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Hit the ball first, then the ground. Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, it’s one of the fundamentals of great iron play that amateur golfers struggle with. Making ball-first contact helps you compress your golf ball, hit the ball longer, improve spin rates and be more consistent. If you’re struggling with hitting behind the ball or thinning shots, try this ball-first contact drill today.

Why you’re probably struggling

Ball-first contact requires the low point of your swing (the lowest spot of the arc) to happen after the ball. Most golfers bottom out too early. It happens because weight stays back, the swing is too shallow and there’s no forward pressure shift.

Many players try to help the ball into the air which does not work. When the golf course conditions are soft, the issue gets even worse. The club digs and the ball doesn’t go anywhere.

The fix: Lead-knee drill

Instead of overthinking weight shift or technical body moves, use this lead-knee movement to shift your pressure forward without complicating your swing.

Step-by-step:

Set up normally with the ball in the center, using a mid-iron, such as a 7-iron. Take a few rehearsal swings and feel where your club is striking the ground.Take a backswing. During the transition into the downswing, right as your backswing finishes, intentionally move your lead knee toward the target.This isn’t a lunge or slide. It’s a pressure shift that initiates forward movement.Let your body follow that shift and your hips and chest will naturally begin rotating through.You should now see the club strike the ground slightly ahead of where the ball would be.Hit a ball at half speed while focusing on the lead knee move at transition.

Continue to alternate between practice swings and hitting half-swing shots. When you start striking the majority of your shots with ball-first contact, transition to a full swing at regular speed.

If a brand-new $699 driver is not in the cards this year, don’t worry. There is still room for an upgrade in your bag. The drivers on this list might not be fresh off the production line but they will be new to you and could give you just the boost you need off the tee. These four used drivers, all tested and proven performers, can be found in average or better condition for under $200. See if any of these used golf drivers could work for your game.

COBRA Darkspeed LS

We tested the COBRA Darkspeed LS in the 2024 Best Golf Driver test. It ranked eighth out of 37 drivers. It’s a low-spin model that also proved effective for a wide range of handicaps. It had high scores for distance and accuracy.

Golfers who already generate a lot of spin in their driver swing will like what the Darkspeed LS has to offer. Some testers did not like the lack of a prominent alignment aid on the crown but, aside from that, the feedback was mostly positive.

With the Darkspeed LS being one of the newer options on this list, you’ll find that used pricing starts at approximately $199.

Callaway Epic Max LS

The Callaway Epic Max LS is a little older than the COBRA Darkspeed LS but it was the best overall driver and best driver for high swing speeds in our 2021 Most Wanted Driver test. It ranked first in Strokes Gained and fourth in total distance.

Breaking 80 is a major milestone and, believe it or not, just about any golfer can achieve that goal. If you feel like your game has most of the pieces but you’re still falling short, it might come down to the shots you’re missing. Hitting it long and straight helps but it is not enough on its own. To consistently score in the 70s, you need a few specific tools in your bag. Here are five essential shots every golfer aiming to break 80 should know.

The punch/knock-down shot

The punch shot or knock-down shot is your go-to when it’s windy, you are hitting out from under the trees or even when your ball striking feels off. It’s reliable, easy to hit and better players know it can save them from making a bogey.

How to play it:

Play the ball slightly back in your stance.Grip down on the club for control.Set 60 percent of your weight on your lead foot.Make a three-quarter swing back and through. If it helps, you can open your stance slightly and swing down your foot line to prevent the ball from heading right.

The 50-yard flighted wedge

Amateur and professional golfers struggle with “in-between” type golf shots. They end up coming into play on short par-4s or as a third shot on a par-5 where you might not hit the green.

Players who break 80 consistently know how to take speed off their wedges while still hitting solid, predictable shots. You’ll need to know how to land this 50-yard shot within 15 feet of the pin.

It wouldn’t be a proper golf season without something new and head-turning from COBRA and the FF33 hosel system might be their boldest move yet. Featured in the new DS-ADAPT drivers, this adjustable hosel offers 33 unique settings. Yes, you read that right: thirty-three.

Some golfers call it brilliant. Others say it’s just too much. Let’s break it down. Is FF33 a groundbreaking leap forward in driver fitting or is it more about complexity than actual benefit?

The case for FF33: Fitting without limits

COBRA isn’t just adding a couple of extra options here. With 33 unique settings built into a clean, dual-cog hosel adapter, FF33 allows fitters and gearheads to dial in loft, lie, face angle, launch and spin with more precision than ever before.

According to COBRA, robot testing showed a 16-yard dispersion swing from left to right, nearly four degrees of launch angle change, 750 rpm spin difference and up to 16 yards in peak height variation. 

That’s all before you even touch the movable weights on the LS and X models.

Close your eyes and picture the most scenic golf course you’ve ever played.

Now picture the most scenic golf course you’ve ever played that is not bordering an ocean or other body of water.

Maybe your mind goes to the deserts of Arizona, the mountains of North Carolina or the Wisconsin Dells. But it’s a tough assignment—outstanding beauty in golf usually comes with the prospect of water.

Arriving this year, we have another prime contender for this “inland beauty” category.

The Keep at McLemore sits on a stunning piece of property in Rising Fawn, Ga., on the eastern side of Lookout Mountain. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Chattanooga, Tenn., and a little more than two hours from both Atlanta and Nashville.

There’s nothing quite like the look of brand-new golf clubs. The shine of an iron, the glossy crown of a wood, fresh, tacky grips … it just does the soul good. There’s just one small problem: keeping those clubs looking brand-new can be a challenge. Luckily for you (and me), there are products out there that can help us keep our clubs looking as close to that “fresh out of the plastic” look as possible. Some may even surprise you!

Club Doctor Golf Club Polish

Club Doctor is one of the go-to companies when it comes to club care. Their club polish will help bring your worn clubs back to life, working to repair scuffs, “sky” marks and oxidation. This product will help extend the life of your clubs by restoring finishes to a nearly new look. The best part? You don’t need any extra tools. Just apply, wipe and shine. Bring those old clubs back to life with Club Doctor.

Groove It Brush

A tool that has uses on and off the course, the Groove It brush helps to keep your clubs grass- and dirt-free. The handle holds water, making scrubbing the grime of your range session off effortless. This is one of the best cleaning tools I’ve owned (I have on my bag). Grab one now to keep your clubs looking fresh!

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Now here’s one you maybe didn’t see coming. Yes, the household item you probably have somewhere buried underneath your kitchen sink works wonderfully at bringing some shine back to your clubs! I don’t know what the magic is in these erasers but it’ll get the job done from your kitchen to your golf bag.

Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax

This product is targeted at my gloss crown driver and fairway wood crowd. This cleaner wax from Meguiar’s will shine up that driver and add a layer of scratch protection in the process (don’t ask me how I know). Simply put a little onto a microfiber cloth, work it into the clubhead and let it set until you see a slight film, and then buff it off with a clean cloth. I’m speaking from experience: it’ll shine like the day you bought it.

Rookie from Japan wins her first major and LPGA title at a beleaguered Chevron Championship. Plus, Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak emerge in New Orleans while several players book major berths.

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