Iron distance limited

I'm into my 5th lesson, and using a 7 iron to practise now. No matter what, I can't seem to hit the ball further than 60m (about 66yd). My instructor says I have a problem with my swing being too steep, but when I try to make it less steep is feels really odd to me. Is there anything else I might be doing wrong that I can't hit any further? Any drill I can try which can help me hit at least 15m further, just once, would be much appreciated

<< SiMoN >>

Hi Simon,

It's tough at the start we have all been there, please take notice of your pro during your lessons and stick to the routines he has showed you.
They will feel stange at first like driving a car for the first time is, two or three week into a new move and you should start to see the results and not just with your 7 iron but all your irons.

Stick with it.


Ian.

Thanks Ian. I think I am just being too conscious of all the pointers to the point where I am not even allowing myself to do what feels natural, cos my mind is all filled with trying to keep my head still, trying to keep my left arm straight, bla bla bla :P

The problem is everytime I go to the driving range, there is always something new to adjust or to try. In the end, no two sessions are ever the same - sometimes I can hit the ball pretty nicely (feel the sweetspot), but I am not even sure if I am doing it correctly or just adjusting in all the wrong ways just to be able to hit the ball.

Hi Simon,

A good tip when you are at the range working on something different:

You are correct when you work on something it takes away your natural rythem which affects your swing.

When you get to the last 15/20 balls set up with a completley empty mind and just let your body have a go on it's own, a good way to make it work is hum a tune while you swing, it takes a few attempts but it is very easy.

This is how you play a shot on the course too with a clear mind.

Good Luck


Ian.

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

Simon, if these distances are at the range, it sounds like you're hitting limited flight balls.

If these distances are at the course, well, your swing needs an overhaul.

Thanks for that tip Ian. Sometimes I really do feel like just taking a swing at the @$!^!# ball instead of having to remember the 101 things in my swing :P


LowPost42, yep I am still limited to the driving range (I'm just into my 6th lesson and will only get onto the course at lesson 9) What does "limited flight balls" mean and how do I go about correcting that?

Thanks!

Hi Simon,

What type of clubs are you using? Cavity or blades?

Simon,

Limited flight balls are just that - balls that won't go more than a certain distance. The way to find out is to buy some used balls that you don't mind sacrificing. Once you're in the groove at the range, hit a few of your own balls. If they go further than the range balls, (and should be going MUCH further), the range balls are limited flight (aka limited distance).

That's true too.

Thanks guys. I'm using a Maruman Proliner G1. I've posted the pic on another thread, will try to put it here too. Well I am looking at all the other people hitting the balls in the range, and definitely they are hitting much further than I am :P No worries, I know there's still a lot in my swing that needs to be fixed, and I'm optimistic the distance will come as I fix those issues...

I've posted a video of my swing in the photos area, would appreciate all advice and tips for improvement. Thanks!

Hi Simon,

Let me first say that I am not a Pro, but from time to time I suffer from the same problem. Does the ball go super high? I was on the range the other day and my 7 iron was going 100 yard straight into the sky, and it took me 2 buckets of disbelief to realize that I was sliding acrosswith my shoulders as opposed to rotating, and then of course my weight was stuck on by back foot, and as a result I was getting completely under the ball. Can be very frustrating, but as per one of the other comments, the learning phase is the most difficult as we expect immediate improvement. If you have a good teacher the rest should fall into place, but it always takes time.

Lynnore

Hi Lynnore,

Actually, I think my balls are not going high enough. Come to think of it, I'm not exactly sure how high I should be hitting the balls with my 7 iron?! This topic never really came up with my coach, so perhaps now would be the good time/place for me to find the answer to this question :P

Thanks!

Hi Simon,

Just do the drills and nail the swing. Consistency will be more important to you in your swing mechanics, then the consistency in distance will be taken care off.

Thanks Dej. Well good (or bad) news, I seem to be doing what I'm doing pretty consistently. Was at the range last night with my 7 iron as usual, and was consistently hitting the ball around the flag about 80m (88yds?) away. My shots were always pretty straight and following the same arc. Since I couldn't hit the balls any further try as I might, I was basically just settling for the last 100 balls I hit more or less landing around the flag area. :P

Nothing bad about getting the ball to where you want it to go consistently.
With time you will improve your distance.

Remember it isn't necesarily the big hitters that score well but the ones that are efficient around the green and pin. So you may reach a par 5 550 in 3 but score 6 just from 3 putting, or you can reach the green in 4 and par being a decent putter. For me putting is the most important part of the game, it's the only club I use on every hole with the wedge a close second and these are the one's I want to be most profficient at. No point getting somewhere quickly only to be let down by the short game.