Dandelion Stem — Golf Drill

The dandelion-stem golf drill is a visualization technique designed to improve ball-striking consistency by shifting your focus from the ball itself to a point just beneath it. Primarily used by high-handicaps and mid-range golfers struggling with "thin" or "fat" shots, this concept teaches you how to interact with the turf correctly to produce a crisp "air divot." If you’ve ever felt the sting of a bladed 7-iron or the embarrassment of a "chunk" that travels ten yards, you’re likely stuck tryin

Why does the club face need to be closed 30 degrees at address?

This is to compensate for the hands being ahead of the ball at impact. In a proper iron strike, the shaft leans forward, which opens the face. By starting 30 degrees closed, the face returns to square when your hands are in the correct [impact position](/video/shawn-clements-wisdom-in-golf-lessons-i

Where should I place the ball in my stance for the dandelion drill?

Keep the ball in the center of your stance. This allows the club to bottom out at the perfect moment to catch the ball first and then 'cut' through the dandelion stem immediately after contact.

What if I keep hitting the ground before the ball?

This usually happens if the ball is too far forward in your stance. Move the ball back toward the center and ensure you are 'lowering' your body enough at address so you aren't reaching for the ground during the swing.

How each of them teaches it

Coaches who demonstrate the dandelion stem drill, each linked at the second they start.

  1. Shawn Clement's Wisdom in Golf Lessons: Stop Topping Your Golf Ball: Cut Grass Not Air! #shorts (from 1:47). Teaches proper ground interaction by focusing eyes on cutting a dandelion stem or tee at grass level with a smooth softball swing motion rather than trying to hit the ball.
  2. Shawn Clement's Wisdom in Golf Lessons: RAZOR SHARP BEST VIDEO FOR STRIKING GOLF IRONS PURE! | Wisdom in Golf | Golf WRX | (from 3:11). Visualizing a tee under the ball as a dandelion stem; the goal is to cut the stem, which naturally creates forward shaft lean and ball-first contact.
  3. Shawn Clement's Wisdom in Golf Lessons: IMPORTANT VISUAL FOR BEGINNER GOLFERS! WISDOM IN GOLF (from 2:33). A visualization technique where the golfer treats the golf ball as a dandelion and focuses on cutting the 'stem' (the base of the ball) to ensure a proper downward strike.

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