4-Iron Troubles

[Satch]

My RocketBallz 4-iron is giving me trouble. I cant seem to get a grip on this club. I have have spent a number of hours trying to hit well with this ball on the range and haven't found the solution yet. The only thing I can do right with the club is a pitch in case I'm under a tree. Can you guys help me with ball placement, swing angle idk, anything can help.

[Stretch]

It doesn't have enough loft for you to hit consistently. The RBZ "4 iron" is 20 degrees, which just a few years ago would have been considered a strong 3 iron (norm was 21 degrees) and back in the 80s would have been a 2 iron. It's also too long for you to control at 39". Tom Wishon -- who is one of the most knowledgeable club makers and fitters out there -- talks about the "24/38 Rule", which states that very few average golfers can consistently hit any iron with a loft of 24 degrees or less or with a length of 38" or greater. Yours has both (as does your 5 iron!). You can keep toughing it out, or you can get another hybrid to fill that yardage gap. I'd suggest the latter.

[onephenom]

Originally Posted by Stretch

It doesn't have enough loft for you to hit consistently. The RBZ "4 iron" is 20 degrees, which just a few years ago would have been considered a strong 3 iron (norm was 21 degrees) and back in the 80s would have been a 2 iron. It's also too long for you to control at 39". Tom Wishon -- who is one of the most knowledgeable club makers and fitters out there -- talks about the "24/38 Rule", which states that very few average golfers can consistently hit any iron with a loft of 24 degrees or less or with a length of 38" or greater. Yours has both (as does your 5 iron!). You can keep toughing it out, or you can get another hybrid to fill that yardage gap. I'd suggest the latter.

I definitely agree that getting a hybrid will make contact easier. Way easier and more consistent.

As for your original question about ball placement, etc, should be a wider stance, ball 4 ish inches from the front foot, same swing, same effort as any other full swing. That, I believe, is the hardest part of hitting low irons. We know they should go far, but we don't trust the same swing to take it there, so we swing harder.

[Satch]

Originally Posted by Stretch

It doesn't have enough loft for you to hit consistently. The RBZ "4 iron" is 20 degrees, which just a few years ago would have been considered a strong 3 iron (norm was 21 degrees) and back in the 80s would have been a 2 iron. It's also too long for you to control at 39". Tom Wishon -- who is one of the most knowledgeable club makers and fitters out there -- talks about the "24/38 Rule", which states that very few average golfers can consistently hit any iron with a loft of 24 degrees or less or with a length of 38" or greater. Yours has both (as does your 5 iron!). You can keep toughing it out, or you can get another hybrid to fill that yardage gap. I'd suggest the latter.

I can get it in air but its barely about the ground and maybe goes 150. Its more of a punch tool rather than full swing. My five iron  is fine though.

[onephenom]

What is your swing speed like? There is a point where low swing speeds can't take advantage of the lower lofted clubs

[Satch]

Originally Posted by onephenom

What is your swing speed like? There is a point where low swing speeds can't take advantage of the lower lofted clubs

Probably around 85-100 mph. I don't have a swing speed measure, so this estimation is what I have heard from others and the wind coming from the head of the club.

[04v8s4]

That is a massive range in swing speed. 85 mph with a 4 iron would be just about right for an average golfer, maybe even a bit high. 100mph is incredibly fast in my opinion. I hit my 4 iron about 205 yards and my 4i swing speed is 90-92 mph with a good agressive swing. Not swinging out of my shoes...but going after it a little.

[shortstop20]

Originally Posted by Satch

Probably around 85-100 mph. I don't have a swing speed measure, so this estimation is what I have heard from others and the wind coming from the head of the club.

There's about 40 yards between a 85 MPH 4 iron and a 100 MPH 4 iron.

What would your average distance be on a decent hit? Not a duff,skull, etc.

[Satch]

Originally Posted by shortstop20

There's about 40 yards between a 85 MPH 4 iron and a 100 MPH 4 iron.

What would your average distance be on a decent hit? Not a duff,skull, etc.

Originally Posted by 04v8s4

That is a massive range in swing speed. 85 mph with a 4 iron would be just about right for an average golfer, maybe even a bit high. 100mph is incredibly fast in my opinion. I hit my 4 iron about 205 yards and my 4i swing speed is 90-92 mph with a good agressive swing. Not swinging out of my shoes...but going after it a little.

I haven't hit my 4 enough to know but my 5 iron with a decent hit goes about 190-195 w/ roll. Than my swing would have to be about 85-88 mph.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

Probably around 85-100 mph. I don't have a swing speed measure, so this estimation is what I have heard from others and the wind coming from the head of the club.

You can estimate swing speed by the sound of the wind coming from the head of the club?! That must be a superpower.

[Satch]

Originally Posted by MyrtleBeachGolf

You can estimate swing speed by the sound of the wind coming from the head of the club?! That must be a superpower.

Im just guessing I have know clue