Long Irons

[imtomtomim]

Hey everybody,

I started to notice that I have a huge weak spot in my game. Consistent ball striking in my long irons, in the 6,5, 4 hybrid, and 2 hybrid. My shorter irons I can hit extremely accurately and have enough length to get by on my school course, but I'm just having trouble hitting my long irons. What do you do differently when you are hitting your long irons compared to your short irons? Any feedback is appreciated.

[Shindig]

Hey everybody,

It's just my stance width - ever so slightly wider with the long irons. I keep the ball at the same place for all my iron shots and vary my width (see: Ben Hogan ball position image). I have no problems hitting the 3-iron with this (although admittedly it is a FLI HI).

[beisenhauer]

I agree w/ Shindig at least in this respect: I hit my long irons better when I don't think I need to do anything different from my other irons. (With the exception of the minor setup changes Shindig mentioned.) When I start thinking that I need to do something different with my swing is when I have problems. Particularly, if I start trying to swing harder. "Harder" usually translates to "faster" which is where the problems start. When I hit them well, I have the same turn-back, turn-through tempo as all my other clubs, and I let the club do the work.

[Laxplayer201092]

but your not carrying any long irons! :P

hybrids, i think are the same swing as a iron, but i focus on hitting down on the ball, all too many times i think people try to help long irons into the air, and you really gotta hit down on them without taking a divot. Thats what works for my swing. however, your longest iron is a 5 iron, i wouldnt really call that a long iron, and i cant say anything on the hybrid matter.

[Chunkylover77]

I try and make sure I keep a smooth swing and a slightly wider stance. Has helped me a little bit as that is the weakness in my game as well. 6i and up and I'm golden. 5i is decent but below that is where it gets iffy for me.