Can't hit anything lower than a 6 iron.....
 

Does anyone else have this problem with hitting?

I was puring 7 and 8 irons all day at the range and my 6 iron is pretty solid too. I mean I was just nailing everything I hit. Taking great divots and hitting very long, straight, pure shots.

However, as soon as I get a 5 iron, 4 iron, or wood in my hands I simply cannot keep it together.

I continually lose the ball right. Sometimes high, sometimes low. But almost ALWAYS right.

Any reasons for this?

I would LOVE to have success with long irons and woods with hitting because I know that power and consistency is there. The few solid drives that I have had have been stupid long with great trajectory.

I just can't repeat it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Learn Lean
 

check out the amount of shaft lean you desire at impact fix. You want lean, not uber-lean on the less lofted sticks. Lee Trevino did not have the best success with long irons for this reason, and probably was the best wedge player...EVER! Also do not forget that a modern day 5 iron is more like a 3 iron for old school players. I mention equipment because shaft flex and club head design can certainly impact trajectory. Too much lean also has the tendency to get the club face aiming right. Hitting ala paddle wheel tends to angled hinging. I like to think of Trevino for short irons (in terms of lean) and Nicklaus for the longer less lofted clubs. you can calibrate these factors at fix...you do not have to leave it to chance or whimsy!

Check ball position. It is quite likely that it have moved too far back in your stance. The shorter irons have enough 'hook face' to let you get away with it, but the longer clubs don't.

I have had the same problem as you but it has affected my 6 iron also. The interesting thing is that I can strike my 3,4, and 5 more solidly than my 6. However the 3,4,and 5 are hybrid clubs which I know are easier to hit. I maybe be going to a 6 hybrid if I can't get it straightened out.
My typical 6 iron shot using a hitting motion is a lower trajectory (like a 3 or 4 iron) which tends to hook left and short.

If the ball is starting right it's because the face is looking over there. If your path is right of the face the ball will curve left. So if you want the ball to curve to the left adjust the path or adjust the face . . . or both. Be sure your weight isn't hanging back on your right side or that you're not getting too much axis tilt too early. If you want to cut it close the face put the ball up in your stance closer to low point. Depends on the shape you want. Are you hitting a push that keeps going right or a slice?

I had the same exact problem this week end with my 5 iron and thought it would be good to bring this discussion back.

Pured my 6 irons really well, but could not hit with the 5 iron. I was nearly sh***ing. I then decided to close the face and play the ball nearer my left foot and that seems to have solved my problem.

Greyguy mentioned clubhead design... Could it be that more offset in the 5 iron would help without the need to adjust ball position and face angle???