Most Common Cause of Too-Low Iron Shots?

[MallardDrake]

As it pertains to equipment, what is typically the most common cause of someone struggling to get height on long irons?

 

What I'm looking for is (for example): shaft weight, swingweight, total weight, shaft flex, kick-point, etc.

 

Due to swingweight and other design realities (I have a mizuno iron that has exactly one stock offering), is getting a set of irons re-shafted a losing battle for the average consumer going to a big-box store?

[David in FL]

Welcome to the site!   

More often than not, the problem lies more with the “Indian” than with the “arrow”.  

Long irons are difficult for many amateurs to hit well.  They require higher swing speeds and better contact to generate the spin necessary to get, and keep the ball in the air.

An easier solution might be to consider replacing your longest irons with hybrids.  Even many very good players do so and find that they improve their play significantly.  

[boogielicious]

23 hours ago, MallardDrake said:

As it pertains to equipment, what is typically the most common cause of someone struggling to get height on long irons?

 

What I'm looking for is (for example): shaft weight, swingweight, total weight, shaft flex, kick-point, etc.

 

Due to swingweight and other design realities (I have a mizuno iron that has exactly one stock offering), is getting a set of irons re-shafted a losing battle for the average consumer going to a big-box store?

Do you play the same ball position with the longer irons? For my 4 iron, I play it more forward than say my 7.

[saevel25]

Steep angle of attack, poor ball position, hitting it low on the club face, lack of swing speed, etc....

[MallardDrake]

Thanks for replies.  So, is it fair to assume that collectively what is being communicated is that modifiable variable of various shaft parameters have an impact so negligible or nonexistent on ball flight of long irons that it didn't even warrant being mentioned?

Well, talking about swing speed... what is the swing speed (standardized to your driver swing-speed, if you know what I'm saying) cutoff for carrying a 4, 5, and 6 iron?

 

Is the modern philosophy now that no matter what the shaft (length, weight, material, kickpoint, flex), slow swingers need hybrids?

[saevel25]

8 minutes ago, MallardDrake said:

what is being communicated is that modifiable variable of various shaft parameters have an impact so negligible or nonexistent on ball flight of long irons that it didn't even warrant being mentioned?

 No, being fit for clubs can help. It’s a combination of clubhead design and golf shaft selection. The slower the swing speed the more help a golfer needs to maximize their yardages. 

As for swing speed, there isn’t really a cut off. I think people with higher swing speeds prefer long irons because they are probably more consistent in launch conditions. 

Heck, PGA tour players carry hybrids and long irons that are more game improvement. 

12 minutes ago, MallardDrake said:

Is the modern philosophy now that no matter what the shaft (length, weight, material, kickpoint, flex), slow swingers need hybrids?

Nope

[Groucho Valentine]

3 hours ago, saevel25 said:

Steep angle of attack, poor ball position, hitting it low on the club face, lack of swing speed, etc....

These things. But mostly being steep. 

[David in FL]

4 hours ago, MallardDrake said:

Is the modern philosophy now that no matter what the shaft (length, weight, material, kickpoint, flex), slow swingers need hybrids?

Need?  Not necessarily.  But most will find them more forgiving and longer than the equivalent long iron.

 

[Typhoon92]

I hit a lighter shaft higher.  My Modus 105 tends to go high.

A flighted shaft might help you.  The longer irons go higher and the shorter irons are lower.

I have a flighted set of TT DG pro and love them.  The weights are variable too so the longer irons and lighter than the shorter irons.

[ZenShot]

If your hands are too far ahead of the ball, it will “de- loft” the club.  If the club head is moving downward when it contacts the ball ( a steep angle of attack) then it’s not a problem.  But if the club head bottoms out before hitting the ball, it will go low.

[billchao]

57 minutes ago, ZenShot said:

If the club head is moving downward when it contacts the ball ( a steep angle of attack) then it’s not a problem.

This isn't exactly true. A negative AoA generally decreases dynamic loft. A significantly delofted face with a negative AoA is how you hit low bullets.

[MallardDrake]

Here's something I've always wondered:  is a hybrid corresponding to a number (2, 3, 4, etc) supposed to REPLACE that number iron.

I only ask because my current 4 hybrid I hit about 20 yards further than my current 4 iron.  If I removed the 4 iron, I'd have a jumbo gap between clubs.

Ideally, is it best to forget about the "number" on the hybrid and just fill distance gaps?

[David in FL]

1 hour ago, MallardDrake said:

Ideally, is it best to forget about the "number" on the hybrid and just fill distance gaps?

That’s exactly what I do.  

 In fact, many (most?) hybrids these days don’t even have numbers.  Simply lofts....

[saevel25]

1 hour ago, MallardDrake said:

Ideally, is it best to forget about the "number" on the hybrid and just fill distance gaps?

Yes

[MallardDrake]

And is it best for someone with trouble with long irons to get an actual hybrid (a miniature fairway metal head version) instead of the "driving iron" versions?

 

Or are these "driving irons" significantly different in design (generally speaking) that though they look like irons they actually are designed nothing like them?  While some are obviously juiced up with design features, some resemble just an average GI iron head with a graphite shaft.

[Swooshgolf]

21 hours ago, Groucho Valentine said:

These things. But mostly being steep. 

I thought being too steep could create to much spin and result in a higher ball. I thought thats why people like to cut the ball out of rough or a driver off the deck so you can get it up. 

[DaveP043]

A club that doesn't get a lot of attention these days is the 5-wood (or even higher lofted woods).  Honestly, I wouldn't have thought of it, but I heard Rory mention it in a post-round interview.  If you want to hit a higher shot in that general distance range (not Rory's, but near the top end of your bag), a lofted wood might be a good solution.

[Groucho Valentine]

27 minutes ago, Swooshgolf said:

I thought being too steep could create to much spin and result in a higher ball. I thought thats why people like to cut the ball out of rough or a driver off the deck so you can get it up. 

With a short or mid iron that can happen. But for most amateurs steep with a long iron often leads to this kind of weak knuckleball type ballflight. Usually because they hit the ground before the ball.