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Need tips on how to improve on my irons

Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:02 pm
Posted by TigerTee
Member since Nov 2020
806 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:02 pm
I will start off by saying I am very much a beginner so what I am about to say may have some of you laughing at how awful I am
I started golfing about 2 years ago with absolutely no previous experience. I have not taken any type of lessons (I intend to after I graduate in May) so I know some of this has to do with the problem I am having. I seem to not hit my irons to save my life. A good hit for me is a line drive. I can not hit it higher than 5 feet off the ground. Anyone have any tips that I can try? I intend on buying a hitting net to practice in my back yard. Any tips or any recommendations on what to buy to help me is appreciated
This post was edited on 12/27/20 at 9:03 pm
Posted by 9Fiddy
19th Hole
Member since Jan 2007
64079 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:08 pm to
How old are you? I ask because if you’re older and don’t want/have time to increase swing speed, look at getting hybrids and only carrying 3-4 irons excluding wedges.

Also, if you’re having trouble getting the irons in the air you’re probably hitting everything thin. Concentrate on a descending blow. Your divot should start where the ball was lying and finish 2-3 inches in front of the ball.
Posted by Warfarer
Dothan, AL
Member since May 2010
12128 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:13 pm to
Are you good at any other sports? I ask because a lot of the basic philosophies can transfer over.
Posted by TigerTee
Member since Nov 2020
806 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:18 pm to
I’m 22 and my divots are usually before the ball (which from watching videos I know that is bad) but when I try to correct it, I usually hit only the ball and make no divot. I definitely need to take some lessons and get fitted but I most likely will not be able to do that until after I graduate in May.
Posted by TigerTee
Member since Nov 2020
806 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:20 pm to
I played baseball in high school and my buddies that are actually decent tell me I need to break out of the “baseball swing” I am approaching a golf ball with.
Posted by Warfarer
Dothan, AL
Member since May 2010
12128 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:21 pm to
quote:

I definitely need to take some lessons and get fitted but I most likely will not be able to do that until after I graduate in May.


Lessons are all good but I wouldn't get fitted until after taking some lessons. Your swing will change so much, I would try to get some irons that fit you and shafts close to the right flex and learn to play then get fitted down the road.
Posted by TigerTee
Member since Nov 2020
806 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:24 pm to
Any recommendations on where to get lessons that are college student affordable?
Posted by Warfarer
Dothan, AL
Member since May 2010
12128 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:25 pm to
quote:

I played baseball in high school and my buddies that are actually decent tell me I need to break out of the “baseball swing” I am approaching a golf ball with.



baseball isn't a bad swing to move to golf with if you aren't trying to do both. You have think about hitting an iron more like hitting a ground ball back at second base. Your hip rotation, release and even your turn will all translate over to golf.
Posted by Warfarer
Dothan, AL
Member since May 2010
12128 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:42 pm to
There are a lot of good youtube videos you can watch and some training aids that you can pick up. The big thing i would recommend would be to start off at the right place. Find some videos of a good neutral grip and learn it first and practice with it first. Once you learn to play, that is a very difficult thing to change because you will tend to revert back to old habits. I am dealing with that now and changing my whole swing up and trying to fix my grip while doing it.

I don't have one but the thought process on something like the Tourstriker plane mate is really good. It forces you to keep your hands and arms towards your body and that is a good thing. It isn't cheap and the swing thoughts behind it are the ones I am trying to implement in my swing. Flatten out a bit and stop coming over the top. At the end, I may need to resift all my irons as I built my irons for my old swing that was steep and now I am hitting the ball really high.
Posted by TigerTee
Member since Nov 2020
806 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 9:50 pm to
Yeah I found some guy on YouTube that is pretty good at explaining swing techniques that I try to watch often. I will definitely check out that Tourstriker as well! Appreciate the tips
Posted by redfishfan
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2015
4422 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 10:07 pm to
Hit down on the ball. If you do that the ball will get off the ground.
Posted by malvin
Member since Apr 2013
4628 posts
Posted on 12/27/20 at 10:08 pm to
Turn that baseball swing into a golf swing and it can be powerful and you’ll hit it a long way. When you figure it out come back and bump this thread with how to do it because I’ve been trying for about 12 years now. There are flashes of brilliance and then back down to earth looking like I’ve never touched a golf club before.

A baseball swing is typically over the top in a golf swing. So try to hit the inside of the ball like you are swinging to right-center field. There are things you can do with your grip for sure but try to get that swing path to right center and then tune it from there. And like I said, if you figure it out please let me know how
Posted by makersmark1
earth
Member since Oct 2011
15877 posts
Posted on 12/28/20 at 7:36 am to
quote:

I played baseball in high school and my buddies that are actually decent tell me I need to break out of the “baseball swing” I am approaching a golf ball with.


Actually, this can be a strength. Swing speed is important. You probably need to read some about the “fundamentals”: aim, grip, stance, posture, ball position.

Swinging a bat fast requires “loose wrists.” You can use your baseball background for golf. Swinging is also like throwing a baseball in that you use your whole body from the ground up.

I wish I have played baseball. I played football, basketball, and golf.
Posted by The Johnny Lawrence
Member since Sep 2016
2162 posts
Posted on 12/28/20 at 8:36 am to
OK. Y'all are over complicating the transition from baseball to golf. To transition, you only need two things:

1- finish on your front side, you should be able to wiggle your back foot after the swing.

2- swing hard and roll over a ground ball into the 6-hole.

Baseball is palm up, palm down at contact. If you do that in golf, you'll hit a huge slice. Rolling over like you would to hit a ball through the 6-hole will get your hands in the right position.

To get the ball in the air, hit down on the ball, then the ground. That will give you back spin and throw the ball in the air
Posted by BenDover
Member since Jul 2010
5424 posts
Posted on 12/28/20 at 8:43 am to
I can't link the video unfortunately since Youtube is blocked at work but I'd encourage you to look up "Adam Bazalgette" on youtube and watch his videos. The guy is an incredible instructor and is super relatable to the beginner golfer.
Posted by Tyga Woods
South Central Jupiter Island, FL
Member since Sep 2016
30123 posts
Posted on 12/28/20 at 9:32 am to
Go take lessons from a competent pro. The fix could be something simple. Taking a bunch of random swing tips and trying to implement them all will make your problems worse. It’s like reaching into a medicine cabinet blindfolded and just taking whatever bottle you grab.
Posted by WhiskeyThrottle
Weatherford Tx
Member since Nov 2017
5322 posts
Posted on 12/28/20 at 11:18 am to
One thing that helped me incredibly with getting more consistent with iron shots, is focus on head movement. If you're erratic with shots hitting thin and fat at times, you could be dipping your head and shoulders inconsistently. Focus on keeping your head as still as you can while swinging. This means up and down, as well as back to front.

Another suggestion is to really focus on watching the ball through impact (easier said than done, you know this from baseball). I always try to pinch the ball at the ground meaning the point of contact is right where the bottom side of the ball contacts the ground. This helps get that ball compressed and get the bounce and upward trajectory. A lot of this is muscle memory which comes with repetition which means the range is where your time is best spent.

A good possibility of why your drive is going decent, but your iron shots are not is because you're swinging the same for both shots. The two strokes have similarities, but also have very key differences. It's good to hit a driver with your upward swing meaning just past the lower apex of your swing. Iron shots should be hit just prior to the apex of your swing on the down stroke. If your trying to hit the ball on the upward swing, you'll end up thinning the shot quite frequently, or hitting fat.

For reference, I'm a low 80s golfer. Not great but not entry level either. My short comings are short game and that execution consistency.
Posted by barry
Location, Location, Location
Member since Aug 2006
50346 posts
Posted on 12/28/20 at 6:00 pm to
quote:

I have not taken any type of lessons (I intend to after I graduate in May) so I know some of this has to do with the problem I am having.


I would save up and get a lesson. One lesson could make a world of difference for a beginner like you and make golf far more enjoyable
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