Hitting long irons.

[Colossus]

So with the arrival of one of my new toys, the TM RAC TP 2 iron, my question is simple. I've struggled recently with my long irons, whats the best setup and swing thoughts I should take to the range when I bring this beauty out with me. Its a fantastic looking club, but I just know its gonna be hard to hit, but dammit, I KNOW I have the ability to. I used to hit my long irons really well, but something left me not that long ago. Whether its setup or not, I'm not quite sure, but I know I want to master this club. Any help appreciated.

[Mike]

When I hit my 3/4 iron I tell myself to make sure I take a full swing - i.e. really extending my arms out when taking the club back. It's my standard swing but sometimes I shorten it. I can get away with that on short irons but for the 3/4 iron I struggle.

My second key thought is to tell myself to commit fully. In my opinion you've got to give low irons a good hit to have any chance with them.

[Steptoe]

for me the key is nice and steady..........that is the only was i can ever hit one :) if i try and kill the ball it goes bad

[3puttwizard]

Hey colossus I see you can't stand TM equipment! :biggrin:

[Chip_Unsure]

PH- we should hook up for a game, seems we have similar thoughts (and faults for the sport!)

I'd say exactly the same, nice full swing, FULL follow thorugh, swing easy. If I want to hit the ball say 200 yards, I'd almost aim for a smooth swing to 190 then catch it flush and it'll get to 200.

If I try and thrash a 3 iron I always hit a dirty low duck hook.

Good luck with the 2 iron. I'm sure it'll be a fun club if you get it right. I was messing about with a mates 1 iron at the range, could hit it off the tee and maybe 1 in 15 on the floor, when I got it flush it was wicked!

[Steptoe]

PH- we should hook up for a game, seems we have similar thoughts (and faults for the sport!)

I'd say exactly the same, nice full swing, FULL follow thorugh, swing easy. If I want to hit the ball say 200 yards, I'd almost aim for a smooth swing to 190 then catch it flush and it'll get to 200.

If I try and thrash a 3 iron I always hit a dirty low duck hook.

Good luck with the 2 iron. I'm sure it'll be a fun club if you get it right. I was messing about with a mates 1 iron at the range, could hit it off the tee and maybe 1 in 15 on the floor, when I got it flush it was wicked!

LMAO.........if i wana hit a 200 yarder i'll use my avocet rescue ;)
we do sound like were cursed by the same faults though....just out of interest do you have-need irons bent upright??

[Chip_Unsure]

PH,

I got custom fitted for my MP60's (+1" 2 deg up), and that was what was suggested. They have worked fine, but if you see my thread re fitting I think it might just be more to do with Mizuno's standard specs.

Don't tell me- the same applies to you??

Spooky :rolleyesw:

[Steptoe]

lmao...........i am 5'10' and need 2 deg upright.they fit great and my bad shot is a thin hook too very strange indeed

[Ian H]

with 3 and 4 iron, its important to make a good contact, i do that more if try to hit the ball harder for some reason. If i tried to play a 2 iron i would trying to mullah ( can i say that anymore?) it ;)

[Colossus]

Hey colossus I see you can't stand TM equipment! :biggrin:
Exactly 3putt. Can't stand it at all. lol.

Funny, I find, the longer the club the more I try to welly it. Maybe thats the key. Time to try and slow the swing down again with the long irons. My bad shot with the long irons is a low hook. Sound familiar? lol.

[Stu-Pid]

I remember when I was 17 or 18 I could hit a great 3 iron, long, high and straight. Now I struggle and always seem to hit them too low for my liking.

The biggest difference that I can think of is that back then I'd approach a long iron shot and know that I was going to hit it well, so everything would be natural and easy. Now I approach it with dread and probably over complicate things.

Like most things in this game, it's probably more of a mental issue than a technique issue!

[Steptoe]

i need to change the thread title to low-thin-iron hookers anonymous ;)

[StickMan]

IMO the problem is that a lot of players struggle with the low irons because they try and muller the ball. It’s the club length, loft and trajectory that makes the difference in the shot not extra power. It should be the same control and tempo as you would hit say a 7 iron. When players try to wack the ball the backswing generally quickens, they loose control in the transition and get all out of shape with the club, balance, body position or swing.

My advice would be to keep the stance/balance strong, keep your head up (shoulders & head tend to drop when putting more force into a shot) and the backswing suitably slow. When you get to the top of your slow backswing make the transition smooth (to the point that it feels like you stop in the transition) then bring the swing down 1/3 and power from that point. This means you will have more control, keep your shape and when you put the power through the ball you’re still accelerating all the way through. The theory goes that shouldn’t be decelerating until you have gone through the ball and 1/3 of the way into your follow through.

Apart from that remember 'angle of attack' - sweep the ball crisply off the fairway or tee.

[O.M]

IMO the problem is that a lot of players struggle with the low irons because they try and muller the ball. It’s the club length, loft and trajectory that makes the difference in the shot not extra power. It should be the same control and tempo as you would hit say a 7 iron. When players try to wack the ball the backswing generally quickens, they loose control in the transition and get all out of shape with the club, balance, body position or swing.

My advice would be to keep the stance/balance strong, keep your head up (shoulders & head tend to drop when putting more force into a shot) and the backswing suitably slow. When you get to the top of your slow backswing make the transition smooth (to the point that it feels like you stop in the transition) then bring the swing down 1/3 and power from that point. This means you will have more control, keep your shape and when you put the power through the ball you’re still accelerating all the way through. The theory goes that shouldn’t be decelerating until you have gone through the ball and 1/3 of the way into your follow through.

Apart from that remember 'angle of attack' - sweep the ball crisply off the fairway or tee.

Stickman

Easy to say a lot harder to do :(

[Colossus]

Good advice Stickman. I've never had a problem hitting long irons, but obviously something has gone wrong in my swing. I'm hitting the range tonight to give it a bit of a go. Will see how the 2 iron flies tonight. :D

[Alex_Smith]

Good advice Stickman. I've never had a problem hitting long irons, but obviously something has gone wrong in my swing. I'm hitting the range tonight to give it a bit of a go. Will see how the 2 iron flies tonight. :D

Let us know how you get on :)

[StickMan]

Let us know how you get on :)

DITTO. :)

PM Sent.

[Ritchie]

I hope this doesn't sound like an arrogant comment, it's not supposed to read that way..........

I don't do anything different for any club I hit, maybe the ball goes a bit further forward for long irons, but it's the same swing, same swing thoughts, it's all about the strike for me. Just keep my peanut head down.

If you can hit a 5 iron well, then you can hit a 4 iron and if you can hit a 4 iron you can hit a 3 iron. I would say, in my opinion, that the majority of people's problems with hitting longer irons is mostly mental.

That's not trying to sound like a big headed boast. I've always struck my irons well so I don't really have a problem with them.

Just be positive with it, it's just a 2 iron, no big deal!!

Seriously though, stick with it. I've gone from a 2 iron to a 5 wood only because I hit the ball very low and need some help getting the ball airbourne now and again, but the 2 iron is a great addition to the bag. Thinking about picking one up again for the summer.

Hope that helps and my post reads ok.

Ian

[Colossus]

Well, just back from the range. First impressions. I'm well impressed and very chuffed as to how I got on with the 2 iron. I just tried to swing as I do with every club, experimented with ball positions, and out of 10 balls, hit 8 crackers long and reasonably straight. Of course tonight, my Rescue mid 2 decided to get jealous and decided it was going to show what it can do. I've been suffering with it for months and tonight was just awesome. I think I'll keep the 2 iron in the bag for the weekend and see how I get on.

[Marker]

A solid 2 iron off the floor is THE most rewarding shot in golf.
It's also one of the rarest.:)
It's a combination of a 6 iron type shot and a 3 wood off the floor.
You kind of need to sweep and punch at the same time.

[GedK]

OK, here's my thoughts.


if the lie is in any way detrimental to the strike, forget the 2 iron.

as long as the lie is good, good fundamentals grip stance & posture as always.
Concentrate on swinging within yourself. 85% is plenty, any more induces slices, hooks, tops fats etc. This is also the case when you try to baby it.
A 'nice' swing with no frills. Keep it simple, with a good tempo. Let the shaft and the clubhead do the work for you.
The swing image I like is Miguel Angel Jiminez. A gradual increase in speed to the ball. Not a full out wallop.
Remember to ensure that it's Ball / turf contact and not the other way round.
Also make a good turn. ( I dont like 'full swing' John Daly's full swing is different from Retief's but the both make good turns, if you know what I mean...).