Hybrid/Long-Iron Guidelines
- If you hit a 7-iron 140 yards or less, a 6-iron should be the longest iron in your set. ...
- If you can hit your 7-iron 150-160 yards, think about nothing longer than a 5 iron; 3 and 4 should be hybrids.
- If you can hit your 7-iron 160-170 yards, nothing longer than 4 iron; 3 should be hybrid.
How to hit long irons in golf?
Tips For Hitting Long Irons
- Correct Ball Positioning. When positioning the golf ball for a long iron shot, most players make two errors: having the ball too far back or having the ball positioned too ...
- Widen Your Arc. ...
- Consider More Than Just the Impact. ...
- Take Your Time. ...
What is the typical length of golf irons?
Standard Sizes of Golf Clubs
- Driver. Your driver is technically your most important club. ...
- Putter. Your putter isn’t much shorter than your average driver. ...
- Irons. FIrons are shorter because they’re meant for distance, not for height. ...
- Woods. All of your woods are likely longer than all of your irons. ...
- Wedges. Wedges follow similar reasons that woods do. ...
- Hybrids. ...
What are the best irons for an average golfer?
The 3 Best Average Golfer Irons
- Cleveland Launcher
- Taylormade M4 These are one of the more complete irons on the market and that’s why they come with a steeper price tag. ...
- Cobra F-Max These are a great set of irons for the average golfer because they won’t break the bank but they still offer all the benefits you’d want such ...
Which irons are the longest?
#4 Srixon Z585
- Loft (25)
- Data Gathered (Foresight Indoors)
- Swing Speed: 94 MPH
- Ball Speed: 132 MPH
- Spin: 4,500 RPM
- Carry: 205 yds
Is a 6 iron a long iron?
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.
Is a 7 iron considered a long iron?
The long irons are the 4 and 3. And some other Monkeys consider the SW, PW and 9 to be short irons – the 8, 7 and 6 to be mid – and the 5, 4 and 3 to be the long irons.
Is a 4 iron considered a long iron?
A long iron is anything longer than a six iron. Six iron seems to be the bridge between the clubs that are considered long irons and those that are short or mid irons. This is why you see so many golfers switching to the hybrid irons after their six irons.
What are considered short irons in golf?
The term "short irons" is one that most golfers apply to the 8-iron, 9-iron and pitching wedge, collectively. Those three golf clubs are grouped together as "the short irons." There is not universal agreement among all golfers everywhere that those three clubs, and only those three clubs, make up the short irons.
What irons are short irons?
The 8 and 9 irons are commonly called the "short irons". They have the highest-mass clubheads and the shortest shafts of the numbered irons, and are used for shots requiring high loft or moderate to short distance (typically between 130 and 150 yards with a full swing).
Should I use hybrids or long irons?
Interestingly, from over 200 yards a hybrid is almost twice as effective compared to a long iron. It is still more effective between 180-200 yards, but that gap closes within 180 yards. This proves that most golfers should not be carrying irons which they can hit over 180 yards – instead, swap them for a hybrid.
How long is a 7 iron?
What is the Standard Length of a 7 Iron? The standard length of a 7 iron is 37 inches on steel and 37.5 inches with the structure made of graphite. For women, the standard length of a graphite golf club is 36.5 inches, and for steel, it is 36 inches. The standard lengths are set from the shaft weights of the golf club.
Do pro golfers still use 3 irons?
Period. 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 pros use long irons?
Many of the top PGA Tour players are now carrying hybrids or 5-wood or 7-woods in preference to long irons while others are opting for utility/driving irons. So for a good number of pros today their 'standard' iron set is starting with a 5-iron and sometimes even a 6-iron.
Should you swing harder with long irons?
The tendency with longer irons is to put more effort into the shot than you would if you were swinging a pitching wedge. But if you swing these clubs just like your short irons, your timing will be a lot better. You'll also have a better chance of making centerface contact, which matters most when swinging these clubs.
How far should an average golfer hit a 7 iron?
Average 7 Iron Distances are following: Beginning golfers- 100 yards (men) or 60 yards (women) Intermediate golfers- 135 yards (men) and 75 yards (women) Advanced golfers- 165 yards (men) or 140 yards (women)
Do any pros use a 1 iron?
One of the most famous shots in golf is Ben Hogan's 1-iron approach to the final green during the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion. Hogan made par and later clinched the championship in a Monday playoff. Costantino Rocca used a 1-iron to defeat Tiger Woods in a singles match during the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama.
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 ...
How many clubs are in a set of irons?
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.
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 ...
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.
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 ...
Why is a shorter shaft better?
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.
Why do you need long irons in golf?
Many beginning or inexperienced golfers find it more difficult to hit long irons. Scoring well in golf requires you to progressively narrow your focus as you move from the tee to the green. With a driver, your objective is to get the ball in the fairway, which is usually a fairly wide target. Long irons help you cover significant distance ...
How to score well in golf?
Scoring well in golf requires you to progressively narrow your focus as you move from the tee to the green. With a driver, your objective is to get the ball in the fairway, which is usually a fairly wide target. Long irons help you cover significant distance and achieve accuracy--placing the ball on or near the green.
Do you have to take a full swing to swing a golf ball?
You don’t even have to take a full swing. Just make sure you take enough club to reach the distance to your intended target. He recommends that you have 60 percent of your weight on your left side at address and moving the ball back 2 inches in your stance. Your hands will now be slightly ahead of the ball at address.
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.
What is the hardest golf club to hit?
Long irons are generally considered the hardest golf clubs to hit with consistency. But, for better ball-strikers, they can be a versatile option. When it comes to considering what iron for what distance, the long irons are generally for the longer shots – When you have around, or just under, the 200-yard mark to go or are looking ...
What is the loft of a pitching wedge?
Better players will hit a pitching wedge a little further than that. If you carry three wedges – Say pitching wedge (generally with a loft of around 46 degrees), a 52 degree and a 58 degree wedge, you can create a matrix of yardages that will give you a number of shot options.
Can you take a stronger iron to counter a headwind?
But remember to factor in the conditions. Sometimes you might need to take a stronger iron to counter a headwind or vice versa. You may choose to play a knocked down, softer shot with a longer iron to run the ball into a green if conditions dictate that. Keep your options open.
What is the longest iron in golf?
Irons are designed for use on the fairway when golfers get closer to the green. The 4-iron, the longest iron used by many golfers, has a long shaft and a low loft of approximately 25 degrees. A typical man will hit a 4-iron 170 yards. Women’s clubs may have slightly more loft, and women will typically hit the ball shorter for each club.
What is the loft angle of a 5 iron?
Middle Irons. A typical loft angle for the 5-iron is 28 degrees, while the 6-iron is 31 degrees and the 7-iron weighs in at 34 degrees. These irons achieve distances of 160, 150 and 140 yards respectively for typical men, and 110, 100 and 90 yards for women, making them useful clubs on the fairway. Some players who are having trouble hitting ...
What is a wedge in golf?
Wedges are specialized irons for use close to the green. A pitching wedge is usually included in a set of irons. With a loft of around 45 to 50 degrees, it is used when the golfer is around 105 yards from the pin or less for women. A sand wedge is also usually included in an iron set, and it can be lofted around 55 to 58 degrees. The sand wedge is used to get out of sand traps or bunkers around the green. The gap wedge is purchased separately, and is lofted at 50 degrees or more.
What is a sand wedge?
The sand wedge is used to get out of sand traps or bunkers around the green. The gap wedge is purchased separately, and is lofted at 50 degrees or more. The key is to purchase a gap wedge that has a loft in between that of the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. Advanced players sometimes carry a lob wedge, which may have a very high loft ...
What is the loft of a lob wedge?
Advanced players sometimes carry a lob wedge, which may have a very high loft of around 60 degrees for a short, controlled shot that stops on the green quickly. Most players favor a 4-degree loft gap between wedges. Sorry, the video player failed to load.
Why is a 2 iron used?
Because the 2-iron has such a low loft at below 20 degrees, it is seldom used. Many golfers from beginners to the pros are starting to replace long irons with hybrids, which are easier to hit and are designed for distance and accuracy.
How many degrees of loft is a 7 iron?
To complicate matters, in recent years some golf club companies have changed the loft of their irons, so that the 7-iron, for example, may have had somewhere around 38 degrees of loft in years past, ...
What does driving irons look like?
Some golfers like the look of irons better than fairway woods or drivers. Driving irons resemble the look of an iron which is appealing to a lot of golfers when setting up at the ball.
What is the consistency of driving irons?
Consistency- Many golfers struggle with finding consistency in a driving iron. In addition to the small clubface, driving irons require a golf swing much similar to that of a 4 iron or 5 iron which are hard clubs to hit for beginning golfers. (Follow the steps below to improve!)
How to hit a driving iron?
Tips to Hit a Driving Iron Successfully 1 Play the ball higher in the stance- The golf ball needs to be played closer to your front foot 2 Don’t break the wrists- During the backswing, drag the club about 2 feet before starting your swing. If you break the wrists to soon and start the swing, you are going to come down too steep at the golf ball and struggle with consistency. 3 Hold the finish- After making contact, make sure to rotate all the way through the ball so that your chest is pointing towards your target. This helps make sure you are fully releasing the clubface through impact.
What degrees are driving irons?
2 Iron – 17-19 degrees. 3 Iron-19-22 degrees. 4 Iron- 22-25 degrees. Compared to standard irons, driving irons generally have a bulkier back of the club, which adds more weight to the swing and the ability reach further distances off the tee. They are different than hybrid golf clubs which are the combination of a fairway wood and an iron clubface.
What happens when you play golf in wind?
Windy conditions- If you have ever played golf into the wind, you know how much distance you can lose off the tee. With a driving iron, golfers can hit long, low shots that don’t get too high into the air and cause the ball to balloon even higher . Trees- Trees are prevalent on most golf courses and can be frustrating when trying to avoid them.
How many clubs can you use in golf?
The ability to be able to hit low golf shots can be beneficial in poor playing conditions or when needed to hit under trees. The USGA allows golfers to use up to 14 golf clubs, including a putter. So if you are under 14 clubs, it wouldn’t hurt to add a driving iron to your bag!
How far should you drag the club before you start your swing?
Don’t break the wrists- During the backswing, drag the club about 2 feet before starting your swing. If you break the wrists to soon and start the swing, you are going to come down too steep at the golf ball and struggle with consistency.
What are the mid irons in golf?
Most golfers still think of mid-irons as being the 5-iron, 6-iron and 7-iron, collectively. But that definition has always been ...
What are the short irons called?
So in that traditional set of irons, the 3- and 4-iron were usually called the long irons, the 5-, 6- and 7-irons were known as the mid-irons, and the 8- and 9-iron plus the pitching wedge were called the short irons. Those names still are used today, but today many golfers have replaced long irons with hybrids.
How many clubs are in a traditional iron set?
Traditional irons are usually thought of as running from the 3-iron through the pitching wedge, for eight clubs; or 3-iron through sand wedge, for nine clubs.
What is the evolution of golf clubs?
Golf clubs have steadily evolved throughout golf history, which means that set composition (the arrangement of clubs carried by any given golfer) has also evolved. But, back to the original question: What are the mid-irons?
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 than the 4-iron; the 4-iron has more loft, a shorter sh…
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 t...
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. …
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 …