Line Drill
A simple way to understand where your club should meet the ground when hitting an iron.
The Line Drill gives you a visible reference for the bottom of your swing. By watching where the club brushes the ground in relation to a line, you can begin to understand ball-first contact without worrying about complicated swing mechanics.
Find the line.
Feel the strike.
Draw a line on the ground
On a suitable grass practice area, draw a short line across the ground using a tee or another permitted marker. Alternatively, use a clearly visible line on a suitable practice mat. Check that the practice area allows this before marking the turf.
Make a few practice swings
With a short iron or wedge, make some relaxed practice swings near the line. Observe where the club brushes the ground. Don't try to force the club to hit a particular spot; use the line to see what is already happening.
Place a ball on the line
Set the ball on the line and make a short, controlled iron shot. Keep your attention on the ball and the strike rather than trying to manufacture a divot.
Check where the club meets the ground
Look at the mark left by the club. The aim is to strike the ball before the club brushes the ground on the target side of the line. Repeat at a comfortable pace, noticing the pattern rather than judging every shot in isolation.
Understand the
bottom of the swing.
Where the club brushes the ground
The line gives you a reference for where the club reaches the ground. If the club repeatedly brushes the ground on the back side of the line, you have a useful pattern to observe and work on.
Ball first, ground second
For a typical iron shot from the ground, the club should contact the ball before reaching the turf on the target side. You don't need a deep divot; a shallow brush of the grass can be enough.
A repeatable pattern, not a perfect mark
Grass conditions, the club you're using and the length of your swing can all affect the mark. Look for a consistent pattern across several shots rather than expecting every strike to look identical.
Use the line to understand your contact. Let the mark give you feedback instead of trying to force the club into position.
Useful when your
iron contact varies.
You hit the ground behind the ball
The line helps you see where the club is reaching the ground in relation to the ball, giving you a clear reference for your practice.
Your iron strikes feel inconsistent
Use several repetitions to see whether your contact point changes from shot to shot, rather than guessing from ball flight alone.
You take deep divots
The drill can help you focus on where the club first brushes the ground. The goal isn't to eliminate every divot, but to understand where contact happens.
You want a simple practice reference
When swing thoughts start to pile up, the line gives you an easy external reference. Make a few swings, observe the result and reset before the next ball.
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