Irons play fine, woods won't work

[Vongreenback]

Hi all

I'm struggling to hit woods consistently in the driving range and I can't locate the problem. I'm a rookie, with only several weeks experience.

I can hit irons from 6 upwards very consistently and, when I'm at my best, effortlessly: when I feel I'm 'in the groove' I feel very confident that the ball will go straight and a good distance, and that contact is sweet. I hit irons from either the black tee, or the mat. They work equally well on the course - and I'm absolutely delighted.

I've tried several times to duplicate my iron swing with the woods; but each time I either skid the ball along the grass, hit the toe, or rarely even whiff; but mostly the ball begins straight and then veers off to the right. When the ball bounces, it moves right - I think I'm slicing it.

Do you have any idea what I can be doing? I know it's difficult without seeing my swing but I've yet to capture it to video. Also, in terms of practise, should I be worrying about my wood play at the moment or just focus on the irons, and further develop my iron play?

Thanks for your advice!

Phil

[BrianW]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Hi Phil,

Woods and long irons are longer than your shorter irons so and flaws will be magnified with them.

I would offer the following things for you to try:

Swing them at the same speed as you swing your 7 iron, you do not need a faster swing to achieve distance with these clubs, keep a smooth and steady tempo.

Have the ball forward of centre in your stance, you do not hit down with your woods you need to sweep the ball off the grass, think of your swing being flat through impact and travelling on level past the ball. Let the loft of the club get the ball into the air, don't try to help it by hitting down or trying to hit under it.

Hope this helps you.

[Vongreenback]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Hi Brian

Thanks for your reply. I think you could be right about magnifying my faults - even though I hit the irons well, I realise my swing won't be perfect and so there are bound to be faults that are magnified with a longer club. It also happens with my longer irons, so that revealing.

I think, too, you might be on to something with my trying to hard - I think I do, perhaps even subconsciously, try to loft the ball with the swing rather than the face of the club.

I'll give your ideas a go - thanks!

Phil

[wildwilly911]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

sounds like your trying to swing to hard let the club length do the work for you, also with long irons and woods you have to tilt the body away from the target to sweep or hit upwards on the ball.

[puttinone]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Take it in steps choke down on the woods and hit it, then work on going back up the grip. Dont hit at the ball swing thru it. It will come sooner than you think. Stay at it.

[Vongreenback]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Thanks for your replies - I'm pleased to say I've got better as a result!

I picked up a nine wood yesterday before I started to play. On the driving range I hit some irons, to get me into the groove as much as possible.

When it came to hitting the new 9 wood I found it worked really well - it's not a club I plan to stay with necessarily, but it seems a fine way to make a bridge between irons and longer woods. I was hitting straight and lofting the ball well - even if it was not that hard, about 120-150 yards. I'd give myself 6 out of 10 - which is something of a development for me!

I think I've simply been trying to emulate my iron swing - part of which has been to step back slightly and straighten my arm and to set the correct ball position. And not try to hit it too hard.

Do you think using the 9 wood is reasonable approach to this issue? I think it gives me a better idea of what is meant by 'sweeping' the ball?

Phil

[BrianW]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Thanks for your replies - I'm pleased to say I've got better as a result!

I picked up a nine wood yesterday before I started to play. On the driving range I hit some irons, to get me into the groove as much as possible.

When it came to hitting the new 9 wood I found it worked really well - it's not a club I plan to stay with necessarily, but it seems a fine way to make a bridge between irons and longer woods. I was hitting straight and lofting the ball well - even if it was not that hard, about 120-150 yards. I'd give myself 6 out of 10 - which is something of a development for me!

I think I've simply been trying to emulate my iron swing - part of which has been to step back slightly and straighten my arm and to set the correct ball position. And not try to hit it too hard.

Do you think using the 9 wood is reasonable approach to this issue? I think it gives me a better idea of what is meant by 'sweeping' the ball?

Phil

Hi Phil,

A 9 wood is not much different in shaft length and loft than using a 7 iron, so it's not a good comparison. Try using a 5 / 3 wood, also a 5 and 4 iron, using the techniques explained.

[Vongreenback]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

And there was me thinking I had a breakthrough! You're right, I just thought that using a wood might help. I guess it has more to do with shaft length than I thought.

Ok, back to the drawing board - I'll practise with the 5 and 4 irons and the 5 and 3 woods, see how I get on.

I'm in no hurry to 'nail' this problem - right now, I feel as if I'll be playing golf for years. But it's precisely addressing problems and trying to improve my game that keeps me coming back! I love it, even when it's tough...

[BrianW]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

And there was me thinking I had a breakthrough! You're right, I just thought that using a wood might help. I guess it has more to do with shaft length than I thought.

Ok, back to the drawing board - I'll practise with the 5 and 4 irons and the 5 and 3 woods, see how I get on.

I'm in no hurry to 'nail' this problem - right now, I feel as if I'll be playing golf for years. But it's precisely addressing problems and trying to improve my game that keeps me coming back! I love it, even when it's tough...

That's right Phil, just swing easy, full shoulder turn and keep the bottom of the arc just behind the ball.

[Christo]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

The important thing to remember is that the dynamics of a iron and a wood are different. With irons you are hitting down on the ball and using the clubface. With a wood your sweeping the ball.

Here is a tip at setup(Difference between Irons and woods):
At setup stand up a bit straighter.By this I mean bending from your waist upwards.Not straightening your legs! Beware of going to straight.Keep the distance you had between your feet and the ball with your iron shots and lift your hands(upwards) between 1-3 inches.Experiment with this to establish what works the best for you. This will encourage more of a sweeping action. Keep your swing plane and speed the same as with your irons.

[Vongreenback]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Thanks Christo

Hmmm... this has got me thinking and I'm slightly confused. I understand that there is a problem with my swing that influences all my shots, both irons and woods, so I need to develop that.

BUT - is it useful to become familiar with using a wood I can play relatively well (the 9 wood I've mentioned) - as a precursor to using longer woods, such as my 5? Or, should it return to the 7 iron and use that as a basis for hitting woods?

I guess there's not stopping me from doing both... I'm just trying to organise my practice session for the next time I go. I like to be clear on what I'm trying to achieve what I might need to focus on.

Thanks!

[Christo]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

I would say that the 9 wood is a better starting point for woodplay than the 7 iron. The 9 wood is closer to the dynamics and weight of a lower wood and therefore will enhance your ability to hit lower woods. Get the feel of a wood. The only drawback is the 9 woods shaft is shorter. Go for the 9 wood and work it down to a 5 as soon as possible and then a 3. Stay away from the drivers for now.

The fact that you are slicing the ball can be your ball position. remember that a driver should be placed just inside the left heel and not more to the middel of the stance as with iron 6 and up.If your woods are too far back the clubhead will not have enough time to rotate back to square and therefore slicing it right or a fade.Other reason for the ball starting straight,going left and then bouncing left is because your clubface is coming from the ourside and then creates clockwise spin on the ball.

I see u that you hit the woods on the toe sometimes. This can be that your weight is too far forward(Towards the ball). At adress the weight should be on the inside of the feet and evenly distrubuted. Not too much forward or back.

Remember at adress to keep your leg position and lift your upperbody(From the waist upwards) for the wood shots.With the 1-3 inches lift of the hands.

Happy practicing!

[BrianW]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Thanks Christo

Hmmm... this has got me thinking and I'm slightly confused. I understand that there is a problem with my swing that influences all my shots, both irons and woods, so I need to develop that.

BUT - is it useful to become familiar with using a wood I can play relatively well (the 9 wood I've mentioned) - as a precursor to using longer woods, such as my 5? Or, should it return to the 7 iron and use that as a basis for hitting woods?

I guess there's not stopping me from doing both... I'm just trying to organise my practice session for the next time I go. I like to be clear on what I'm trying to achieve what I might need to focus on.

Thanks!

My advice would be to practice your swing mechanics with a 7 iron, it's a mid range club that will be fairly forgiving but react to bad swing flaws.

There is no real difference in the swing you use with a 7 iron than the rest of your clubs, as a matter of fact it is a good idea to think that all your clubs have a 7 on them when you swing them. The flatter and steeper swings needed with longer or shorter irons will happen automatically due to the clubs length and the change of plane created as you must move nearer or further from the ball with each club.

I will explain the different ways that you should address the ball with varying clubs:

The swing plane bottoms out in line with your sternum (the bone down the centre of the chest) for longer clubs you should have the sternum behind the ball so the swing bottoms out just behind the ball and the club catches the it just as it starts to rise, the driver a little further back so that you catch the ball on a slight up stroke. For mid irons the sternum should be just ahead of the ball so you get a crisp downward blow into the back of the ball. Wedges place it a little more forward so that you pinch the ball into the turf to create spin.

I always place the ball 2.5 inches inside my left heel whatever club I use then move my right foot and sternum towards or away from my left foot to create the correct bottoming of the swing.

I hope this was not too confusing and helps your understanding.

[Vongreenback]

Re: Irons play fine, woods won't work

Ok, thanks - I've read your advice carefully and I've done a little research on what's meant by the swing plane, so I should be able to go to the driving range and course this afternoon with a better idea of what to look for.

Thanks again