Why am i hitting my longer irons better than my short irons and wedges???

[804golfer]

at the driving range (using a mat) i hit my long irons a lot better and feel a lot more comfortable standing over the ball
why is this?

[Shindig]

at the driving range (using a mat) i hit my long irons a lot better and feel a lot more comfortable standing over the ball

Funny, this has happened to me lately.

I used to use Super-Game Improvement irons, and I hit my 7-P better than my 4-6 at the course, but all equally at the range. Now, using Players' Irons, I hit my 4-6 better than my 7-9 at the course, and still about equally at the range. In my case, I think it was because I could easily get haphazard with my old irons, while I have to focus with my current ones - a mis-hit doesn't have the forgiveness I used to count on. So, why am I having trouble with short irons now? I'm used to the feeling that they're too easy to hit, so I don't focus as much. I hit them well, but I end up mis-aligned.

[seattlesfinest]

For some reason I would have to make that unanimous. I definitely am more comfortable hitting my 3 and 4 irons and than my 9 iron or Pitching Wedge. I would probably say that is also because I focus more on the actual swing mechanics on the longer irons than the shorter ones that I've grown accustomed to.

[iacas]

To those who, like me, occasionally feel better hitting long irons over short irons, I have a few questions:

1) Is your distance from the ball consistent? Sometimes I get too close or far from the ball with the short irons, but the proper distance with the longer ones.
2) Are you a sweeper? The long irons require a slightly more sweeping swing than the short irons, of course.
3) Do you have a big weight shift and possibly slide a little? Sometimes your timing can exist with the long irons but not with the short ones, which require, again, a slightly different swing.

[Eore]

i am also more comfortable with my long irons. the thing i like is that i know how far they go. i can step over a 175 yard shot and know i can hit a 5 iron that will roll up to 180. for a 130 yard shot i have no clue

[804golfer]

yes i feel like i know where to stand with my long irons but do not know where to stand with my short irons

what do you do that is different for short irons erick?

[Avid Golfer]

at the driving range (using a mat) i hit my long irons a lot better and feel a lot more comfortable standing over the ball

Its likely that your setup is significantly different between how you setup to the long irons and how you setup to the short irons. As Icas said your distance from the ball could be one factor. Others include ball position, and posture.

The closer you can get your short iron setup to your long iron setup the more comfortable you should become. As you can see in Greg Norman's setup with his long iron and his short iron in the picture below his setup has changed very little. http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/254...ballposdg0.jpg

[sonicblue]

I struggle with long irons. Whenever I have a good run with them, I find it's because my adjustments in setup are very minor. I tend to stand very far away, like I want to treat them like "mini-drivers," of sort. When I stand a little closer, almost envision a 3-iron like a "long 8-iron," I tend to hit them crisper.

In general, I am more of a sweeper swing with irons, more than a divot-taker. I generally only take divots with shorter irons if I am really trying to spin them or knock it down.

[seattlesfinest]

To those who, like me, occasionally feel better hitting long irons over short irons, I have a few questions:

1. My distance from the ball is usually consistent. The only time it tends to get closer is when I'm trying to flop a pitching wedge or using the lower irons. It's always been a habit.

2. I've never really payed attention but my swing definitely is more free with the longer irons so because of that, I would have to say it does sweep. 3. I only slide when I use the woods occasionally, but I hardly ever with the irons.

[$2 Nassau]

To those who, like me, occasionally feel better hitting long irons over short irons, I have a few questions:

1) Yup, that's me. Always struggle to find that comfortable ball position with short irons. Usually I end up being too close to the ball with the shorter irons.

2) Yes. My longer irons are typically more crisp. Can't seem to find a consistent decending blow through the ball with my short irons. They are usually just a hair thin. I'll get away with it most of the time, but distance control suffers greatly. 3) I'm 6'3'' long and lanky. Been trying very hard this year to work on quieting down my lower body to produce more of a turn rather than a sway/slide. Making sure my head stays behind the ball through impact. I'm getting there, but righting this wrong has proven to be very difficult for me.

[Klean]

I'm more of a sweeper myself, I almost never take a divot so I hit my longer irons very well. I find a lot of it has to do with my distance away from the ball. I also think my hands are more in synch with my body. On my shorter irons, I tend to come over the top more and my hands get way behind my body at times. Resulting in a slight fade or wicked slice :)

[AmenCorner]

If I had to guess, I would say this is a swing plane kind of deal. An inside, sweeping kind of plane can produce more solid long irons, and thin short irons.