Many high handicap golfers have trouble hitting long iron shots. They have seen Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, etc on TV hitting high towering long iron shots using a three or four iron. But when they try to do the same, they can't because they can't create the power and the spin necessary to get the ball up in the air.
If you have a three or four iron in your hand which you are using off the tee or off the fairway, expect the thing to go low. So don't try and hit it high!
Most golfers over a mid-teen handicap probably should not have a three and four iron in their bag. You should use fairway woods which are much easier clubs to hit, with a lower centre of gravity. High handicap golfers should not be using long irons if they are still struggling with long iron shots.
Having said that, a long iron such as 2 iron is sometimes needed to hit shots long and low when a higher-numbered wood won't do the job as effectively. Although many golfers tend to avoid 2 irons because they have a 3 or 4 wood that will cover roughly the same distance, there are situations when encountering long holes or second-shot hazards where this will be the club of choice for an experienced player.
To hit long iron shots effectively under such circumstances, the following steps should be considered:
1) 2 iron could cover a distance of between 180 and 200 yards, making it a club primarily used for a second shot on extremely long holes i.e. mostly par 5s. Make sure you practice with it on the driving range to gauge the distance and accuracy within your capability.
2) Set up properly. Unlike when hitting a driver, you should address the ball in the middle of your stance. This will guarantee a solid strike that hits the ball low heading towards the green. If you position the ball just inside your left heel, the ball would be lifted.
3) You want to attack the ball with the club head coming from inside the target line. A shallow arc also allows you to sweep the ball with your long irons as opposed to the steep swing you use with the shorter irons to hit down and through the ball.
4) Hit the 2 iron in the same manner you would any iron by using a descending, even stroke that takes advantage of the iron's angle to carry the ball for the required distance.
5) Finish the swing with a long follow-through. Do not make the mistake of topping your swing after you make contact. Remember Tiger Wood's follow through is as long as his backswing. By doing this, his swing is fluid and stays the same every time.
6) Keep the ball low to get out of trouble while covering nearly the same distance as a 3 wood or 4 wood. This is very useful when hitting long iron shots from areas where tree branches could be present between you and the green.
