Help with the 3-5 irons

[bombaway]

contact and getting the ball up

I would like some tips on how to get better contact with the 3-5 irons. I would like to know how to get better contact, get the ball up, and what the swing should be like. I can hit my irons 7-PW no problem but once you get up to the lower irons the flaws in one swing is magnified. A lot of times with those irons I tend to hit the ball fat, or if I feel like I hit it good it does a duck hook kind of thing. That is caused by bringing the club out and staying on the path on the way down with a closed clubface. So I know what's causing that. I would like to know what's causing the fat shots.

Also, does anyone know of a releasing drill I could practice to help.

And finally, my setup has never really felt right so does anyone have any tips on that (such as how low the right shoulder should be/where your weight should be in percentages/where your hands should be with different clubs at setup).


Any replies would be greatly appreciated.


-bombaway

[maxxym]

I would recommend you to take some lessons...

 

As for your 3-5 irons, hit the ball from the middle of your stance. See if that helps.

[bombaway]

Thanks for the tip ;) .

[DanZ]

You probably have an Over the top(OTT) swing since that is what caused me the trouble with these clubs.

 

Perhaps check out this video:

and other videos from this guy. Also look into a more one plan, more around the body swing and you might find it alot easier.

 

Also, lessons would be good. I just started taking lessons after years of holding out and they have helped a lot in just one hour. Looking forward to the next one.

[bombaway]

I didn't think I had an OTT move but the hip getting in the way does seem like it is my problem and that would also block my hands which would give me a shanked shot or an open faced shot.

[thenewbie]

one problem that I've seen is that some people think they have to swing the longer clubs harder. this would definetly result in fat shots, and would also explain being able to hit the shorter irons but not the longer ones. try hitting a PW or 9 iron, then grabbing your 4 iron and taking the exact same swing. (of course the swing is slightly different, but you get the point) just let the loft and longer shaft do the work.

[DaveyH]

i have a slight over the top swing and i hit my long irons better than anything in my bag.

Have positive swing thoughts.

Practice sweeping forehand shots with a tennis racket and try to incorporate that thought into your golf swing where you are simply hitting thru the ball and not down under it in order to gain height and power.

[dlygrisse]

Another answer is to buy hybrids, I added a 17,20, and 23 to my bag and got rid of the 3w, 3iron, and 4 iron. Phil Mickelson won the TPC with the longest club in his bag being a 5 iron. These things are so much easier to hit it is almost like cheating. If you dont like hybrids you could also get a 7 wood and a 9 wood. These clubs are stupid easy to hit, ad if anything get up in the air too high for most people.

 

If you are really dead set on hitting long irons I would suggest slowing down your tempo and dont try to hit them so hard. Feel like you are hitting a smooth 8 iron when you swing a 3 iron, you might be amazed at how pure you hit it and how straight and far it goes.

[bombaway]

Thanks for the vizualization and I am a perfectionist so if somethings wrong in my swing I have to fix it lol. Since I golf everyday I can't stand knowing that something is wrong yet I refuse to do nothing about it. I will think positive thoughts and the way you are saying that I should hit through it is something I would think about with a hybrid/3 wood. Since the shaft is longer than all the clubs though I can see how that would come into effect.

 

Any and all suggestions would still be appreciated.

[bombaway]

Another answer is to buy hybrids, I added a 17,20, and 23 to my bag and got rid of the 3w, 3iron, and 4 iron. Phil Mickelson won the TPC with the longest club in his bag being a 5 iron. These things are so much easier to hit it is almost like cheating. If you dont like hybrids you could also get a 7 wood and a 9 wood. These clubs are stupid easy to hit, ad if anything get up in the air too high for most people.

 

If you are really dead set on hitting long irons I would suggest slowing down your tempo and dont try to hit them so hard. Feel like you are hitting a smooth 8 iron when you swing a 3 iron, you might be amazed at how pure you hit it and how straight and far it goes.

 

Thanks, i'll try that and I am trying to get the best swing possible and to play college golf. I hate the fact that I have to compensate for my swing with clubs. I am going to keep the 3 and 4 irons and not buy any hybrids or woods. Thanks for the tip though.

[mrq]

swing it like its a 7 iron...

[bombaway]

^I'll make sure to do that lol.

[smatts]

Try keeping the pressure in your left armpit caused by your pivot pulling your arm across your body and move your left shoulder as far away from the ball as you can. Try hitting the long irons like that.