Iron Golf Swing – How To Master Your Iron Play

Iron Golf Swing – How To Master Your Iron Play

Article by John Lynch







The Masters at Augusta National puts a huge necessity on the iron game more than any other major golf tournament. Here’s how to build an iron golf swing by copying what the pros do at Augusta!

The lightening fast greens and mind bending slopes of Augusta National put so much emphasis on quality iron golf shots that even the most seasoned pros can get rattled (see Greg Norman). The most demanding aspect about August National is the absence of flat lies, with it’s sloping landscape and bikini waxed greens, you will encounter one of the most challenging tests of iron play on the planet!

To help you master your iron golf swing and thus improve your enjoyment of this great game of golf, let us go through some of Augusta National’s toughest iron shots and explain how to execute them properly. If you already strike your iron shots perfectly every time, then use these tips on solid iron play as a course guide while you watch the Masters on TV. But if you’re like the widespread majority of golfers, you probably battle with many of the risky shots the pros see at the Masters. If this is you, read on…

With the right kind of practice along with a good fundamental understanding of what constitutes a solid iron game, you CAN build a great iron game just like the pros!

Draw On #16 The 16th hole at Augusta is often the deciding factor on who will win the Masters. Perhaps the most dramatic moment ever on the 16th hole at Augusta is of Jack Nicklaus hitting a pure iron shot he nearly holed out on his way to his sixth Masters victory in 1986. What makes Nicklaus’ accomplishment on the 16th hole so incredible was the Sunday pin placement. Because the hole was placed in the back left corner of the green, this called for Nicklaus to shape his iron shot from right to left, a draw was never one of Nicklaus’ strong suits. However, like all the great golfers of the past, Nicklaus knew how to execute a draw when he really needed to. It’s also interesting to note while Nicklaus came through with birdies on 16 in ’75 and ’86 on his way to victory, others who struggled to hit a draw (see David Duval) lost their chance to win The Masters on this hole. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Mastering the Draw: Since the vast majority of amateur golfers fight a slice, the idea of hitting a draw seems daunting at best. However, there are really only two simple factors that must be present to produce a right-to-left ballflight: the golf club must attack from a slightly inside-out path and the club face must be free to rotate on plane through impact. A good way to visualize this path is to imagine the club hitting the ball on the inside quadrant closest to the golfer. This visual will help the club stay behind your body longer during the downswing, allowing the correct path into impact.

Another good way to visualize the proper path is to imagine the club staying behind the hands while approaching impact. This prevents you from starting the downswing with your shoulders and arms during the downswing and keeps the club swinging on the proper plane. One last thing to remember is it’s much easier to draw the ball off the tee than it is off the ground. Be like Jack Nicklaus’ and always put the ball on a tee whenever possible, even on the par-3s.



About the Author

John Lynch is owner of No. 1 Golf Book Reviews and has published thousands of quality golf articles. To read more on how to build an Iron Golf Swing, John recommends you visit===> IronGolfSwing.com

How to Play Golf Like Tiger Woods?

How to Play Golf Like Tiger Woods?

By John Lynch

Do you wanna shave 10 strokes off your golf scores immediately?

Then read on…

Did ya watch Tiger Woods during the U.S Open at Torrey Pines this year?

Did ya see how he meticulously planned each golf shot…he is a pure golf warrior!

Tiger Woods is the best golfer on the planet mainly because he fully understands his strengths…and weaknesses…yes, even Tiger has weaknesses.

You might think to play golf like Tiger Woods means to bomb every drive…

Or go for the miracle golf shot. This is hardly the case….

Read on…

When Tiger has the lead in the final round of a golf tournament he usually plays conservative; like hitting fairway wood off the tee…this takes the big number out of the equation…he lets his opponents beat themselves as they aggressively chase him.

Tiger’s knee hurt badly during all 4 rounds of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines this past weekend. A weakness in his game not to be denied or ignored.  Because of his knee injury Tiger knew what he was capable of, and what he wasn’t capable of…

Tiger played within his limits!

When Tiger was in the rough on a par 5, he laid up. He didn’t go for the green in two and risk shooting himself out of the golf tournament.

Tiger Woods learned early in life under the tutelage of his father Earl on how to survey the golf course AND his opponents with uncanny precision. Tiger does this through the fine art of course management…

And mental toughness!

What is the fine art of course management you say? It all starts with knowing your limits. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and knowing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses…and of course know the golf course you are playing on…this is your battlefield!

Tiger Woods knows his limits and plays within them. So many high handicap golfers try for the “miracle shot” when they are in trouble…This usually ends up costing them at least 10 strokes or more a round (depending on their level).

Think about it, attempting to hit the miracle golf shot you can execute correctly one in ten times is a recipe for disaster…this makes for great drama…remember Tin Cup? How bout Jean Van de Velde when he choked in the ’99 British Open? They both went for the miracle golf shot.

The truth is going for the miracle shot when everything is on the line may make for great T.V. drama; however this attitude will absolutely crush your golf scores!

Do you hit driver on a 300 yard par 4 even though you can only drive the ball 250? The 50 yard pitch shot is one of the hardest shots in golf…

Even for Tiger Woods!

Rather than reaching for the big stick, leave yourself 100 yards for your second shot. For most good golfers 100 yards is a full pitching wedge which they can hit in their sleep.

Play golf like Tiger Woods as he systematically wore down a game competitor in Rocco Mediate during the 18 hole playoff in this year’s U.S. Open …think and plan ahead…know your strengths…and your weaknesses!

The fact of the matter is, if you plan on leaving the golf ball at your “sweet spot” distance from the hole, you will dramatically improve your chances of hitting more greens in regulation…

And more greens in regulation leads to more circles on your score card…which means more pars and birdies!

For some this sweet spot distance from the pin is 100 yards, some 120 yards, learn what your sweet spot distance is and practice that shot over and over at the range until you can hit that shot in your sleep.

Play golf like Tiger Woods sizing up his next major win!

Hit ’em Long and Straight!

John Lynch

John Lynch is owner of No. 1 Golf Book Reviews and has published hundreds of golf articles. To read more golf articles like this and get instant access to FREE Golf Tips Reports, John recommends you visit: http://no1golfbookreviews.blogspot.com/