Long par 3s over water/sand, what to do?

[Jaytee]

Long par 3s over water and sand frustrate me to no end as Im not a long hitter. I can carry it 180 to 190 yards with a 3 or 4 iron but because there isnt much loft on my 3 or 4, it usually just rolls off the back.

For example, I was at St. Andrews Valley last week, playing the whites at the sixth hole (179), hit my 4 iron over the gravel to the front of the green only to have it roll to the very back of the green against the fringe.

Only thing I could think of is to try to crush a higher lofted iron, but this is more likely to result in me screwing up my swing and missing the green entirely or coming up short and ending up in the water/sand.

I was also thinking of switching to a very high spin ball to try hold the green but I dont think that will make a big difference.

Any ideas of anything I can do in these situations or should I just hope to make par and move on?

[Albatross]

play the long iron more towards your front foot, and maybe tee it up a little higher to launch it a little higher

[Jaytee]

Hmmm...interesting. I will tinker around with that at the range to see if that gives me more loft.

[MannyR]

Why wouldn't you hit a higher loft hybrid...like a 23 or 25*

You'll get a higher trajectory than your 3 iron and better chance of it staying on green.

[forgedblade]

Replace your 3 and 4 iron with hybrids. They are easier to hit and elevate the ball much more.

[Albatross]

those are also excellent ideas if the preliminary tinkering doesn't work, if it doesn't than i would look into grabbing a hybrid, i personally love hitting 2 and 3 irons

[owenmxz600]

Replace your 3 and 4 iron with hybrids. They are easier to hit and elevate the ball much more.

Maybe easier to hit for some... I know myself and a few more people that can't them to save our lives!

[Big Shooter]

Maybe easier to hit for some... I know myself and a few more people that can't them to save our lives!

I don't see why you can't hit them....(pride/ego!?):$
....YES, there is an adjustment you need to make, after that, you'll see that Hybrids are THE REAL DEAL!! ;)

[owenmxz600]

I don't see why you can't hit them....(pride/ego!?):$
....YES, there is an adjustment you need to make, after that, you'll see that Hybrids are THE REAL DEAL!! ;)


All i can say is DUCK HOOK..... i throw a 2 or 3 iron in hand... and nice tight draw.... Wish I could hit them... I have spent close to 400 bucks on them.........one hasn't stayed in my bag longer then a week

[el tigre]

For an even higher trajectory than hybrids to stick the greens, you could also try a 7-wood or 9-wood.

[Jaytee]

I have 4 hybrid in my bag but I find it doesnt have much more loft then my 4 iron. So I usually hit my 4 iron because Im more comfortable with it off a tee.

Hmmm...Ive never hit a 5 or 7 wood, now Im curious what kind of ball flight I would get with one. Im going to see if any of my lefty friends can lend me one.

[Flog]

For an even higher trajectory than hybrids to stick the greens, you could also try a 7-wood or 9-wood.

That's exactly what I was thinking, ET. 179 yards is a nice, smooth 5-wood for me. Great height from the f-woods and almost always stay on the green if I can get it there.

[hoganapexplus]

I have an old 7 wood that I recently put back in the bag for just that kind of shot. Gives it a nice high trajectory and lots on spin.