Why Can't I Hit FW's?

[Bubble Head]

I just returned to golf after a 25 year hiatus. I wasn't any good then and I am still not any good. Back then, when woods were still made of wood, I didn't carry any. I couldn't hit them straight or in the air to save my life. I teed off on long holes with a 2 iron.

Now, I can tee off with a driver (10* loft from boxed set at Golf Galaxy) and usually it is in play if I don't mess up. Praise be to the 460cc head. But I still can't hit my 3 or 5 wood to save my life.

Everything I read says that irons are more accurate. Why is that? It isn't the loft. Is it just the length of the shaft?

[JEFF4i]

Length and lie. Also, accurate is a "term of art."

Accuracy lies in the beholder, a 2 iron can be incredibly accurate, in the correct hands. It is more how you can handle what you have, given that often accuracy and forgiveness can butt heads.

As far as your woods, try moving it around in your stance, I've found some people hit their woods more like an iron allowing for a more centered ball, while others sweep it, for a further up. Also take an easier swing than even your driver, that always helps me.

[warbirdlover]

The most common cause of mishits is moving your head before ball contact (up, down, forward, back, left or right).

[Bubble Head]

Let me clarify the question. I hit my 3 iron pretty well some times. I can't hit a 5 wood (Same loft within a degree) to save my life. Of the tee, off the grass, iron good, wood bad. Go figure. I figure it's shaft length.

Just bought a 21* hybrid on eBay. We will see how that goes.

[Davebud]

Are you saying you can't hit it as far or as accurately, or both?

[dave.]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

The most common cause of mishits is moving your head before ball contact (up, down, forward, back, left or right).

I think that is dangerous advice,the head needs to be loose,not stiff,because it WILL move,doesn't matter who you are.Get stiff and rigid and you do all sorts of dangerous things.

Fairway woods need power to get them in the air

[Bubble Head]

I can't get the ball off the ground. It doesn't go straight either. The one time in 10 that it goes OK, the 5 wood goes a little farther than the 3 iron.

[JEFF4i]

Try sweeping the ball of the ground. For all major purposes you shouldn't use a fairway wood out of the rough anyway(unless it's a pretty clean lie).

So next time you try and hit it, adjust for a more sweeping swing, also set the ball farther up in your swing.

[mont86]

My woods came together this fall, easy on the swing and ball a little more forward in the stance. Start with half swings then work up from there.

[SiberianDVM]

I've got the opposite problem: my 15* & 17* fairways are the best clubs in the bag and my 3 iron is a smothered hook machine.

It's all in the swing.

[mont86]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

I've got the opposite problem: my 15* & 17* fairways are the best clubs in the bag and my 3 iron is a smothered hook machine.

It's all in the swing.

What is the problem with your swing and the 3 iron?

[WMitch6]

Bubble Head (Navy?) - It sounds like a combination of ball position ("I can't get the ball off the ground") and negative thoughts.

A 5 wood has lots of loft so it's easier to get airborne than a long iron. A 7 wood is even easier. That's why most senior golfers are dumping long irons in favor of lofted fairway woods and hybrids. I can't hit a 3 iron at all but I hit a 5 wood pretty consistent.

Try experimenting with ball position in your stance. Start with the ball a couple of inches behind your left heel and focus on the back of the ball. A fairway wood should sweep the ball off the turf without taking a divot.

[chemboy2]

Originally Posted by WMitch6

Bubble Head (Navy?)

either a big fan of chewing gum or a submariner. my money is on the latter and if so, from one bubble head to another, welcome.

[JEFF4i]

I think he's Navy, look at his Avatar.

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by mont86

What is the problem with your swing and the 3 iron?

When my timing is off, my arms get ahead of my legs.

I'm thinking off substituting my 19* 5 wood for my 3 iron as I hit it about the same distance.

I may have to start wearing a pink skirt, as I will then have 4 woods in the bag.