high irons

[rookstorm]

when i hit my irons they go very high and not very far i dont try and scoop the ball i try and hit the normal way i shot a 79 on my course with no wind but have no chance of even getting near this when the wind is blowing into me, i probably hit a wedge 60 yards but miles high with almost no divot i have a problem coming over the top slightly on my shots any tips guys could this be caused with casting

[jbrunk]

Re: high irons

Without seeing you swing, I would guess you are flipping/swatting at the golf ball, or trying to pick it. When you flip, you increase the loft on the irons and they go higher. A properly struck iron will have a downward blow and a "delofted" clubhead/face creating a divot in front of the ball, and a boring trajectory. A 60 yard wedge (I am assuming PW) is pretty short. I am slighlty above average length hitter and I hit a PW 125 yards.

Were are your divots in relation to the ball?

[oldwease]

Re: high irons

I thought I had an idea what was wrong until you said you didn't take a divot! Golf is a game of opposites; you hit down to get the ball up and up to keep it low (e.g. the driver).

It's actually extremely difficult to scoop an iron and make it fly high.

I suppose, one way to get the result you mention would be if you REALLY open the club face in the backswing so that the face of the club is basically facing the sky and then hold it open throughout the swing, essentially sliding the club under the ball - wouldn't expect a straight shot though, but not impossible.

Doesn't help much does it?

[BrianW]

Re: high irons

I would suggest you look at ball position and the width of your stance. You may have the ball too far forward in your stance and your stance too wide when using shorter or mid irons. This will place your swing arc and sternum behind the ball (No divots), although you may not be flipping you may well be hitting under the ball, generating additional loft and high flight. Try keeping the ball centre of stance for mid to short irons, feet a little less than shoulder width.

In high head winds your already high ball flight will get higher as the wind will create additional lift.

Hope this helps you?

[jambalaya]

Re: high irons

I have a friend with whom I regularly play. He takes little or no divots on his shots. I always take a divot when I hit the ball well. His shots generally have a higher trajectory than mine. I have what I think is a fairly normal trajectory. I am usually a club longer than him. When he uses an eight iron, I use a nine iron. I say it is qiute possible to have a high trajectory and scoop the ball or at least take a shallower angle. I think "scooping" takes away distance, especially with the wedges. It will be essential for you to hit your wedges on a steeper angle to get the most out of them. Experimenting with ball position is one thing to try. You will find that if you can hit down on the ball with your wedges that they will travel further with less effort than you are currently exerting. Try swinging easier and take a good divot and see what happens.