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Old March 29th, 2008, 10:18 PM
Wass Wass is offline
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Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

Hey guys. I went to the range earlier to hit some balls, and one of the things I noticed was that I had trouble hitting any club longer than a 5 iron. Clubs 6-PW were fine, but as I started hitting a 4 iron, 3 wood, and driver, the trouble started to set in. Any idea of why this would happen? I know it's tough to give some advice without a video, so any input will do.

Appreciate it fellas.
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Old March 29th, 2008, 11:17 PM
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

They are longer, the loft is lower...

How long have you been playing? Those clubs are more difficult to hit and will only improve with practice and honing of technique...this is also a reason why there are a proliferation of lofted fairway woods and hybrid clubs as many find these easier to make consistent contact with and get the ball airborne...
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Old March 30th, 2008, 01:09 AM
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straightshooter straightshooter is offline
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

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Originally Posted by Wass View Post
Hey guys. I went to the range earlier to hit some balls, and one of the things I noticed was that I had trouble hitting any club longer than a 5 iron. Clubs 6-PW were fine, but as I started hitting a 4 iron, 3 wood, and driver, the trouble started to set in. Any idea of why this would happen? I know it's tough to give some advice without a video, so any input will do.

Appreciate it fellas.
The vast majority of golfers start this way. What exactly is the problem with the longer clubs? Do they curve sideways? Or do they not get airborne? Something else?
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Old March 30th, 2008, 01:45 AM
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wass View Post
Hey guys. I went to the range earlier to hit some balls, and one of the things I noticed was that I had trouble hitting any club longer than a 5 iron. Clubs 6-PW were fine, but as I started hitting a 4 iron, 3 wood, and driver, the trouble started to set in. Any idea of why this would happen? I know it's tough to give some advice without a video, so any input will do.

Appreciate it fellas.
First of all, the 3 and 4 irons are very hard to hit. You can always get a hybrid to replace them.

The driver and 3 wood are the hardest clubs in the bag to hit since they are the longest.

My suggestion is to work on a 5 or 7 wood first from a tee. When you can confidently hit it then put it on the ground and work on that. When you have that down then work your way up to the 3 wood and finally the driver. It is really the same kind of swing - a sweeping motion (from Driver to 4 iron).
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Old March 30th, 2008, 02:25 AM
Wass Wass is offline
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

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Originally Posted by straightshooter View Post
The vast majority of golfers start this way. What exactly is the problem with the longer clubs? Do they curve sideways? Or do they not get airborne? Something else?
I've been playing for around 2 years now, and I never really had this problem until now (aside from when I first started). The time in between though I have been fine. They get airborne fine, but the majority of them tend to hook (left to right for me as a lefty). It does feel like I am making good, crisp contact, but as I lift my head expecting a good shot, I see the ball tailing left to right. As I said though, I really only have this problem with the longer clubs in my bag.
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Old March 30th, 2008, 02:31 AM
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

Kind of difficult to say since you did not tell what was the problem.
Thoughts that helped me for the long iron play is this, concentrate on pure contact ( sweet spot ), don't rush the swing ( think of the tempo of hitting a 7 iron, keeping your arms and elbows with the core no chichen wings ), don't help it up in the air ( you still need to hit it with a descending blow but because of the longer shaft, the angle is natually shallower, except for driver, you might wish to stay behind the ball slightly to promote a swing angle which just starting the upward move when contact the golf ball ).
Don't give up, you probably had similar situation with the 7 iron when you first started to play, so practice more. Many golfer had given up on the longer clubs because they either don't have the time to practice or they just believe that they could not hit the longer club because everyone else told them so.
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Old March 30th, 2008, 02:34 AM
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

OK. Most beginners have that problem, but with a slice. The fact that you are getting a hook, and are making good contact, is a good sign. Hard to say what causes it though.

Could it be something in your setup (grip, ball position, body angles, etc..)? Check yourself out in a mirror when you get a chance.

Or could it be the swing? Does your swing or finish position / balance feel worse in any way with the longer clubs? Are you going at it too hard with the longer clubs? Do you use similar tempo for all clubs?
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Old March 30th, 2008, 08:01 AM
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

Many golfers tend to over swing with their longer clubs. Perhaps if you use the same swing you use with your irons you will see improved results?
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Old April 1st, 2008, 08:11 AM
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Re: Trouble Hitting Longer Clubs

Yup Avatar, im one of those. Its something in the head that make people think "I have to swing longer and harder" yet the club is designed already so you dont have to!

Overswing can cause you to cast the club, think of casting a fishing rod. Now, if your good with your hands, you can square the face. Casting the club is an out to in swing, so the ball will go straight to left, or left to more left.

Again, if you dont square the face, you can get a left to right or straight to right ball flight.

Hit some shots thinking 80%, try not to let the left arm bend, it should bow at most. See how that goes.
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