Anyone mid to high handicap ever play a round hitting nothing longer than a 5 iron?

[stealthhwk]

I know some have played golf with just three clubs or just irons only but I was wanting to get a little more specific. Anybody ever play a round with nothing longer than a 5 iron? What was your handicap at the time? How was your experience?

[Sante TwoGloves]

I plan on trying just a 7 iron at this executive course I like later in the year. I just started playing with 8 clubs down from 12-14 and have been enjoying that.

[stealthhwk]

I plan on trying just a 7 iron at this executive course I like later in the year. I just started playing with 8 clubs down from 12-14 and have been enjoying that.

Very cool. Keep us up to date.

[RandallT]

When I was a bit over a bogey golfer (mid90s were common), I remember playing two rounds in a row with nothing longer than a 5 iron. I beat my brother-in-law who was a upper-80s player at the time. He still can't live it down.

I was shooting horribly for the stretch before that with lots of OB off the tee.  I just wanted to keep the ball in play, and I knew it wasn't a long term solution. I'd need to solve the driver someday, but I thought golf wasn't fun when I was constantly re-teeing.

Sure enough, I shot a 90 that way, and my brother-in-law had an off day. Thank goodness it was a short muni course here!  I definitely felt more relaxed just committing to hitting the same 170-180yd tee shot. There were very few par 4's longer than 350 on that course, so I had a shot at hitting most greens- even if with a longer approach than ideal.

[Jeremie Boop]

I've been in some one club 9 hole scrambles. It's fun. That said, I wouldn't play a regular round hitting 5 iron or shorter clubs only. I don't really see the point in it. I have, however, used nothing longer than my 3 hybrid from the tee. I can still hit that 230+ on good strikes though.

[stealthhwk]

I tried it today and it was a disaster. Ive been hitting my 5 iron so well its insane. But as usual what works for my game one week never works again. Sprayed the ball all over the course off the tee. Couldnt get the ball up on my 2nd shots. If it wasnt for my incredible short game i probably would have shot 129 instead of the 99.

[Sante TwoGloves]

I tried it today and it was a disaster. Ive been hitting my 5 iron so well its insane. But as usual what works for my game one week never works again. Sprayed the ball all over the course off the tee. Couldnt get the ball up on my 2nd shots. If it wasnt for my incredible short game i probably would have shot 129 instead of the 99.

99 is cool. did you putt with the 5 iron too? any sand shots? how did they go.

[Jeremie Boop]

I tried it today and it was a disaster. Ive been hitting my 5 iron so well its insane. But as usual what works for my game one week never works again. Sprayed the ball all over the course off the tee. Couldnt get the ball up on my 2nd shots. If it wasnt for my incredible short game i probably would have shot 129 instead of the 99.

This is kind of why I didn't think it was the greatest idea. Because, for me, if I'm going to hit a horrible shot from the tee it's not going to matter what club is in my hands.

[stealthhwk]

99 is cool. did you putt with the 5 iron too? any sand shots? how did they go.

No. Used the 5 iron in place of woods. Used anything and everything shorter just nothing longer than a 5 iron. [quote name="Jeremie Boop" url="/t/84667/anyone-mid-to-high-handicap-ever-play-a-round-hitting-nothing-longer-than-a-5-iron#post_1207219"]This is kind of why I didn't think it was the greatest idea. Because, for me, if I'm going to hit a horrible shot from the tee it's not going to matter what club is in my hands. [/quote] Your post struck fear in my heart for that very reason as apparently I too can duff anything at anytime.

[stealthhwk]

So, since the playing irons in favor of woods and hybrids theory has failed me, anybody have a simple idea about how the **** i can play a decent round of golf without a swing overhaul, lessons or the driving range? Lol

[stealthhwk]

Only other thing I can think of is what led me to the five iron in the first place and thats the general idea that the higher the loft, the easier that club is to hit. That being said, maybe when I need a wood, Ill hit the five wood, and if I need an iron Ill take a seven. In other words hit the easiest club possible for each shot.

[RandallT]

Only other thing I can think of is what led me to the five iron in the first place and thats the general idea that the higher the loft, the easier that club is to hit. That being said, maybe when I need a wood, Ill hit the five wood, and if I need an iron Ill take a seven. In other words hit the easiest club possible for each shot.

I know you were teasing a bit earlier, but of course there are no shortcuts, unfortunately. A good option is a My Swing thread here (you may already have one). I'm not a spokesman, but there are excellent, reasonably priced video-based lessons down below in the sponsor list (evolvr.com). They can get you heading down a process of fixing the worst parts of your swing first, and chipping away at the next, one at a time. At some point, you can't avoid those clubs that are most likely to lead to disaster.

You'll find many saying they don't need help with their swing and they dig it out of the dirt themselves. More power to them. That wasn't me. Only you know the right answer for you.

I'm sorry to hear your round with the 5-iron went so poorly from the tee. I mentioned I did a round with 5 iron from every tee, and I was so relieved at how stress free the tee shots were for the most part. I knew it was a bandaid, but after a bunch of frustrating rounds, it was nice to play my 2nd shot from a playable position that was more than 150yds from where I started the hole! After a few holes, I felt that my 5-iron and I were best buddies.

When I look back to those days, I cringe to think I thought I could get much better without lessons. Best thing I ever did for my tee shots.

[Sante TwoGloves]

oh, i see. i would try a hybrid as your longest next time and go from there.

[Lihu]

I know some have played golf with just three clubs or just irons only but I was wanting to get a little more specific. Anybody ever play a round with nothing longer than a 5 iron? What was your handicap at the time? How was your experience?

I was never good enough with my irons to play only irons until I started to get a little better, but then my driving also got better. There was never a time where I could hit my 5i longer or more accurately than my driver for the same distances. For instance, if I took a partial swing with my driver it would go straighter and farther than any of my 5i shots.

So, if you hit your 5i longer than you can accurately hit your driver, then it's just a matter of practicing correctly.

[stealthhwk]

I know you were teasing a bit earlier, but of course there are no shortcuts, unfortunately. A good option is a My Swing thread here (you may already have one). I'm not a spokesman, but there are excellent, reasonably priced video-based lessons down below in the sponsor list (evolvr.com). They can get you heading down a process of fixing the worst parts of your swing first, and chipping away at the next, one at a time. At some point, you can't avoid those clubs that are most likely to lead to disaster.  You'll find many saying they don't need help with their swing and they dig it out of the dirt themselves. More power to them. That wasn't me. Only you know the right answer for you. I'm sorry to hear your round with the 5-iron went so poorly from the tee. I mentioned I did a round with 5 iron from every tee, and I was so relieved at how stress free the tee shots were for the most part. I knew it was a bandaid, but after a bunch of frustrating rounds, it was nice to play my 2nd shot from a playable position that was more than 150yds from where I started the hole! After a few holes, I felt that my 5-iron and I were best buddies. When I look back to those days, I cringe to think I thought I could get much better without lessons. Best thing I ever did for my tee shots.

I may research this evolver and my swing thing a bit. Thanks for the tip. I have a big problem cus ive taken some lessons before and they just did not take. Im a pretty smart guy but apparently when it comes to the golf swing I become incredibly stupid. I also lack time, money, and nearby practice facilities nowadays. I play for fun and just want some stress relief and something to look forward to on the weekend. The stress free part was why I went way of the five iron as Ive been crushing it and thought it might help me have more fun. But anytime I find something that works well enough to rely on it, it fails. But shooting over 100 isnt fun and in my last ten rounds ive only broken 100 twice. Maybe its time to stop kidding myself and give up.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallT

I know you were teasing a bit earlier, but of course there are no shortcuts, unfortunately. A good option is a My Swing thread here (you may already have one). I'm not a spokesman, but there are excellent, reasonably priced video-based lessons down below in the sponsor list (evolvr.com). They can get you heading down a process of fixing the worst parts of your swing first, and chipping away at the next, one at a time. At some point, you can't avoid those clubs that are most likely to lead to disaster.

You'll find many saying they don't need help with their swing and they dig it out of the dirt themselves. More power to them. That wasn't me. Only you know the right answer for you.

I'm sorry to hear your round with the 5-iron went so poorly from the tee. I mentioned I did a round with 5 iron from every tee, and I was so relieved at how stress free the tee shots were for the most part. I knew it was a bandaid, but after a bunch of frustrating rounds, it was nice to play my 2nd shot from a playable position that was more than 150yds from where I started the hole! After a few holes, I felt that my 5-iron and I were best buddies.

When I look back to those days, I cringe to think I thought I could get much better without lessons. Best thing I ever did for my tee shots.

I may research this evolver and my swing thing a bit. Thanks for the tip. I have a big problem cus ive taken some lessons before and they just did not take. Im a pretty smart guy but apparently when it comes to the golf swing I become incredibly stupid. I also lack time, money, and nearby practice facilities nowadays. I play for fun and just want some stress relief and something to look forward to on the weekend. The stress free part was why I went way of the five iron as Ive been crushing it and thought it might help me have more fun. But anytime I find something that works well enough to rely on it, it fails. But shooting over 100 isnt fun and in my last ten rounds ive only broken 100 twice. Maybe its time to stop kidding myself and give up.

         

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

[stealthhwk]

oh, i see. i would try a hybrid as your longest next time and go from there.

Sorry not to multiquote properly but I accidentally looked right past this post earlier. Usually hit the hybrid fantastic and playing with nothing longer than said hybrid lead to my best round ever. But as usual, that only worked for one week. Now Im right back to hitting massive hooks with the darn thing.

[WUTiger]

A variation:

Circa 2000 in Oklahoma, I played in a city tournament. The area had a lot of really good golfers, so the Championship and A flights were packed.The A flight extended to 14 HDCP, I was about 17 HDCP at the time, and landed in B flight.

Tees: Champ was gold, A was blue, and B moved up to the senior tees, about 5,600 yards. (Normal Blue was 6200).

Anyway, from the shorter tees I hit my driver maybe four times all day. I hit a 5W or a 5i off the tee on most longer holes (pre-hybrid days). I shot an 84 on a par 71 course.

I guess we ended up part of an early "tee it forward" test.

Several of us B-flighters shot lower scores than A-flighters, and some A-guys (quite angrily) called us sandbaggers. We just ignored them - it was our flight, not theirs. (Dirty little secret = there's lots of angry golfers in OK)