Range practice - using the mid to long irons more plus half swings

[nevets88]

This season, I found that I spent more time practicing with the 6 iron or longer. Basically lots of switching between 6 & 4 or 6 & 3. Not only that, but I mix up the tempo. I'll hit more 1/2 easy swings with the 3 and 4 and hit a hard one. Same with the 3 wood off the ground. I still hit wedges and short irons, but short irons much less so.

Is there any merit to this method? I rarely practice with the driver and found that I still hit the driver as well as I do the other clubs when I play. My thinking is that if you get better feel for the harder to hit longer clubs, it enhances your feel and practice.

[Alan Lee]

I think mid and long irons are very important.  Sticking 200 yard approaches are tough but can make the difference in a round.  Of course granted that your swing is holding up.  If you're hitting your pitching wedge all over the place, you might want to groove your swing first.  You have to have a solid foundation before you can work on the nuances.  But yea, there's very few things quite like striping a 200 yard 4 iron pin high.

[c peterich]

Try varying between half/ 3/4 and full swings,,and try varying from slower to faster speeds. That is the ultimate test on how u trust your swing. Than try hitting low to high..fade to draw.,try intentionally hitting thin and try hitting it fat Play around with all of it