Lengthy irons are harder to hit than quick irons however that doesn’t imply it is best to keep away from them. When you’re struggling to transition from a brief iron to an extended iron or vice versa, just a few easy setup and swing tweaks could make an enormous distinction. Let’s break down what that you must find out about lengthy irons and quick irons and what changes you can also make to hit each with extra confidence.
Why lengthy irons really feel more durable to hit
The longer irons have longer shafts and fewer loft. The decrease loft and further size enlarge mishits and require extra clubhead pace for the proper launch. Brief irons are extra forgiving when it comes to launch however you’ll have to study to manage distance and hit exact photographs.
With longer irons, aiming for the center of the inexperienced is a great technique. Brief irons permit you to get extra aggressive and go on the pin when the state of affairs is true.
Small variations in setup
When switching from lengthy irons to quick irons, keep in mind to make the changes delicate. You aren’t constructing a wholly totally different swing simply to hit a brief iron shot. These setup variations are delicate however they matter.
Setup Factor | Lengthy Irons (4–6) | Brief Irons (7–9) |
---|---|---|
Weight at Setup | 50/50 balanced to help a full flip | Barely lead-side heavy: 55–65% on entrance foot |
Stance Width | Barely wider than shoulder width for added stability | Barely narrower than shoulder width for management and steadiness |
Ball Place | About 1 ball ahead of heart | Some golfers hold the ball place fixed and transfer path foot |
Posture | Stand taller; small tilt away from goal is ok | Extra bend from hips; really feel “on prime of the ball” |
Swing variations
Just like the setup variations between lengthy and quick irons, the swing variations are additionally delicate. For me, it’s extra of a “really feel” or a swing thought than being overly centered on swing mechanics.
Lengthy irons – Velocity, width, full launch
Lengthy irons are designed to hit the ball a great distance with minimal loft. To get this to occur, you need to create pace and launch via a large arc and a full launch of the membership.
You need the membership’s toe to go the heel via influence, permitting the face to shut naturally. This full launch promotes correct rotation, face management and peak
Really feel Cue: “Large flip again, huge flip via—let the membership go.”

Brief irons – Management, compression, face stability
Brief irons have extra loft so that you don’t want to assist get the ball up within the air. The purpose is exact distance and directional management. Uncooked pace doesn’t assist you to right here.
That’s why the discharge is extra passive and the clubface stays quieter via influence.
By holding the face sq. longer, you scale back rotation and see photographs with much less dispersion. The end tends to be shorter. Tommy Fleetwood is a good instance of a participant who does this completely.
Really feel Cue: “Keep on prime, compress, maintain the face.”
One drill for every
Relying in your weak spot (lengthy irons or quick irons), attempt one in every of these two drills to assist. The drills are outlined under and could be discovered on this video.
Lengthy irons drill: Path-hand solely launch
Take half swings with simply your path hand on the membership. You can begin this drill with out even making an attempt to hit a ball. Give attention to letting the path hand naturally rotate the clubface via influence.
Tee up just a few golf balls and make contact utilizing the path hand solely. As soon as you are feeling launch, return to 2 palms on the membership. Attempt once more with half swings till you achieve confidence and might get the identical feeling with a full swing.
This drill helps you achieve confidence and work on hitting the middle of the face with an extended iron.
Brief iron drill: Anti-flip iron drill
This drill helps practice a passive launch and steady face via influence and ensures you don’t attempt to flip the membership or exaggerate the discharge.
For this one, you’ll choke up dramatically on the membership and grip the shaft only a few inches above the clubhead. Let the shaft of the membership relaxation throughout your lead facet. Make a backswing, then swing via whereas maintaining the shaft from hitting your physique. When you launch on the unsuitable time or flip your wrists at influence, the shaft of the membership will hit your facet.

Frequent points and fast fixes
When you nonetheless have hassle switching from lengthy to quick irons, think about a few of these frequent points.
- Ball too far ahead on lengthy irons – Transfer it simply barely ahead of heart, not as far up as fairway woods and driver
- Overswinging the lengthy irons – Give attention to a full flip and weight shift as a substitute of attempting to power the shot with an enormous swing.
- Stance too extensive on quick irons – Slender up so that you don’t sway and might compress the ball simply.
- Flipping via influence on quick irons – Give attention to the hold-off end utilizing your chest and hips extra.
Last takeaway
Use these fast ideas and drills to clean the transition between your lengthy irons and quick irons. Lengthy irons should not about good accuracy, only a stable strike to an enormous goal. Brief irons are the place precision and tight dispersion come into play.
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