Short iron advice

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tongzilla

tongzilla

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What swing advice do you have for maximum accuracy for full swing 9 irons/pitching wedge/sand wedge (100-145 yard range) shots? Some people say you should try to keep your trajectory low. Anyone?
 
S

Spike

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I practice hitting the 9 iron from 8o to 135 yards (about max for me). This tells me so much of how my power control can develop accuracy.
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

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I like to hit low ones when I can. Sometimes you need holding power too tho of course.

For accuracy I like to hit low "punch" shots when I can.....I'll put some weight on my left foot and make an appropriate swing. If I need to hit it higher often I'll just open the face and do the same thing. Doesn't bother me.
 
Deano

Deano

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The 9-sw are the hardest clubs for me to hit accurately. I tend to hit 3-6 irons more accurately that the shorter clubs. It sure makes scoring difficult. Any ideas why that would be so? It has been that way my whole life and is not just a recent thing. I am tall, large and old....maybe that's my problem ;-)
 
H

hcw

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Deano said:
The 9-sw are the hardest clubs for me to hit accurately. I tend to hit 3-6 irons more accurately that the shorter clubs. It sure makes scoring difficult. Any ideas why that would be so? It has been that way my whole life and is not just a recent thing. I am tall, large and old....maybe that's my problem ;-)
Click to expand...

if you haven't had you clubs fitted for length/lie angle, my bet would be the bolded text above is your "problem"...

-hcw
 
Deano

Deano

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I have been fitted (+1", 2*up). Is it possible that the fitting that works for the longer clubs does not work well for the shorter clubs?:confused:
 
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sweetser

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tongzilla said:
What swing advice do you have for maximum accuracy for full swing 9 irons/pitching wedge/sand wedge (100-145 yard range) shots? Some people say you should try to keep your trajectory low. Anyone?
Click to expand...

A suggestion: for the short irons, develop an 80% shot. Knockdown, three quarters, whatever, you are looking for a shot that flies about 80% of full swing distance. At less than full throttle the low trajectory will tend to materialize naturally, you will have better control, the shot will give more notes on the scale, the ability to handle different yardages. IMO this shot is a chief differential between medium and low handicappers. On the range, while the 80s guys are trying to push their 9-irons to 150 yards, the single digit is practicing sawed-off 8-irons from 140. He doesn't give a damn how far he hits it, he's preparing shots for specific yardages, specific situations on the golf course. This is not as elite level as it may sound, IMO much more about mindset than talent.
 
christopherswalker

christopherswalker

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Deano said:
I have been fitted (+1", 2*up). Is it possible that the fitting that works for the longer clubs does not work well for the shorter clubs?:confused:
Click to expand...

Yes...Having the wrong lie has more effect for shorter clubs. If you had a zero loft club the lie angle would not effect the flight of the ball (ignoring how the club interacts with the ground for a moment). Whereas with a 90 degree club the lie angle would be most important. While the sidespin doesn't impart as severely on the higher lofted club, with the improper lie it will take off on a line either right (too flat) or left (too upright) of the face angle.

If you are 2* up with +1" you are playing clubs that are effectively 4* up...could be too upright.
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

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sweetser said:
A suggestion: for the short irons, develop an 80% shot. Knockdown, three quarters, whatever, you are looking for a shot that flies about 80% of full swing distance. At less than full throttle the low trajectory will tend to materialize naturally, you will have better control, the shot will give more notes on the scale, the ability to handle different yardages. IMO this shot is a chief differential between medium and low handicappers. On the range, while the 80s guys are trying to push their 9-irons to 150 yards, the single digit is practicing sawed-off 8-irons from 140. He doesn't give a damn how far he hits it, he's preparing shots for specific yardages, specific situations on the golf course. This is not as elite level as it may sound, IMO much more about mindset than talent.
Click to expand...

Good point, sir.

Pretty basic.....but you are right....and right on it (straddling)....per se.

...

BTW....for Deano.......where do ur mises go with thses short clubs??? Perhaps u flip? I could always hit the longer ones better when I was timing the flip.....
 
B

Brian Manzella

Administrator
Could do 5 hours on this one...

But...

Here it is, the

RECIPE FOR GREAT SHORT IRON PLAY

1. Make sure you don't swing too far to the right. Overly inside-out golfers are notoriosly poor short iron players.

2. Learn a mid sole shot. It is less spin and give you an easier shot at angled hinge action.

3. Don't play the ball too far back unless you aim left.

4. Learn the stepUP, step DOWN drill.

5. Controlling trajectory is more mportant then you think. Control your forward lean.

to be continued...
 
Deano

Deano

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I saw Brian at Bridges in San Ramon, Ca. yesterday but he was busy with lessons so I didn't bother him. Thanks everyone for all the feedback and ideas. I also have questions about some of Brian's responses to this post. I had some success with the 80% idea and plan to continue to practice it. I look forward to more of Brian's responses.
 
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