How I hit the long irons - golf - Brief Article

Golf Digest, June, 2000 by Paul Lawrie, John Strege

When I won the British Open last year at Carnoustie, I hit a 4-iron into the green on the tough 18th hole each day, and in the playoff on Sunday as well. I carry a 7-wood to take the place of the 3-iron, but otherwise I have a full complement of irons, including a 2-iron, and I feel comfortable hitting all of them.

The two key things I think about when I'm hitting a long iron are keeping my setup consistent and maintaining a good swing tempo. Rhythm is the real key to hitting long irons. When you get quick with your swing, you're going to have trouble with them.

How did I handle the pressure of hitting long irons into the last hole of the British Open? I just concentrated on my setup keys and focused on making a full swing. Here's how I hit my long irons and some advice on how you can improve your iron play.

Keep everything consistent: grip, setup and ball position

My grip stays the same for all shots--same position on the club, same not-too-tight grip pressure. I also play all my long irons from the same position, with the ball about two inches inside my left heel. I check the ball position by looking to see that the logo on the left breast of my shirt or sweater is even with the ball.

I set my hands inside my left thigh, just to the right of the crease on the left leg of my trousers as I look down. This setup ensures that the club has the proper loft on it. If you play the ball any farther back in your stance or you get your hands too far ahead of it, you'll deloft the club. The shot will come off too low.

Finish your backswing to keep your rhythm

As I said, a good swing tempo is the key to hitting the long irons. To keep my rhythm, I have to be sure I make a swing that completes my backswing. When your swing gets short and quick, the club starts down before you want it to start down. When you complete your backswing by getting fully turned, you have more time to make the full swing, which you need for a long iron.

Don't hurry your swing. Swing the long iron at the same speed you would any other club. Don't be scared of it.

Let the club get the ball into the air

Besides trying to complete my backswing, I also try to get my hands as close to my body as I can on the downswing. That guarantees that they're back to the address position at impact, for consistency.

Don't try to speed the club up or hit the ball harder or help it into the air. Many recreational players try to scoop the ball into the air with a long iron, but you don't need to. There's plenty of loft on a 3- or 4-iron to get the ball airborne. Let the club do the work for you. Of course, the ball will come off a bit lower than for a higher-lofted club, but that's just normal.

Under pressure, just be sure to make your swing the same length you normally would.

LAWRIE, PAUL 1999 British Open Champion, with John Strege