Ernie Els swing works on woods but irons are over the top

[Xander Fan]

I've read this book ten times or more. The swing he espouses feels natural to me and I love the follow-through. Ernie suggests dropping the club and arms, everything, from the top, as far behind you as you can. It works well for me with the driver and fairway metals, but with irons I'm over the top, especially if I have to hit the ball a little harder to carry water. I love the swing and it's  easy on my back (I'm 66). I just can't shake the over the top with the irons. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Edited June 19, 2023 by Xander Fan
Just wanted to double check it.

[hammersia]

They'll no doubt be many suggestions, but Monte's no turn cast drill is a good place to start.

[Hawkeye77]

It's because you aren't Ernie and aren't really using an "Ernie Els swing" on your woods or your irons. It's just whatever feel you've decided does what he suggests and what you really aren't doing. I'd see an instructor and have what you are actually doing analyzed and go from there.

Edited June 20, 2023 by Hawkeye77

[ferrispgm]

Speaking from my own experience......see a qualified instructor like Monte or someone in your area and let them know of any additional pressure/issues on your body your swing is causing....trying to go on your own reading an instruction book is extremely difficult and will most likely make you worse.  Aside from simple things like setup or maybe shortgame ideas, those books do more harm than good.  You are way better off having someone diagnose your swing and give feels/drills specific to you.

[Valtiel]

11 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

It's because you aren't Ernie and aren't really using an "Ernie Els swing" on your woods or your irons. It's just whatever feel you've decided does what he suggests and what you really aren't doing. 

That^

The likelihood that you're doing what you think you are is extremely low, especially given that the problem you're having (over the top) is so opposed to the feel you think you're doing (dropping your hands behind you). 

Ernie himself has always loaded back quite a lot in the backswing and achieved a ton of hip clearance at impact *without* much spine tilt, he actually stands up quite a bit with the longer clubs. As such he has never been particularly accurate off the tee with most of his professional years being below average in that regard. Most of that is beside the point though because whatever Ernie does is probably quite different from what you're actually doing and breaking down the "feel vs. real" barrier so you can work on your own swing on it's own merits and within it's own limits if the key. 

[Xander Fan]

Thank you for the replies. They're very helpful and appreciated.