First of all I'd like to thank the person that produced the video and analysis of the video - Par Breaker Golf. Bernard Sheridan.   http://www.parbreakers.com

I found his video analyzing Tiger Woods hitting an iron shot on YouTube and it explains what happens at impact and the divot and the all the angles involved.

When I first studied the impact zone in the early 2000's I used high speed video and analyzed over 50 pro tour swings, I was lucky at the time I had access to high speed graphic computer system and was able to break down the video by frame and make measurements.

Quiz time -

What is the "angle of attack" for the perfect smash factor?

What is the "shaft lean angle" to produce a solid crisp iron shot?

When does the "pro divot" start and end?

In my research I found the answers.  There is a common denominator of all PGA Tour Professionals, they all do the same thing in the impact zone when hitting an iron shot, or they wouldn't be Pro's.  Yes they all swing differently but they all hit the ball before they hit the ground the majority of the time - the physics and geometry doesn't lie.

The issue is you can't see what is happening with the naked eye in real time, because of the clubhead speed. So we tend to concentrate on their slow movements, the back swing.

So the answers:

The mean average of the angle of attack is 24 degrees from horizontal (flat line ground). Tiger is a little steeper.

The mean average of the shaft lean is 15 degrees from verticle.  Tiger Woods is on the high end at 19 degrees (he hits a 6 iron 200 yards).

The divot starts on the target side of the ball and the length is approximately 3 inches in average.

Bubba hits it solid!

So how does the recreational golfer train/practice to hit iron shots like the pro's?

I would suggest you use the IronSolid. Why? becasue of the instant feedback you receive, the rapid skill development and the easy way to keep your iron game in tune.

Hit it Solid! IronSolid.

Understand the correct angle of attack when hitting an iron shot.

Buy The IronSolid here: Spring Special $29.99

http://www.ironsolid.com/apps/webstore/products/show/829959

• Improve Your Ball Striking
• Increase Distance and Accuracy
• Reinforce proper Angle of Attack
• Promote Ball First Contact at Impact
• Eliminate Fat and Thin Shots

There are a few key things you need to practice to hit solid irons.  David nails it when he gives this short lesson.  The IronSolid training aid is the best training aid on the planet for teaching yourself to hit solid iron shots.  Use his wisdom and the IronSolid to Hit it Solid, IronSolid!

The Big Break 2014 filmed at the Dye Club in Myrtle Beach, which happens to be my home course.  I watched the contestants warm up and practice on the range, guess what?  They all hit the ball with a descending strike.  I actually spoke with a few of them and showed them the IronSolid, I received great feedback and positive endorsement of the product.  The Big Break will occur for the IronSolid in 2015.

Hit Solid Irons!  First two shots of the day, no warm up. 100 yards using a 49 degree wedge.  After diligent practice from 100 yards in using the IronSolid device I was able to start "sticking" wedge shots close to the pin.  Hitting your wedges with the correct angle of attack and a descending strike create the type of results we are seeking, distance control with drop, stop and roll action.

There is a ball, a tool and hand-eye coordination. That pretty much sums up the golf swing to me. This wisdom was given to me by AJ Bonar.  http://www.ajgolf.com

First of all the ball is not moving, unlike baseball where you have an opponent standing 60’6” away pissed off at you and ready to throw a baseball at you with trickery, the golf ball just sits there waiting to be hit.

Second the tool, or the golf club, what you need to understand is the golf club is a two lever tool. In contrast a baseball bat is a one lever tool, so do not try to use the golf club in that manner. The golf club has the shaft and the club head, the shaft is the carrier and provides one mechanical advantage, the club head is the other and provides the second and most important mechanical advantage when using the tool. This must be understood in order to play golf efficiently and with less effort.

Third – you must possess hand-eye coordination – thank fully this can be trained with specific practice. The best players of golf in the world are the best tool users. They all know how to use the tool in the impact zone, and they all do the same thing in that impact zone regardless of what their individual swing looks like to the naked eye. This is one common denominator among the world’s best golfers, every thing else is personal style and preference. Many recreational golfers, including myself for way too many years used the golf club like a baseball bat and did not understand what happens in the impact zone.

Once I learned how to use the tool properly things changed drastically for me when it came to hitting a golf ball with power and efficiency. Here is a great video from Dr. Golf explaining what actually happens in the impact zone when the great golfers use the club properly and take advantage of the two lever tool. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdaOw1IKTbg

Once you understand this concept, then the angle of attack comes into play. That is where the IronSolid enters the picture. The IronSolid will train you to hit the golf ball with a descending blow with your irons and hybrid clubs. Without going into a bunch of technical material, the mean tour average angle, regardless of the tour pro swinging the club is 24 degrees from the horizontal. This is player specific depending upon the players stature, but they all come in at a steeper angle of attack than you might think. They all hit the ball first then the turf on the target side of the ball. Every one of them in the fraternity do the same thing, otherwise they wouldn’t be touring professionals at the highest level.

Learn to use the tool (golf club) and your game will improve. HIt It Solid.  IronSolid!

BUY THE IRON SOLID HERE http://www.ironsolid.com/apps/webstore/

No one ever said, “nice swing” to Bubba Watson. The guy can flat out golf his ball. Bubba is self taught, and if you ask him he will tell you, solid contact is the key to his game. The winner of the 2014 Masters says he hit some great “slap-cuts” into the greens and then just putted his ball. His game plan was to hit greens. If he does that everything else will take care of itself.

Would you copy Bubba’s swing? Probably not, but would you like to have Bubba’s ball striking ability with his irons? Hell, YES! One thing you will notice about Bubba is he is a master at making a descending blow when he hits an iron from the fairway or even a fairway bunker. His angle of attack is steeper than 95% of the recreational golfers. His golf ball first contact with his irons allow him to control the golf balls distance, trajectory and shot shape. In a word, Bubba has “skill” and Bubba can golf his ball.

Any golfer can train them self to hit the ball with a descending blow, first you need to experience what that feels like. Enter the IronSolid. The IronSolid is a great feedback device. If used properly you will know if you are too flat coming into the golf ball. The goal is to set up the IronSolid properly, and avoid the device on the takeaway and when attacking the ball.. One thing Bubba does well is ATTACK the golf ball. His home made swing is unorthodox by modern golf swing standards but it is very effective because Bubba hits the ball with a descending blow and always hits the ball before he hits the turf. You do not need to take swing lessons – proof Bubba Watson.

What you need to practice is hitting the ball first then the turf – ala Bubba. The man is a master at hitting the golf ball first. You too can become very proficient at ball striking very quickly using the IronSolid.

Hit It Solid! IronSolid.

Buy the IronSolid here: http://www.ironsolid.com/apps/webstore/