If you're a golf fan and you didn't know who Davis Thompson was before last week, you probably know him now.
The 25-year-old from Atlanta, in his second full season on the PGA Tour, just won the John Deere Classic with a tournament-record score of 28-under par. Thompson dismantled the TPC Deere Run course with a combination of great driving, beautiful short-game shots and precision putting.
But it's his iron play you should focus on.
Last year, Thompson went to work with his swing coach, Eric Eshelman, on lowering his ball flight. High-ball hitters like Thompson can hold greens easier, but when the wind is up, accuracy becomes much more of a guessing game than if you bring the ball in lower.
3 tips to flighting your iron shots
Thompson, who is top 25 on tour this year in strokes gained/approach the green, says the technique he's been working on will also greatly help your game. This is especially true if you struggle with distance control in the shorter irons.
Here's what he told Golf Digest on how to flight your iron shots:
"A lot of misses with your shorter irons are a result of hitting the ball too high. I should know, I’m a high-ball hitter and I’ve been working to flight my irons more. I want to keep them out of the wind as much as possible, and so should you to take advantage of your proximity to the hole."
Thompson says the next time you're on the range, grab a 7-iron or similar mid-iron, and do these three things:
- Stand a little taller at address with more weight on your left side than normal and the ball roughly center in your stance.
- Take the club back without your weight noticeably shifting into your right foot.
- Make a three-quarter swing, both length and pace.
![/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/instruction-folder-(kaspriske)/_QBS3054.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/instruction-folder-(kaspriske)/_QBS3054.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1720710554087.jpeg)
![/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/instruction-folder-(kaspriske)/_QBS3063.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/instruction-folder-(kaspriske)/_QBS3063.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1720710552568.jpeg)
![/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/instruction-folder-(kaspriske)/_QBS3068.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/instruction-folder-(kaspriske)/_QBS3068.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1720710549527.jpeg)
"Eric says to think about centering up your pivot (no swaying) and cover the ball with your chest. These adjustments will help you hit more down on the ball and produce less backspin, lowering its trajectory. It’s a little like a stack-and-tilt swing."