Beginner Golf Swing Instruction – The Long Irons – You Have To Use Them, So Use Them Right!

Beginner golf swing instruction programs know student golfers who possess a working command of the long irons will have a tremendous advantage over their peers.

Many professional golfers see their long irons as the most important clubs in their arsenal. It seems professional golfers most frequently swing their one, two and three irons in tournament play.

Beginner golf swing instruction programs recognize that, because of their repeated use, to play well golfers must develop unwavering confidence in their long iron abilities.

Beginner golf swing instruction programs seek to build this confidence through knowledge!

In the book, “How to Master the Irons, an Illustrated Guide to Better Golf”, authors Gene Littler and Don Collett provide some beginner golf swing instruction – explaining the valuable role the long irons play in a winning golf game..

They write;

“Al Balding, one of the greatest professionals ever to come out of Canada and a truly fine iron player, regards the long irons as his “bread and butter” clubs.

“There’s something wrong with your swing if you can’t hit the long irons,” Balding once observed. “The way they stretch the holes out in tournament competition, it seems like we’re always pumping at them with two- or three-irons.”

Balding, of course, is not alone in his thoughts concerning the importance of the long irons in tournament play. Every topflight professional has spent many hours perfecting this phase of their game, which involves the one-, two-, and three-irons. It is a curious, but certainly not surprising, fact that almost every great player of the modern era excels with their long irons. They excel because they practice with them and have confidence in them.

Square Up To The Ball

THE ADDRESS

The stance for the long irons is a bit wider than for the medium irons and is slightly closed to the line of flight. In taking your stance, I suggest that you first set yourself up over the ball in a “square” position, that is, have your feet, hips, and shoulders on a parallel line toward the hole. Then, simply slip your right foot back an inch or so just before you begin the waggle. If you approach the ball with a closed stance, you will have a tendency to line up to the right of the target. It is best to always begin your swing preparations from the square stance.

During the address, your weight should be evenly distributed between both feet. The hands are slightly ahead of the ball, and the arms are in close to the body. Owing to the longer shaft, you will find the ball a bit farther away from you than when you are addressing the ball for a medium-iron shot.

THE BACKSWING

Swing the clubhead back along the ground for the first 10 or 12 inches, utilizing the body and shoulder to move you into the backswing. As the hands pass outside the right leg the arms and hands begin a gradual lifting and cocking action which brings the clubhead into a position where it is pointing toward the sky. At the top of the swing, the weight is almost entirely on the right side. The wrists are fully cocked and the full shoulder turn is complete. The left heel is allowed to come off the ground about an inch to free the hips and shoulders from any strain during the turn away from the ball.

THE DOWNSWING

As soon as the left side has initiated the downswing, the left heel is planted firmly on the ground (some professionals advocate making this a conscious effort in starting the downswing). Planting the left heel firmly and early ensures that you will be on the inside plane on the downswing. If the weight is forward on your toes, chances are the swing will be from the inside out.

Halfway down, the wrists are still fully cocked and the right elbow is tucked in against the right side. This is added insurance for an inside-out swing. At this point, the weight is definitely moving to the left side and the right side is beginning its drive into the shot.

At impact, the left side is out of the way, the left arm is still straight, and the head is behind the ball. At the finish the weight is on the outside of the left foot and toward the heel. Note the relaxed right side and how my hands and arms have swung to a high finish”.

Beginner golf swing instruction programs know a golfer possessing a working command over their long irons also possesses a huge advantage over their peers!

Try implementing Littler and Collett’s professional advice into your practice routine.

Check back soon for more beginner golf swing instruction articles and posts to help improve your golf swing and game!

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