Irons · Drill
The Towel Drill for Ball-First Contact
Part of our irons programs for topped or thin, fat or chunked, weak contact. Build a program with it
This is one of the simplest contact drills there is. Lay a folded towel about six inches behind the ball. If your club hits the towel, you bottomed out too early. To miss it, you have to shift forward and let your hands lead. That's how you compress the ball. Use a 7 or 8 iron. Move the towel closer to the ball as you get better.
The drill
- Lay a towel six inches behind the ball.
- Set up with a 7 or 8 iron.
- Swing so you miss the towel.
- Shift more weight forward if you hit it.
- Move the towel closer as you improve.
Why it works
The low point of your swing is the spot where the club bottoms out. For a solid iron shot it must sit just ahead of the ball. The towel gives you a clear object to avoid behind the ball, so you shift your weight forward and let your hands lead the clubhead into the ball. That puts the club on a slightly descending path at contact, which compresses the ball before the club touches the turf.
Common mistakes
- You hit the towel because your weight stays on your back foot.Move your weight toward your front foot during the downswing and feel your chest stay over the ball.
- You lift the club early to dodge the towel and thin the ball.Keep the same swing and make the club travel down to the ball, not up and away from the towel.
- You flip your wrists at the ball so the clubhead passes your hands.Keep your hands ahead of the clubhead at impact, with the shaft leaning toward the target.
How you'll know it's working
- The club misses the towel on most swings and does not drag it.
- You make ball-first contact and the divot starts at or just ahead of the ball.
- The ball flies lower and more solidly, with a crisper sound at impact.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Start with the towel a little farther back and take half swings with a 8 iron until you miss it every time.
Harder: Move the towel closer to the ball, or switch to a longer iron while still missing the towel.
Common questions
Why do I hit the ball thin with my irons?
Most often the low point of your swing is behind the ball, or you lift up through impact. Shifting your weight forward and keeping your hands ahead of the clubhead moves the low point forward.
How far behind the ball should the towel be?
Start about six inches behind the ball. As your contact improves, move it closer so you have less room for error.
