Top 5 Golf Tips on How to Hit Better Irons Shots
- Don’t be afraid of divots. Yes, it’s a pain to find and replace the wayward hunk of turf. ...
- Avoid the tendency to swing for distance. While it makes sense to drive your tee shot with 100 percent of your power, trying to hit it as far down ...
- Know your typical yardage with each iron. ...
- Become familiar with the sound of a good iron shot. ...
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 can I increase backspin on my iron shots?
Add the speed you can get by swinging from the inside, and you’re increasing backspin, too. It’s high launch, high spin—and towering iron shots.
How to improve accuracy in golf shots?
One of the ways to improve your accuracy shot is to keep flex in your left wrist. When you bend your wrist so that the palm moves a bit closer to your forearm.
Do you make a full backswing on your iron shots?
Golfers who don't make a full backswing on their iron shots tend to swing the club too steeply into the ball, according to Butch Harmon. An appropriate amount of shoulder turn is necessary to complete the backswing.
How can I improve my iron golf shot?
2:526:14How to STOP hitting bad iron shots - 3 really simple tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt or thin it. So if you want to strike the ball. Better have a little bit of weight on your leftMoreIt or thin it. So if you want to strike the ball. Better have a little bit of weight on your left hand side keep it on your left hand side.
Why do I struggle hitting my irons?
The main reason why a golfer can't hit their irons consistently is due to incorrect stance, poor contact with the ball, or using an iron that is too long or short for their height.
How do you hit a crisp iron shot every time?
0:0010:04How to Hit Crisp Iron Shots and Avoid These Common Swing MistakesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's dive right into it the first tip that a lot of golfers get when they're not hitting goodMoreSo let's dive right into it the first tip that a lot of golfers get when they're not hitting good shots is to keep their head down now this is one of the all-time.
How far should an average golfer hit a 7 iron?
172 - 215 ydsThe average distance golfers hit each club varies widely. A PGA Tour player hits a 7-iron between 172-215 yards....Average Distances for PGA Tour Players.ClubAverage Distance7 Iron172 - 215 yds8 Iron160 - 200 yds9 Iron148 - 185 ydsPitching Wedge136 - 170 yds7 more rows
How hard should you swing your irons?
Never swing with more than 80 percent effort.
How do you hit center of clubface with irons?
2:424:09How to STRIKE golf shots from the centre of the club face EVERY TIMEYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd on the heel as you come in and very simply all you want to do is take up your stance. And thenMoreAnd on the heel as you come in and very simply all you want to do is take up your stance. And then as you swing through and hit you want to make sure that you're not striking either of the poles.
Where is the sweet spot on an iron?
Hold your iron with the face open and drop a ball onto it, you will recognize the sweet spot when it springs off the face, this is the point where the metal is set to have its optimal flex and responsiveness. Usually, the sweet-spot is located in the center of the club sometimes slightly to the heel.
How to improve iron shots?
Another great way to improve your striking of golf iron shots is to identify where your club is bottoming out in the swing arc. That means where is the clubhead striking the ground so that you can position the ball and yourself to ensure you’re in the best position to make solid contact with the golf ball.
What hand is the golf iron?
You will likely find your right hand ( right-hander) dominates the downswing and comes underneath the left hand too quickly resulting in the scooping or lifting movement. This usually results in a thin or fat golf iron shot that lacks accuracy and distance. Two outcomes will usually happen and that’s a shot that flies over the back ...
How to practice half swing golf?
Practice making half golf swings and work on getting the back of the left hand (right-hander) facing towards the target when the clubhead makes contact with the golf ball. Hold the golf club predominantly with the bottom 3 fingers of the left hand.
Why is lag important in golf?
Lag generates clubhead speed which in turn creates more power leading to more distance. Helps you stay in the shot longer which is an attribute of golf’s greatest players such as Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
What happens if you hit the ground first?
So if you strike the ground first and then the ball in an upward motion, 9 times out of the 10 it will result in inconsistent contact. Ideally, you want to be hitting the golf ball first and then the ground which produces those penetrating golf shots you see the professionals hitting on television.
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 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 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 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 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.
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 to improve iron play?
Here are three tips to improve your iron play: Many golfers tend to sway their body backwards and forwards during their swing and this can have negative repercussions on the way you strike the ball. If you move backwards , you could top the ball and if you move forward , you may hit the ground. To prevent these mistakes, keep your body as still as ...
Why are irons important in golf?
Your irons are arguably the most important clubs in the bag as they occupy a large percentage of the shots you hit on the golf course. If you can improve your iron play, this could help you to find more greens in regulation and have better chances of making a birdie or a par.
How to hit a shot before hitting?
A useful tip is to put your feet together with the ball positioned in the middle, and then take your stance with the ball still in this position.
Who is the first golfer to play greens in regulation?
Stewart Cink is ranked first on the PGA Tour in greens in regulation, while World No.4 Jon Rahm is fourth in this statistic. This proves that iron play is vital to your performance as both of these players have achieved great success on tour. Here are three tips to improve your iron play: ...
Should you stay still when hitting a golf club?
Although you should stay still and central when you begin your swing, it is important to transfer your weight forwards when the club connects with the ball. You should avoid throwing all of your weight at the shot but if you can steadily transfer some force on to the ball as your downswing begins, this will result in better ball striking ...
When taking an iron shot with a longer iron, what is the swing motion?
When taking an shot with a longer iron, Tom Watson advocates swinging in a sweeping motion. According to him, "I've always tried to sweep my long irons rather than take much of a divot. To do that you must position the ball slightly forward of center in your stance. Then the swing arc must be shallow, not steep.
How to hit longer irons?
According to Geoff Ogilvy, to hit your longer irons at a solid rate, it is important to take the club back easy on your backswing. "A longer iron requires more of a sweeping motion than other irons and a smoother swing. To achieve both, I try to take it back 'low and slow' for the first few feet and get the clubshaft pointing down my target line, with the toe up halfway back. This deliberate takeaway helps promote a smooth, shallow swing that's perfectly on plane." For more irons tips, check out The Butch Harmon Swing Clinic.
How to hit irons solid?
To hit your irons solid, Ryan Palmer advocates setting up closer to the ball and grip appropriately. "Take one more club than normal, grip down an inch, and stand closer to the ball, so the shaft is slightly more vertical . Standing closer helps trap the ball between the clubface and the turf, promoting solid contact.
Why use an 8 iron instead of a 9?
The reason you use an 8-iron instead of a 9 is to help lower the ball flight, and you grip down to make sure you don't hit the shot too long. ". Play with more consistency today! Start now →. Photo By: Matt York/AP.
What is the problem with irons?
According to Tim Clark, a large problem that golfers face with their irons is that they never take enough club in regards to distance. Rather, take an extra club, and swing with a bit less power and a shorter finish. "I always make sure I have enough.
How to get the most contact out of your irons?
In order to get the most contact and distance out of one's irons, out your entire body behind the ball, and finish the swing. According to Sean Foley, "Address the ball with a slight tilt in your shoulders so your spine is angled away from the target. Your left shoulder should be higher than your right.
Do you have to make a full backswing on an iron?
Golfers who don't make a full backswing on their iron shots tend to swing the club too steeply into the ball, according to Butch Harmon. An appropriate amount of shoulder turn is necessary to complete the backswing. To do this, "Swing your arms back wide, and make a full shoulder turn.
How to play a middle iron?
For middle irons, play the ball just forward of center in your stance (slight ly back of that for short irons; slightly forward for long ones). Set your weight 50-50 , and push your hands a touch toward the target. That setup promotes the ideal amount of down at impact. Now for the swing.
What does "down means up" mean in golf?
August 28, 2019. The old swing tip, “down means up,” suggests that you should try to hit down on the ball for more height. That might work if you have speed, but for most golfers, down means down. In other words, line drives that don’t hold the green. To boost trajectory, you need a higher launch and more backspin.
Why is swinging wide important?
Swinging wide also increases speed, which is the key producer of backspin. How? A wide swing going back promotes an inside path down to the ball, and swinging from the inside typically means more speed. OK, enough geometry —let’s get a club in your hands.
How to improve accuracy shot?
One of the ways to improve your accuracy shot is to keep flex in your left wrist. When you bend your wrist so that the palm moves a bit closer to your forearm.
How to control trajectory of golf ball?
A simple way to control trajectory is to adjust swing speed. Make a shot fly lower by going slower. You can either shorten your swing or choke down on the club to achieve this.
How to hit a low trajectory shot?
An easy fix for this is to swing for low-trajectory shots. Grip your lob or sand wedge with just your left hand. Place the ball in the middle of your stance. Then, transfer a tad more of your weight to your left side.
How to approach the ball in golf?
One of the best golf made simple tips is learning how to approach the ball. Rookies place their feet next to the ball before the club is in place. Instead, walk up the ball and place the club head down and aim it before you step your feet into position. Otherwise, your feet will probably be aiming in the wrong direction.
Where should the golf ball be placed when hitting a driver?
Rather than having the golf ball positioned in the center of your stance, for your driver, you should position the golf ball on the inside of your lead foot. Slightly forward in your stance. It might feel weird at first, but this is the correct golf ball position for when you hit your driver. This will allow your driver swing to catch up with ...
What does it mean when a golfer holds his weight back?
This means that they’re holding their weight back, and when their weight stays back, they essentially pull their swing arc back, too. As a result, the bottom of their swing happens farther back behind the ball, and they wind up making contact on an upward motion instead of a downward motion.
Why do golfers struggle to get contact?
So many golfers struggle to get pure contact because their golf ball is in the wrong position within their stance. More often than not, they’ve got it too far forward. Now, that might be a great position for your driver shots, when the goal is to hit up on the ball. But when it comes to your irons, you want to catch the golf ball on ...
