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Irons: Compress the BallFinishStability & Balance During Rotation Irons Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 4 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Three Tips from Sergio Garcia on Irons: Stay Centered

Rick Shiels asks Sergio Garcia for his three tips on hitting his irons consistently. The answer can be summed up in a few words: balance, height, and finish. And one detail that makes all the difference: a right foot that doesn’t roll outward.

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Sergio García
Sergio García · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

9 minNext Level Up5 Pro Tips from Tommy Fleetwood: From the Drive to the GreenTommy Fleetwood · Intermediate11 minSame problemPracticing Golf at Home Without a Simulator: 3 ExercisesBryson DeChambeau · Beginner / Intermediate2 minFrom the same proDraw and Fade: Sergio Garcia's Driver SettingsSergio Garcia · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Sergio Garcia's first tip: balance. He avoids moving too much and stays over the ball as he turns. Specifically, he doesn't put too much weight on his right leg as he steps up: his right foot doesn't roll outward, and the Right knee remains stable, toned thighs. At the top of the swing, he is still “in his groove,” with almost no swaying to the right or left, and the downswing becomes a rotation, not a dive.

Second tip: maintain one's composure until impact. If your head moves up and down, your swing becomes inconsistent. By staying tall, you give your arms and the club room to move. Third tip, a more personal one: land firmly on your left leg, with 80 to 90 percent of your weight, because you tend to stay back and lock up. The result is both audible and visible: the ball is compressed, and the divot begins right after the ball. If you lean back too far, you’ll pick up the ball. If you lean too far forward, you’ll hit over it.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. At address, stand with your weight evenly distributed and your chest over the ball.
  2. In the backswing, turn without letting your right foot roll outward.
  3. Keep your right knee steady and your thighs engaged.
  4. At the top, stay in your lane without drifting to the right.
  5. When going downhill, turn while maintaining your altitude, keeping your head level—neither tilting it up nor down.
  6. Step across the ball and end up with 80 to 90 percent of your weight on your left leg, with your right leg relaxed.

Key Takeaways

Stay balanced and over the ball as you turn.
Right foot that does not roll outward; right knee remains stable during the upward phase.
Maintain your height until impact, without diving.
End up with 80 to 90 percent of your weight on your left leg.
A compressed shot: the ball first, the divot right after.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Putting too much weight on the right leg during the backswing, with the foot rolling outward.
  • Diving toward the ball at impact: the head drops, and the shot varies.
  • Stay back and freeze instead of crossing.
  • Lean back and pick up the ball.
  • Standing too far forward and hitting the ball over the top.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Slow-motion swings, focusing on the right foot and right knee
  2. Hold the finish for three seconds, with 80 to 90% of your weight on the left side
  3. Ground mark: The divot must begin after the ball
  4. Listen to the strike to assess the compression

Your Questions

How can you stay focused during the backswing?

Garcia avoids putting too much weight on his right leg: his right foot doesn’t roll outward, his right knee stays stable, and his thighs are taut. At the top of his swing, he has barely shifted to the right.

What does it mean to “stay big” at impact?

Maintain the same height without lunging toward the ball. This gives your arms and the club room to work, and your swing will be more consistent.

How much weight should be on the left leg at the finish?

Garcia aims for 80 to 90 percent, with his right leg simply resting on the ground. This is his personal benchmark, since he tends to stay back.

How can I tell if I've compressed the ball properly?

On the sound, and on the divot: it must start right after the ball. If you're behind, you pick up the ball.

Learn More

All “Irons - Compressing the Ball” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Finish” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Stability & Balance During Rotation” →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. Justin Thomas's Iron Cut Drill: The Two BallsTo stop coming down too far from the inside, Thomas places two balls to avoid on his downswing line: when he misses them, his iron fade comes back. Sergio GarcíaAll of his lessons

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

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