Leading Top Edge

Full credit to Michael Breed of the Golf Channel for this tip.  The pros regularly hit nine-irons 150 yards.  That is like 20% farther than you and I do.  One way they achieve this is by “de-lofting” the club a little at impact.  This is done by pinching the ball into the turf a little — it’s not really hitting the ball as the club is descending, but almost.  It does kind of feel that way.

Breed’s suggestion is to imagine that the top edge of your iron leads the clubhead into the ball.  This also keeps your hands slightly ahead of the shaft at impact and adds backspin.  Works for full wedge shots, also.

Of course another reason they hit it so far is clubhead speed.  Driver head speeds of 120 mph are pretty normal.