working the ball from my driver to my 4 iron.

[ZeroTaylor]

What's goingon everyone? I've got a quick question that hopefully someone can help me with. I've been spending a lot of time on the range looking for the kink in my swing (I found it) and am now at the stage of putting positive muscle memory back in its place. I have been really focusing on workability of the ball and am have really good luck left and right from my 5 iron down through my PW. However when I am attempting to work my long irons fairway wood and driver I'm having a lot of issues with topping the shot or catching it off the toe and having a nasty slice. I will get some video soon but was wondering if this is a normal problem area that just needs practice to get it right or is set up on longeor clubs a bit different?

[LuciusWooding]

Originally Posted by ZeroTaylor

What's goingon everyone? I've got a quick question that hopefully someone can help me with. I've been spending a lot of time on the range looking for the kink in my swing (I found it) and am now at the stage of putting positive muscle memory back in its place. I have been really focusing on workability of the ball and am have really good luck left and right from my 5 iron down through my PW. However when I am attempting to work my long irons fairway wood and driver I'm having a lot of issues with topping the shot or catching it off the toe and having a nasty slice.

I will get some video soon but was wondering if this is a normal problem area that just needs practice to get it right or is set up on longeor clubs a bit different?

A toe hit shouldn't result in a slice unless you came across really bad, it should add some draw spin.

Read this first:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/56453/ball-flight-laws-and-misinformation

Read this thread for the driver:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/44307/hitting-up-or-down-with-the-driver-in-an-inline-pattern

In essence, if you set up to hit up (in the front part of the stance) and actually stay on plane, you'll be coming outside to in. This will result in a fade and a great high launch. If you want to hit a draw off the tee, set up nearer the bottom of your swing which will likely result in hitting down a degree or two. Personally I find the draw to be lower and more consistent, but the longest hitters typically employ the cut to max out their launch conditions.

For the fairways, which I hit like crap, and long irons which I manage OK, I just hit a draw by closing my stance to the target a bit and keeping the face aimed mostly at the target. Not an exact science but it will curve the proper way. Make sure your grip is correct as well.

I generally avoid hitting a cut, it doesn't behoove me to do so unless I'm behind a tree. I find it's hard to hit a high cut without the toe dragging into the ground; I can do it off a fluffy lie all day but it's hard off a really tight lie. And I certainly don't bother unless it's a big cut around an obstacle; it's an unnecessary risk not to hit it straight into a fairway or green. I'd also prefer to hit a hook or hoist a wedge or punch it through branches rather than hit a cut unless absolutely necessary.

Finally, working the ball up and down is necessary as you improve. Working it left and right is the last thing in the game you need to master, though understanding how to do it is useful.

[ZeroTaylor]

Lucius thanks for the reply. As a previous 2 capper I have in the past mastered a lot of shots but a draw with anything longer than my 4 has always been my heel. I LOVE my long irons and play them really well and am perfectly happy only hitting straight or a cut but I am a player that really likes having shots in my arsenal. Another shot I've never mastered is a fairway flop shot but really want it at my disposal. I've always been a really good sand player so hopefully I'll get the hang of it as their landing is so much more controllable