Hitting before the ball

[iku]

I played my worst golf this weekend and it was mainly due to hitting before the ball on 60-70% of my full swing iron shots.

I get away with this problem at the range but on the course I take a massive divot before the ball and hit the ball terribly.

Any advice or drill to fix this problem?

 

[palindromicbob]

I found that after practicing wedges on the range I was digging to Australia on the course. I felt that the firmness and lack of penetration on the mat was forgiving my steeper attacks where the course would not.

Probably the same problem my pro is working on with me. Too steep a swing. You don't hit a bad slice by any chance?