Ava Romero
Heel strikes are a common problem in golf, occurring when the clubface makes contact with the ball too close to the hosel, resulting in reduced ball speed and loss of distance. While heel strikes can sometimes yield satisfactory results, consistent heel strikes can hinder a golfer's performance and prevent them from achieving their goals. To fix this issue, golfers should focus on their stance, ensuring that they create sufficient space between their hands and body, allowing for a freer swing. Additionally, it is crucial to concentrate on the desired point of contact between the club and the ball, maintaining eye focus on the impact spot. Flatter swings and outward hand paths are also associated with heel strikes, so golfers should aim for more upright swings with the hand path staying under the shoulders. Finally, the position of the trail arm is critical, as pulling the arms back too quickly can lead to an outside-in swing path, resulting in heel strikes.
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What You'll Learn
Focus on the point of contact between the club and the ball
To fix heel strikes in golf, it is important to focus on the point of contact between the club and the ball. The most important part of the golf swing is the point at which the golf club communicates with the golf ball, known as the "impact". The ball spends 1/2000 of a second on the club face, and it is during this brief moment that the outcome of every shot is determined.
To achieve solid contact, you need to hit down on the ball. With an iron, you are effectively trying to squeeze the ball between the club face and the ground. The ball then compresses, and as it decompresses, it rolls up the club face as it launches into the air. This is why better players "take a divot" with irons. The divot should be in front of where the ball was, from the follow-through of their strike as the club reaches the bottom point of the swing arc slightly in front of the ball.
If you are hitting the ball 'thin' and getting no height, you may be trying to 'scoop' the ball off the ground. To correct this, place a tee low into the ground, an inch or two in front of the ball. If your club hits the tee, that is good; if not, you are probably not striking down on the ball.
To make ball-first contact, the clubhead needs to come into contact with the golf ball before it reaches the ground. You want to hit the ball just before the low point of your golf swing, while the clubhead is still traveling downward. This is the secret to solid contact and serious distance with your irons.
To improve your accuracy, focus on the exact spot on the ball where you wish to make contact. This spot was directly on the target line near the bottom side of the ball. Train your eyes to remain focused on the exact impact spot, and you'll have better results in making solid contact.
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Ensure the ball is positioned correctly
To fix a heel strike in golf, one of the first things to consider is the position of the ball. If you consistently make contact with the heel, it is likely that you are standing too close to the ball. Creating space between your hands and body will allow the length of the club to do its job. When standing too close to the ball, the tendency is to swing more upright, and our weight gets trapped on the back foot. This will cause the swing path to become off-plane and the club will strike the ball near the heel.
To correct this, position the ball further up in your stance and away from your body. This will allow you to swing freely away from the target. It is important to focus on where you wish the club to make contact with the ball. Try to train your eyes to remain focused on the exact impact spot, this will help you to make solid contact.
Another common issue that causes heel strikes is the position of the trail arm. Golf teacher Jonathan Buchanan notes that when a student struggles with hitting the heel, the trail arm is often bent, leaving the centre at home. This causes the player to pull their arms behind them, rather than swinging the arms or turning the body in conjunction with the arm swing. To fix this, focus on swinging the trail arm away from the golf ball. You should feel some swing in your arm, as if the trail arm folds down.
Additionally, the flatter you swing the club, the more likely you are to hit the heel. To correct this, try to feel a swing that is more up and down, with the hand path staying in under the shoulders, closer to the body.
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Keep your hands, hips and back in unison
To keep your hands, hips, and back in unison, it's important to focus on the coordination and synchronisation of your body movements. Here are some tips to achieve this:
- Ensure that your hands, hips, and back work together as you make your movements. This means avoiding pulling your arms back too fast, which can disrupt your swing sequence. Instead, focus on a smooth and fluid motion where your arms, hips, and back are all working together.
- Pay attention to your hand path. A hand path that moves outward from the body can contribute to heel strikes. Instead, keep your hands down plane and closer to your body. This will help you hit the centre of the clubface more consistently.
- Maintain a stable hand and wrist position during your takeaway. Avoid over-hinging or twisting the club early on, as this can affect the clubface angle and disrupt the timing of your swing.
- During the downswing, initiate the movement by shifting your weight and rotating your hips, not just with arm pulling. This will help ensure that your hands, hips, and back are working together.
- Practice the “swinging the grip" drill. Turn the club upside down and take your grip below the club head. This will help you focus on the coordination of your hands, hips, and back during the swing.
- Check your lead-hand grip and trail-hand grip. Your lead-hand grip should match your lead-hip mobility, and your trail-hand grip should accommodate the trail arm extension during the downswing. Any mismatch can affect the consistency of your shots.
By focusing on the synchronisation of your hands, hips, and back, you can improve your swing and reduce heel strikes.
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Avoid a wide cast of the club
Casting in golf refers to the premature release of the angle between the club and the hands, resulting in a loss of power and control. It is caused by a breakdown of the wrists prior to impact, which leads to a decrease in clubhead speed and higher scores.
To avoid a wide cast of the club, it is important to focus on maintaining the angle between the forearm and the golf shaft. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
- Ensure that your wrists are hinged at the top of your swing. This wrist hinge creates power and control. As you start the downswing, maintain this wrist angle to store potential energy and power.
- Focus on shifting your weight and using only the last three fingers of your left hand (for right-handed golfers) to maintain lag. Avoid pushing with your right tricep or shoulder, as this will widen the angle and cause casting.
- Work on an earlier hinge. Try to hinge the club just after it reaches waist height, and continue turning your body to bring the club to the top of your swing.
- Avoid an over-the-top swing path, which can lead to casting. Instead, initiate the downswing with your lower body, ensuring that the clubhead maintains speed and a square face through impact.
- Practice drills to improve your swing, such as separating your hands on the shaft or using an object like a golf bag placed behind you to encourage a narrower swing path.
- Analyze your swing by taking videos or using a mirror to identify any issues and make adjustments.
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Use a training mat to improve your swing
Using a training mat is a great way to improve your golf swing. Training mats are designed to simulate grass surfaces and provide built-in alignment guides, allowing you to practice your swing and ball position. They are sturdy, durable, and offer visual feedback on your swing path, ensuring accurate and consistent shots.
Training mats are versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Their compact size and lightweight construction make them easy to set up and transport, so you can practice your swing almost anywhere.
To improve your swing, focus on creating space between your hands and body, allowing the club length to do its job. You can also try the 'swinging the grip' drill by turning the club upside down and gripping below the club head.
Additionally, pay attention to your hand path. For heel strikes, the hand path tends to move outward from the body, so focus on keeping your hands down plane and closer to your body for a more vertical swing cast.
With the help of a training mat, you can instantly see the changes in your swing and how they impact your ball-striking, allowing you to make adjustments and improve your technique over time.
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Frequently asked questions
A heel strike occurs when the club hits the ball at the heel, which is less than an inch away from the centre of the club face. This results in a mishit that causes the ball to spin more, have a higher flight, and lose significant distance.
There are several reasons why golfers heel strike. One common reason is that the ball is positioned too close to the body, restricting the swing and trapping weight on the back foot. Another reason is that the hands are out and away from the body, causing the club to move outward from the body and hit the heel of the ball.
To stop heel striking, you should focus on creating space between your hands and body, allowing the club to swing freely. You can also try a drill called 'swinging the grip', where you turn the club upside down and take your grip below the club head. Additionally, focus your eyes on the exact spot on the ball where you want to make contact, and ensure your hands, hips, and back are working in unison during your swing.
One drill to help with heel striking is to place a tee inside the ball and hit it, encouraging a downward swing. Another drill is 'swinging the grip', where you turn the club upside down and take your grip below the club head. You can also use a golf swing training mat, such as the Rukket Pathfinder Impact Mat™, to help identify and correct common swing problems.
