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how to hit a 3 iron golf club

by Andy Watsica PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Hitting 3 iron in golf

  • Get the right setup. It’s evident that to get those perfect longer shots you need to perfect setup. ...
  • Widen your stance. The general rule says “the wider the club the wider the feet”. ...
  • Notice the ball position for long Irons. ...
  • Grip and hand positioning. ...
  • Consistency. ...
  • Difference between hitting long irons and short irons. ...

Part of a video titled Billy Horschel demonstrates how to use a 3-iron to attack the ...
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All i'm going to do is move it back i'm just going to move my feet shift up a little bit move theMoreAll i'm going to do is move it back i'm just going to move my feet shift up a little bit move the ball back about a ball maybe a ball and a half and make the same swing.

Full Answer

How to hit an iron shot in golf?

For an iron shot, however, the goal is to hit down on the golf ball. Another way to say this is that your moment of impact should occur before the low point of your golf swing. It’s important to make this distinction when discussing how to hit irons because this whole down/up thing trips up a lot of golfers.

How do I hit a good three iron?

A tighter grip means less release through the ball, and you need all the release you can get to hit a good three iron. Prior to starting your swing, make sure your fingers are relaxed around the grip.

How to swing a long iron golf ball?

When you’re swinging a long iron, your goal is still to hit down on the golf ball. However, you don’t want your angle of attack to be as steep as it is when you’re hitting a short iron. In order to avoid that steepness, position the ball just slightly forward of center.

Should you hit irons up or down?

For pure iron shots, however, the goal is to hit down on the golf ball. Another way to say this is that your moment of impact should occur before the low point of your golf swing. It’s important to make this distinction when discussing how to hit irons because this whole down/up thing trips up a lot of golfers.

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How hard is it to hit a 3 iron?

The low amount of loft and thin face makes a 3 iron hard to hit and is why you'd be better off playing a 4 hybrid. Just like with a 2 iron, most of the golfers you'll see on your local course won't have a 3 iron. The reason is that they're just too hard to hit for most.

When should you hit a 3 iron?

Striking the ball just before commencing your upswing enables you to weaken the loft of the face and produce high-flying shots. This shot is ideal for playing long par 3s when you need to send the ball long and get it to land it quickly.

Why can't I hit my 3 iron?

If you are struggling to hit a 3 iron or 4 iron you are not alone. To hit them correctly you need to turn the club over quite a bit at impact. You may want to practice trying to hit some long irons dead left (if you are a right hander) just so you know you are turning the club over.

How far should an amateur hit a 3 iron?

about 200 yardsA golfer should aim to hit a 3 iron about 200 yards. All in all, the 3 iron is one of the longest irons in the bag for average golfers and can be hit the furthest of any irons carried by most amateurs.

Do pros use 3 irons?

Hell, only 20 percent of PGA Tour players carry a 3-iron that's not a utility iron. That number fades to almost nonexistent on the LPGA Tour.

How do you hit a 3 iron off the fairway?

0:051:13How to Hit a Fairway Shot with an Iron - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore anything else you don't want to make a nice swing and land at two inches or a few inchesMoreBefore anything else you don't want to make a nice swing and land at two inches or a few inches behind the ball you rather hit a mediocre swing but just make sure that you hit the ball first.

What irons are hardest to hit?

The long irons, like the one, two, and three iron, are the hardest golf irons to hit. These clubs have less loft than other clubs, require a fast swing speed to hit them well, and a smaller sweet spot makes off center hits more common.

How do you hit irons correctly?

4:495:34HOW TO AIM IRONS Correctly and Hit More Greens in Regulation! (GOLF ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAround this bring it up here in front of you all right close one eye lead hand trail hand get itMoreAround this bring it up here in front of you all right close one eye lead hand trail hand get it straight up and down set it directly behind the golf ball.

Get the right setup

It’s evident that to get those perfect longer shots you need to perfect setup. If your setup is not correct, forget about the idea of hitting long irons. Here we have a few steps for you to get your set up perfect.

Widen your stance

The general rule says “the wider the club the wider the feet”. Therefore your stance should be slightly wider than normal and the distance between your feet should also be wider than your shoulder’s width.

Notice the ball position for long Irons

The next key to hitting a 3 iron in golf is the positioning of the golf ball. The front-center of your stance is ideally the perfect position to hit long irons.

Grip and hand positioning

Once you are confident about your stance and ball positioning the next step to consider is the grip and positioning. If you want to hit long irons then you should have much of a forward press. Try to adjust your hand in such a position that your hands are slightly ahead of your ball. The left-hand needs to be adjusted accordingly.

Consistency

One of the reasons that golfers are not being able to hit long irons is because they are filled with lies. First, you need to understand hitting long irons are generally for the golf players that are pro. Even many players play golf for years but when it comes to hitting long irons they often mess up.

Difference between hitting long irons and short irons

The first and foremost mistake that amateur golfers assume between short and long irons is the swing speed of the iron. They pre-assume that to hit long irons one needs a hard swing which is a total misconception. The next difference between hitting long irons and short irons is the positioning of the ball.

What does tight grip mean in golf?

A tighter grip means less release through the ball, and you need all the release you can get to hit a good three iron. Prior to starting your swing, make sure your fingers are relaxed around the grip. Also, the muscles in your forearms should be relaxed and comfortable as well.

Can you throw out a three iron?

A three iron may or may not have a place in your bag, but don’t throw yours out just because so many others have done the same.

Can you hit long irons with a smooth swing?

If you make a smooth swing and are able to find the sweet spot at impact, you will be rewarded with a quality shot. Yes, long irons are difficult to hit, but you don’t have to do anything super-human to achieve good results.

Is the long iron dead?

Despite what you might have heard, long irons aren’t dead just yet. Sure, hybrids have replaced long irons in many golfers’ bags, but that doesn’t mean that you have to wave goodbye to yours during the next garage sale. Long irons such as the three iron are useful for a variety of shots around the course, and knowing how to take advantage ...

Can you hit a three iron shot with long irons?

Since the long irons have a reputation for being difficult to hit, many golfers try to swing as hard as they can when hitting a three iron shot. Don’t make that mistake. Instead, focus only on the rhythm and timing of your swing. If you make a smooth swing and are able to find the sweet spot at impact, you will be rewarded with a quality shot.

Weight transfer

The thing that ensures true distance and accuracy is a solid hit. If you can make solid contact by keeping the swing path right, you should always get the distance and accuracy within your true potential.

Turning or rotation

How you rotate your body is also another essential factor that determines the quality of your swing. As I said earlier, if the swing is appropriate, you should not face any additional trouble with the swing and accuracy. Here are some of the suggestions to make the ideal rotation while making your swing-

Arm structure

If you follow the gameplay of any better golfer, you will notice that they tend to keep their arm pretty straight while making the swing. And that’s our final tip to improvise your performance with the 3-Iron. This is true for the rest of the Irons as well. Here are some of the things you can keep your mind to make a better arm setup-

Why hitting with a 3-iron is tough?

The problem is not with the 3-iron rather it is the flaw of your swing that delivers an intimidating experience while making a swing with the 3-iron. 3-Iron is one of the most forgiving golf clubs inside of your golf bag after the driver and 1/2 iron.

How to avoid steepness when swinging a long iron?

However, you don’t want your angle of attack to be as steep as it is when you’re hitting a short iron. In order to avoid that steepness, position the ball just slightly forward of center.

How to hit down on a golf ball?

To Hit Down on the Golf Ball: At setup, position the ball in the center of your stance. Shift your hands toward the target just slightly so the club is in front of the club head. In the transition, think about pulling on the club with your lead hand instead of throwing the club out and down with the trail hand.

How does the club head change direction?

Think of the shape your club head makes as you swing through the golf ball. As you move through the transition at the top of your swing , towards the ball , the club head is traveling at a downward angle. At some point (more specifically, at the low point), your club head changes direction.

What irons are considered long irons?

First, make sure you know which irons are considered “long” and which are “short.”. Your long irons (2, 3 and 4) have a lower loft and are designed for more distance. (1 irons if you have them) Short irons (8, 9 and pitching wedge) have a higher loft and help you pop the ball up in the air as you get closer to the green.

How to get a feel for swinging irons?

Take your iron setup without the golf ball. As you swing the club back, step the trail foot back and behind your body so it’s perpendicular to your lead foot. Then step the trail foot back into place as you swing through. This drill helps you get a feel for strong rotation and natural movement in the body.

What is the goal of an iron shot?

For an iron shot, however, the goal is to hit down on the golf ball. Another way to say this is that your moment of impact should occur before the low point of your golf swing. It’s important to make this distinction when discussing how to hit irons because this whole down/up thing trips up a lot of golfers.

How to get better at golf?

As you take your golf setup, allow your head to float up a bit instead of tucking your chin close to your chest. Stay relaxed in the neck and shoulders. As you swing away from the ball, allow your head to slide away from the target. This accommodates for better rotation, better speed, and a better shot.

How far can you hit a 3 iron?

A golfer who is able to generate 90 miles per hour of swing speed with their driver can expect to hit their 3 iron in the range of 170 yards. As your swing speed goes up or down from that 90 MPH benchmark, you can expect your 3 iron distance to move up or down as well.

Why do you need a 3 iron?

Useful Off the Tee. One potentially good reason to keep a 3 iron in the bag is the ability to use it off the tee on short par fours or long par threes. Hitting a 3 iron off the tee can be easier than hitting it directly off the turf, and it can be a valuable weapon to have available to you when hitting the fairway is a must.

What iron to use for a drive into the woods?

If you have hit a drive into the woods and you need to get the ball back on the short grass, the 3 iron could be the perfect choice for the job. Because there is so little loft on a 3 ir on, it can be easy to keep your ball flight below the branches of the trees as you work to get out of trouble.

Is the 3 iron still in the bag?

While some golfers have chosen to take their 3 iron out of the bag in favor of another hybrid, this club is still alive and well in the bags of many golfers around the world.

What is the lowest loft iron in the PGA?

At 22.5 degrees, it is typically the lowest-lofted iron in the golf bag of the best iron player on the PGA Tour in 2019. Of course, he has the skill to play an iron with lower loft, but the point that history reveals to us is that the effective loft of playability for an iron is about 22 degrees and higher.

When did the 1-iron go extinct?

At this point, the 1-iron was virtually extinct, and in 1975 , Lee Trevino was immortalized by his joke about how God couldn’t hit a 1-iron, which typically fell in the 18-degree range at the time. 2-irons were standard issue in the set, and the lowest loft you might find is 20 degrees.

What is the average loft of a gap wedge?

Now in 2020, the average loft of the PW is 43.5 degrees, ...

Is the 3-iron extinct?

The 3-iron is almost extinct. It sounds like an odd statement, but it’s very true. Don’t believe me? Go try and buy one in a set. They are not easily found.

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