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. And your middle irons (5, 6 and 7) are, well... in the middle. Now, as for the differences in hitting shorter irons versus longer irons, the most important distinction is in ball position.
Full Answer
Which irons are best to hit the ball close to the Green?
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. And your middle irons (5, 6 and 7) are, well . . . in the middle.
What kind of golf shots can you hit around the Green?
Bunker shots don't have to be intimidating. The three basic types of shots you need around the green -- pitches, chips and bunker shots -- all have endless variations that require imagination and lots of short game practice. You can hit shots around the green with everything from a wedge to a fairway wood to a hybrid.
How to use a short iron on the golf course?
When using a short iron, make sure the ball is positioned in the center of your golf stance. In other words, it should be centered between your feet. Stand with your feet together.
What is a 5-iron approach in golf?
Golfers often shorten the phrase to simply "approach," as in "she is using a 5-iron for her approach" or "he is approaching the 5th hole's green with a 5-iron." Commentators and golf fans alike can use this terminology to help explain the intentions and styles of strokes a golfer is making.
What irons to use around the green?
For the average golfer, chipping with a pitching or gap wedge will produce the most consistent shots around the green. Using a gap wedge will be the best place to start for standard chips, but a pitching wedge could work better if the ball is sitting up in the rough.
Which type of shot is used near the green golf?
Bunker shots don't have to be intimidating. The three basic types of shots you need around the green -- pitches, chips and bunker shots -- all have endless variations that require imagination and lots of short game practice. You can hit shots around the green with everything from a wedge to a fairway wood to a hybrid.
What degree wedge is best for chipping around the green?
Most people would agree that something around 56 degrees of loft is going to be best for chipping. A wedge with this loft seems to have the right amount of height, spin, and maneuverability to help you get shots around the green completed with ease.
What club should you use on the fringe of the green?
Pitching Wedge This is generally the lowest lofted wedge so it will still hit a good distance. This is the wedge most golfers are most familiar with and generally use on approach shots to the green. The average golfer will hit a pitching wedge 110 to 140 yards. They typically have a loft around from 42 to 46 degrees.
How do you hit a shot around the green?
1:5011:55CHIP SHOTS Around the Green are MUCH EASIER with this ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut most of the time we have chips around the green you just do not need to do that. Okay. So thisMoreBut most of the time we have chips around the green you just do not need to do that. Okay. So this is a simple shot arms hanging down here ball goes towards the back of my stance.
How do you use a chipping iron?
Take the club back, then draw it straight through the ball in a downward arcing swing, accelerating as you complete the shot. Concentrate on driving the chipper through the ball, and let the angled face give the ball elevation. Do not try to lift the ball; this is called a "scoop" and results in a poor shot.
How far should you hit a 60 degree wedge?
How Far Should You Hit A 60 Degree Wedge? On average, golfers hit their 60-degree wedge 74 yards, but the range can vary between 60 and 100 yards. Longer hitters who take a full swing will typically be close to the 100-yard range but most golfers only take a 1/2 or 3/4 swing with their 60 degrees.
How do you use a 7 iron as a chipper?
Here are some simple tips for learning how to chip with your 7-iron:Place the ball back in your stance for short chips, and move it progressively forward for longer chips and pitches.Keep your weight balanced 50/50.Move the handle forward slightly.Make a steady, consistent motion similar to putting.
What degree wedge should I hit out of the sand?
56-degreeA 56-degree sand wedge is suited for hitting out of the sand or for a golfer who hits behind the golf ball a lot. The higher degree of bounce helps the club glide through the sand or dirt, which makes it the most versatile wedge in the bag.
How do you hit 8 iron around the green?
0:052:33Golf Tip Secret - 8 Iron Bump and Run - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne step onto the green. And then it's going to roll out the rest of the way. And it rolls just likeMoreOne step onto the green. And then it's going to roll out the rest of the way. And it rolls just like a putt. So you're going to make more chips this way then you're going to miss.
What iron do you use for chipping?
For a basic chip, use a 52- to 56-degree wedge.
How do you pitch close to green?
How do you chip in rough near Green?Aim left.Open up the club face.Swing across your toe line.Pick out a spot on the green and let the ball roll from there.
What are the different types of golf shots?
Types of Golf Shots Around the Green. Bunker shots don't have to be intimidating. The three basic types of shots you need around the green -- pitches, chips and bunker shots -- all have endless variations that require imagination and lots of short game practice. You can hit shots around the green with everything from a wedge to a fairway wood ...
How to hit a proper pitch shot?
According to 2001 PGA Championship winner David Toms, to hit a proper pitch shot play the ball in the middle of your stance with a little more weight on your front foot. Let your wrists hinge naturally and use the same tempo for the backswing and the downswing. Don't flip your wrists to help the ball get airborne.
What wedge does Tiger Woods use?
Tiger Woods often chips with a 4-iron when he has a lot of green to work with. On the other hand, he also may use a sand wedge when he has a downhill chip to a fast green. Phil Mickelson sometimes plays flop shots with a full swing and a high-lofted wedge.
What wedges are good for putting a golf ball on the green?
Lob wed ges and sand wedges are perfect for those shots because they are light and allow you to swing fast through the golf ball and put a lot of spin on your shot. You can also use your gap wedge and pitching wedge to punt the ball onto the green, but they won’t give you as much control or spin.
What temperature do pitching wedges run?
Pitching wedges are lofted between 42 and 48 degrees and are typically a lot meatier than their wedge counterparts. That means when it comes to close chips around the greens, they are great for bump and runs from 20 yards out.
What does it mean to hit a hard green?
Chipping onto hard greens can often be described as hitting onto a marble floor; the ball can bounce high and roll straight off the green if you come at it with too much loft or pace. Unless you’re confident in your ability to put spin on your shots, most amateur golfers should play bump and run shots onto harder greens with higher lofted clubs.
What is the difference between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge?
As the pitching wedge is the difference between your irons and your wedges, your gap wedge is the difference between your pitching wedge and your sand wedge. A typical gap wedge will be lofted at around 50 to 52 degrees, allowing you to get a little more height on your shots than a pitching wedge but provides a little more control and backspin on the ball.
What wedge does Phil Mickelson use?
The Lob Wedge. When Phil Mickelson hits one of his trademark flop shots, he’s almost always using a lob wedge. With the added loft and high degree on the club, lob wedges allow golfers to get a full sweep under the golf club and push the ball up from the turf onto the green.
What is the least forgiving club in golf?
The lob wedge is perhaps the least forgiving club in your golf bag, but they are the most effective to use on your approach to the green when played right. Although there are scenarios where you might want to avoid using a lob wedge and break out your pitching wedge or gap wedge instead.
How far can you flush a pitching wedge?
Compared to your loftier wedges, you can get greater distance on a pitching wedge, with most pro players being able to flush a pitching wedge around 135 yards. But it’s also perhaps the most forgiving of the wedges, and that’s why the pitch is excellent to use when you’re not feeling confident in your chipping game.
What is lag shot golf?
Practicing with the lag shot golf training aid improves your chipping around the greens. The good news is any level of golfer can easily learn what are the best clubs to chip with around the greens. It just takes some basic understanding of the position you’re in and within seconds you can work out what club to hit.
What does lesser loft mean in golf?
The lesser loft on the golf club means you don’t have to hit it hard to get it to the target and requires only a short descending blow on the golf ball.
What is axis tilt in golf iron?
Axis tilt is the amount of sideways movement your body moves when you're in the set up position at address.
What angle should your toes be on a golf swing?
Your toes should be pointing out on a slight angle at address, perhaps around 70 degrees. This gives you a solid base to swing around and make a good turn in the golf swing. Feet pointed straight ahead makes it more difficult for your shoulders and hips to rotate during the backswing.
What is the right elbow pit?
In particular, the position of the right elbow pit ( right-hander) is crucial to getting a proper golf swing takeaway leading to a solid, consistent golf swing. Where most golfers go wrong is they have the right elbow pit facing towards the target at set up. This is incorrect.
Is it hard to learn golf irons?
If your golf iron set up is not right you are harming your chances of hitting great iron shots right from the start. The good news is getting the proper golf iron set up is not difficult. It's easy to learn and will take just seconds to implement. A great golf iron set up puts you in a fantastic position to make a solid impact with the golf ball.
What is good golf?
Good golf is about playing as many par 3s as you can. What does that mean? In addition to the actual par 3s on the course, your goal should be to have a reasonable “par 3” to the green after your tee shot on par 4s (or second shot on par 5s). If you drive it in the water or out-of-bounds, you don't get to play a par 3.
What are the factors to consider when playing golf?
Three factors to consider: (1) You want a level lie in the fairway for your next shot. (2) Give yourself room for error on the recovery—don't hit it into trouble on the other side. (3) If possible, play to a yardage you like. You probably want a full swing with one of your wedges, not something in between.
What does green mean in a traffic light?
SAFETY FIRST: NEVER RUN A RED LIGHT. One way to look at approach shots is to use a traffic-light analogy: red, yellow and green. Green means take dead aim. You like the lie, the distance, the shot. Red is a no-go situation usually requiring a punch-out or lay-up.
What does "complete" mean in golf?
Think about completing the backswing and getting to a full finish. That means turning your body back and through ( top ), letting the swing take some time. Nerves usually speed things up, with the hands and arms taking over.
What to do if the hole is in the back of the green?
If the hole is in the back of the green, you should have the green light to use an extra club. With the hole in the back, you'll have room short of the hole to land the ball and let it bounce once or twice. Even if the hole is cut in the middle of the green, you should still have enough space to use this strategy.
How to allow your shots to reach the target more often?
To allow your shots to reach the target more often, you may simply need to use more club . By taking 'too much' club for the distance at hand, you can build some margin for error into the shot. Sure, a perfectly struck shot may go a bit too far, but that isn't going to happen nearly as often as you might expect.
What does it mean to be nervous while playing golf?
Take some stress out of the shot. Nerves are a part of this great game. If you didn't get nervous while you played golf, the game would be a lot easier – and it would be pretty boring as well. Being nervous is a sign that you care, and that means you will enjoy your successes that much more.
Can you use a seven iron on 150 yards?
So, if you decide to use your seven iron on all 150-yard shots, you are going to come up short more often than not . Unless you happen to catch the ball perfectly at impact – which will happen sometimes, but not all the time – the ball is going to fall short of the target and you'll be disappointed with the outcome.
Should you use an extra club in bad weather?
You never want to push your shots to the limit in adverse conditions, as you are already going to be dealing with the bad weather – you don't need to deal with the demand of making a perfect strike as well.
Can you use an extra club in golf?
Sometimes – many times, in fact – the best decision will be to use an extra club. In other cases, the better option is going to be to stick with the standard club and do your best to make a great swing. It all depends on the terrain between your ball and the hole.
Is golf a hard game?
Realistically, you are going to have more of these kinds of days than the opposite. Golf is a hard game, and most amateurs struggle on a regular basis. Rather than letting your struggles get you down, use an extra club on approach shots as a way to regain some order in your game.
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 a short iron?
Try following these steps: Stand with your feet together, the ball aligned with the space between your feet. Step your lead foot towards the target, but make that step slightly smaller than you would if you were setting up your stance for a short iron. Take a step away from the target with your trail foot.
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.
What is the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge?
As wedges have evolved over the years, a “gap” has been created between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. Pitching wedges have come down in loft and become more powerful with greater distance.
What is the lowest lofted wedge?
Pitching Wedge. This is generally the lowest lofted wedge so it will still hit a good distance. This is the wedge most golfers are most familiar with and generally use on approach shots to the green. The average golfer will hit a pitching wedge 110 to 140 yards. They typically have a loft around from 42 to 46 degrees.
What is a lob wedge?
Lob Wedge. This is a high lofted wedge for very short or high and sharp chips around the green. It generally has a short roll and good control. They generally have a loft of 60 to 64 degrees. They are designed to give height without too much roll on the green.
Why is bounce important in wedges?
More bounce will help you in certain lies and help you get out easier. Good bounce prevents the wedge from digging in too much and is useful in a range of situations around the green.
Can you use a pitching wedge for beginners?
Once you have greater control and consistency with your swing, speed, and distance, the other wedges may become more important. It is not essential for beginners to carry the full range of wedges.
Is the M2 wedge good?
As with other clubs in the M2 range, the wedges are easy to launch, deliver good distance and are highly forgiving . They have a low CG which is what helps with trajectory and ball speeds.