Frustration with Swing Plane using Short Irons

[kfowler]

I find a constant struggle staying on plane with my short irons. Say 6 iron and below. I hit my driver very well and consider it my best club. I really have no issues with driver through my 5-hybrid.

My issue is with my longer clubs, I can really feel the weight of the club head and easily feel it dropping onto plane. However with the shorter irons, it becomes a lot more difficult. I end up with an over the top swing.

Any drill suggestions staying on plane with shorter irons?

[squaddie]

I have the opposite problem, so perhaps my input can help.

Start with your sand wedge and hit very easy shots. Your sand wedge is probably heavy so you will get a feel for being on plane better like with your longer clubs. Then after a few good shots move up to your pitching wedge, making easy shots and gradually building up speed. Once those shots are on plane move up to the 9-iron and so-on.

As you move up the irons and do the easy swings and increase speed, pause at times to check your takeaway and top-of-the-swing to ensure the club is staying on plane. As you have probably seen on swing analysis videos the position of the club shaft at address is a guide for the swing plane, so perhaps you can use that as a guide during pauses to see if you are on plane.

Slow down the backswing with the short irons so you can get a better feel if you are coming up on plane.

Ensure you are using your hips to trigger the downswing, even with the low-powered swings. Using the hips should help minimize using the shoulders to drive the swing, which could lead to an over-the-top path.

[kfowler]

Thanks Squaddie. I'll give that a try. The hips are definitely a key. I also have to remember to transfer my weight to the front. Sometimes I'll use my hips but stay on my back foot and end up chunking. Too much to remember.