Opening clubface with 9-iron: good or bad?

[Hammer1982]

hi

im just wondering if opening the clubface with a 9 iron would have a positive of negative effect on the shot? i do this with PW, LW and SW and all the shots are pretty crisp from the teebox (i play par 3 courses).

but on the longer holes, when a 9 iron or lower is needed, i never open the clubface and i always have a stinking shot lol. im wondering, in theory, if opening the clubface would improve when i strike my nine?

[Hammer1982]

i should clarify that when i say "open" i mean slightly open - not 'flop shot' type open lol.

[saevel25]

hi

im just wondering if opening the clubface with a 9 iron would have a positive of negative effect on the shot? i do this with PW, LW and SW and all the shots are pretty crisp from the teebox (i play par 3 courses).

but on the longer holes, when a 9 iron or lower is needed, i never open the clubface and i always have a stinking shot lol. im wondering, in theory, if opening the clubface would improve when i strike my nine?

Depends on what you are doing in your swing. I played all of last year with an open stance and open clubface. Now I am playing this year with a square stance and more square clubface. I am changing my swing motion so I need to make this adjustment.

If it works then keep it.

[Patch]

I have opened the club face all the to way my 6 iron for weird shots that I needed. Not very often mind you. Just when I need something with altitude, and some extra distances my wedges could not provide. Usually when I have tree between me and my landing area, and I can't go around, or under the tree.  The lie of the ball needs to favorable too to pull that shot off too.

Next time you are at the practice range, hit a few mid irons with the face open and see what happens. If you can consistently pull it off, it's a good shot to have when needed.

[Ernest Jones]

I need to open my short irons or I hook them.

[mvmac]

hi

im just wondering if opening the clubface with a 9 iron would have a positive of negative effect on the shot? i do this with PW, LW and SW and all the shots are pretty crisp from the teebox (i play par 3 courses).

but on the longer holes, when a 9 iron or lower is needed, i never open the clubface and i always have a stinking shot lol. im wondering, in theory, if opening the clubface would improve when i strike my nine?

Are you referring to opening it at address or the takeaway? I play almost all my shots with an "open" face, I play a draw so my face is aimed a little right of my final target and right of my body lines.

During the takeaway opening the face is fine if you're pitching it but for a full swing you'll typically be better off with the face more "toe down" or "square to the arc".

[Hammer1982]

yes i mean at the address. i do it with all of my wedges and get reach, say, 110 yards with a LW from the mat. ill try it with a nine next time. i always shank it or top it when i hit it square anyway so i have nothing to lose.