Iron problems

[iwannabeapro]

Hey everyone, this is my first post. I'm new around here.

To cut a long story short, I've been playing golf for almost 3 years now. I have always been a hacker but I AM DETERMINED to turn myself into a good standard player (like sub 15 handicap) in the next 3 years.

At the moment, I am not too bad with my driver and my around the green play/putting is decent. However, I really struggle to hit my irons. This means I'm usually getting 7s, 8s and 9s because it takes me many shots to get to the green. I cannot hit my ground wood off the floor either.

What I try I do is shut the face of the iron and kind of punch the ball through. Sometimes this works but I get very poor distance (8 iron goes about 100 yards) because it isn't really a swing. What should I do? I've tried lessons and nobody has helped me. I need someone to tell me the next step forward for me right now.
Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated because it is ruining the game I love so much.
Thanks

 

[virtuocity]

When was your last lesson and what were you told to do? Did you practice what your pro told you to do?

 

[iwannabeapro]

It was in the last year. He basically tried to teach me the fundamentals of the swing but I kept topping and missing the ball.
I stuck with for a fair amount of time but I never saw any improvement and I felt that the elaborate swing that I was being taught was not helping me to connect with the ball. So that is what made me do this short punchy back swing with a closed face - to reduce the amount of mis hits I make by making less room for error. Problem is I can't go forward with it and I can't see having more lessons is going to help me

 

[SammmeBee]

Problem is I can't go forward with it and I can't see having more lessons is going to help me

Probably be easier to give up then really.....just go get some lessons and practice!

 

[Stuey01]

With respect, your problem is that you aren't swinging properly by your own admission. So how is learning to swing properly from a pro anything other than the right way forward?

 

[Alex1975]

Oh I do like the word DETERMINED!!

You cannot do what you want to do (punch the ball along) you have to learn what the pro is showing you. Its not going to be comfortable but your going to have to commit to it. If you love the game and are determined you cannot do as you please you have to do as your told.

I play hundreds if not thousands of golf shots a week, I wrote the book on determined but if I stand there and wack the ball how I want or how my body wants I will teach my body that is ok and that is what it will always do. However if I see my pro, take in what he says, work on it over and over.... and over, check it, check it again, it will then start slowly to become natural.

You need to COMMIT!!! make a commitment to be the best golfer you can be, not to do what ever you can to cheat your swing and somehow get the ball to the hole.


Welcome to the forum and I look forward to seeing how things go for you!

PS where are you at? Maybe someone can recommend a good pro, like everything, you need the pro that works best with you and who you trust.

 

[woody69]

It was in the last year. He basically tried to teach me the fundamentals of the swing but I kept topping and missing the ball.
I stuck with for a fair amount of time but I never saw any improvement and I felt that the elaborate swing that I was being taught was not helping me to connect with the ball. So that is what made me do this short punchy back swing with a closed face - to reduce the amount of mis hits I make by making less room for error. Problem is I can't go forward with it and I can't see having more lessons is going to help me

If you're struggling with the fundamentals of the swing to hit the ball then I think lessons are really the only thing that is going to help you. Can you swing and hit with any of your irons, say a PW, or 9 iron?

 

[iwannabeapro]

Thanks for your responses.
I can, as it happens, hit my closer irons ok but after the 8 iron i cant really hit at all. On reflection, I can see where you are coming from I need some help. Unfortunately, I cannot afford lessons at this point in my life due to financial difficulties. I have done a quick search on the golf swing on YouTube and there are plenty of videos - do you think I could improve my game through YouTube if I followed their advice?
Thanks

 

[drutz]

It might not be a swing issue as a timing issue. I used to thrash as quick as I could not really connect well and seemingly topped the ball. When I slowed my swing down, I admit my pro told me to do this, I get better connection and distance with all my clubs. It might be worth doing this first.

 

[G1BB0]

you can try, I like Shawn Clements & have started using his stuff on the range this week with great results, especially having completely lost my swing recently.

http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCTS8dCWNqH46BYN_BpC5pew/u

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome along. Simple answer is lessons. You aren't swinging properly and won't progress unless you can get the fundamentals right. You say you've tried lessons and they don't work. Why not. Sometimes a pupil and teacher just don't gel and what he tells you doesn't stick.

If I was in your shoes I'd find another PGA pro and book some lessons. Ask around as word of mouth is a good recommendation. If you don't understand what you are being told or why you are making the change - ask

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

You need professional help from a pro, if your previous one didn't suit try and find someone who is a better fit for you. Where a outs in the country are you as I am sure someone on here will be able to point you towards a decent pro.

 

[Chrisb83]

I'm new ish to golf and struggle to pay for lessons so have built my swing up from watching YouTube videos. Personally in would start off with the videos a guy call Pete sykes has done which is about the most basic explanation of a golf swing you can find on there. The Shaun clement ones are good as well but slightly longer and more in depth than what you maybe need at the moment.

 

[Stuey01]

Try Mark Crossfield on YouTube, he's very good. You can get his app and send him video as well, if you're lucky he'll do a video analysis of your swing on his channel.

 

[One Planer]

Viewing things on Youtube is all well and good if you have a good understanding of the golf swing.

Otherwise, you run the risk of working on the wrong thing and making your swing worse.

Spend a few quid and see your pro. Chances are he will spot the issue straight away.

 

[Slicer30]

I think everyone has been in your position, I know for sure that I was doing something similar when I was trying to break 100.

Dont give up on the fundamentals though, they really are as important as everyone says. Once I started getting the fundamentals in place then alot of the more complex parts seemed easier.

Stick at it, the first time you catch one with the proper swing you will be hooked.

 

[sydney greenstreet]

Video your swing and post it on here, there may be a few on here able to help !

 

[Tommo21]

This is not a wind up by any chance...................

 

[Moquillo19]

This is not a wind up by any chance...................

Might be Rory !?!?

I'd say the only hope is a lesson or two. Sounds like some professional help is needed.

 

[JustOne]

First things first.....


learn the IMPACT position....