Pulling short irons?

Would standing too far from the ball from cause this?
I was trying to hit 9 irons to a target on the range yesterday and everything was going 10 - 15 yards left. It was a straight pull, not a hook.
After about 50 of these, I asked the guy next to me if he could see why this was, and he immediately spotted that I was too far from the ball so that the club wasn't soled properly - it was heel down and toe up. I adjusted accordingly and though it felt a bit cramped, my shots did go neare to the intended target.
Is this something that's generally recognised?
I want get this sorted as I am going to Scotland for my annual week's golfing binge with the boys on Saturday, and missing greens from 120 yards is something I could do without.

Hmmmm.

Unless you already have an OTT move I wouldn't say standing too far from the ball would be a major cause. Too close, possibly, but not too far away.

I'd guess only if you are feeling like you're too far away would mean reaching for the ball, hence overreaching and hitting the outside of the ball instead of the back of it.

A pull has to be out - in swing path. Have a look at that, I'd guess.

It can't be any good not having the sole of the club flat to the floor though can it? I've been over the top all my life, I'm not going there! especially not with 3 days to go before my week in Scotland

Ideally the toe of the club should be just off the floor at address, a guide is to be able to slide a small coin edge on just under the toe. The correct way is to check with tape on the sole and hit balls from a lie board and see where contact is made with the club.

If your lie angle is "toe up," at impact you'll tend to hit the ball from right-to-left, and will benefit from a flatter lie angle; if your lie angle is "toe down," at impact you'll have a tendency to slice the ball, and will benefit from a more upright lie angle.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Lie angle is probably not the problem. As others have said, if anything, toe down would put you out to the right.

With regard to lie angle and direction, you also have to consider face angle at impact. You can very easily get "grooved" to clubs toe up, for instance, and be coming through impact with the face slightly open. Especially hard to tell if your not that accurate to start with, or if you’ve never played with the correct lie angle. Likewise, just because you hit straight, that doesn’t necessarily mean your clubs have the "correct" lie angle.

i have been doing exactly the same shots as you mariner. i took my video camera to the range with me yesterday to get a 3rd eyes perspective on my golf swing.

it quickly came clear what i was doing wrong.. that was bringing the club inside way too early on the backswing, so when i reached the top of my swing i would then cast out just a fraction, but enough to pull the ball left 20yards.

try taking a straighter backswing as i think you could be casting your shots at the top of the swing without realising your doing it.

If you are worried about your lie angle, check my post here:
http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/go...lie-board.html
Let me know it it works for you.

Anytime you change your spine angle, ie. lunging at the ball or pulling up away from the ball-standing too far or close causes this-you will pull or blade shots.
Try to stay in your spine angle through the shot.
Posture will help.