Three Keys to Perfect Ball Striking: How to Create Compressed Golf Contact Every Time
Want to hit pure golf shots with effortless compression every single time?
This lesson reveals the three fundamental swing keys to consistent ball striking contact— maintain your axis, control your radius, and get your weight forward. When you master these elements, you’ll eliminate mishits, create crisp contact, and generate natural power like the pros.
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🎥 Watch: The Three Keys to Pure Ball Striking
Watch this complete lesson as Jeff Ritter breaks down the exact movements and drills you need for consistent, compressed contact.
Understanding the Circle: The Foundation of Every Great Golf Swing
Every golf swing functions as a circle around your spine axis. To strike the ball cleanly, that circle must bottom out just in front of the ball — ball first, then turf.
When your axis of rotation stays steady, your arm radius remains consistent and your weight is forward, you create the perfect low point predicting perfect contact, while eliminating fat and thin shots for good.
Key #1: Maintain Your Axis for Proper Rotation
Your spine acts as the center of rotation. If its inclination to the ground becomes too variable, consistent contact becomes impossible.
How to Train It:
Get your lead shoulder under your chin on the backswing.
Let your trail shoulder replace it through impact. It’s as simple as that!
This shoulder motion working is a pure arc around the spine, keeps your swing stable and predictable.
Key #2: Control the Radius of the Circle
Your lead arm defines the radius of your swing. If it bends or collapses, predictably clipping the ground becomes difficult.
Drills for Radius Control:
The Elbow Pressure Drill: gently squeeze your elbows together for structure without stiffness.
Apply trail palm pressure on your lead thumb to extend your arm naturally.
Use half swings — lead arm level on the backswing, trail arm level on the follow-through — to map the correct radius.
Once this motion feels repeatable, expand gradually into a full swing.
Key #3: Get Your Weight Forward for Compression
The best ball strikers move their pressure into the lead side through impact. Aim for 80% weight forward at impact, with your belt buckle over your lead ankle.
Drill:
Begin in an impact position (80% lead foot).
Make short swings focusing on brushing the turf ahead of the ball.
This engrains a forward low point and the feel of compression.
Bonus Tip: The Four-Ball Divot Stretch Drill
Visualize four golf balls lined up in a row. When you “stretch” your divot through all four, your body instinctively shifts weight forward and extends your radius — resulting in better contact and improved sequencing.
Summary: The Three Keys to Perfect Contact
To master consistent, crisp ball striking, remember these three essentials:
Maintain your axis: Keep your spine angle steady for proper rotation.
Control your radius: Maintain consistent arm length for precision.
Get your weight forward: Shift pressure to compress the ball properly.
Start small, build precision, and “earn” your bigger swing through consistent half-swing mastery.
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