First tourney tomorrow - Quick Question on 3 iron

[GHIN0011458]

So I have put a new 3 iron in the bag this year. I hit it fairly well, but with very little backspin and everytime I hit it, it is more of a driving ball flight and doesn't have nearly enough spin to hold the green. Therefore I usually only hit it off the tee. There is a 230 yard par 3 at my tourney this week and although I am not going to mess with mechanics for one club, my question is why is this happening/do I have to try and hit a high cut just to get a flight that will hold the green? I prefer not to do that as it isn't something I would be able to consistently control at this point.

[SavvySwede]

1. Land it short and allow it to bounce onto the green.

2. Play it further up in the stance

3. Get a hybrid

Choose whatever is most comfortable.

[GHIN0011458]

1. Land it short and allow it to bounce onto the green.

2. Play it further up in the stance

3. Get a hybrid

Choose whatever is most comfortable.

I have gone through a dozen hybrids. The problem with them, for me at least, is how inconsistent they are in terms of spin/launch/distance. I have heard a few tour players say this as well. I have never tried one with a steel shaft though, so I could possibly do that. But tomorrow is the day, so that is kind of out of the picture.

Greens are all raised up as it is an old school country club. Therefore, I won't be able to bounce and roll it all that well. So I guess I will do what I can. I think if I can carry the front with a 4 iron and leave myself a lag putt but only God knows how my lag putting will be.

[saevel25]

I have gone through a dozen hybrids. The problem with them, for me at least, is how inconsistent they are in terms of spin/launch/distance. I have heard a few tour players say this as well. I have never tried one with a steel shaft though, so I could possibly do that. But tomorrow is the day, so that is kind of out of the picture.

Hybrids are basically a fairway wood shrunken down. So the clubface is springier and the CG is lower.

Maybe check into a more Game Improvement iron. That might be more consistent on strike, but also give you some higher launch angles for the raised greens.

[SavvySwede]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHIN0011458

I have gone through a dozen hybrids. The problem with them, for me at least, is how inconsistent they are in terms of spin/launch/distance. I have heard a few tour players say this as well. I have never tried one with a steel shaft though, so I could possibly do that. But tomorrow is the day, so that is kind of out of the picture.

Hybrids are basically a fairway wood shrunken down. So the clubface is springier and the CG is lower.

Maybe check into a more Game Improvement iron. That might be more consistent on strike, but also give you some higher launch angles for the raised greens.

There are also more iron-like hybrids like the older Mizuno Fli-Hi models. They have the grooves, face flatness and face thickness of an iron, but with a hybrid body.

[GHIN0011458]

Hybrids are basically a fairway wood shrunken down. So the clubface is springier and the CG is lower.

Maybe check into a more Game Improvement iron. That might be more consistent on strike, but also give you some higher launch angles for the raised greens.

There are also more iron-like hybrids like the older Mizuno Fli-Hi models. They have the grooves, face flatness and face thickness of an iron, but with a hybrid body.

I have the Mizuno Fli-Hi.. It is a cast club and they won't bend it at the golf shop because of the age. I think the key is putting an iron shaft into one of these types of clubs though. I have hit pretty much everything from the Callaway version to a blade 3 iron. They are all the same, but I don't get the same ball flight that I get with my 4 iron. I could need it cut down as well as I am only 5'7 so maybe a shorter club would help.

[Chunky]

The longer clubs sping the ball less or at least have less traction due to their lower ball flght. THat's why you see the pros hit fades with them to land on greens because fades fly higher, have more spin and land softer. It is also good to note which holes are on flat greens, most greens slope toward you so they help hold the ball. Often downhill holes are flat. Anyway, flat greens let the ball keep rolling unless you can put some serious spin on a very good spinning ball.

[David L Yskes]

while i do carry a 3 iron, and suck with it most of the time... if i ever found 5 wood with a big enough face, like a 3 wood, i would replace my 3 iron with a 5 wood, and go with that... my 3 and 4 iron play is so hit or miss its not even funny

[GHIN0011458]

Thanks for the responses. Everything turned out fine and I stuck one to two feet today from 214. I used a 4 iron though not the three lol. Ended up playing Par 3's this weekend at -2, so not bad. Wedges need focus as of right now as I only made one birdie on Par 4s. Ended up shooting 74-72 for the weekend on  a course that doesn't suit my eye too well. I'll take it for the first tourney of the season.