5 ball-striking tricks to hit your lengthy irons pure, in accordance to a professional

Should you’re something like me, hitting lengthy irons is usually a wrestle. Positive, there are occasions once I catch one on the screws and ship the ball hovering towards the inexperienced, however that’s extra of the exception than the rule.

Hybrids and high-lofted fairway woods (shoutout my trusty 7-wood) are strong replacements for lengthy irons, however there’s simply one thing about flagging a 4-iron that feels proper. When you’ll be able to hit your lengthy irons with ease, it’s the mark of a real ball-striker.

Studying to hit your lengthy irons may be robust, so that you’d be clever to take heed to the professionals. Not too long ago, in a thread posted on X, PGA Tour professional Michael Kim posted his keys for hitting lengthy irons, and you may test them out under.

Kim’s long-iron ideas

Michael Kim won’t have the profession resume of Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy, however he’s nonetheless achieved lots. He received participant of the 12 months honors in 2013 whereas enjoying collegiately for Cal, and he additionally appeared on a victorious Walker Cup workforce. As soon as he received to the Tour, he received his first occasion in 2018 on the John Deere Basic. And though he’s not earned a victory since, he’s nonetheless one heck of a ball striker.

Over the past two seasons, Kim has twice ranked inside the highest 60 in SG: Method the Inexperienced — and in 2024, he did tons of harm with a protracted iron in his arms. From 200 to 225 yards, Kim ranked close to the highest of the PGA Tour in common proximity to the pin at simply inside 34 ft.

So, how does Kim get probably the most out of his lengthy irons? His finest ideas are listed under.

1. Keep broad and launch

“Swing-wise, it’s largely the identical stuff I’m engaged on with my driver,” he says. “Preserve it broad and deep, keep again on the transition and launch the membership totally. Personally, I’ve to concentrate on totally releasing it with my arms and arms as soon as it will get to 6- or 5-iron. The longer the membership the extra I’ve to make use of my arms and arms to launch it. You’ll be able to’t maintain on to it with the longer stuff.”

Longer golf equipment have longer shafts, so it’s essential you’re feeling the discharge extra in the course of the downswing. With a shorter iron you will get away with holding it off longer, however that’s not the case with lengthy irons.

2. Hit your inventory shot

“Except it’s blowing greater than 20 mph, I’m hitting my inventory shot which is a excessive 5-yard draw,” Kim says. “You don’t want to chop it in order that it lands softer, you will get all of the spin and top you want even with a draw with the right fitted membership. No butter cuts, no chip photographs, no further top, solely inventory photographs. It’s a tough sufficient shot by itself, no must make it much more difficult.”

Stick with your pure ball flight when hitting lengthy irons. Lengthy golf equipment are already laborious sufficient to hit, so don’t make issues more durable by making an attempt a shot you’re not totally comfy with.

3. Purpose for the middle of the inexperienced

“Pins are irrelevant for probably the most half when I’ve a 4 iron,” he says. “My purpose is to hit the inexperienced and that’s it. From 225, something on the inexperienced is constructive strokes gained. I would favor one aspect over the opposite if there’s one thing I completely need to miss like a water or a bunker that’s a tricky up and down. Each time I’ve an urge to do one thing extra with it, I bear in mind my coach telling me ‘It’s a freaking 4-iron. Simply hit the freaking inexperienced.’”

If the professionals are simply making an attempt to hit the inexperienced from lengthy distances when a protracted iron is of their arms, it’s tough. Don’t fear about making an attempt to stay it shut. Choose a goal that eliminates bother (the middle of the inexperienced often works) and concentrate on hitting it strong on that line. You aren’t going to make many birdies with a protracted iron in your arms, however you can also make loads of massive numbers if you happen to’re not cautious.

4. Go after it

“If I’m in-between golf equipment, I’m at all times taking the shorter membership and swinging more durable,” he says. “I personally generally tend to depart it out proper if I swing smooth as a result of I’m not almost releasing it sufficient. A lot simpler to launch it totally when swinging more durable at it. Additionally, if you happen to swing softer, it’s going to have much less spin and with the longer golf equipment, it could actually knuckle barely which may make [hitting it straight] a good more durable problem.”

Amateurs are infamous for leaving their strategy photographs brief, so taking an extended membership is often advisable, however Kim goes in the other way due to his tendencies. Regardless of which membership you choose, you bear in mind to stay aggressive together with your swing.

5. Use tech to your benefit

“Use expertise to your benefit,” he says. “I began utilizing a way more forgiving 4-iron beginning in 2013 and I’ve by no means regarded again since. It’s simply a lot extra forgiving with distance and accuracy. I feel 90% of ams needs to be utilizing hybrids or woods and the longest iron be a 6-iron. Woods are higher from the tough, simpler to stand up within the air and higher off mishits. I nonetheless use my lengthy irons as a result of I don’t have as a lot downside getting the ball up and my dispersion is barely higher.”

Hitting lengthy irons pure feels nice, however the consistency may be a difficulty. Should you can’t hit the ball as persistently as you need, don’t be afraid to make use of a hybrid or a wooden.