Iron in the Fire

By T.J Tomasi

Universal Press Syndicate

In my view, the long irons (1, 2, 3, 4) are not for the average golfer. Unless you're an expert, they're hard to hit off the ground because they don't have much loft and the ball must be contacted perfectly to get it airborne.

Just the look of long irons can be intimidating with their small heads, straight faces and long shafts, especially if you're playing the ball as it lies and it's sitting down a little bit. Unless you make solid contact and generate enough clubhead speed, there won't be much of a difference between your long irons in terms of the distance your ball goes. So you may be carrying three 4-irons in your bag marked 2, 3 and 4.

Unless you're a single-digit player or you're very strong, replace your long irons with the 3, 4 and 5 rescue clubs.

Long-iron particulars

For those who can handle them, the long irons can be a good addition to your bag. Since they hit the ball low and long, they're great in the wind when you need to keep the ball down.

If you know the technique and have the talent, you can really maneuver the long irons, bending them around the doglegs and curving them into pins that are tucked to the sides of the green. And if you're really strong, there's no reason you can't hit them high and soft when you have to ― just like Tiger.

Your long-iron swing is much like your driver swing in that it is a sweeping motion, but because they're shorter than your driver, your swing is a bit more upright. Still, you won't take a divot; your goal is to pick the ball off the ground.

The swing

Play the ball perpendicular from where a logo would be printed on your shirt. Start with your weight evenly distributed and make a wide backswing, avoiding the urge to pick the club up without turning your back to the target.

As you start down by shifting your weight to your front hip, take care to keep your head from sliding toward the target. The long irons can put some demons in your head, the most common of which is the fear of hitting the ground before the ball. The "fat" long iron is a feeling you won't forget, so to shallow-out your swing, keep your weigh shifting and your head behind the ball.

As with your driver, about 80 percent of your weight will be in your front hip at impact, and at the finish it will be completely on your target side with high hands and the club over your target shoulder, an indication that you fully released your trail side.