<font color=blue>"Guess my question is this: without seeing my swing what would be your best guess as to why I can hit irons well but not woods?"</font color=blue>
It almost sounds contrary to what I said earlier, but generally speaking, an average golfer has more confidence and success with hitting irons, rather than woods (metals these days!). The reason for this is because irons offer a smaller face that strikes the ball, which in turn minimizes the action (spin) that is put on the ball, thus providing a "straighter" shot. In addition, the shaft length of irons, even the 1's and 2's are a little bit shorter than the woods. As a result, the club has less of a chance (because it's not travelling as far) to get out of line, which would encourage either a slice or hook. All of this ends up giving the golfer the confidence that (s)he's hitting straighter shots. This is why you see a lot of recreational golfers hitting irons off the tees on par 4's and even par 5's.
In reality, the 1 and 2 irons are more difficult irons for the recreational golfer to hit because the face of the club is so much straighter (less loft) than the other irons. Usually, the golfer ends up hitting worm burners or hitting off the toe or heel of the club (shanking or chili dipping).
I'm guessing that in your case, when you had success hitting the 1 and 2 irons on the par 3 course, you weren't making your normal swing. You probably were taking a slightly easier swing than you normally would take with a wood. Also, you had had some success with using those clubs, so you were comfortable with them. That's half the battle with ANY club. For me, I hate my 3 wood, so I don't hit it often. I have more success with my 5 wood.
Regarding the stance, there are some slight differences between the woods and the 1 and 2 irons. Generally speaking, the driver is played off of the golfer's left heel or even the left toe. The 3 wood would be played just slightlyfurther back in the stance. The 1 and 2 irons would be played more toward the center of the stance, about halfway between the left and foot and the center of the stance.
Getting back to the statement that a person can have similar results by hitting 5 or 7 woods instead of 1 or 2 irons, the reason is because they have a greater loft than the 1 or 2 irons, and also the shafts are a little shorter. Anytime a person can hit a club that has greater loft, they will find it easier and have more success. Think about it. I bet you generally like the way you hit your 9, PW, or SW, don't you? It's because you're taking shorter, more controlled swings and hitting the ball a shorter distance.
I guess the real bottom line is that there are all kinds of techniques that can be taught and used, but what it finally gets down to is what works for the individual. There are some really starnge looking swings on the PGA tour, but if it works, so what? I had a friend that couldn't hit any iron to save his butt. So he had the 1 - 9 woods, a sand wedge and a putter. Heck, he could hit his 9 wood better than I was hitting a Sand Wedge! So do whatever works, and use whatever club you're comfortable with. If you want to get better, then go ahead and take some lessons. The Pro should teach you based on your basic techniques and adapt to those.
Hope this helped. let me know if confused you more than before you asked the question.
