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what is difference between golf irons and wood

by Dexter Rath V Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Some differences that golfers have experienced when playing a driving iron and a 3-wood are as follows:

  • A few players have felt that they are more confident with a driving iron than a 3-wood especially when they play in...
  • Some golfers who have high swing speed find using a driving iron to be a better option than a 3-wood.
  • Few players find that they can hit off the deck...

At the most basic level, there are two main types. Those with smaller, thinner heads made from steel are called irons. The big-headed clubs, usually made of titanium or steel and coated with paint, are called woods. (That's what they used to be made of.)

Full Answer

Is there a difference between the Irons and the woods?

The SETUP is somewhat different (especially for short irons). And the SWING for woods FEELS a bit different – because it involves a larger ROUNDING (around the shoulders) component, than the irons.

What is the difference between a wood and iron shot?

Irons are normally used from fairways, rough, from the tee of a short par 3 or when trying to avoid trouble such as a hazard. Iron shots typically don't go as far as wood shots, but are easier to hit accurately. In fact, some players choose to exclusively hit irons, sacrificing distance for accuracy.

Do all golf clubs come with different woods?

Most modern woods are sold as individual clubs allowing the player to customize their club set, but matched sets of woods, especially as part of a complete club set, are readily available. Odd-numbered lofts are most common in players' bags, though 2- and 4-woods are available in many model lines.

What is the difference between an irons and a swing?

And the SWING for woods FEELS a bit different – because it involves a larger ROUNDING (around the shoulders) component, than the irons.

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What is the difference between hitting an iron and a wood?

In iron play, your UPWARD motion (club's upward motion) will be more pronounced (than the around motion). i.e. The swing will feel STEEPER. In wood play, you should feel more of an AROUND the body motion – a FLATTER swing. Keep in mind that your BODY is doing the EXACT same thing in both cases.

Are fairway woods easier to hit than irons?

Fairway woods have shorter shafts, more loft and impart more backspin, making them easier to hit straight and with added control despite their diminutive size when compared to a driver.

How do fairway woods compared to irons?

Many golfers prefer hitting a high-lofted wood into a green than a hard-to-hit long iron. The larger clubhead of a fairway wood compared to an iron makes it easier to achieve more distance without over-swinging. As a general rule of thumb, a 5-wood would replace a 2-iron a 7-wood the 3- or 4-iron, a 9-wood the 5-iron.

What irons are equivalent to a wood?

Thomas Golf Fairway Woods Loft ChartClubEquivalent to ourLie4 Wood1 Iron58°5 Wood2 Iron58°7 Wood3 Iron59°9 Wood4 Iron60°10 more rows

Are hybrids better than woods?

Hybrid clubs offer a deeper center of gravity and improved MOI which is great for players seeking higher ball flight, forgiveness and distance from a variety of lies, including from the rough or even a fairway bunker. Some players find hybrid clubs easier to hit than fairway woods due to the shorter shaft length.

Are hybrids better than 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.

When should I use irons?

Irons are generally used when you are less than 200 yards away from the green. The closer you are to the green, the higher the iron you will use. A standard set of irons consists of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 irons and the pitching wedge (PW). The 3 and 4 irons are harder to hit than the higher number irons.

What is the easiest clubs to hit in golf?

On average the easiest golf club to hit is the 7-iron. 6-irons and 8-irons come close because these mid-iron clubs deliver high launch angles for all standards and their appearance gives confidence when players look down at them.

Why do woods go further than irons?

While an iron might have the same number or the same loft as a hybrid or fairway wood, metalwoods provide more technology than irons to help increase maximum distance and average distance.

What goes further 5 wood or 3 iron?

The shaft length of the five wood is going to be longer than that of a 3 iron. Typically speaking, fairway woods have much more distance than irons and part of that is because of the length of the clubs.

What is the difference between a 5 wood and a 5 iron?

Due to its loft, the 5 wood offers less spin on the ball. Its shot has a medium trajectory with a longer distance. A 5 iron offers better ball spin and control over the flight, it has a higher loft and promotes a higher trajectory than a 5 wood.

Is a 5 wood the same as a 4 iron?

The 5 Wood will go much further than a 4 Iron, therefore it will be the better choice. If you are looking to keep the ball low off the tee, or anywhere else on the course hitting a 4 Iron is the way to go, it is much easier to hit a 4 Iron low compared to a 5 Wood.

Which is better, long irons or square irons?

Long irons – are better off with a SQUARE stance, however, if you are EVER in doubt (for those tricky uphill , downhill lies), choose the OPEN stance for all iron play. The OPEN stance will enable you do THE MOST IMPORTANT part of the golf swing – turning your back to the ball.

What does swing feel like in iron play?

In iron play, your UPWARD motion (club’s upward motion) will be more pronounced (than the around motion). i.e. The swing will feel STEEPER. In wood play, you should feel more of an AROUND the body motion – a FLATTER swing. Keep in mind that your BODY is doing the EXACT same thing in both cases.

Can you turn your back to the ball with a closed iron?

If you setup CLOSED with a short iron, you will find it impossible to turn your back to the ball. Likewise with SQUARE (it will be somewhat possible – but again not an ideal, complete back turn). With an OPEN stance, you will find that you are able to TURN COMPLETELY to the ball – just as you need to.

Which is better, a driving iron or a 5-wood?

Some golfers have experienced a better address with a driving iron as against a 5-wood after playing with both the golf clubs. The driving iron with a low trajectory is best suited for a game on a windy day whereas a 5-wood with higher trajectory works better in softer and calm conditions.

Why do you use an iron club in golf?

The driving iron helps to keep the ball down. You want to hit the golf ball under trees. You have a higher than normal swing speed. You plan to use the iron club along with your fairway hybrids or metals rather than as a replacement.

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

The list given below highlights some differences between driving irons and hybrids. According to a few golfers, a driving iron is more accurate than a hybrid because of its shorter length. Driving iron is a club with more of a run and a low flight whereas a hybrid offers more height and bounce.

How high can you tee a driving iron?

Tee the driving iron like you would do with a standard iron to gain a little height. You can tee it upwards by half an inch above the ground level. The bottom of the golf ball must rest just above the grass and in front of the stance that is roughly similar to a hybrid.

Why is a driving iron important?

A driving iron helps to generate ball speed because of its extra weight in the toe and heel. The present-day driving iron is easy to play with because of the bend profile and shaft advancement that results in the club shaft weighing somewhere in between an iron shaft and a wood shaft.

How to swing a driving iron?

Place the golf ball towards or as close as possible to your front foot. During a back-swing, move the driving iron backward by around two feet before you commence your swing. Adopting the strategy shown in step 2 will prevent you from struggling with consistency and bringing the club down very steeply on the ball.

What is driving iron?

What is a Driving Iron? A driving iron, as the name indicates, is a special type of golf club. This club is quite different from a hybrid or a driver that you may have in your golf bag. Driving irons can increase shot flexibility and are ideal for hitting lower shots.

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Turning The Back to The Ball

  • In both cases (woods and irons), the body must at least START turning away from the ball. Once the BODY turn starts, the club starts moving in an UPWARD and AROUND motion (around the body). And herein lies the chief difference between iron play and wood play. Keep in mind that your BODY is doing the EXACT same thing in both cases. It is simply a question of WHEN to call …
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Short Irons Versus Medium and Long Irons

  • There is ONE small setup variation that you may need to make when using the SHORT irons versus the medium and LONG irons. Before I explain that variation, there must be a general understanding of ALIGNMENT in golf. There are three FOOT stances when addressing the ball. OPEN, SQUARE and CLOSED – which are typically described by the left foot’s position. However, …
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at What Point Does The Swing Start Feeling Roundish (Flatter)?

  • For me, right at the 4 iron. Up to the 6 iron, it still feels more up than around. At 4, it HAS to be flatter (more rounded) than upright. 5 iron is the dividing line – where the swing is AS ROUND as it if FLAT.
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Summary

  • Iron play and wood play have a lot in common. The SWING elements are the same – how to initiate a backswing, how to turn to the ball, how to start (and finish) the downswing. However, the LENGTH of the woods (and long irons), makes two things different. The SETUP is somewhat different (especially for short irons). And the SWING for woods FEELS a bi...
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