Blah, irons

[VoteWhitey4Prez]

So golf class was going well for a while. Each day we have been hitting different clubs, and I hit wedges and irons up through 6 pretty well, at least for a beginner. But I can't hit 5-4-3 irons for crap. Feels like hitting a brick and it makes a CLICK noise rather than a whhhsssck kind of noise when I hit the ball. Is this normal? What gives?

[JEFF4i]

What's your swing-speed? Some people just can't hit long irons.

Also, the ideal sound of the ball is a click, but probably not the kind that you are experiencing.

[zaphod]

Hey Whitey,

Sounds like you are blading the ball. Is there a harsh feed back after hit coming through shaft. If so thats it.

How to stop blading. Usually it is from flipping the wrist too early in an effort to scooping the ball into the air. Trust the loft off the iron and hit the ball forward not up. Think if driving a nail thats parallel to the ground through the ball.

Hope this helps.

Another "cure" is to practice hitting 1/2 to 3/4 shots keeping the contact solid. Easier to get the feeling at slower speeds. Hit these shots crisply like lighting a match at the ball.

[VoteWhitey4Prez]

Thanks zaphod, I'll try the 1/2 shots. I notice that I can't hit anything when I take a full swing, that should help.

Jeff, I don't know what my swing speed is. I really don't have my swing techniques down yet, so it probably wouldn't do any good to get it determined right now anyway.

[zaphod]

Reminds me of one of the best golf drills-games I used at range in winter to tune up my swing and refine my distance control-trajectory. Range had a green out about 80 yards. The object was to put 2 balls in a row on and stay on that green with each club in the bag. Started with my most lofted wedge and worked my to driver.

Swing control, solid contact, and form are put at a premium. Also you learn the relationship of trajectory and distance for each club. Try to see the minimum of swings it takes to do this. With 14 clubs in bag 26 swings. Please don't ruin your putter. Perfection was not mine.

[sandwedge]

Have you tried hitting any hybrids to replace your long irons? They are much easier for most people to hit.

[VoteWhitey4Prez]

I haven't hit any hybrids, no. I can try stuff out at the pro-shop, so maybe eventually I'll give it a whirl.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by VoteWhitey4Prez

I haven't hit any hybrids, no. I can try stuff out at the pro-shop, so maybe eventually I'll give it a whirl.

Do it now.