Wish I had known this years ago. Started playing in my 20s. 46 now. Always a slice ball hitter. Started trying to make my self hook the ball one day on the range by playing with address position and swinging in to out dramatically. Now I open the face at address and can swing normally and hit it straight to slight draw with every club. And can manipulate address position for different shots as needed. Great tip!
This is priceless for me. I was at Club Champion and they recommended this very thing. I really come from the inside and hook my shots. Opening the face slightly and closing off slightly with my lead shoulder ( I mean a tiny amount ) gets me 20 more ft of apex with a lot more spin. 7 iron went from ~128 carry to 151 by opening up the face a little. Thanks!
I literally starting doing this (closing the face at address instead of it being square) this past weekend, and shot under 40 on 9 holes for the second time ever. Then I see this video posted today. :)
Oh...my...god..this made a huge difference It's a psychological trick, I look at the face and see the club pointing toward a direction and naturally I swing that direction.struggled with pull hooks cause I had a shut face I opened it up and now I hit draws...who would have thought that an open face at address would fix this
Matt, Thanks for doing this video. It has helped me a lot but maybe in a different way then invented have struggled with my takeaway. I’m always pulling the club to far inside of plane. After watching this video I tried addressing the ball with the club face a tad bit open and immediately my swing path is much more on plane. Just as important this change feels very natural. Overall my ball contact is improved with this minor tweak. I appreciate all you are doing and always enjoy your content.
Matt thank you for this tip as it’s starting to make sense. I’m old, 62 and I find at the start of my round, I can turn and come inside. By the end of the round, I’m not turning as well and coming over the top. This will definitely help. Thanks.
Matt, I tried this at the range today. I tend to be a little over the top. I opened the clubs just a little on set up and, to my surprise, the ball went consistently straight. Thanks for the tip.
This is fantastic got tired of all the same instructors….. my buddy was a pga caddy in my he 70s and 80s and recommended opening the face on my 5-8 iron. It did exactly what you said. Tricked me snd to be honest made me more comfortable coming from the inside. Hit right draws with long to mid irons. Still keep square 9 on back. Thanks!
thank you ! i use to have mean slice with driver irons were strait then took a lesson changed path driver strait irons hook . using strong grip could not hit the ball strait again with irons unless i used a different swing more up right . i dont want different swings for different clubs . today at the range i got tired of hitting left 30 yards and opened the club face this much at address / ! i use to not be able to hit 6 or 4 iron in the air . they were launching off the face strait high and far . holy cow . my 8 iron i would hit 125 to 130 now was over the 150 sign and high , i have been so frustrated with my game lately even though im still kind of new . i do have a strong grip and i guess im closing the face at impact because they were out of here ! cant wait to hit more .
@@terry3296 this refers to a previous MSG video I think it might have been labelled the difference between iron swing and driver swing. It refers to tempo of the swing
Finding square has been one of my biggest challenges in golf. My simulator shows me open most of the time, even though I think my clubface is square to the target. When I close it, it causes my ball flight to draw or hook, depending on the degree of closed face. Very frustrating! I'll work on your video tips today.
I have to set up with a closed face, almost 11 o'clock for a 3i, (definitely for driver) then gradually less as I go down the irons. The hardest part is knowing those degrees of difference eveytime, but also, my courses are built on a hill, so the undulations throw another spanner in the works! Then there's my constantly changing swing and rotation as I become more and more golf-fit as I progress. I've now been playing for 4 months, and it's hard! I doubt I'll ever crack my own code, because I'm constantly changing and every lie is different. I've learned to just do a slow motion, mock impact at address to see where my face is at impact. Then dial that into my shot. It works most of the time, but boy it's hard to get your balance perfect on slopping lies! Golf is hard, bloody hard! But damn is it addictive! When you get that shoot just right, and watch that ball flight, then see it land on the fairway or on the green in regulation, Ohhh, nice! I'm hooked!
I literally was struggling with this yesterday on the range. I started to get the “chili dips” and it was because i was shutting face. I got new irons 3 wks or so ago and getting used to new weighting, feels ect… unconsciously started to shut face down until I caught it and started to dramatically open it to fix! Great vid!!!
Great message Thanks Matt,, For myself to hit a pure straight shot my face needs to be open ,, I'm a little steep and a little long with my swing ! it feels like it's going to be a push slice but it Flys straight ,, definitely understood what you were saying !! Great drills at range , Great way to learn a draw and Fade !! Thanks again ,,,
Thank you. Great advice especially when you say to not get stuck in a box. I set up with an open face and will most of the time hit a push draw that ends up in the fairway. I will usually have terrible shots (snap-hook) if I try to do a textbook setup and swing. Go figure?
Just got full set Cleveland Halo Launchers 5 thru gap wedge. At range I perfectly squared club face at address toward target but 85% shots hooks and some 60 yards off target left. Ugh! Neutral grip & avoiding turning right shoulder left at impact, it didn’t matter, I was a hooking machine - especially with 5 & 6 (less lofted clubs). Being FRUSTRATED after 80 balls so in desperation I tried something different. At address I closed the club 15% to 20% or aim about 20 yards left of target, then neutral grip it. You’d think this address set up pointing more left would worsen my hook? Couldn’t be anymore wrong. Result 85% of my shots flush, more distance and hunting the target. Best yet less thinking as the feel gives me more confidence. But this works for me! And depends what (brand) clubs you hit. Cleveland Halo Launchers are more slice forgiving which is why I was over hooking. If you’re a slicer and over 50 I recommend Cleveland Halo Launchers which you either hook or are left of target. But once you figure out address adjustments with Cleveland Halo Launcher that best fits you the result are draws hunting the target. Can’t wait to see results in actual golf round.
True in my experience. I typically hit a high push draw with face open a bit and inside out path to compensate. Trying to get more square to help get my hands higher and increase compression, but had never made the connection so clearly.
Really great explanation of the backswing impact. Since I close my face, I used to miss left and to counter it, I moved my back swing in 2 out. Was worried whether I was developing a bad swing.
Closed has always been a personal preference for me. I hit a slight fade to a straighter ball. If I need to draw the ball I do need to open the face slightly but my body is closed to the face. I've really just play the fade all I can because the draw is 7-10 either a block or a hook.
Im an over the top guy, and what has helped me is closing my face more. With the face closed, it forces me to close my shoulders and swing in to out to counter how closed my face is :)
I set up square but very consistently push right or slice, I've never naturally hooked a shot but slice alot. Gonna try setting up slightly closed see if it helps with my natural open face at impact
What a great lesson. Thank you so much. Just want to ask you about this screen. Is it a retractable or fixed. From where I can buy. My city Calgary has very harsh winter. Thanks
So quick question. I have limited mobility in my lower back which has resulted in me coming massively over the top. What seams to happen if I set up open I blade it off the toe! Any ideas? Love this video
So I tried this the other day and the results are perplexing to me. My miss is a pull with irons, so I always set up slightly open when I need to hit a green. When I did this drill at the range yesterday I noticed that I was getting the best results from just marginally shut.. I am guessing my main issue is coming too much from the inside? I am thinking if you know how these positions affect your own swing you can make the one that feels most comfortable/repeatable your stock shot and then use the other two to attack a green. Good stuff though, interesting numbers.
I’ve been coming over the top horribly lately and decided to kick back my right foot (righty) and seemed to fix this problem. Have you heard of this? It’s a good 8-12 inches behind my lead foot. It’s much easier to come down the line. I’m not flexible at all in my hips and shoulders. Thank you, I’d appreciate any inputs about this.
My 3rd day golfing I drove the green a 272 yard over the trees. Now I hook it every drive so I open my irons to the sky almost behind me and somehow I can hit it straight now.
When you are starting with the clubface open, closed, and/or square, are changing your grip to achieve this or turning your hands in the appropriate direction at address? Thanks for the video!
I tend to have much cleaner clubface contact or pure the ball better with a slightly closed face. However I have better overall outcome in my shot but keeping it open. What does that say about my swing?
I'm not clear on how you open or close the club face. Do you take your regular grip and twist the face open at address or, do you open the club face and then take your normal grip? Same for closing the club face?
Golf is a good family oriented sport for mature millennials and growing families to stay inspired, fun and healthy. Good way to practice manners, fitness, good culture, art and etiquette
I have been able to get my game from 100+ to a few rounds in a row in the 80s this year. I am inconsistent with my irons. I get bad case of shanks randomly. Usually chunky divots. Any advice where I should focus my practice?
I was taught club path trumps club face my teacher can open the club face almost 90 degrees and still hit a baby draw it just goes higher just because of his in to out swing path he says just because one tire on the car is low and causes it to go one direction doesn't mean to let air out the other side to match it and make it go straight swing path is most important in the swing imo
Simple answer: It needs to be square to target WHEN BALL RELEASES FROM THE FACE! The fact the swing arc is always circular and the ball needs time to compress and release off the face means the ball must be struck inside of the center line to the target with an open face. Open face picks up ball, ball squashes on face as club swings in arc, timed it release to the target when face is square. With the conventional golf swing when the ball will release off the face is a difficult to control variable, why hitting shots dead straight is so difficult. But there was a golfer who figured out how to do it with an unconventional swing: Harry Frankberg aka Count Yogi. The technique involves locking the wrists down into full ulnar deviation just as the face closed square to the target. The club head jerks to a momentary stop causing the laws of motion to make the ball decompress off the face at a much fast rate than in the conventional “sweep and pick up the ball” swing. Instead the club is swung like an axe into the ball compressing it more and releasing it faster. Hogan adapted the technique into his swing which is why he hit the ball further and straighter than his contemporaries. It just requires fully releasing the radial-ulnar deviation lag as the ball is compressing on the face by triggering the release of the lag differently and sooner in the swing arc. I explain how it works here: ruclips.net/video/nJk5e7wQIZM/видео.html
Do you believe a person should use a different ball position for say your short clubs compared to the middle clubs to the other irons .Or should a person work on opening and closing the face.
Does this drill work for drivers as well? I don’t have much time for practice. I am not using a driver on the corse to keep my score close to my buddies. I’m def not getting the distance but not too far behind.
I’ve struggled with this for about 15 years. My brain tells me the face is square when it’s actually closed. The trick I’ve learned to do is….set up to the ball but hover the face in front of the ball, then I grip it while hovering in front of the ball, then I drop the club behind the ball….it looks and feels to me that the face is aiming at the right edge of the green or the right fairway…but the ball goes straight. If I set up behind the ball with what I think is a square face, I draw or hook it every single time.
Wish I had known this years ago. Started playing in my 20s. 46 now. Always a slice ball hitter. Started trying to make my self hook the ball one day on the range by playing with address position and swinging in to out dramatically. Now I open the face at address and can swing normally and hit it straight to slight draw with every club. And can manipulate address position for different shots as needed. Great tip!
I tested this out today, it turns out that slightly opening the club face helps me shoot much straighter. So thanks so much for this video!
This is priceless for me. I was at Club Champion and they recommended this very thing. I really come from the inside and hook my shots. Opening the face slightly and closing off slightly with my lead shoulder ( I mean a tiny amount ) gets me 20 more ft of apex with a lot more spin. 7 iron went from ~128 carry to 151 by opening up the face a little. Thanks!
Best set up lesson. I struggled with how I should be setting up. Can’t wait to try this on the driving range.
I literally starting doing this (closing the face at address instead of it being square) this past weekend, and shot under 40 on 9 holes for the second time ever. Then I see this video posted today. :)
Oh...my...god..this made a huge difference
It's a psychological trick, I look at the face and see the club pointing toward a direction and naturally I swing that direction.struggled with pull hooks cause I had a shut face I opened it up and now I hit draws...who would have thought that an open face at address would fix this
Matt, Thanks for doing this video. It has helped me a lot but maybe in a different way then invented have struggled with my takeaway. I’m always pulling the club to far inside of plane. After watching this video I tried addressing the ball with the club face a tad bit open and immediately my swing path is much more on plane. Just as important this change feels very natural. Overall my ball contact is improved with this minor tweak.
I appreciate all you are doing and always enjoy your content.
Matt thank you for this tip as it’s starting to make sense. I’m old, 62 and I find at the start of my round, I can turn and come inside. By the end of the round, I’m not turning as well and coming over the top. This will definitely help. Thanks.
Matt, I tried this at the range today. I tend to be a little over the top. I opened the clubs just a little on set up and, to my surprise, the ball went consistently straight. Thanks for the tip.
Great advice and a practice drill so simple every golfer at any level can use. Thanks Mr. SG!!!!
This is fantastic got tired of all the same instructors….. my buddy was a pga caddy in my he 70s and 80s and recommended opening the face on my 5-8 iron. It did exactly what you said. Tricked me snd to be honest made me more comfortable coming from the inside. Hit right draws with long to mid irons. Still keep square 9 on back. Thanks!
this is absolutely the best lesson ever, great explanation
One of the most informative swing videos I’ve seen. Thanks!
thank you ! i use to have mean slice with driver irons were strait then took a lesson changed path driver strait irons hook . using strong grip could not hit the ball strait again with irons unless i used a different swing more up right . i dont want different swings for different clubs . today at the range i got tired of hitting left 30 yards and opened the club face this much at address / ! i use to not be able to hit 6 or 4 iron in the air . they were launching off the face strait high and far . holy cow . my 8 iron i would hit 125 to 130 now was over the 150 sign and high , i have been so frustrated with my game lately even though im still kind of new . i do have a strong grip and i guess im closing the face at impact because they were out of here ! cant wait to hit more .
This has too be one of the best explanation….thank you so much!!!
Great insight here. How we react to minor setup changes is not discussed enough. It’s where most of the problems are.
Never heard/seen that before, really simple and effective👍🏌♂️. Cheers Matt
Im closing the face now and hitting consistently and going straighter.
i started puring my irons, thanks for this and also the "one 2 AND three" timing
on all irons shots
Curious what’s the 1-2-3 timing you are talking about?
@@terry3296 this refers to a previous MSG video I think it might have been labelled the difference between iron swing and driver swing. It refers to tempo of the swing
Finding square has been one of my biggest challenges in golf. My simulator shows me open most of the time, even though I think my clubface is square to the target. When I close it, it causes my ball flight to draw or hook, depending on the degree of closed face. Very frustrating! I'll work on your video tips today.
Thanks Matt. Interesting magnetic pointer.
I’m a over the top guy.Thank you for your imagination and throwing me a lifesaving rope that worked
you deserve 1.0 Mill subs already!!! been waiting for the day to come!
Very interesting, never thought of this. Can't wait to try it. Thanks!
I have to set up with a closed face, almost 11 o'clock for a 3i, (definitely for driver) then gradually less as I go down the irons. The hardest part is knowing those degrees of difference eveytime, but also, my courses are built on a hill, so the undulations throw another spanner in the works! Then there's my constantly changing swing and rotation as I become more and more golf-fit as I progress. I've now been playing for 4 months, and it's hard! I doubt I'll ever crack my own code, because I'm constantly changing and every lie is different. I've learned to just do a slow motion, mock impact at address to see where my face is at impact. Then dial that into my shot. It works most of the time, but boy it's hard to get your balance perfect on slopping lies! Golf is hard, bloody hard! But damn is it addictive! When you get that shoot just right, and watch that ball flight, then see it land on the fairway or on the green in regulation, Ohhh, nice! I'm hooked!
I literally was struggling with this yesterday on the range. I started to get the “chili dips” and it was because i was shutting face. I got new irons 3 wks or so ago and getting used to new weighting, feels ect… unconsciously started to shut face down until I caught it and started to dramatically open it to fix! Great vid!!!
The 5 take away drill video and this video was golf changing for me
Great message Thanks Matt,, For myself to hit a pure straight shot my face needs to be open ,, I'm a little steep and a little long with my swing ! it feels like it's going to be a push slice but it Flys straight ,, definitely understood what you were saying !! Great drills at range , Great way to learn a draw and Fade !! Thanks again ,,,
Ohhhh I’m a heavy inside out iron swinger and a closed club face means duck hooks for me!
Thank you. Great advice especially when you say to not get stuck in a box. I set up with an open face and will most of the time hit a push draw that ends up in the fairway. I will usually have terrible shots (snap-hook) if I try to do a textbook setup and swing. Go figure?
Giant peach? Thanks commenter 🙀
Just got full set Cleveland Halo Launchers 5 thru gap wedge.
At range I perfectly squared club face at address toward target but 85% shots hooks and some 60 yards off target left.
Ugh!
Neutral grip & avoiding turning right shoulder left at impact, it didn’t matter, I was a hooking machine - especially with 5 & 6 (less lofted clubs).
Being FRUSTRATED after 80 balls so in desperation I tried something different. At address I closed the club 15% to 20% or aim about 20 yards left of target, then neutral grip it.
You’d think this address set up pointing more left would worsen my hook?
Couldn’t be anymore wrong. Result 85% of my shots flush, more distance and hunting the target. Best yet less thinking as the feel gives me more confidence.
But this works for me! And depends what (brand) clubs you hit. Cleveland Halo Launchers are more slice forgiving which is why I was over hooking. If you’re a slicer and over 50 I recommend Cleveland Halo Launchers which you either hook or are left of target. But once you figure out address adjustments with Cleveland Halo Launcher that best fits you the result are draws hunting the target. Can’t wait to see results in actual golf round.
These are kind of videos that makes you the best in the market💪🏾💪🏾
Brilliant clip, answers a lot.
👍 Great instruction lesson. Thank you.
True in my experience. I typically hit a high push draw with face open a bit and inside out path to compensate. Trying to get more square to help get my hands higher and increase compression, but had never made the connection so clearly.
Thanks for this lesson. I've been looking for this advice for awhile. More people should watch it.
Really great explanation of the backswing impact. Since I close my face, I used to miss left and to counter it, I moved my back swing in 2 out. Was worried whether I was developing a bad swing.
Once again.., great insights.,, did you ever do a clubcorp membership video?
Thank You Very Much 🌞🌞🌞
You do remind me of Billy Horschel 🤓..love your simple straight forward tips
Closed has always been a personal preference for me. I hit a slight fade to a straighter ball. If I need to draw the ball I do need to open the face slightly but my body is closed to the face. I've really just play the fade all I can because the draw is 7-10 either a block or a hook.
I agree with E Migs!
Brilliant!
I've done a similar drill but trying to draw it with a open face, .Good drills 🐯
Great feel, visual and swing drill.
Amazing stuff. Thx and keep up the good work.
Im an over the top guy, and what has helped me is closing my face more.
With the face closed, it forces me to close my shoulders and swing in to out to counter how closed my face is :)
Do you have a link for that magnetic direction tool in this video? I looked in your Amazon store but didn't see it, thanks Bro!
This was the perfect time for this tip
Great drill, thanks
I set up square but very consistently push right or slice, I've never naturally hooked a shot but slice alot. Gonna try setting up slightly closed see if it helps with my natural open face at impact
What a great lesson. Thank you so much. Just want to ask you about this screen. Is it a retractable or fixed. From where I can buy. My city Calgary has very harsh winter. Thanks
So quick question. I have limited mobility in my lower back which has resulted in me coming massively over the top. What seams to happen if I set up open I blade it off the toe! Any ideas? Love this video
Quality drill. Keep up the quality content buddy
Having the Trackman data would sure help! :-)
Great great 👍🏼 video thanks !!!
Very well described
So I tried this the other day and the results are perplexing to me. My miss is a pull with irons, so I always set up slightly open when I need to hit a green. When I did this drill at the range yesterday I noticed that I was getting the best results from just marginally shut.. I am guessing my main issue is coming too much from the inside? I am thinking if you know how these positions affect your own swing you can make the one that feels most comfortable/repeatable your stock shot and then use the other two to attack a green. Good stuff though, interesting numbers.
Excellent. Thanks
Fantastic tip! I can't wait to try this at the range.
I’ve been coming over the top horribly lately and decided to kick back my right foot (righty) and seemed to fix this problem. Have you heard of this? It’s a good 8-12 inches behind my lead foot. It’s much easier to come down the line. I’m not flexible at all in my hips and shoulders. Thank you, I’d appreciate any inputs about this.
The only thing you’re sacrificing like that is distance. NBD
My 3rd day golfing I drove the green a 272 yard over the trees. Now I hook it every drive so I open my irons to the sky almost behind me and somehow I can hit it straight now.
subscribe right away. You are an amazing teacher.
When you are starting with the clubface open, closed, and/or square, are changing your grip to achieve this or turning your hands in the appropriate direction at address? Thanks for the video!
Turn club then regrip
Great info!
I love this.
Curious if you can share the dimensions of that room? Looking to get a set up sometime down the road
Great video!!
I tend to have much cleaner clubface contact or pure the ball better with a slightly closed face. However I have better overall outcome in my shot but keeping it open. What does that say about my swing?
Terbaik boss 👍👍👍. Great explanation and put one of my dilemma to rest.
very nice Thanks
Awesome content.
Well that's that's perfect lesson for my leaking right iron play lately.
100% me as well. Instant fix for that
This is the greatest lesson of all time. Your brain already knows and adjusts yourself.
Brilliant!!
Great vid
I'm not clear on how you open or close the club face. Do you take your regular grip and twist the face open at address or, do you open the club face and then take your normal grip? Same for closing the club face?
Probably your most important video
Golf is a good family oriented sport for mature millennials and growing families to stay inspired, fun and healthy. Good way to practice manners, fitness, good culture, art and etiquette
Excellent!!!
I have been able to get my game from 100+ to a few rounds in a row in the 80s this year. I am inconsistent with my irons. I get bad case of shanks randomly. Usually chunky divots. Any advice where I should focus my practice?
Be confindent
I was taught club path trumps club face my teacher can open the club face almost 90 degrees and still hit a baby draw it just goes higher just because of his in to out swing path he says just because one tire on the car is low and causes it to go one direction doesn't mean to let air out the other side to match it and make it go straight swing path is most important in the swing imo
Simple answer: It needs to be square to target WHEN BALL RELEASES FROM THE FACE! The fact the swing arc is always circular and the ball needs time to compress and release off the face means the ball must be struck inside of the center line to the target with an open face. Open face picks up ball, ball squashes on face as club swings in arc, timed it release to the target when face is square.
With the conventional golf swing when the ball will release off the face is a difficult to control variable, why hitting shots dead straight is so difficult. But there was a golfer who figured out how to do it with an unconventional swing: Harry Frankberg aka Count Yogi. The technique involves locking the wrists down into full ulnar deviation just as the face closed square to the target. The club head jerks to a momentary stop causing the laws of motion to make the ball decompress off the face at a much fast rate than in the conventional “sweep and pick up the ball” swing. Instead the club is swung like an axe into the ball compressing it more and releasing it faster. Hogan adapted the technique into his swing which is why he hit the ball further and straighter than his contemporaries. It just requires fully releasing the radial-ulnar deviation lag as the ball is compressing on the face by triggering the release of the lag differently and sooner in the swing arc. I explain how it works here: ruclips.net/video/nJk5e7wQIZM/видео.html
My irons always set up closed.. so I aim right and most times I’m still a little left… but as a 15 handicap I’m ok with that
Good stuff. Let’s not forget shaft flex. ROFL
UR the best.
So a little confused. I have an over the top swing. So do I set up closed or open?
Are you re-gripping the club after adjusting the face, or just twisting the club open or shut?
Great idea !!!
Open face to force an inside out path, otherwise you will be slicing forever.
Love ya brother!
I am constantly fading the ball to the right on all iron shots, Any advice, Will opening up the face help
Do you believe a person should use a different ball position for say your short clubs compared to the middle clubs to the other irons .Or should a person work on opening and closing the face.
Does this drill work for drivers as well? I don’t have much time for practice. I am not using a driver on the corse to keep my score close to my buddies. I’m def not getting the distance but not too far behind.
Love my hat!
Pardon my ignorance. But can someone explain the best way to change club face angle. Is it first adjustment or re-gripping the club.
So, this is just the clubface? My stance should stay the same AND the takeaway path? Is this correct?
I want to play a round with ya when I come to N. GA around Xmas time. Of course the rounds on me
I have to set up with a closed face or I slice it way right
What a plot twist! 🤯
I've always struggled with how much to open or close the club face at address.
Do you ever use the net you built in your backyard you built when you first moved in?
I’ve struggled with this for about 15 years. My brain tells me the face is square when it’s actually closed. The trick I’ve learned to do is….set up to the ball but hover the face in front of the ball, then I grip it while hovering in front of the ball, then I drop the club behind the ball….it looks and feels to me that the face is aiming at the right edge of the green or the right fairway…but the ball goes straight. If I set up behind the ball with what I think is a square face, I draw or hook it every single time.