Have you ever seen the impact mark on a professional golfer's club? The center of their club can be worn due to contacting the ball in the center of over and over. Obviously, this is the goal of every shot, but often amateurs struggle with this.

Setup to Practice:

A great drill to help identify your golf balls strike location, is to lightly coat your clubhead with "foot powder spray". A light coat will turn white when dry and each time you hit the ball a circular mark from the ball will appear. You can spray this on any of your clubs when practicing. After several shots you will have to reapply to precisely identify each strike.

Evaluating the mark:

Each time a ball is hit, evaluate the mark to learn your pattern. An ideal pattern would be a small tight grouping located on the center or “bullseye” of the club. These marks should show tiny circles where the dimples on the golf ball struck the face of the club squarely. An incorrect or glancing strike will create a “smudged” or solid circle. Marks near the bottom let use know the club is to high off the ground at impact, or tee height is to low. Marks near the top may tell as the tee is to high or the club is getting into the ground to early. Marks near the “toe” outer part of the club” tell us the club is pulling in early or setup might be to far away. Then marks near the “heel” inside part of the club near the shaft, tell use the club is farther away at impact or setup is to close. All these marks are important signs that can direct the course of action needed to improve the golf swing. After all there is no feeling in golf that better than hitting the center of the golf club.

Jason Fenstermaker is PGA member. He graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing/ Professional Golf Management Program.  He is a Senior Certified Instructor and Master Club Fitter at the PGA TOUR Golf Academy at the World Golf Village. His personal teaching style focuses on all aspects of the golf swing, helping each student reach his or her goals. He enjoys working with all ages and skill levels.