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in golf what is 3 iron for

by Henri Boehm Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The 3 iron is for ultimate control from the tee or fairway for better golfers. The 3 wood is the best alternative to a driver from the tee and from perfect lies on the fairway. The 3 hybrid is the perfect substitute for the 3 iron for golfers who struggle to hit the strong iron.

You really need a good amount of speed to get the ball in the air and get any sort of respectable distance. The only time you might see a 3 iron on the course is if it's a driving iron. A 3/4 iron are the most common types of driving irons, but they're mostly played by lower handicap golfers.

Full Answer

What is a 5 iron used for in golf?

The 5-iron can be used many times on a golf round for par three holes, and approach shots on both par 4 and 5’s. The 5-iron is also one of the longer irons that is possible to hit from the rough or the semi-rough.

Do professional golfers have a 3-iron in their set?

Far from every professional golfer have a 3-iron in their set. That being said the 3-iron definitely has its merit on the longer than usual par threes. If you’re not very good friends with the drivers, the 3-iron is also a better alternative than the 2-iron. Now we’re moving into the iron numbers that are more common.

What is the best alternative to a 3 iron?

The 3 wood is the best alternative to a driver from the tee and from perfect lies on the fairway. The 3 hybrid is the perfect substitute for the 3 iron for golfers who struggle to hit the strong iron.

What is the difference between a 3 iron and a 3 hybrid?

The 3 hybrid is the perfect substitute for the 3 iron for golfers who struggle to hit the strong iron. One important difference between these three clubs is how far they go. The 3 wood obviously should go the furthest with the other two being quite similar and a little less yardage.

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When should you use a 3 iron?

The 3 iron is for ultimate control from the tee or fairway for better golfers. The 3 wood is the best alternative to a driver from the tee and from perfect lies on the fairway. The 3 hybrid is the perfect substitute for the 3 iron for golfers who struggle to hit the strong iron.

What is a 3 iron used for in golf?

Generally speaking, a 3-wood is used for a shot in the range of 210 yards, while a 3-iron is used for a shot in the range of 180 yards. A 5-wood is used for a shot of about 180 yards, while a 5-iron is used for a shot of about 160 yards.

What club does a 3 iron replace?

hybridTypically, a 3-iron is replaced by a 19 degree hybrid or a 5-wood, a 4-iron is replaced by a 22 degree hybrid or a 7-wood, a 5-iron is replaced by a 25 degree hybrid, and a 6-iron is replaced by a 28 degree hybrid.

Do golf pros use 3 iron?

Hell, only 20 percent of PGA Tour players carry a 3-iron that's not a utility iron. That number fades to almost nonexistent on the LPGA Tour.

Do I need a 3 iron or 4 iron?

Should You Carry A 3 Iron? For mid to high handicap golfers, having a 3 iron in the bag is not recommended. The low amount of loft and thin face makes a 3 iron hard to hit and is why you'd be better off playing a 4 hybrid. Just like with a 2 iron, most of the golfers you'll see on your local course won't have a 3 iron.

How far should you hit a 3 iron?

between 125 and 250 yardsThe 3 iron can typically hit the ball between 125 and 250 yards. It should go further than most irons and slightly less distance than fairway woods or drivers. The actual distance depends on the skill of the golfer and their ability level.

Should I carry 3 or 4 wedges?

Know your pitching wedge loft. If it's 45 degrees or less, add three more wedges that are spaced apart by no more than 4-5 degrees each. So generally think about putting in a gap wedge that's 48 or 50 degrees, a sand wedge that's between 54 and 56 degrees, and a lob wedge that's between 58 and 60 degrees.

Do I need a 3 and 5 wood?

Should You Get A 3 Or 5 Wood? The majority of golfers will hit more fairways and greens with a 5 wood compared to a 3 wood. A 5 wood has a slightly shorter shaft and more loft, and because of that, it makes it much easier to hit from the fairway.

Do you need 3 and 4 hybrid?

The lower handicappers have a better chance of hitting a more precise golf shot. Therefore, the lower handicappers should consider using a 3 hybrid as opposed to a 4 hybrid when they have the chance. The 3 hybrid will give golfers more distance and increase their overall ability to hit great shots.

Do you need a hybrid if you have a 3 iron?

A 3-iron requires a fair amount of swing speed to get the best results, which is why it is often preferred to a 3 hybrid by players with lower handicaps. However, a 3 hybrid could be exactly the club that some players need to plug a gap in their golf bag.

Does a 3 iron go as a far as a 3 hybrid?

The 3-Iron is Not Dead Yet Arccos players with zero to five handicaps still perform at a high level with their 3-irons, and even hit the ball slightly further with them than with their 3-hybrids. For example, scratch golfers (zero handicaps) average 198 yards with their 3-iron and 193 yards with their 3-hybrid.

Does a 3 hybrid replace a 3 iron?

Hybrid clubs are numbered and are generally designed to replace the iron with the same number – for example, a 3-hybrid would replace a 3-iron. However, a typical golfer will likely hit the ball a bit farther with a hybrid than with an iron of the same number.

What is the difference between a 3 iron and 4 iron?

A 4 iron is very similar to a 3 iron, it just has more loft in the club. This extra loft leads to a higher and shorter flight path with less roll out. The extra loft also adds more spin to the club and this allows for more workability and increased pin hunting ability for players of all ages.

Can you hit a 3 iron off the fairway?

0:222:27Billy Horschel demonstrates how to use a 3-iron to attack the courseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProbably maybe 10 12 yards 15 yards. Less but it's rolling. Out 20 30 maybe 40 yards depending onMoreProbably maybe 10 12 yards 15 yards. Less but it's rolling. Out 20 30 maybe 40 yards depending on how hard the fairway is or how firm the fairway.

What is the difference between a 3 iron and a 9 iron?

As far as I know, the only differences between a 9-iron and a 3-iron is that the shaft of the 9-iron is only a few inches shorter in length and that the 9-iron has about 44 degrees of loft and the 3-iron has about 22 degrees of loft.

Does a 3 hybrid replace a 3 iron?

Hybrid clubs are numbered and are generally designed to replace the iron with the same number – for example, a 3-hybrid would replace a 3-iron. However, a typical golfer will likely hit the ball a bit farther with a hybrid than with an iron of the same number.

Which is better, 3 iron or 3 hybrid?

The 3 hybrid will equally work well in graphite, whilst the 3 iron will be better in steel to help with feel.

Which iron has the advantage in trickier lies?

The 3 hybrid and 3 iron have the advantage in trickier lies.

What Should High Handicappers Be Carrying?

I think that high handicappers should be carrying a 3 wood and a couple of hybrids instead of long irons.

What is the difference between hybrid and standard golf clubs?

The main differences between the clubs will be in the length of the shaft, the size of the head and the angle of the club face. Hybrids are generally the easiest to hit but the other two clubs are going to suit a whole host of players better as well.

What is the best alternative to a driver from the tee and from perfect lies on the fairway?

The 3 wood is the best alternative to a driver from the tee and from perfect lies on the fairway.

What does 3 wood do?

When the driver isn’t working, the 3 wood can give you good distance and more control. It can also hit spectacular fairway shots to the green.

What is the strongest iron in a bag?

The 3 iron is often the strongest and longest iron in the bag.

Why don't golf sets come with a 3 iron?

With the emergence of utility woods the long irons have become less and less popular. The 3-iron suffers from the fact that it is still quite hard to hit well consistently, for the inexperienced golfer. That is also why a lot of golf sets don’t come with a 3-iron, it is something that you need to request specifically.

What Is In A Set Of Golf Irons?

Normally a set of irons will consist of 4-9 along with a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. Sometimes golfers will add in a 3-iron if they are skilled in hitting the longer irons. And sometimes a gap or lob wedge is added for the utility.

What wedges are used in golf?

Traditionally the only wedges you would find in a golf set was the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.

How many slots are there in a driver putter?

If you’re looking to carry a driver, a 3- and a 5-wood and (of course) a putter you will have 10 slots left for the irons and wedges. Then you can carry a set of irons from 3-9 along with a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a lob wedge. But if you’re looking to add a hybrid, a 7-wood or even a 2-iron, then the compromise will start.

Which is easier to hit, a short iron or a mid iron?

Mid irons are easier to hit than long irons. Then there are the high numbers, and those will be used for the shortest approach shots and some very short par threes. The short irons are the easiest to hit. Lastly there are a vast selection of wedges to choose from. These can be utilized for many shots around the green and in and around hazards.

What are the small numbers on a golf iron?

The small numbers are the long irons, and they will be used for tee shots or long approach shots. The middle numbers are obviously the mid irons, and they will be used on shorter par three holes and approach-shots that are not too long and require more accuracy. Mid irons are easier to hit than long irons. Then there are the high numbers, and those ...

What irons do you get if you don't buy a half set?

If you’re not buying a half set of irons, you will almost always get a 4-iron in the set.

How many yards is a 3-iron?

The yardage gap between irons is generally 10-15 yards. Your 3-iron, in other words, should produce shots that are 10-15 yards longer than your 4-iron. The specifics of this gap depend on the player, but the gap should be consistent from club to club.

Why are golf clubs called irons?

The golf clubs called irons are so-called because their clubheads are made of metal. Of course, "woods" are now also made of metal, but that's a relatively recent development. Irons have featured metal clubheads (steel, these days) for centuries. The clubheads of irons are thin from front to back, and the clubfaces are grooved to impart spin on ...

Why are irons called irons?

The golf clubs called irons are so-called because their clubheads are made of metal.

What is the difference between a blade and a muscleback iron?

The difference is that a blade-style features a full back on the rear ...

Why are short irons easier to hit than long irons?

Without getting too technical, the reason is that as loft increases and shaft length decreases, a club becomes easier to master. A shorter shaft makes a club easier to control in the swing (think of baseball where a batter will "choke up" on the bat—essentially, shorten the bat—when he's simply trying to make contact rather than swing for the fences). More loft helps get the ball airborne and adds a little more control to the shot.

How many clubs are in a golf club?

A typical, off-the-shelf set of irons will include a 3-iron through pitching wedge (advertised as "3-PW"), 8 clubs total. The clubs are identified by a number (3, 4, 5, etc.) on the sole of each club, except for the pitching wedge which will have a "PW" or "P." Other irons may be available for purchase separately, including a 2-iron and additional wedges ( gap wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge). None of the additional clubs are necessary for beginners, and especially not the 2-iron. 1-irons used to be available, too, but are now virtually extinct.

What are the different types of irons?

Irons are generally categorized as long irons, mid-irons , and short irons. Long irons are the 2-, 3- ,and 4-irons; mid-irons, the 5-, 6-, and 7-irons; short irons, the 8- and 9-irons and pitching wedge. (Two-irons are becoming obsolete and are exceedingly rare for recreational golfers. Because of this, some sources now count the 5-iron as one ...

3 Iron Vs 4 Iron – Which Club To Use And When

The 3 and 4 Iron are similar clubs, separated simply by loft in most cases.

4 Irons Overview

A 4 iron is very similar to a 3 iron, it just has more loft in the club.

3 Iron Overview & First Impressions

3 Irons have long slender heads and come in various styles from players irons, game improvement irons to distance irons.

4 Iron Overview & First Impressions

The 4 iron is an impressive mid to long range club with a slender compact head, aimed at precision and accuracy.

Who Are 3 Irons For?

Being honest, you wouldn’t be surprised to see a 3 iron in any golfers bag for it’s versatility and usefulness.

Our Favorite 3 Iron – Callaway Mavrik

Callaway are a mammoth when it comes to high performing golfing irons and the Mavrik is one of the more forgiving clubs they have made, available in a max forgiveness, normal and pro version to suit all players.

Our Favorite 4 Iron – The Taylormade Sim Max

If you are looking for a club set that has some of the very best technology and packs in forgiveness alongside distance and accuracy, the Taylormade Sim Max is a serious option.

What is an iron in golf?

Iron. Irons are golf clubs that are designed to send the ball on distances between that of fairway woods and hybrids and that of wedges. This category of clubs is usually the most represented in a golfer’s bag – oftentimes at 7 clubs and classically numbering from 3-iron all the way to 9-iron.

Which clubhead is the iron?

Irons either belong to one of two clubhead categories: the cavity back or the muscle back.

What does loft mean on an iron?

The loft (or angle of the clubface in relation to a vertical line) of irons climbs higher as does the number on the sole of the club. Or in other words, the loft will be lower on lower-numbered iron than on high-numbered irons.

What are golf clubs made of?

In the very beginning of the game, golf club shafts were made from hardwood. In modern club design however, the shafts of irons are predominantly made from steel, although a sizable segment now feature shafts made from graphite and both are readily offered by club manufacturers.

What is a cavitation back iron?

Cavity back irons usually feature larger heads that are made possible by the hollowing out of the back of the clubface.

What is the purpose of a golf ball on the green?

Their intended use is to hit the ball onto the green, from where it can be putted. As such, they are often used for the first stroke on par-3s, and on approach shots to the green from par-4s and par-5s.

Which shaft is better, graphite or steel?

It should be stated that graphite shafts are lighter than their steel counterparts but are also more flexible, generally speaking. Better golfers with faster swing speeds will tend to prefer steel shafts as they are thought to provide more feedback to the hands.

What is the benefit of a 3 and 4 iron?

There are some benefits of the 3 and 4 iron if you are able to generate enough swing speed and hit the ball on the center of the face. The ball flight with a well struck, with plenty of club head speed 3 or 4 iron is like magic.

What is the purpose of the long irons in golf?

The ball drives through the air, creates precision with the distances it carries and gives the golfer the ability to attack pins even from a further distance. When the golfer is swinging well, the long irons are another club in the hands where a golfer can score.

How to make golf easier?

Make sure you spend some time ensuring you have the right clubs for your game to help make the game even just a bit easier. Golf is hard enough with the right equipment, ensure you have the right equipment so the game doesn’t end up so difficult that you don’t want to play.

How many yards should a golfer have a club?

Ideally, the golfer will have a club for about every 10-15 yards ...

What is the difference between a 3 iron and a 4 iron?

The typical loft of a 3 iron is 19 degrees, while the 4 iron is closer to the 22 degrees. On average, the 3 iron will also be about a half of an inch longer in length. The lower loft and longer club will produce a further flying shot when compared to the 4 iron.

Do all irons have less loft?

One that thing has changed over the years is that all irons typically have less loft than in the early 2000s. Club manufactures have reduced the loft to help golfers believe they are hitting an 8 iron or similar club further.

Can you use 2 irons in utility style?

Now, you will mainly only find the 2 iron in the utility style long iron. This increase in options has been good for the typical amateur golfer as the shots are easier to hit and the scores can decrease from the ability to hit better onger shots.

Driving Iron vs 3 Iron: Which One Should I Carry

The driving iron was designed with the tee shot in mind, but can be used from a variety of lies. Overall, the driving iron is typically easier to hit and provides more forgiveness and ability to launch the ball higher. While the 3 iron is ideal if you are looking for accuracy and precision in carry distance.

Next Steps: Test Out Both Clubs

We believe that golfers should have a place to test out and experim;ent what club is best for their game. Whether you head to the local golf store to hit in a similar or have your own launch monitor, we highly recommend hitting 10-15 shots with both clubs and comparing data on the following:

Final Thoughts: Driving Iron vs 3 Iron

Test out and figure out what is best for your game. Have a variety of hybrids, driving irons, long irons, wedges and putters. Matchup what is best for your game at the time and don’t forget to have fun! Part of the fun for us is testing out different options and trying to put together the perfect combination for that upcoming round!

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:

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Set Composition

Loft, Length, and Distance

  • As you go through the set, from the 3-iron to the pitching wedge, each iron has a little more loft than the previous, and a little shorter shaft length than the previous, so each club (going from 3-iron to PW) hits the golf ball a little less distance than the previous. That is, a 5-iron has more loft, a shorter shaft, and produces shorter shots th...
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Long, Mid-, and Short Irons

  • Irons are generally categorized as long irons, mid-irons , and short irons. Long irons are the 2-, 3- ,and 4-irons; mid-irons, the 5-, 6-, and 7-irons; short irons, the 8- and 9-irons and pitching wedge. (Two-irons are becoming obsolete and are exceedingly rare for recreational golfers. Because of this, some sources now count the 5-iron as one of the long irons. We still classify it as a mid-iron…
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Distances

  • Learning your distances—how far you hit each club—is much more important than trying to hit each club to some predetermined "correct" yardage. There is no "right" distance for each club, there is only your distance. That said, a typical male recreational golfer might hit a 4-, 5-, or 6- iron from 150 yards, while a typical female might use a 3-wood, 5-wood, or 3-iron from that distance. …
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Hitting

  • Irons can be played from the teeing ground, using a golf tee, and it is often appropriate to do so. On a par-3 hole, for example, you will probably use an iron on your tee shot. Or you might use an iron off any (or even every) tee in order to have better control over the shot. But most of your iron shots will come from the fairway. Irons are designed with divots in mind. That's why they have a …
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