Course Program

Stop Missing Greens With Long Irons

Eliminate hooks, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes at Zimbali Country Club

Driving RangeAll teesProgram HCP 357 drills59% match to course practice profile

Program Snapshot

Handicap range

25 to 45

Average HCP

35

Duration (single session)

3 hr 37 min

or

1 drill/day: 7 days · 31 min/day

Ideal tee

All

Skill Distribution

Precision33%
Mechanics19%
Aim16%
Trajectory15%
Alignment8%
Scoring5%
Dispersion4%

Overview

Program Structure

Stop Missing Greens With Long Irons. Eliminate hooks and stop missing greens. Focus on Precision, Mechanics, Aim. For a 35-handicap player, in ~30 minutes.

Club

Long irons (4,3,2)

What you will improve

  • Precision
  • Mechanics
  • Aim
  • Trajectory

Program details

Sessions
7 focused drills
Recommended
2–3 sessions / week
Total duration
3 hr 37 min
or
1 drill per day
7 days · 31 min/day

Drill Framework

Program breakdown

Each drill is designed to prepare you for the course. Follow the program or repeat the drills to improve key areas of your game.

01

Long irons (4,3,2) | GIRs Simulation

Driving Range

Simulate X number of GIR (Green in Regulations) using long irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls. Count total number of greens hit.

31 minFocus: Driving Range
Diagram for Long irons (4,3,2) | GIRs Simulation
1

Choose a flag to aim at using a 4, 3, or 2 iron.

2

Mark a circle around the flag with radius 5% of the distance to the flag.

3

Split 36 shots into 3 groups of

4

Use one iron for all shots in each group.

5

Hit shots, trying to land inside the circle.

6

Count shots that land inside the circle.

7

Add up successful shots from

6

Enter the successful shots in the app, out of 36 attempts.

Scoring benchmarks

Repetitions36
Handicap+9+5+151219273654
Score302825211612853
02

Long irons (4,3,2) | Around the Stick

Driving Range

Curve the ball around the alignment stick using using long irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

31 minFocus: Driving Range
Diagram for Long irons (4,3,2) | Around the Stick
1

Choose a flag or target to aim at using a long iron (2, 3, or 4 iron).

2

Put an alignment stick on the ground in front of the target.

3

Place a cone on each side of the flag, each cone 5% of the total distance to the flag.

4

Hit 36 shots: 18 curve left-to-right around the stick, 18 curve right-to-left.

5

Divide shots into 3 groups of 12 shots: first 12 curve left-to-right past the left cone, next 12 curve right-to-left past the right cone, final 12 alternate between both directions.

6

Set up the ball the same for all shots.

7

A shot is successful if it passes outside the correct cone and lands within 3 yards of the flag.

8

Add up the number of successful shots and enter your total out of 36 attempts.

Scoring benchmarks

Repetitions36
Handicap+9+5+151219273654
Score282623191410742
03

Long irons (4,3,2) | Straight Shot

Driving Range

Produce straight shots using long irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

31 minFocus: Driving Range
Diagram for Long irons (4,3,2) | Straight Shot
1

Pick one far flag or target suitable for long irons (2, 3, and 4 irons).

2

Get 36 balls to hit with your long irons (2, 3, and 4 irons).

3

Use a different long iron for each shot, switching clubs throughout the exercise.

4

Try to hit each ball straight at the target, not left or right.

5

Stand the same way for every shot.

6

Count how many balls went straight to the target, with no big curve or miss.

7

Write down how many straight shots out of 36 you made, and enter score in the app.

Scoring benchmarks

Repetitions36
Handicap+9+5+151219273654
Score302826221713963
04

Long irons (4,3,2) | Takeaway

Driving Range

Work only on takeaway using long irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

31 minFocus: Driving Range
Diagram for Long irons (4,3,2) | Takeaway
1

Put 36 balls in one group where you hit from.

2

Pick one target suitable for long irons (4, 3, 2) and keep your stance the same for every shot.

3

Use the 4-iron for the first 12 balls, focusing on takeaway and aiming at the target.

4

Use the 3-iron for the next 12 balls, keeping the same focus and aiming at the same target.

5

Use the 2-iron for the last 12 balls, maintaining the same focus and target.

6

Count the shots where the ball goes where you want with the right ball flight.

7

Add up your successful shots out of 36 and enter your score in the app.

Scoring benchmarks

Repetitions36
Handicap+9+5+151219273654
Score302825201512964
05

Long irons (4,3,2) | Backswing

Driving Range

Work only on backswing using long irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

31 minFocus: Driving Range
Diagram for Long irons (4,3,2) | Backswing
1

Pick a target on the range for long irons about 150 to 200 yards away.

2

Prepare 36 balls. Keep ball placement and setup the same each time.

3

Use long irons only (4, 3, or 2-iron), switching between clubs throughout the 36 shots.

4

Aim all shots at the same target with a smooth backswing, focusing on at most two backswing thoughts to produce the desired ball flight.

5

After each shot, check if the ball flies smoothly and goes toward the target.

6

Count a shot as a success if it matches your backswing and ball flight goals.

7

When finished, count how many successful shots you made out of 36 and enter your score in the app.

Scoring benchmarks

Repetitions36
Handicap+9+5+151219273654
Score312926221713964
06

Long irons (4,3,2) | Downswing

Driving Range

Work only on downswing using long irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

31 minFocus: Driving Range
Diagram for Long irons (4,3,2) | Downswing
1

Pick a clear target or flag on the driving range suitable for long irons (4, 3, or 2 iron).

2

Hit 36 shots total, all aimed at the same target.

3

Use only long irons (4, 3, or 2 iron) and switch clubs between shots.

4

Focus on your downswing, working on at most two downswing thoughts or tasks to produce the desired ball flight.

5

Count how many shots hit the target area and enter your score in the app, out of 36 attempts.

Scoring benchmarks

Repetitions36
Handicap+9+5+151219273654
Score302825201612964
07

Long irons (4,3,2) | Low/Mid/High Shot

Driving Range

Produce low/mid/high shots using long irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

31 minFocus: Driving Range
Diagram for Long irons (4,3,2) | Low/Mid/High Shot
1

Pick one target suitable for long irons (4, 3, or 2 iron).

2

Divide 36 balls into 3 groups of

3

Hit 12 low shots aimed at the same target.

4

Hit 12 mid-height shots aimed at the same target.

5

Hit 12 high shots aimed at the same target.

6

Keep ball setup the same, only change swing to vary shot height.

7

Count how many balls land close to the target.

8

After 36 shots, count successes and enter score in the app, out of 36 attempts.

Scoring benchmarks

Repetitions36
Handicap+9+5+151219273654
Score302825201612964

Next Step

Ready to start this program?

Start the drills at your own pace or work with a coach to inside drills.golf.