Should I Hit A 3 Iron Off The Tee & How To Hit It Properly

Should I Hit A 3 Iron Off The Tee & How To Hit It Properly

I was always the Greg Norman type of golfer, where I preferred the aggressive approach to the game. As the years have passed, I have become conservative and limit the use of my driver and fairway woods. In this post, I answer should I hit a 3 iron off the tee.

I will explain my approach to the shot and coach you on how to hit it properly. In addition, I highlight the biggest mistakes amateurs make when striking an iron from the tee.

Intro To Hitting Irons Off The Tee In Your Personal Experience

Complete Overview Of Why People Hit Irons Off The Tee & The Benefits

I opt for an iron off the tee to improve my accuracy. If I execute the shot poorly, the miss is not as catastrophic as with a driver. That still leaves me with a chance of being able to recover for my second shot and get up and down for a par.

Unfortunately, the reduced distance from an iron means it is not suitable for par 5’s or super long par 4’s.

What Are The Main Reasons For Hitting Irons Off The Tee

More Accuracy

The core reason I use an iron off most holes is that they produce increased accuracy. As I mentioned, it does not punish you as badly for your mishits.

That is because an iron produces less clubhead and ball speed than a driver or fairway wood. Plus, irons with perimeter weighting restrict sidespin. This combination leads to less distance and keeps you in a position where you still have a shot at making a score.

However, I have enjoyed great fortune since switching to irons off the tee. In my last round, I hit 11 out of 14-fairways, only missing on three par 5’s where I bombed a driver. I will take those results any day.

James Robinson found that a 4-iron enabled him to hit the fairway consistently over a driver. However, it did not impact his score for the hole, as his solid putting game put him in contention with both balls.

More Consistency

As you get used to the weight and length of your 3-iron, it becomes easier to deliver a consistent swing path and tempo. That enables you to produce straighter shots with improved dispersion rates.

More Confidence

Confidence, or the lack thereof with a driver, is why I opt for a long iron off the tee. I know that my bad misses with an iron are far better than with the big stick. Therefore, I am more confident that I can recover and make a score should I get the swing wrong off the tee.

Shorter Shaft Length

A challenge amateurs have with fairway woods and drivers is the length of their shaft. The increased length requires a different ball position in your stance compared to your shorter shafted irons.

Besides setup, the shorter irons are easier to swing than a driver, as it requires less of an arc and is easier to keep your club on plane. As a result, it propels you to strike the ball with a square face and deliver a straighter shot.

Par 3’s Or Better Layup Distances

The average golfer should have an iron into most par 3 greens. The loft and spin produced by your irons enable you to stop the ball quickly. In addition, irons are ideal on doglegs or holes with hazards. They allow you to lay up to the precise distance and put yourself in a promising position for your next shot.

Narrow Fairways

My home golf course is short, so I can bang a 3-iron on most par 5’s and have a 5-iron into the green. However, the fairways are lined with trees, leaving no room for error. Using a long iron instead of a driver or fairway wood reduce the risk of a hook or slice and keep in play.

Trouble Left Or Right

Since your irons do not fly as long as your woods, misses are not as bad. If hazards come into play, you can swing the shorter shafted irons, strike the ball cleanly, and send it straight down the fairway.

The error is still be bearable. Even on mishits, you stand a higher chance of avoiding trouble.

Slicing The Driver

Like many amateurs, I have a tendency to let loose when the big stick is in hand. I lose my mind and try to swing like Kyle Berkshire. The result is a nasty slice out of bounds or into some trouble that I cannot recover from.

I know I cannot hit an iron extremely long, so I swing easier and enjoy increased accuracy.

Inconsistent With 3 Wood

If your driver is erratic, you may consider your 3-wood. However, the confusing setup for 3-wood tee shots versus off the deck leads to inconsistency among amateurs. The next choice is a 5-wood, hybrid, or long iron.

I opt for the long iron because it delivers superior consistency.

How To Hit Irons Off The Tee Step By Step

Step 1 – Level Setup

The first order of business is to find a level area between or behind the tee markers. You want to be standing level during your swing for optimal stability and encourage a straighter shot.

Step 2 – Tee The Ball Down

Next, follow the instructions of the Golf Magazine video, and tee your golf ball down. You do not want it teed up as that will cause you to catch the ball high in the face and balloon your shot.

Step 3 – Ball Position

Since your golf ball is teed up, you need to effectively sweep it off the tee. That is different from shots off the deck where you catch the ball at the low point of your swing and compress it for optimal distance.

Position the ball slightly forward of where it would be for a strike off the fairway. However, do not place it excessively forward because your shaft is shorter than a driver or fairway wood.

Step 4 – Easy Swing

Commence your standard swing. Do not overthink it or try to smash the ball. Swing easy and get your clubface square through impact for a straight golf shot.

Irons Vs Driver Off The Tee – Distance, Accuracy, Consistency

The driver is the longest club between the two. There is no question about that. However, irons offer superior accuracy and consistency compared to your driver.

Irons Vs 3 Wood Off The Tee – Distance, Accuracy, Consistency

Overall, irons are more accurate and deliver increased consistency over a 3-wood. The low lofted fairway wood is a difficult club for amateurs to strike off the tee. That is because of the change in ball position from a fairway and tee shot. However, the 3-wood produces increased yardage.

3 Iron Vs Driving Iron Off The Tee– Distance, Accuracy, Consistency

The club that produces the most distance depends on its loft. If your driving and 3-iron are 19-degrees, they should produce a similar distance. The only difference is that a driving irons typically carries added weight in the head for increased MOI.

Therefore, the driving iron tends to produce increased accuracy and consistency from the tee.

FAQ

Do irons go further off the tee?

No, irons do not go as far as a driver or fairway wood off the tee, as seen in this video by James Robinson.

Do pro golfers use a tee on par 3?

Yes, Pro golfers use a tee on a par 3. It prevents any blades of grass from coming between your grooves and the ball, prompting a pure strike.

Should you tee up on par 3?

Yes, you should use a tee on a par 3. It is an advantage to use a tee, and you should take that opportunity with open arms. Teeing the ball up encourages a clean strike of the ball by removing the impact of grass blades.

Why are my tee shots so low?

Mark Crossfield explains that a strong grip leads to a closed face at take away, sending the club on an in to out path. Amateurs struggle to get the face square through impact and strike the ball with a closed face angle. Resulting in a low launch.

In addition, a low launch can be caused by a lack of coefficient of restitution, which reduces ball speed and spin. It may not fly high, but you may enjoy added run to give you a couple of extra yards..

How To Hit A Wood Off The Tee

You tee the ball up higher than you would with an iron for a wood shot. Golf Magazine suggests 1.5-inches from the ground. Position the ball in line with your front heel and open your stance. Take the clubhead back and produce and swing through to sweep the ball off the tee.

How To Hit A Wood Off The Ground

Hitting a wood off the deck follows the same procedure as off the tee, minus the ball position. Unlike a tee shot, you need to strike the ball at the low point of your swing. That means you need to place the ball slightly back in your stance.

Instead of sweeping the ball off the tee, your clubface compresses the ball at the bottom of your swing. Sending the ball on its way.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to hit a 3 iron off the tee, what are your thoughts? Do you still intend to play aggressively and never hold back? Or do you see a new future for yourself, playing it safe and leaking fewer shots?

A 3-iron is an excellent way to reduce the bad misses and give yourself the best shot at staying in play on the tightest holes on the course.