Sounds like me when I started playing. Now oftentimes, I am the opposite but it's nice when they both work as you need them both for a good round.

I really gotta say, the single best drill in my opinion to learn to hit your irons well is to set up two alignment sticks in a channel slightly larger than the width of your club, put the ball in the middle and hit that ball. Point the channel slightly to the right of target to practice a draw, but the face of your club pointing to the target and go from there. Try to not hit the sticks. start wider if you must or start by taking smaller swings and slowly increase. Go slower than you think on your backswing.

It will work if you do it enough. You can even use some almost golf balls at home if you can't hit real ones at home, but practice a little every day.

Best of luck!

Without a bit more info regarding your iron problem, it's very difficult to even guess at a diagnosis or cure. Being around your age myself, I don't think it has much to do with your age. I typically hit both my irons and woods fairly well. Much better than I did 20 years ago. So I'm betting it's not your age that is holding you back. Surely swing speed may affect your distance as you age, but if it's purely consistency of strike you are referring to, I'd say speak with a PGA teaching professional who will likely be able to diagnose your problem straight away. A few tips may be all you need to get things sorted out. There are hundreds/thousands of ballstriking drills, but finding the ones that will address and help with YOUR issue, whatever it may be, would require that you first identify the reason for that inconsistency. (The "why.") Fixing it will be much easier that way. My 2 cents.

Practice works best for me - but I've usually been able to figure out what's not working in my swing. If you have never hit your irons solidly - or can't figure out your swing yourself - a local PGA teaching pro is a good idea.

I think Doug made a couple good observations in his response, regarding why you can't seem to hit your irons solid. He's right;you can't correct inconsistency until you get to what's causing the problem in the first place,and a PGA pro is the person to seek out to remedy that situation, and get you back on track.

Also, speaking in general terms and not seeing your particular golf swing, most golfers hit woods slightly after the bottom of the swing arch, just at the start of the upswing. Good iron players make contact just BEFORE the bottom of the swing arch, or at the very bottom of the down swing.If I were to guess,and it's only a guess, I'd bet your not making any adjustments in stance or ball placement when switching to an iron, and are striking your irons slightly on the upswing.

Just a thought.......

It's very difficult to give advise without more info but those who have attempted to help have all offered sound ideas and suggestions. Some great people and sharp minds can be found here.

Was having the same issue. Turned 73 in September and turned to my local teaching pro at the muni where I play. He helped me out a lot. My alignment, ball placement and tempo was not very good. See a teaching pro, please.

Seems I have the same problem

maybe be more mindful of your club grip's distance from your body as you take the club back

Heard Johnny Miller say one time with his irons all he tries to do is he pictures his left shoulder returning right to where started at address while hitting the ball. I’ve tried it and seemed to help if that makes any sense. If you watch the pros their shoulders are square at impact while everything below is clearing and opening up.