long vs. short irons

[davidyoon]

I would appreciate advise on how to hit longer irons as opposed to shorter irons...

[Golfbald]

davidyoon,

There is no mechanical difference in hitting a long iron verse a short iron. There are 2 setup diferences that deal with the golf club itself.

Because of the club length you will setup farther from the ball, this will bring the ball more forward in your stance, somewhere off the left heel to slightly behind it. The other difference is the lie angle. The lie angle of the club determines how far to bend over at address. The longer irons would require you to be slightly more upright in your setup. The swing mechanics are the same.

On the mental side of the game, the longer irons seem harder to hit because the heads are smaller, the shaft is longer and the club takes a little longer to get to the top of the backswing. Most weekenders don't take the time to complete the backswing and rush the shot with long irons thinking they have to hit them harder to make the ball go 185 -210 yards. Just take the same swing but complete the backswing andyou will get good results with long irons.

GolfBald