Lost yardage with my Irons

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By Michael B

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  • 13 Replies
  1. Michael B

    Michael B
    Berryville, AR

    This last year I have noticed that I'm losing yardage with my irons i'm not really sure why. I used to hit my irons really long and now I can only hit my 7 iron 150 yards. Anyone have any ideas or drill that I can do to over come this problem.
  2. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    MB, you did not say how old you are but I noticed the same thing when I turned 50. Sadly as we age we lose speed and thus yardage. It is part of the aging process. One idea is to move up a tee box to make the game more enjoyable. If it is not an age thing then you may need to get a PGA club pro to watch your swing. He or she will be able to answer your question.
  3. Michael B

    Michael B
    Berryville, AR

    Carl, Sorry I'm 49 years old The way it sounds I need to work out a little more and try to get some flexibility back. Thanks
  4. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Also, since you posted in the winter---though I don't know where you have been playing---I'm guessing that temps may be a bit cooler than your typical in-season round. Expect a 10 yard drop in distance when the temps are below 55 or so. Just something to consider, if you haven't already. Particularly at sea-level. Again, I have no idea if you are playing in cooler temps, or at sea level, so I am only offering this reply based on my speculating that this might be the case. Just a thought.

  5. Blake B

    Blake B
    Harbor Springs, MI

    Doug E said:

    Also, since you posted in the winter---though I don't know where you have been playing---I'm guessing that temps may be a bit cooler than your typical in-season round. Expect a 10 yard drop in distance when the temps are below 55 or so. Just something to consider, if you haven't already. Particularly at sea-level. Again, I have no idea if you are playing in cooler temps, or at sea level, so I am only offering this reply based on my speculating that this might be the case. Just a thought.

    I'm a pretty big believer in this. When I made the switch to my new AP2's I have noticed I actually lost about 5-7 yards per club. Given that I live in Michigan and do not really have the opportunity to play frequently over the winter unless I travel or find a simulator. We have thus far had one day over 55 this year, so I am attributing the distance loss to the temperatures at the moment. 

    Now, I do have a different shaft setup to allow for a higher ball flight, which can also take down some of the distance if there are any other external factors (wind, rain, etc.,) but generally with the AP2's I should be hitting the ball further, if not the same. 

  6. NCBob

    NCBob
    Hampstead, NC

    The best drill I know of is on the range, practice swing at slow motion, practice swing at normal speed, practice swing as fast as you possibly can.  Now hit a shot at what you think is normal speed.  Do this drill about five times than hit the course.  Your swing speed will be up and you should hit it a little bit farther. 

  7. Edward K

    Edward K
    Wesley Chapel, FL

    Military
    Michael, There are ALOT of things that can lower your clubhead speed. There are many subtle alterations we make over time that we don't even realize. I get irritated when I go to my teacher hitting my 8-iron 150, and after hitting 4-5 balls I'm banging it 165-170. And I'll be 50 this October. Find a VETERAN teacher, it's worth it, believe me.
  8. Sam S

    Sam S
    Granger, IN

    Hey Michael,

    I agree with Carl.  It could be age related.  Loosing flexibility and thus width in the swing is a huge power loss.  Another possibility is that you have over time become more of an armsy swinger, perhaps even coming over the top (starting down with the upper body).  I would try to get a full turn going back, with your weight mostly on the inside of your right leg and, if you are physically capable, try to turn your left shoulder under your chin at the top of the backswing.  From there, try to feel as if your lower body starts and leads the swing from the top.  The faster the legs and body turn, the more clubhead speed, and thus distance.  Of course, this is just my advice; it's impossible to fix your swing without being able to see it.  I just thought I'd share because the same thing happened to me last year, as I gradually lost distance throughout the season.  As Carl said, though, there's always the club pros that can evaluate your swing and find a cure.

    Hope this helps,

    Sam

  9. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    A pro may find something mechanical. I wasn't noticing at the end of rounds I wasn't following through all the way in my hips. It was costing me 10-20 yards on mid-irons and leaking into a fade to not complete a full turn. No question especially past 50 and if you have a relatively sedentary job, you need stretching and strengthening to delay the decay into your later years.
  10. Michael B

    Michael B
    Berryville, AR

    Thanks Everyone for the advise. I still Hit my driver a long way, as you stated Don I may not be using a full swing with my irons. Now I have a few things that I can try. Thanks.
  11. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Michael B said:

    This last year I have noticed that I'm losing yardage with my irons i'm not really sure why. I used to hit my irons really long and now I can only hit my 7 iron 150 yards. Anyone have any ideas or drill that I can do to over come this problem.
    I am 68 and 7 iron is my 150 club. If I could hit my 7 iron 150 consistently, I would be very happy. Am a nine handicapper, picker and do not hit my irons very far to begin with. I do not worry about it and play from the senior tees and have fun. The only time it really affects my game is when I play tournaments and I have to move back to the next set of tees. I just swing at about 80% and hit another clubs.
  12. Gotta hit down on the ball. Make sure you have width throughout the golf swing. 

  13. I agree with Padraic. Hitting down on the ball to get compression made the difference for me. I also noticed this moved my weight slightly forward towards the ball...more on the balls of my feet on the downswing.

    I was notorious for an over-the-top swing, but within a season I started getting my mojo back some, even though I am 61. At least getting closer to distances I used to hit. Although it may not work for you, my pro also closed my clubface and shoulders a bit to compensate for the over the top swing and get the inside club path. Beautiful, straight flights now.
  14. JS

    JS

    I'm a young 61 year old male with a 15 handicap who's returning to golf after a 5-6 years absence. I used to play of 10 and was averagely long. Now I'm at least 2 clubs shorter than before and my driver,on a good drive, only goes 180 yards......12 year old juveniles hit it further. HELP

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