The long, cranked-up swing you might use to produce monster drives can cause problems on approach shots. The shorter shafts of mid- and short irons weren't designed to be swung like a driver. The result is a lack of accuracy, which can be frustrating after a huge drive down the middle. Standard advice tells us to ease up on the shorter clubs, but some folks don't have one easy-swinging bone in their body. If that's you, here's an alternative: Don't swing easier, swing shorter.
Making a three-quarter swing with your mid- and short irons (6-iron and down) allows you to take a healthy rip at the ball while employing a more compact, controlled motion. Much of the difference between this and a regular swing occurs in the set-up: Instead of having your weight evenly distributed, favor your front foot and set your hands slightly ahead of the ball. Then make a full turn, with the right shoulder under the chin at the top of the backswing, but don't fully cock the wrists.
Instead of shifting most of your weight to the back foot, as you would on a normal swing, try to stay centered over the ball at the top. The club will probably be a foot or so short of horizontal, although it might feel like it's pointing straight up to the sky. Coming down, lean toward the target and pull the clubhead down into the hitting area. Work on pushing the palm of the left hand toward the target through impact to prevent the clubface from snapping shut. If you keep the clubface square, you'll hit a low, boring shot, and you can swing with as much force as you want.
