Long irons

Duke · #1 05-28-2005, 02:29 PM

Why are they being phased out, and why do people find them tough to hit with?

In my VERY limited experience, I can almost -only- hit with the long irons, and have had zero luck trying out hybrids and fairway woods. Without a tee I'm SOL with a big club head.

Anyhow, just wanted to hear some thoughts on it. Perhaps finding out why others can't do what I can, and I can't do what they can will help me identify problems in my swing that need to be fixed.

Or maybe I'll just be stuck club-hunting.

~D

kerssens · #2 05-28-2005, 02:31 PM

My problem with long irons is I tend to swing too hard and not trust that with a nice easy swing that I'm gonna be able to hit the ball as far as is necessary. My long iron problems are mostly mental.

brassnuts · #3 05-28-2005, 03:02 PM

What would you consider a long iron? Anything longer than 3, or would a 3-iron be included? I used to have a 2-iron years ago when I played in highschool, absolutely loved that thing.

augie00 · #4 05-28-2005, 03:03 PM

Hitting a long iron takes a lot of strength and a powerful swing. Some people simply do not have the power to swing hard enough to generate enough spin on the ball for a proper trajectory.

That is why they are popular. It is easy to get the ball in the air without power.

ClaytonN · #5 05-28-2005, 03:22 PM

I'm 5'9 150 and drive it 280, so I don't have many problems with long irons. I just treat it like a short fairway wood and hit down on it at a shallower angle.

The reason so many people have issues with them is you have to have the right clubspeed (faster) and swing angle (less steep).

Hybrids are replacing long irons because amateurs have a tougher time with long irons for reasons said above. Plus, you can use hybrids in many different situations. And they look like fariway woods.

Duke · #6 05-28-2005, 05:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
What would you consider a long iron? Anything longer than 3, or would a 3-iron be included? I used to have a 2-iron years ago when I played in highschool, absolutely loved that thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Apparently 3 and 4 irons are on the way out too, according to some articles I've been reading.

Maybe I can just hit them naturally since I'm fairly tall/strong. I just feel like I have a lot more control with a long iron than any of the fairway woods.

Note that this is coming from a guy who's gone golfing 4 times in the last 10 years and who is now hooked. I was all happy about a 46 on the back 9 yesterday. I was asking where to sign up to qualify for a PGA tour card.

~D

johnnybeef · #7 05-28-2005, 05:30 PM

I was wondering the exact same thing today as i was walking around the local golf galaxy. They say that the hybrids are much more forgiving and that the true test of a golf swing is how you hit your long irons, but, if i can hit my long irons well do i need to be checking them out?

PS The thing that is making me lean towards answering yes to this is the fact that there are now many pga pros who carry a hybrid. I just don't want to drop the $ unless I am really missing out.

Blackjack · #8 05-28-2005, 06:28 PM

I guarantee that I drive the ball farther than anyone in this thread. I absolutely murder the ball. It has nothing to do with weight or stength. it's all about flexibility and the ability to torque your upper body and hips.

However, I can't hit 3/4 irons for [censored]. I always fade the hell out of them. My swingspeed was 112 MPH last time I had it checked out with my driver. A lot of it has to do with not having your hands and lower body in sync. You need to quiet your lower body in order to hit long irons consistent.

Rescue woods/Hybrid clubs are much more forgiving and please to the eye. However, I just bought the new Nike Hybrid club and it sucks. I'm going to go back and buy the Taylor Made rescue. It seems to have gotten much better reviews.

FatMan · #9 05-28-2005, 06:33 PM

I hit up to a 5 Iron well, 3 & 4 iron I suck with, but I hit my 2 iron well. Go figure. I need to get rid of 2, 3, 4 iron and just go with a 5 & 7 wood and stick another wedge in my bag.

ClaytonN · #10 05-28-2005, 06:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I always fade the hell out of them. My swingspeed was 112 MPH last time I had it checked out with my driver. A lot of it has to do with not having your hands and lower body in sync. You need to quiet your lower body in order to hit long irons consistent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Whenever I have this problem with my woods and my long irons, it's due to my arms not catching up. When you turn your shoulders a lot in proportion to your hips, they have to come down with the ball in sync. Otherwise, your arms don't catch up and you fade it.