Since I dropped my 3-iron for a hybrid the 4-iron is the longest iron in my bag. Never really liked it before, but after being somewhat enlightend in Destin we are gradually becoming great friends. Last Sunday our friendship was cemented.
I hit a negotiable 3W on the reachable par 5 10th (pic). Left me a bit too much. Had 227 yards left to the stick. A line of full grown trees were between be and the green. As the trees are rather high and only some 20-25 yards from the green I did not feel confident getting over them with my trusty hybrid. Well struck it would run out.
Would the 4-iron get there? Normally said no. 227 is a BIG 4-iron for most people - including self. Figured I'd need a high ball with a carry of 212 or so to reach the foregreen & let the ball roll in. A ditch behind the green leaves no options for a run out. There was a slight downwind. Still. GET REAL. This is definetely layup time.
Or was it?
I felt SO good over that ball. The 4-iron felt SO good in my hand. Took a few practice swings focusing on hitting down, out and forward while maintaning my flying wedges and tracing the plane line. The aiming point. Need to get my hands there. I felt I could rotate pretty good & went for it.
Struck it & felt a huge transfer of momentum into the ball. Felt as if the impact took all power from the swing & I did not even to do a full finish.
As the ball took flight I could not believe it. Up there? Never hit such a flat out towering 4-iron in my life. It just sailed away, cleared the tree barrier and a small sound behind the trees in the distance made me swear it hit the flag.
As I got there I was 15 feet past the flag with a very makeable eagle putt.
Only got the birdie, but that 4-iron was just amazing.
Due to some tribulations my buddy who was keeping score did not really manage to follow what was happening. Our paths split after our teeshots. As we walked to the next tee he asked:
- Par?
I replied:
- Birdie. I just hit the best 4-iron of my entire life.
Took a few practice swings focusing on hitting down, out and forward while maintaning my flying wedges and tracing the plane line. The aiming point. Need to get my hands there. I felt I could rotate pretty good & went for it.
Great stuff, Metallion. And as usual, I love your illustrations.
BTW, for the newbies among us, you've been given a peek into the mind of the seasoned TGMer:
-- Down, Out and Forward Impact
-- Flying Wedges
-- Plane Line Tracing
-- Aiming Point
-- Impact Hand Location
-- Rotation
Not exactly your garden-variety Swing Thoughts! And all of this as part of a disciplined Address Routine during which, quoting Homer Kelley:
Awesome shot, however i'm a little perplexed. You said,
Quote:
As the trees are rather high and only some 20-25 yards from the green I did not feel confident getting over them with my trusty hybrid. Well struck it would run out.
Hybrids are meant to launch high with enough spin to hold greens. That's what they are made for. So how do you end up hitting your 4 iron higher?!
Are you using a Sonartec MD hybrid or an Iron-like hybrid? If so i understand, otherwise it shouldn't have been an issue.
Awesome shot none the less !
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I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Ok. Should have mentioned it's a 17-degree hybrid and I tend to draw it - , so its waaay longer than the 4-iron.
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When James Durham recorded 94 at the Old Course at St Andrews in 1767, he set a course record that lasted 86 years. Golf: A curious sport whose object is to put a very small ball in a very small hole with implements ill desiged for the purpose - Sir Winston Churchill
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