Improving

Hi All,

I'm a new member to here and love the site. I have played golf for about the last 10 years (interminently and badly i might add) I have recently had some lessons and been out for a few rounds. I am now really happy with my irons but cannot hit a wood off the tee. The last couple of rounds I have been using a 5 iron to tee off and have really enjoyed myself, I have hit practically every fairway. I posted my last 3 cards and got a handicap of 25.7 which i was delighted with as previously I was getting around 25-30 points playing off 28.

My point is that how much can you improve without using your woods? I know down the line I will have to get this side of my game sorted and I will do, but at the moment I am really enjoying being on the fairway rather than in the trees!

Does anyone here have a low handicap just using irons?

Adrian, i got down to about 18 before hitting a wall, when you think about it most par 5's are reachable with 3 well struck irons and possible a short iron and nearly all par 4's are reachable with 2 well struck 5 irons so there is no reason i see that you cannot get down to 20 without using any woods, however and most on this site will agree that if you truly want to progress in this game you should try to learn how to hit a wide variety of shots with all your clubs.

I used to really struggle with my woods however lots of hard work and dedication have finally payed off and now i would say its only really my short game that is letting me down, something i am very aware off and am now putting in the work on that.

What ever stage you are at the most important thing to remember is to enjoy whatever you are doing weather that is practice or playing.

I've managed to get down to a handicap of 16 without the use of woods or a driver, this has only been possible due to my solid short game. I often choose to use a 5 or 6 iron off the tee to lay up and allow me a gentle 6 or 7 iron second shot into the green as i find i can do this more consistently than hitting a driver off the tee and having a chance to hit the green in two still!

I cant hit a 6 iron off the fairway to save my life. How do you do it?

Dave CAC handed Geordie.

I used to struggle to hit irons consistently off the fairway until i decided to try gripping further down on the club. Although this will lose me some distance, im a fairly long hitter of a golf ball anyway so losing a few yards is no real problem. The control of the club that gripping further down gives me allows me to play consistent iron shots, with all my irons, that have enabled me to cut my handicap significantly in the past few months!

Could always try a driving iron off the tee?
As easy to hit as any other iron, yet gives extra yards!