Teeing off with an iron question

[BrianJ]

I recently had a first lesson from a new Class A PGA which went great.  The first thing we worked on was my ball striking.  He put me on high speed video from 2 angles and we saw that, although my hands began at address ahead of the ball, unbeknownst to me as I was coming thru I was pulling my hands/wrists back so they were straight in line with the ball at impact.  It was amazing to see this happen, I had no clue.

This was a huge help as my ball striking and "hitting down on the ball" has already helped my game to feel more in control of my irons.  I now have a question tho, when I'm at a par 3, or for whatever reason using an iron on the tee box, do I apply the same principle as hitting an iron in the fairway? (hands ahead) Or do I keep my hands in line with the club such as hitting with a driver off the tee? (hands not ahead)

My next lesson is a week from today, so I'm anxious to ask him.  But I know for sure there is lots of great advice here as well.  Thanks!

[The Road Dog]

Brian why complicate things? Use the same swing you are trying to perfect. The only choice should be whether to use a tee or not.

[BrianJ]

Yea this is a good point, I feel the uncertainty in my head as I use an iron off the tee now which is not a good thing.  I guess I hadn't thought of just keeping it simple.  Sometimes I obsess over what is "correct" for other people when I suppose I should be thinking what is correct for me.

Thanks for the advice

[MiniBlueDragon]

The only club you should hit level or up off the tee is the driver every other club should be hit down, irrespective of whether it's off the tee box or the fairway. The only difference for me when teeing off using an iron/hybrid is that I use a 5mm castle tee for all clubs except for my 3W which is a 10mm castle tee. I don't own a driver.

[BrianJ]

OK thanks, I was wondering the same question when I'm using a fairway wood in the fairway, so that was answered as well by your post :)

[saevel25]

Yep, hit down with the fairway woods, though it shouldn't be a thud. The fairway woods can still skim the grass and produce a very shallow divot.