Golf - Are long irons a problem?
Unless you happen to be a single digit handicap golfer, long irons may be more difficult to hit consistently than other clubs. In order to hit them consistently, you must be able to hit the sweet spot nearly every time. Of course, if you can do that, you probably are already a single digit handicapper, right? But what about the average golfer? By the way, everyone has a different opinion on what is an average golfer. Just for the sake of discussion, let's say the average golfer shoots in the 90's. If this is the case, what does this average golfer shoot on a par 3 course? I'm guessing an average of 4-5 on every hole. If that is the case, you might do better to work on the short game more than the long irons.

OK, OK, OK, you still want to know more about long irons anyway. It could be that your clubs do not fit you properly. Try to attend demo days and see if a different brand of club works better for you, or maybe a different shaft flex, or different design, blade or offset styles, muscle-back or cavity-back.

It could be that your problem is in your mind. Try to focus only on the leading edge of the iron without worrying about the amount of loft on the clubface. Hit down on the ball with the leading edge and see what happens. Convince yourself that if you can just strike the ball at the equator with the leading edge (with a downward blow), the ball will spin up the clubface no matter what the loft is.

If none of this works, try the new styles of utility woods, which are designed to take the place of long irons. They have a head design that is a hybrid between an iron and a wood, and some people say they are easier to hit than long irons.

To explore this any further, an instructor would need to know more specifics about the nature of the problem, is it consistently fat or thin shots, extra hooking or slicing, or general wildness? Depending on the answer, a swing change may be in order. (see www.geocities.com/golfwithjoey)