Golf Tip: Step into those crisp, iron shots

Step through the shot as you complete your follow through

 
The legend that's Gary Player - famous for his black outfits, fitness regime and bunker ability - was also well known for stepping through his shots, almost walking after them.

He found it the best way to hit crisp iron shots and to ensure he was transferring his weight correctly and taking a divot.

To hit those crisp clean iron shots - so much the hallmark of Catriona Matthew's consistent ball striking in winning the Ricoh British Women's Open at the weekend - the club must be coming down into the ball.

This means the swing arc must move forward during the downswing with the golfer transferring weight onto the front foot. Many of you will already know this but still have trouble taking a divot after the ball. By trying this exercise it will help transfer your weight.

In your practice swing, as the club swings through to the finish, take a pace towards the hole with your right foot. It might take a few swings to get used to the sensation, but after a short time you will feel as if you could walk after the shot as Gary Player used to do. In the women's game World No.1 Lorena Ochoa is also known to favour the routine.

By learning the sensation of taking a pace after the shot to move the arc forward and driving into the ball for a ball turf sequence, you'll soon be generating, crisp, clean iron shots.

John Hoskison is attached to the Newbury Golf Centre and plays on the European Seniors Tour, having earned a conditional card after finishing 10th at Qualifying School at the Pestana. He returned to the UK to rebuild his career in tournament golf after spending time in China, where he was instrumental in the building a driving range for underprivileged children Fuzhou. He won the 2005 Jamega Tour Order of Merit with six victories from 12 starts. For further information visit John's website at www.johnhoskisongolf.com.