Need help - dramatic lack of distance with longer irons!

[doppelganger]

Hey everyone, I need your help!

I've played several rounds these past few weeks and still can't (or) don't feel comfortable with the longer irons. Even the 6 iron feels horrible... I can't seem to hit it more than 160 yards when I can hit an easy 7 iron just around 158 yards for crying out loud! To top it off, I haven't talked about the 5 iron, and the 4, and so on. I play the ball back in my stance (i.e. steep angle of attack) which feels just right for my style of play. I like to just crush it on the down swing (keep in mind it's an easy swing - not forced in any way). Honestly, I'm stomped with my longer irons. If I bring the ball forward in my stance, I just hit it fat. Your help and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[SonicBoomGolf]

Re: Need help - dramatic lack of distance with longer irons!

I'm no swing pro, but I had a problem like this about 5 years ago. I had a problem with all my clubs ballooning and it was because I was flipping my wrists very badly at impact. I ended up increasing the loft of every club and hit the ball very high with tons of spin.

Are you making good contact with the ball and it still isn't going anywehere?

[doppelganger]

Re: Need help - dramatic lack of distance with longer irons!

Well, the fact of the matter is that longer irons (i.e. from 3 to 5, and even 6) have a tendancy to be hit fat. I know that long irons should be swept instead of crushed (i.e. down swing). Like I said, shorter irons (7 and on), my ball is placed back in my stance as to promote a cleaner impact. In my opinion, it's not a wrist problem although I do turn my right hand over to promote a draw. The only harm that would do is only bring more power to the stroke. Really, I'm really not sure what to do except maybe do like people suggested in another thread : slow and low backwsing. My tempo isn't bad, it's the contact. The rest of my clubs work very well (including driver would you believe it).

Thanks!

[gark]

Re: Need help - dramatic lack of distance with longer irons!

I think that because of their lower lofts, longer irons need to be positioned more forward - mine is right edge of the ball at the middle of my stance.

If moving your ball position forward makes you hit it fat then that can mean that 1) your swing is bottoming out too early and/or 2) your angle of attack is too shallow or too sweeping. 1 and 2 may be ok when the ball is teed up but not when hitting off the fairway.

To fix both, try to encourage a late release by performing an early wrist cock on your backswing. The late release will create a steeper angle of impact.

[jambalaya]

Re: Need help - dramatic lack of distance with longer irons!

Even though the angle of attack my be shallower with the long irons I think one still should take a divot and have a slightly downward swing at the ball. When you make contact with the ball your hands should still be slightly in front of the club head with the shaft angled forward. You have a lot of stored energy with which to hit the ball at that position than when the club head gets in front of the hands and you are already at the upswing.

[doppelganger]

Re: Need help - dramatic lack of distance with longer irons!

So what you guys are saying is that I should work on a late release of my hands to promote a steeper angle of attack with the longer irons. You see, that's what I do with short irons and it works fine... take nice divots and the ball flies very well. I'll work on it and keep you posted. If that doesn't work, might as well just switch to hybrids.

Thanks again!