Are you struggling to hit short irons accurately? If so, then you are at the right place.
With so many instructions in hand, it often gets bewildering to be on the right track. Well, we can relate to your struggles.
The techniques for short irons are different from traditional long golf shots. That way, it is often difficult to get the shot right.
But don’t worry! In this article, we will simplify the process of how to hit short irons. Let’s begin then!
What is Iron Play?
Before we start to learn the techniques, let’s know a little about the iron play.
As the name suggests, this game involves shots with a golf iron. But do we know what makes these different from other long shots- the drives?
Well, there can be pages of difference between irons and drives. Nonetheless, the basic contrast is in the way you hit the golf.
Drivers vs Irons
While we hit the iron quite low, the drivers go relatively high up. Continue reading for a brief explanation.
Consider the clubhead rotation while hitting the ball. There is a transition of the swing from the top towards the ball. If you are looking for the putter grip for left hand low, you can find recommendations here.
In some cases, the clubhead takes a downward turn. In other cases, the clubhead takes a reverse direction and takes an upward turn. That is what draws the line between a driver and an iron.
When playing driver, your shaft should contact the golf ball right after reaching the lowest point. The target here is to hit the ball when it starts to ascend.
If you want to play pure iron shots, the target is to git below the golf ball. In other words, players need to hit the ball before reaching the lowest swing point.
Understanding this swing difference is crucial for golfers to attain precision. It is rare to find an individual mastering both skills.
The reason is not complex at all. Most players try to do both stunts in a similar pattern.
If you are struggling to master iron shot, the possibilities are you are not hitting low enough. We will discuss the techniques to hone your iron skills in upcoming segments.
Should I Hit Long and Short Irons the Same Way?
There are few distinctions between long and short iron shots. Similarly, there are a variety of irons. Long, medium, or short- you can choose the shaft as per your convenience.
Now, let’s learn the process to hit short irons. To make it easy to follow, we have divided the process into multiple steps. Are you trying to find golf grips suitable for humid weather? If yes, you can find our picks here.
Steps of How to Hit Short Irons
Step 1: Getting the Right Tool
If you are relatively new to golf, it is necessary to pick a club strategically. In these cases, we recommend getting a club with more forgiveness and sweet spots. That means, it is good to get a club with a little offset.
In most cases, novices borrow clubs but never get to explore their sweet spot and competence. And that’s not likely at all.
Our tip will be to experiment with multiple clubs before picking one. Doing so will elevate your swing and gaming as a whole.
Step 2: Fixing Target and Shape of the Shot
No matter which short iron you pick, you will need to do some modifications to it. But we recommend checking the original swings beforehand. You can fade, hook, draw, or slice an iron as necessary.
Now you can move on to fixing the target. Usually, the target gets smaller with a short iron. It is not likely to hit a point in the first go. But you can start practicing with pining an aim.
Step 3: Setting Up
While practicing swings, we cannot ignore our position and footsteps. That too has an impact on your shot and swing of the club.
Ideally, you should position your feet apart at shoulder width. Place your wrist right over the golf ball. This position allows you to have maximum control over the short iron. Moreover, you can maintain balance.
Step 4: Pressure on the Grip
As you move towards shorter irons, it becomes more important to maintain certain grip pressure. In this case, the aim is at a shorter range. Thus, you cannot go for long and hard strokes. Your grip should be more on the relaxing side. However, it should not be loose by any means.
Step 5: Takeaway
These takeaways are not exceptional from other irons. Longer iron demands a flat and outward shot. On the contrary, a steep and high-up angle is the basis for short iron strokes. To get the right position in short iron, your hands and arm should align in a straight line.
Step 6: Taking Full Turn
A full turn is crucial in the case of short irons as it keeps the club shaft parallel to the ground. If you are having a hard time getting accuracy, you can take a ¾ turn and give it a go. However, consistency can beat any obstacles.
Step 7: Swinging Beneath
Many golfers tend to lose their patience here. The trick here is to keep calm and go for the backswing. Concentrate on making the correct contact without worrying much about the swing.
Step 8: Balance Maintenance
Although many players tend to overlook this factor, it is crucial to maintain balance in golf. No matter how hard you swing, the output won’t be great without balance. Hence, observe and work on maintaining your balance.
Final Words
For good scoring and balance maintenance, there is no alternative to practicing short irons. Consistency and balance maintenance will take you a long way in this game.
We hope our instructions helped learn short iron hit. We will love to hear from your end as well. Write us about your techniques to ace in short iron.
Good luck!
