By Paul Myers
As you move down the set from the 5 iron to the 6 iron, you start to get into what could be called ‘scoring clubs’. These are the clubs that you might be excited to hit into the green because you can potentially set up an opportunity for birdie. While you aren’t going to hit your 6 or 7 iron close to the hole all day long, you can expect to hit some quality shots that leave you with some makeable putts. Distance control once you get into the scoring clubs is especially important because you need to hit the ball exactly the right distance if you want to leave a short putt for your next shot.
What Can You Expect?
For a golfer who is able to generate a swing speed of 90 MPH with the driver, a 6 iron shot under normal conditions should travel around 147 yards. Your exact distance will depend on your ball flight and the quality of contact you make with the ball, so be sure to hit enough shots during practice with your 6 iron so you can become comfortable with knowing your own personal average distance. This number may change over time as you improve your swing, so pay attention to any adjustments that need to be made to your distance calculations.
Also a Layup Option
When you hit a good drive down the fairway of a par five, you are often met with a choice – go for the green in two shots, or layup and play to the green with your third? This is a decision that has to be made on a case-by-case basis, based on a number of factors and variables. However, when you do choose to layup, the 6 iron could be the right club for the job. Of course it depends on the situation, but sometimes if you use any more than a 6 iron, you may be leaving the ball too close to the hole – and setting up an awkward third shot. If you are good at short pitches that won’t matter as much…but play to your strengths. When you know how far you will hit your 6 iron, you can do some simple math and decide if it is the right club for your layup.
Start to Be Able to Spin the Ball
For many amateur golfers, it can be quite difficult to hit a 5 iron (or longer) with enough spin to stop the ball quickly. That can start to change when you get to the 6 iron and shorter. You might find that you are able to generate a good amount of spin on the ball when you hit a 6 iron, meaning you can be more aggressive when aiming at the target because the ball won’t roll out as far after landing. Once you master the art of getting your 6 iron to stop quickly, and you know how far you hit it, the number of birdie opportunities you enjoy should quickly increase.
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