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Top Positions Here's a little physics lesson: Longer irons have a bigger arc, hence more centripetal force and more speed at impact than do short irons. With the same swing, a long iron produces a faster clubhead speed. So, stop swinging that long iron harder in order to hit longer shots. Rather, keep your swing lengths the same and let physics do the majority of the work.
Plane Positions The iron you choose dictates your swing plane. Short irons are swung on steeper planes because they're shorter and upright, forcing you to stand closer to the ball. Long irons are swung on a flatter plane because they're longer and flatter, forcing you to stand farther from the ball. Remember to adjust your swing plane for the different lengths of clubs in your bag and focus on keeping your swing rhythm, balance and tempo the same for every shot. If you struggle with either long- or short-iron shots, it might be because you aren't allowing for the natural changes in plane that occur with different irons. Let yourself adjust and you'll quickly improve.
Finish Positions Finally, just as the setup, plane and top positions are different for different-length irons, so, too, is the finish. As you can see, the longer the club, the flatter the finish, and the shorter the club, the more upright the finish. The key is to remember that these subtle differences aren't the result of manipulation; rather they're a product of the different lengths of the clubs. This doesn't mean swing harder with your long irons and softer with your short ones. Simply maintain the same tempo and rhythm with each iron and allow the subtle differences in setup, plane and top positions to occur naturally. If you stick with these guidelines, you'll find yourself a lot more consistent with every iron in the bag.
•Derek Nannen, PGA, is the Director of Instruction at the Eagle Mountain Golf Academy in Scottsdale, Ariz. To book a golf lesson, check him out on www.golftipsmag.com/instructors._Ê
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