the swing, increase the tempo by 10, 20, 30 percent, or more, making sure the divots are behind the ball.

Learn More

All “Irons - Compressing the Ball” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Impact Position” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you 5 Pro Tips from Tommy Fleetwood: From the Drive to the GreenFive habits from the Tour: placing the tee in front of the ball when using a driver, no calling out shots with irons, planning chip shots in advance, keeping a distance log, and reviewing the round afterward. Tommy Fleetwood's Iron Trajectory: Play with Ball PositionWith a 7-iron, Fleetwood adjusts the height at address: move the ball forward to hit it higher, move it back to hit it lower—all the way down to a stinger—with proper contact being the priority. Collin Morikawa's Irons: Clubface on the TargetClubface always toward the target, body open or closed depending on the shot shape, finish height to control trajectory, and a glove under the arm on the backswing. Adrien DuboisAll of his lessons

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

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