Re; Driver & Long Irons

[Weazl]

Question: Why is that I can hit my average drive 200 - 250 yards, but as soon as I get to a long iron, I top the ball? If I could hit a second shot I would break 90 consistently as I am in the 92 - 98 range all year ( with some exceptions ). Any ideas on hitting long irons and fairway woods?

Help me!!!!

[Chieflongtee]

I am no golf pro but chances are you are trying to help the ball up instead of letting the club do it for you. Of course a picture is better than a thousand words but my advice to you besides taking a lesson or two or more if you so desire is you should try to hit down on the ball and let the club's loft do the lifting for you. The divot will follow after you have struck the ball and that is something that happens naturally when the ball is struck properly.
You are hitting the driver well because the ball is sitting on a tee and in that case the ball can be swept.

[Weazl]

Thanks for the helpful tip! Your right though I may not be hitting it properly, I never take a divot.

[Chieflongtee]

The divot's size will increase as you use shorter irons. The angle of attack gets steeper and steeper as the loft increases. That is why you'll see huge divots with sand wedges and up and small divots with long irons.

[Weazl]

Thanks, I tend to hit my 7 through wedge quite well, however from 6 to 3 iron I hit really poorly. I'll need to work on that to better my game. I shoot in the mid 90's now but feel it could be better if I could ever hit a decent 2nd shot.

[Chieflongtee]

Some people stay away from long irons and go with 5-7-9 wood instead. They claim these are easier to hit. To each his own I guess. You have to go with what works for you. See thread from Golfdoc entitled new irons.