What is an iron in golf?
An iron is a type of club used in the sport of golf to propel the ball towards the hole. Irons typically have shorter shafts and smaller clubheads than woods, the head is made of solid iron or steel, and the head's primary feature is a large, flat, angled face, usually scored with grooves.
How many irons are in a set of golf clubs?
Irons are the most common type of club; a standard set of 14 golf clubs will usually contain between 7 and 11 irons, including wedges.
What are the rules for grooves on golf clubs?
For clubs with lofts of 25 degrees or more (five iron and shorter clubs) there are even more restrictions. The edges of the grooves must be round with a radius of between 0.010 and 0.020 inch. Contrary to popular reporting on this issue, these restrictions do not outlaw the U-shape, also know as square or box grooves.
What class is a 5 iron on a golf club?
The 5-iron sits on the cusp between "long" and "mid" irons, and can be thought of as belonging to either class depending on the set and the player's preference; it is used more often and replaced with a hybrid less often than the 2-4, but is still commonly replaced with a hybrid club, especially in ladies' sets.
Super Game Improvement Irons
The super game improvement iron category has been around for less than a decade. There have always been versions of super game improvement irons, but today just about every manufacturer offers its own version.
Game Improvement Irons
Game improvement irons are a toned-down version of super game improvements irons and they fit a much wider range of golfers. Some players can actually stay in game improvement irons for their entire golf life.
Players Distance Irons
The players distance iron genre came out of necessity and consumer demand. Golfers playing game improvement irons who found they weren't getting enough spin on their approach shots but weren't ready sacrifice distance by switching to players irons needed another option. And with that, players distance irons were born.
Muscle Back Irons
Muscle back irons are a more forgiving alternative to the traditional blade. The point of a muscle back iron is to provide feel and workability to better players while incorporating some of the offset and forgiveness found in other types of irons. The word “muscle” refers to the noticeable material you’ll see near the sole on the back of the club.
Players Irons
Players irons are another broad category, but to to put it simply, they are intended for better golfers. Players irons can take on the design profile of cavity backs or muscle backs, but they typically don’t lean towards the blade profile.
Blade Irons
Blades irons feature the thinnest top and bottom line of any golf iron you can find. They are the least forgiving, lowest launching, and overall hardest to hit. Sold yet? No worries, blades aren’t for everyone, but for advanced players, blades can be a tremendous asset to your golf game.
Iron Selecting Guide
Now that you know all about every type of iron on the market, it's time to decide which style is best for your game. Use this table to help guide you to the perfect set of irons.
Is it Legal to Play with a Golf Chipper?
A golf chipper is legal for competition use providing it is neither fitted with a putter grip nor two-sided. Chippers are regarded by the USGA as irons and most carry a similar loft to a 7 or 8 iron.
Are Golf Chippers Frowned Upon?
In some circles, it’s fair to say that using a chipper is frowned upon. This is because it’s seen as a gimmick that can help higher handicappers execute more control around the greens.
Are Chipping Irons Legal in Golf?
Yes, chipping irons are completely legal in golf, provided they are neither equipped with a putting grip nor two-sided. The reason that they’re legal is that they’re classified by the USGA and R&A as an iron, just like the others that you carry in your bag.
Can You Putt with a Chipper?
Contrary to popular belief, the rules of golf do not stipulate which club you need to use on the green, meaning you’re entitled to putt with a chipper if you wish. Under the rules of golf, you’re allowed to use any of the fourteen clubs you have in your bag on the green.
Are Golf Chippers Any Good?
For players who are new to the game or playing off a high handicap, there’s no doubt that chippers can be good and useful. This is because it’s typically easier to produce chip shots, particularly when compared to using an iron or wedge.
Do Any Pros Use a Chipper?
No, pros are much more concerned with spin and distance control when they’re just off the putting surface, and a chipper doesn’t enable them to dial into the pin in the way that they require. As such, chippers are much more commonly seen in the bags of recreational players and beginners.
Can You Put a Putter Grip on A Chipper?
Yes, you can put a putter grip on a chipper, but you need to be aware that doing so will make the club illegal, meaning you can’t use it in competitions. If you’re only planning to use your chipper on practice rounds or with friends, you can essentially add any grip that you like.
