Irons Vs Woods

[Big Don]

I constantly read articles about the golf swing that give the impression that one swing fits all of the situations that you will encounter as a golfer. This seems like a gross simplification to me. The technique required to hit a fairway wood is rather different to that required for hitting an iron? The fairway wood requires a sweeping action whereas irons require the player to hit down on the ball. Conceptually these requirements are quite different and do require adjustments to the swing. Any comments?

[ABPositive]

Except for the driver, putter, and sand shots, I always hit down on the ball.
With fairway woods, because the swing plane is flatter, and the club head shape, I don't take a divot. It's almost like sweeping ; but I am still hitting down a bit.

[Fisherdude]

Regarding fairway woods, Hogan was a "pincher" and Nelson was a "sweeper".

I've always been intrigued by the different words and phrases used over the last century in attempting to describe what happens in a golf swing.

"Hitting down on the ball" being a case in point. At the top of the backswing the clubhead is roughly on a level with your head. At impact it's on the ground. The only way it can get there is to go "down". You don't really try to consciously "hit down" on the ball, you simply make a swing, and the clubhead naturally goes down all by itself.

I think the better description is to talk about ball position. If you position the ball at the bottom of your swing arc, you will sweep it. If you position it a bit to the rear of the bottom of the arc, then you will strike it while the clubhead is still slightly falling, more like an iron. As far as which is better for fairway woods, plenty of opinions. I'm guessing sweeping is more in vogue these days.

The bottom of my swing arc varies by +/- several feet, depending on how the lunge is working on any given day, so I really can't give much personal insight!