short iron hitter

[imtomtomim]

I feel like I have a problem with my irons as my distances seem to be very short, both from what I remember them to be last season, and in relation to my woods.  I played my first 18 yesterday, and I know I've got a pretty fast swing speed as I was driving very well to around 270-280 on soft ground, which was about 20 yards infront of the rest of my 4some.  However, these guys were hitting pin high shots, (measuring from par 3's) with a club shorter than I was.  I played smart and figured out I was pretty short on my irons and still kicked their butts, but just wrapping my head around it takes some rethinking.  For example, my 9 iron prior to the winter, I'd place at about 135, but it's been just short of 125.  It doesn't make any sense.  I bought my 3 hybrid last year to gap my 4 wood closer to my 4 iron.  That club got me 220 yesterday yet my 4 iron got me 195.  I'm just completely confused why something like that would happen.  Obviously, I'll compensate for it, but is something wrong with the way I impact?  Should I de-loft my irons more?  Trying that gives me more pushes than I like.  Could my irons just be worn from the range and need a new loft adjustment?  I'd hate to go spend more money on my clubs haha.  I'm just completely confused by this

[phillyk]

I'd say this is just a simple adjustment in either setting up to the ball or the angle in which your club is coming in on. Idk where you play you shorter irons from in your stance. But, they should be played just a touch back of center.  If they are too far forward, you could be scooping the ball or sweeping it too much, losing you distance.  Or it could be from the angle, you approach the ball on.  If you release too early, you'll still scoop/sweep the ball.  I wouldn't say it was the clubs themselves, so I wouldn't worry about having to buy new irons.

[delav]

Sounds like an impact position problem to me. The winter can do bad things to a golf swing, and it's likely that you're not quite striking the ball of the turf as efficiently as your were last season.  Double check your ball position, weight at impact and make sure you're keeping your hands forward through the shot.

A quick check up is to hit range balls with your right index finger and thumb off of the club.  If you're flipping (even slightly) you'll know right away.

[imtomtomim]

so maybe it's the way I'm hitting the ball?  I've always been more of a hitter, but I guess you're saying to go for more of a sweeping style?  Contact is not an issue as I have full control over the shot and the swing bottom.  Would sweeping through impact move my swing bottom further back?

[allin]

I think philly k got this right. Check your ball position. After you have played a bit and your tempo and timing are back your iron distance will return.

[phillyk]

Originally Posted by imtomtomim

so maybe it's the way I'm hitting the ball?  I've always been more of a hitter, but I guess you're saying to go for more of a sweeping style?  Contact is not an issue as I have full control over the shot and the swing bottom.  Would sweeping through impact move my swing bottom further back?

I was thinking to hit more down on the ball.  It sounds like you're sweeping too much.  But, I agree with allin, the swing will come back with practice.  I think it might be more ball position in your stance, as you said you're longer clubs were fine distance wise.  For shorter irons the ball too forward will promote the sweeping, so try moving it back in your stance and see what happens.

[delav]

Originally Posted by phillyk

I was thinking to hit more down on the ball.  It sounds like you're sweeping too much.  But, I agree with allin, the swing will come back with practice.  I think it might be more ball position in your stance, as you said you're longer clubs were fine distance wise.  For shorter irons the ball too forward will promote the sweeping, so try moving it back in your stance and see what happens.

If the problem is flipping, moving the ball back is just a band-aid fix.  A good ball striker can play the ball forward of center with a shorter iron providing he's moving laterally through the ball properly.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the OP isn't getting his weight through the ball and he's instead flipping as a result.

[imtomtomim]

Wow, I'm getting a lot of conflicting information here, some from the same posters.  When I'm referring to sweeping, I'm talking less wrist action and holding the wrist hinge all the way through, hitting a low shot, which I don't exactly do.  I don't flip all the way, but I do strike my hands at impact and let momentum carry the club into the follow through.  Maybe I'm hitting the ball to high and I just need to lower my trajectory.  My ball flight does peak above the tree tops lining the fairways, maybe 25-30 yards up, how far up does your stock shot get?  Next time I'm out there, I think I'll try to send it lower eh?

[delav]

Originally Posted by imtomtomim

Wow, I'm getting a lot of conflicting information here, some from the same posters.  When I'm referring to sweeping, I'm talking less wrist action and holding the wrist hinge all the way through, hitting a low shot, which I don't exactly do.

Sorry for the confusion, especially if that last post added to it.  It sounds like we view 'sweeping' differently, however I think we can all be on the same page when talking about wrist hinge.  Particularly, maintaining this hinge into impact.

Chances are (as most of us do) the club is releasing a bit early.  This will cause the high and short shots.  Try that drill with your right index and thumb off the grip.

[phillyk]

Originally Posted by delav

Sorry for the confusion, especially if that last post added to it.  It sounds like we view 'sweeping' differently, however I think we can all be on the same page when talking about wrist hinge.  Particularly, maintaining this hinge into impact.

Chances are (as most of us do) the club is releasing a bit early.  This will cause the high and short shots.  Try that drill with your right index and thumb off the grip.

Yeah, this is what I was trying to get to, that you might have been releasing too early. Sorry for the confusion.  I was also thinking that playing too far forward can affect the ball flight, which might be something to consider.

[imtomtomim]

Well, went to the range yesterday and gave a shot to releasing later by finishing impact much lower.  Tried moving my ball position, but then I started to get too much inside-out at impact so I put it back.  Finishing with the clubhead lower seemed to do the trick as I was throwing it like a soft lob and lifting after impact, or rather arriving at impact with my hands to much above the ball.  With the extended low finish, I think I'm getting the loft down, ball a bit further back from my hands at impact.  Although I'm still sending the ball up pretty high, it's got some more forward motion before it peaks.  I also think I'm getting some better distance control with the lower follow through.  My 7 iron was back to about 153 at the range with those 10% limited flight balls, which is close to where I was before.  I hope it lasts, headed back today.  Thanks for all your input everybody.

[imtomtomim]

Well, I guess I'm still a bit concerned about hitting my irons such a short distance.  Played a career round yesterday and most of it was my iron play, I was spot on.  However, I'm still hitting them so much shorter than I used to.  Does anyone carry 280 with their driver but hit a PW (47*) 115?  It just seems so off.  People I played with, I was out driving by maybe 50 yards.  However, when we get to the par 3's, it's mind boggling to see them hit a shorter iron than me.

Obviously, I'll settle for what they are because I'm getting some very precise control, but it's just so bizarre.

[Zeph]

I'm hitting my 4i 175-185 yards, PW 110-120 yards. I would really like more distance, but it won't happen by itself. The things I could improve on are most importantly impact position, more forward lean with the shaft. Higher swing speed and better contact would also help. I have gained distance the last year, probably around 10 yards, but would still like another 10. I could probably gain some distance by switching to heavier clubs with more clubhead weight and more cavity, but I really like the irons and don't want to spend more money on clubs in a while.

As long as I get around the courses around here without having to hit too many woods into par 4s and 3s, it's not all that bad.