Struggling to hit golf irons consistently? You’re not on your own.
Often, golfers can’t hit straight iron shots because they have the wrong stance, poor contact with the ball or are using golf irons that are too long or short for their height. And if you can hit your irons relatively straight but aren’t getting the explosive power you desire, then it’s probably because you’re not creating enough lag in your downswing.
Luckily, we have a few tricks up our sleeves to help. You just need to set aside some time to practice them – either at home or your local driving range.
Let’s take a closer look at these.
1. Make sure the ball is in the correct position
It may seem obvious, but placing the golf ball in the right place will allow you to strike it properly and give you more control.
If you use middle irons, consider putting the ball an inch beyond the centre of your stance. This will help you to generate more power in your swing before hitting the ball.
With short irons, it’s better to position the ball in the middle of your stance, so you can strike it on your downswing and loft it towards the hole – sending it nice and straight.
When playing with long irons, the key is to hit with power and precision. And placing the ball 2 inches beyond the centre point in your stance will certainly help.
2. Keep your arms straight in your downswing
Bending your arm is likely to cause your shoulders to open up and therefore force your shot towards the right.
Instead of rotating the shoulders during your downswing, focus on turning your hips through the shot – this too will help with your iron shot consistency.
The ‘Over the Stick’ drill is where you lay an alignment stick flat on the ground on your target line (roughly 5 yards in front of you) and practice hitting the ball straight over it – keeping your arms down the line rather than out to the side. The more you practice, the better you will get.
3. Practice compressing the ball
To send the ball further with your iron, you need to compress it by keeping your hands slightly forward at impact.
One of the reasons why many golfers fail to compress the ball is due to poor body rotation or inappropriate casting of the club. However, all is not lost!
If you struggle to compress the ball and generate the speed needed to send shots long distances, then it’s well worth doing some half swings. To do so, make sure your hands are down by your front leg and, as you turn, swing the ball through.
4. Adjust your grip
The club’s grip should run from the middle of your index finger to where your pinkie finger meets your palm.
If you’re right-handed, look closely at the ‘v’ between your thumb and forefinger on your right hand. Is it pointing towards your right shoulder? If it isn’t, this explains why you may find it difficult to hit straight, as you’ll open the face at impact.
Our best advice is to lightly grip the club to avoid tensing your muscles. Maintaining a relaxed grip throughout the swing will enable you to achieve maximum clubhead speed – sending the ball further and faster.
5. Opt for irons with graphite shafts
For players wanting maximum distance on iron shots, graphite shafts are a must-have.
These are typically lighter than irons with steel shafts, resulting in faster swing speeds and allowing you to propel the ball closer to the hole, shaving strokes off your scores.
Another great thing about irons with graphite shafts is that they have vibration-dampening properties. This makes them ideal if you suffer from back problems or arthritis, allowing you to swing your club effectively without any discomfort.
Want to know more?
If you’d like further advice on how to hit your irons straighter and longer, then be sure to get in touch with Clarkes’ Golf Centre today. We are always on hand to help and will be more than happy to share our expertise.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to invest in new golf irons – preferably with graphite shafts – browse our online collection. We stock irons from all the leading manufacturers, including Callaway, Cobra, TaylorMade and Ping, to name just a few, and guarantee competitive pricing.