Time to see an instructor.
Over several years the one thing I've learned is golf is a backwards sport. If you're not familiar with and fully knowledgeable of the golf swing, what you think is the fix will only make it worse.

Shorter clubs force you to stay down through the ball a little more. Everyone has a different line in the sand when we start to struggle with this. Seek help online or your local pro, you certainly shouldn't seek advice on a forum where the average handicap is probably 10-15 at best. Sorry, just the facts here!

Can you bump that average out to 13 to 17 so I can fit in?

The higher irons 8-Sw have more loft so you feel more comfortable hitting down into the ball vs helping it up. The 4-6 iron being less lofted, you feel as it you need to help the ball up. What I see most people doing is swinging harder, and falling back trying to help the ball up. Weight mainly on your back foot. That usually causes the shot you mentioned. Most golfers shouldn't have lower then a 5 iron in their bag. They should have a 4 hybrid or 7/9 wood. Try keeping your weight more on your trail side on the down swing. Make sure you aren't coming too far inside on the take away. Try to stay on plane and be more vertical than wrapping around. Last make sure your grip pressure is light. Good luck!