Golfers of all levels want to hit the sweet spot in golf. But what is it, where is it, and how do you get there?

The sweet spot is an actual area on golf clubs. The putter has it, the irons have it, the hybrids have it, and the woods and driver all have a sweet spot. Some companies have a more prominent sweet spot than others, which varies among manufacturers. The clubs with the largest sweet spots are designed for the higher handicapper to make it easier if they don't hit the center of the clubface, while the lower handicappers have a smaller sweet spot.

Many variables can affect the golfer's ability to hit the sweet spot in the golf swing. The clubhead, grip, angle of attack, the right path, stance, and understanding of where the clubface's center is can influence whether you hit the sweet spot or not. Golf lessons, practice sessions, repeating shots, and golf shot consistency will help your golf game. But being able to hit the golf ball on the sweet spot can be a game changer.

Definition of Sweet Spot

The sweet spot is where the clubface transmits the most energy from the face to the ball. In irons, it is toward the center of the face and about two grooves up in the center.

Some drivers have a circle on the clubface to show you the sweet spot (as noted in the picture). It is interesting where the actual sweet spot is and how high on the clubface. Some are not that high at all. As a teaching golf professional, I have noticed that some of my students tee up the ball high or low but hardly in line with the circle on the driver's clubface. I have the students try teeing up the ball equal to the sweet spot on the driver, and the results have been very positive. Not all the students benefitted, but the majority did. Keep it simple. Just line up the ball with the circle on the clubface.

The sweet spot differs by brand. But basically, it'll be around the center of the club. You want to stay away from the heel of the golf club and the toe of the club. Impact tape can help you find the sweet spot and assist when you’re hitting the club.

What Does Hitting the Sweet Spot Do?

Hitting the sweet spot will do a couple of things to improve your golf game.

Firstly, it will add distance to the golf ball. Raise your hand if you want to add distance to your shot. Just as I thought. (smile)

Secondly, hitting the sweet spot is the best way to hit the golf ball. It will help keep the ball straighter.

Teaching and Learning How to Hit the Sweet Spot

Generally, as a teacher, I usually start by showing the student how the grip affects the clubface and where the ball can go.

The next thing I work on is posture and pre-shot routine. I’m a big supporter of the pre-shot routine for every golf shot, especially putting.

Then I have the student work on chip shots until they feel what the sweet spot is on the club. I start with chipping because it’s a more effortless swing to feel the sweet spot than a full swing would be. Next, I use foot powder spray or electrical tape to show the student where they hit the ball on the clubface.

One of the best ways I’ve found to show a student how to hit a ball flush or with a square clubface and hit the sweet spot has been on a simulator.

Pictured above is a home setup of a golf simulator, OptiShot. It is one of the least expensive, but it is very effective. What I like most about this teaching tool is the measurements of “face angle” and “face contact.”

The face angle lets the golfer know how the clubface went through the ball. For example, was the club pointing to the left, right, or right down the middle? Golfers develop the feel of what is a closed face (left) or an open face (right).

Once the student knows the perfect face angle number for their particular swing, I encourage them to hit balls until they start to feel what a center hit is for them. It’s incredible to see how a student will begin to adjust their grip, swing path, and tempo to stay consistent. But it works and transfers over to the range and golf course once we are back outside.

I had a student who had been playing for over five years and had trouble understanding the concept of the clubface. He was going over the top on his swing, and his takeaway was way too fast, which is not a recipe for a good golf swing. So we scheduled an online video lesson and discovered he had Optishot in his home.

Even though he used Optishot to work on his swing, he didn’t know how to use the simulator to his benefit. However, once we discussed what all the numbers meant, all I had to do was show him how to get to the correct numbers. He figured out the face angle, and within thirty minutes, he had developed the feeling of hitting the ball properly to get close to the best numbers for his swing.

Sweet Spot Sizing Varies by Clubs

The sweet spot influences how much forgiveness a manufacturer may give a club based on skill level. For example, when a club is described as very “forgiving,” one of the things is how far away from the center you can hit the ball, get good contact, and still keep the ball straight.

The higher handicap clubs offer large sweet spots and more stable clubs to keep the mishit straighter. For example, the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS/Lite irons are very forgiving, have a larger sweet spot, and are considered a club designed for higher handicappers. In contrast, the advanced player clubs usually have a smaller sweet spot, which is preferred at the high level. For example, the Mizuno Pro 223 irons have a small sweet spot and are designed for the advanced player.

Conclusion

Hitting the sweet spot consistently will be a game-changer in improving your golf game.

We looked at what the sweet spot is, where it can be found, and how to hit it through various drills and shots. Understanding where the sweet spot is in your clubs is where I would start. Then, measure your shots through tape, foot powder, or some other source to see where you hit the ball.

Going to a golf professional will help get you find the sweet spot and learn how to hit it more consistently. Finding the right clubs for your swing will make it easier to hit the sweet spot. If you play once a month, I don’t believe blade irons with a small sweet spot will elevate your game. Looking at more forgiving clubs will be to your benefit.

Another suggestion is to chat with me or one of my fellow Golf Experts here on Curated. We'd be happy to assist you and assess your game and what equipment would work best for you. So smile and enjoy the next round hitting the sweet spot!