Long iron problems

G'day this is my first post here on GTO.
I have a real problem with my long irons, mainly my 3 and 4 irons. I just cant seem to hit them a distance.
Is there something i can try out to help me get more distance?

hi jack
all high handicappers have this problem!
my advice is ditch them and get a hybrid/rescue club
i could only hit my 3+4i the same distance as my 7i now with a hybrid i average 180/190 yds with it and thay are easier to control.
just my honest opinion
p.s welcome to the site

hi jack
i hit a 1 iron about 220 and do hit it down the middle pretty good. i play links courses and its always windy so that is why i dont carry a 3 or 5 wood.
i do try and only ever hit the 1 iron at 80/90% and think it more inportant to hit through crisp and have a high finnish. that seens to work good for me, some of my friends have hit with my 1 iron and all seem to try and kill it and never end up on fairway, so think its more about controling the club face than hitting with power. try swinging slower and hitting on sweet spot, you'll end up in fairway more and the 1,2,3,4 irons do run lot more on fairway and dont in the rough
hope this helps a little
bill

I like the idea of hybrids. With hybrids you can choose to rip them, feather them out there, or hit low bullets. They are so forgiving you can hit any shot with more confidence.

If you want distance, hybrids will help you there, especially if you have Graphite shafts installed in them.

I play a hybrid set of (2-9) irons. Easier to hit, with more accuracy, with the same distance (for me) as conventional irons. Do your home work if you choose to change to a hybrid club. Some brands will give you fits, while other brands will keep you happy.
GJS

I am new to. So I am honored that I get to participate in your thread! I believe that my long iron success is due to my smooth swing tempo. I like to emulate two golfers that are no longer with us unfortunately. Payne Stewart and Sam Snead have the greatest tempo that you can see on a golfer. Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els may be close, but they dont have an obvious dying momento that finishes on the back swing like Stewart and Snead have.
Watch these swings and notice that thier tempo and release power start about when thier hands are on the side of the body. This gives you the OPENING to make great contact. While most amatuers like myself start the power on the top and come down too fast. This will create a snap hook, top the ball, or slice if im lucky to catch it. And the power is wasted plus the probability of good contact is compromised.
But once you establish and smoothen your tempo, impliment confidence and target commitments instead of mechanics.

Get a 23/26 degree hybrid and this should take care of it.

The pros have gone to the hybrids - I have a 3, 4, 5 hybrid. I highly recommend the Cobra Baffler series of hybrids - they are fantastic! As always, try before you buy!

jamesh

I am thinking of giving hybrids a try. What do you need to do differently to hit these 3 different types shots you are mentioning here?
Bri

I hit my long irons like I hit my driver, long, low and smooth swing
I recently ditched my 3 iron in favour of a 3 rescue.
It gives me about the same distance as my old ping zing 1 iron did from the fairway but it easier to hit.

I have noticed that I need to play it further back in my stance than I do with my 5 wood, otherwise I tend to top it a bit.