Long irons are becoming increasingly difficult to find in most amateur golfers’ bags. Hybrids, 7-woods and higher pitched woods have made the game easier for many players.
But let’s not pretend the 5-iron is gone. And, for many golfers, the 4-iron is still in the bag.
The problem with long irons isn’t always swing speed. Sometimes, it’s faith.
Standing on a 4-iron is not the same as standing on a 9-iron. With a 9-iron, you have loft, height and some room for error. With a 4-iron, everything feels a little more exposed. The club is longer, the face has less loft, and the putt usually matters because you’re farther from the hole.
Amateurs start to second guess and, as it turns out, even the best players in the world have to manage doubt and commitment with a long iron in the bag. Ludvig Åberg recently took a good look at how he handles that process with longer irons.
Thought to copy
Åberg talked about splitting his shot into two parts.
Before entering, he makes the decision. He thinks about the club, the yardage, the swing, the target, the wind, and where the ball might be lost.
Once he’s in, that part is over. Now it’s time to execute.
This sounds simple, but it matters more with a long iron than almost any club in the bag.
Most golfers stand over a 4- or 5-iron still negotiating with themselves. They think about how hard to swing, if they have the right club, if they have the correct target and more. It’s a lot to deal with and the long irons punish the “half-in” golf swing.
Build in miss
Another part of Åberg’s approach that golfers should copy is how he thinks about the miss.
He’s not just picking the perfect shot. He’s picking a shot where, if it doesn’t come out exactly, the ball still ends up in a playable position.
For most amateur players, a 4-iron is not a club that requires a pin. It’s a club that should help you advance the ball, find a safe portion of the green, or leave yourself another manageable shot.
If the pin is stuck back left and problems remain, the goal probably shouldn’t be to hit the perfect long iron at the flag. The smartest play is often the middle of the green or even the side where the miss leaves you with an easy chip or long putt.
How to practice it
The next time you practice long irons, for every ball you hit, choose three things:
- The aim
- Shot form
- Acceptable lady
For example: in the middle of the green, it fades easily, the short right is good.
Then go in and hit him. You can do this in the driving range; it doesn’t have to be in the course, but make some notes about your progress. Notice the difference in shots when you stop thinking so much and learn to hit the ball with determination.
Long irons are not easy clubs to hit, but the point is to stop making them more difficult by staying over the ball and letting the tension and suspense build.
Final thought
Åberg’s advice is very amateur-friendly. If you find this works with your long irons, there’s no reason not to try it in other areas.
