Why does one iron shot feel crisp and predictable while the next catches too much turf or is struck thin? In a lesson published on 28 October 2026, Dr Alison Curdt, a PGA and LPGA Master Professional, brings together three factors at impact: forward shaft lean, clubface orientation and movement into the lead side. These are checkpoints for understanding an individual strike, not one fixed swing recipe.
What golfers mean by compression
Compression is often used to describe solid contact and a controlled launch. A ball does deform briefly against the clubface, but the golfer's task is not to push it into the ground. For a normal iron shot from a fairway lie, look for ball-first contact, appropriate dynamic loft and reasonably centred impact. A divot starting beyond the ball may be consistent with this, but the size of a divot alone does not determine strike quality.
1. Forward shaft lean
Forward shaft lean means the handle is a little ahead of the clubhead towards the target at impact. It affects dynamic loft, the loft delivered to the ball, which differs from the club's fixed static loft. Exaggerating this position can damage the strike and change launch conditions in an undesirable way. Judge the shot rather than copying one frozen frame from a professional golfer.
2. Clubface orientation
Even a centred strike can start on the wrong line. Clubface orientation relative to the intended starting direction has a substantial influence on initial ball flight. Curdt links this with shaft position because changes in handle delivery may affect the face, too. A “square” face is square relative to the chosen shot, not necessarily aimed at the middle of the green. Before rebuilding your swing, check alignment and face direction if shots repeatedly launch away from their target.
3. Movement into the lead side
The third consideration is movement towards the lead leg by impact — the left leg for a right-handed player and the right for a left-handed player. Pressure transfer and rotation are related but not identical. Sliding the pelvis excessively towards the target can make contact inconsistent, while staying trapped on the trail side may also affect the low point. The aim is not a dramatic lateral move but a repeatable strike.
A practical 24-shot observation session
Eight baseline shots. Use the same mid-iron, a level and safe practice area, and one target. Record whether turf contact occurs before or after the ball, the initial direction and the landing area. Maximum distance is not the only measure of success.
Eight controlled shots. Make several slow, ball-free rehearsals, then hit eight balls at a comfortable pace. Attend to only one of the three checkpoints, such as avoiding an exaggerated lateral slide while moving into the lead side. If contact becomes markedly worse or movement causes pain, stop.
Eight normal shots. Return to your familiar tempo without constantly thinking through mechanics. Compare clean-strike frequency, starting direction and dispersion across the sets. With a launch monitor, log carry, dynamic loft and angle of attack separately; do not treat these as interchangeable numbers.
Limits of the exercise
A good run of eight shots cannot prove that a swing fault has been identified or permanently fixed. The lie, turf conditions, club choice, fatigue and natural variation all matter. A tee shot or a ball in the rough can behave differently. Persistent issues deserve individual instruction from a qualified professional.
Curdt's useful message is to consider shaft delivery, face orientation and lead-side movement together, rather than simply trying to “hit down harder”. Her video also features a training aid, but purchasing it is not necessary for this observation session. This is a coaching explanation, not a controlled scientific trial or a promise of extra distance.
Original lesson: Women & Golf — Three Keys to Compressing Your Irons for Crisper Strikes, 28 October 2026, Dr Alison Curdt.
