taking 2 clubs more

[out_in_30]

lately ive been taking 2 clubs more on a lot of shots and trying to just take a half swing.. for instance from 175 yds instead of trying to muscle a 7 iron or choke down 6 im taking 4 iron and just punching it... i am doing this order to have distance control and also to reduce my spin (but thats more with 150 and in). im finding that when I do this from further out than 150; since the swing is slower overall, misses are not as exaggerated and contact is very pure almost every time.. i guess i came to the realization that not every shot has to be a full shot.

anyone else do this?

[RC]

Do it a lot... if the entry is open or I need to chase the ball back to the hole. Maybe not from a 7 to a 4 iron but perhaps a punch 5. Another thing I've been doing lately is I found I could hit my 3 iron hybrid (21 degree) quite consistently high with a controllable fade if I open up and fan the club a little open... (I call it my sandwedge hybrid shot). It goes 15 to 20 yards shorter than normal, but stops on a dime and removes a lot of risk. It is also a good way to clear a tree and still get reasonable distance.

[Zeph]

Often do this if I have a bad lie, uphill, downhill, sidehill etc. Make sure I have a stable base, take a short backswing and make sure I hit the ball clean. Lately I've also started taking a club more on approach shots and making a shorter swing, sometimes grab down on the grip. A lot easier to hit a soft 5i than a full 6i.

[TheLauncher]

I stumbled upon this method earlier in the season after a bout of the sha**s. I realized that I could use the half swing/punch shot I worked on at the range just to establish solid contact, out on the course. And it actually does help, especially at my level, to get reliable, predictable contact.

However, I find that it can be hard to judge just how much of a half swing is needed. Sometimes the swings produce better contact than I'm anticipating and I over shoot. But all in all I think its a smart shot to have in the bag and one that has helped me considerably this year.

[mc0388]

I stumbled upon this method earlier in the season after a bout of the sha**s. I realized that I could use the half swing/punch shot I worked on at the range just to establish solid contact, out on the course. And it actually does help, especially at my level, to get reliable, predictable contact.

I had a lesson with Doug Weaver in Hilton Head last year. Although slightly different than what your asking to answer.

His methodology is: If you let the club do all the work and your swing is like a pendulum (similar to putting but on a larger scale), you can control distance by the length of your back swing. For example, by using this method I hit my PW 135yd with a 100% backswing, 100yds with a 75% backswing, and 65yds with a 50% backswing. It does work, but not for everyone. If you have a very very smooth swing and dont mind holding back (at least it feels that way), this could work for you

[out_in_30]

I had a lesson with Doug Weaver in Hilton Head last year. Although slightly different than what your asking to answer.

ive read up on that before and agree with that way of going at it.. that is basically what im trying to do. im trying to smooth out my swing and feel in control the whole time because i tend to get quick. ive also loosened my grip on the club which feels great. this method seems like a great way to smooth out a fast tempo swing like mine because it gets me in trouble when i get jerky. . thanks for the responses so far guys.

[6iron]

I'm trying to remember to use one more club and take a smooth 3/4 swing. It helps keep me out of trouble. I've beeg hitting everything left with my irons lately so I'm slowing my swing down. I'm also exaggerating my follow through hoping it will help me hit more greens in regulation.