Par 3s

[brenlong]

Anyone come across this?

Generally speaking, my game is fairly good.
Drives are usually straight, and averaging about 270/280 (hopefully summer conditions will lengthen this!!!).
Fairway woods and putting I'm normally happy with.

My issue is iron play.
From the fairway (and rough) I'm hitting them quite well.
However, hitting from the tee an a par 3 is causing me some problems, and costing me dearly on points.

I just can't seem to hit straight at the green from the tees.
Normally they'll start off well, but then take a dramatic draw to the left and into OB or water.
I believe that the cause has been that my right hand has been too open, bringing with it an execssive turn through impact along with an in to out swing path.
I've been to the range to work on it and have started hitting irons nice and straight from the tees.... but only at the range.

On the course, I ensure that my right hand isn't too open, swing the club, and still manage to draw it out to the left.
I'm not teeing up the ball too high, and often double check my hand positions during address.

Again, this is only a problem when hitting from a tee on a par 3.
Am I missing anything else obvious?
Could it be exaggerated spin on the ball (NXT Tour), and is there a recommended ball with reduced spin that wouldn't exaggerate the problem?

Any thoughts/help would be greatly apreciated.

[bdbl]

Re: Par 3s

[quote=brenlong]
Again, this is only a problem when hitting from a tee on a par 3.
quote]

I'm reluctant to give advice when there are better qualified people around but, and its just a thought, but why tee up at all then? Or, to put it another way, why not tee up only to the extent that the ball sits as if on a perfect fairway? This will replicate a shot you are happy with.

If this doesn't work then at least you've eliminated a possible cause of the problem.

I see that you are a highish handicapper like me. Is it possible that the thought that "its a par 3 - my chance for a par or better because I should be on in one" is changing your normal swing?

[Durtman]

Re: Par 3s

I have simular problems. Not being consistant is my weak point. I have closed face irons for one, but here is what I think is going on. When I first started playing them, the closed face/offset helps square them/keep them square when I'd catch the turf early (poor ballstriking) and produce a fairly straight shot. Now that my ballstriking has improved and I catch the ball before turf I get a 5-20 yard draw/hook.

[LowPost42]

Re: Par 3s

I have simular problems. Not being consistant is my weak point. I have closed face irons for one, but here is what I think is going on. When I first started playing them, the closed face/offset helps square them/keep them square when I'd catch the turf early (poor ballstriking) and produce a fairly straight shot. Now that my ballstriking has improved and I catch the ball before turf I get a 5-20 yard draw/hook.

Sorry to threadjack.

Durt, your clubs are holding you back. Get new sticks.

Back OT: Bren, how high are you teeing your ball? It should only be to simulate a clean lie (not way up like a driver or FW). If it's still bothering you, then don't tee up. You don't have to use a tee, just because you're in the teeing area.

[mattinIL]

Re: Par 3s

While it might just be mental... I agree that you should try not teeing it up. Perhaps when you tee it up you stop hitting down on the ball, and have a different swing off the tee. Are you still taking a divot even though it's teed up?

I read that the guy with the record for most hole in ones doesn't ever tee the ball up with his irons, but many pros still tee it up on par 3's.

[slater170]

Re: Par 3s

hi brenlong,
i dont want to overegg the cake but i had this problem when i started and i was definately teeing up too high. i play on courses where the distances on par3's range from 120yds to 192yds so i tee up 3/8" for my 3,4and 5 irons and force the tee virtually all the way into the ground so head is just flush to replicate perfect lie with 6i-pw. this works really well for me
hope this helps

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Par 3s

From the rough and fairway you are Ok with your irons. From the tee is a problem. Some people with out realizing it will tee their iron shots ball up in the same spot as their driver. This would be too far forward for an iron, and allows the club head more time to close more than needed. Try teeing the ball up a little farther back in your stance. Keep the tee height low to simulate a perfect fairway lie. As last resort you might want to try a weaker grip off the tee just for your irons, and I do mean as a last resort. No need to change a good grip for a specific full swing shot. GJS

[doogkie]

Re: Par 3s

lotta good answers


i had same problem, big hook, i didnt tee it up high either, just mental thing, so now i approach them like its jut a hot from the fairway, i throw the ball down and whereever it lands(except in divot) i hit from there

[LowPost42]

Re: Par 3s

lotta good answers


i had same problem, big hook, i didnt tee it up high either, just mental thing, so now i approach them like its jut a hot from the fairway, i throw the ball down and whereever it lands(except in divot) i hit from there

doogkie, still take the time to place your ball. Still find a clean lie - take advantage of the few times per round when you can place your ball.