Ball position is the key to hitting these clubs flush.
A golf writer once asked me to pick the best full shot I ever hit, and I didn’t have to think twice. It was the 2-iron on the last hole at the 1983 British Open. I faced a 213-yard second shot into the wind on the longest par 4 at Royal Birkdale. I needed a par and had a 10-minute wait that seemed like an hour. But I hit it flush—a little draw into a left-to-right wind—and it hung right at the hole. I knew I’d won my fifth British Open, a wonderful feeling. Two putts left me a stroke ahead of Hale Irwin and Andy Bean. All I was thinking on that 2-iron shot was smooth rhythm. And it worked.
I’ve always tried to sweep my long irons (like Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson did) rather than take much of a divot. To do that you must position the ball slightly forward of center in your stance. Then the swing arc must be shallow, not steep.
Practice this sweeping swing without a ball. Hit the turf just forward of the center of your stance. Do it enough times to become consistent. Remember: sweep, don’t dig.
Long irons are the hardest clubs to hit. If you don’t swing at least 95 mph, replace your long irons with a hybrid club or two. I use a 2-hybrid rather than a 2 iron now. Next will be a 3-hybrid.
More Tips From Tom:
Your go-to trouble club — A safe carry over trouble for most players is a 5-iron. Especially if the lie is poor, go with your safety club.
Be realistic on long par 4s — Play long par 4s like par 5s. They’re three-shot holes for average golfers—and they’re stroke holes on the card, so a one-putt par is like a birdie.
Be realistic on long par 4s. Play long par 4s like par 5s. They’re three-shot holes for average golfers—and they’re stroke holes on the card, so a one-putt par is like a birdie.
Ball Forward — If you’re using a long iron, address the ball so it’s a little closer to your front foot than to your back foot.
