You hear all the time that most amateurs hit their irons short of the green because they don’t use enough club. Well, you know how far you hit your irons, so when you hit short of the green it isn’t because you picked the wrong club.

Yes, it is.

If you determined your distances at the range, you picked your best shots and threw out the clinkers. On the course, you get one chance. That means you play a little more conservatively because you have to hit a target, and that means you won’t hit the ball as far.

Let’s say you figured out at the range that you hit your 7-iron 150 yards, your 8-iron 140, and your 9-iron 130. The rule to always have enough club in your hands is: shift these distances down five yards.

Hit your 7-iron between 145 and 135, your 8-iron between 135 and 125, and your 9-iron between 125 and 115. Your 6-iron is now your 150-yard club.

That might look like you would be using too much club, but it will be just the right amount. You will swing more easily, not trying to force anything, and be just as accurate with the longer club as with the shorter.

And, the ball will get to the center of the green. If you mis-hit, which recreational golfers do more often than not, the ball will get to the front edge. Either way, you’ll be putting.

Johnny Miller, who made a living knocking down pins, almost literally, said he never hit his irons for distance. He got 150 yards out of his 7-iron and that was enough. He wanted to hit them straight, and in trying for more distance he would have to have sacrificed the accuracy he wanted.

Play two rounds like this, adjusting your iron distances down five yards and picking your club from there. I guarantee you will hit better shots and hit more greens.

If your ego needs stroking when you play golf, your partners will be impressed by how accurate you are. The only person who is impressed by how far you hit a particular club is you.

Back to Tips Index