Sam Torrance offers game-changer advice to amateurs struggling with iron consistency

For many amateur golfers, a solid iron shot can make all the difference in a round.

It is not uncommon to see someone hit a decent drive, only to follow it up with a mishit iron or make things worse on a par three. This often turns what could have been a promising hole into something much less.

Torrance, speaking on James Robinson’s Golf channel, says it comes down to staying in control and not trying to force shots.

He pointed out that technology and maintaining a smooth swing can be game-changers.

“These (hybrids) certainly help, no question.

“That was a lovely height. It’s simple to get it up in the air. With the swing, a lot of amateurs try to hit too little of a club. They’ll smash say a nine iron when really it’s all about control. Especially with short irons.

“Get a distance that you hit wedge and just hit it that distance,” he added. “If you’ve got 120 yards, then don’t force it – hit the 9-iron.”

Tom Watson’s advice for older golfers looking to improve

Tom Watson, another legend of the game, also has plenty of thoughts on how to keep your swing in shape as you get older.

The American, now 76, has seen it all in golf and has shared a few ideas over the years on how to stay sharp. His advice aligns well with what Torrance had to say.

“When I’m asked about senior golf, there are a few things I talk about before we even get to the swing. The first thing is your equipment. This is your friend, a hybrid is your friend, all the way from four to eight hybrid, get something that has a big sole to it so if you hit a bit behind it, it’s going to go right through and you’ll get the elevation you need. The problem in senior golf is we don’t get the ball elevated enough,” Watson began by saying.

“The second thing is the golf ball. Don’t play with a pro golf ball or something like that. You can’t compress it anyway, so make sure that that hard ball will just jump off the club face and go further in distance.

“I talk to seniors about grip and set up and mainly the grip has to be light. It has to be light as you want to get your hands active in the golf swing. You can’t turn your body very much but you have to keep your hands as active as possible. 80% of your speed comes from your hands and arms and in senior golf more like 100% as your body doesn’t help you so much.

“So, the thing I like to do, light grip pressure, in the stance, narrow it and pull the right foot back, that helps for more turn and so you can a little behind it with your left shoulder. The key is to get as far back as you can and with light grip pressure, you can just come in and hit it.”

Taking cues from both Torrance and Watson could be just what many older players need if they are hoping their best days on course are not behind them.