Golf-FAQ.com

what is short iron golf

by Bart Goyette Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

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.

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).

Full Answer

What are the best golf irons for beginners?

Our Top 6 Picks

  • TaylorMade SIM MAX (Best Irons for Beginners)
  • Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo (Runner-Up)
  • Cleveland Launcher CBX (Runner-Up 2)
  • TaylorMade P790 (Best Premium Irons for High Handicappers)
  • Callaway Rogue (Best All-round Budget Iron Set)
  • PING G410 (Best Small Club Head For Beginners)

What is the typical length of golf irons?

With irons, you have to admit that these are highly versatile golf clubs because they feature varying lengths based on the type or number of iron. So you have 1 to 9 irons, which means different shaft lengths. Typically, this range is between 34 inches and 40 inches (depending on the brand). So here’s the general iron shaft length chart:

What are the best Forged irons in golf?

  • Best Overall: Taylormade P790 Iron Set
  • Our Budget Pick: Cobra King Forged TEC 2020
  • Best Players Distance Forged Irons: Titleist T200 Iron Set
  • Best Players Irons: Srixon Z-Forged Iron Set
  • Best Distance Forged Irons: Mizuno JPX 921
  • Best Performing Irons: Callaway X Forged CB Iron Set
  • Most Forgiving Irons: Honma Tour World TW-X Iron Set

More items...

How to hit Irons in golf for beginners?

Hitting Irons For Beginners: 5 Steps. Low Point Control Drill. 1 and 2 Drill. Build A Stock Shot Drill. Train For Speed. Invest In Golf Technology. To understand how these drills were decided on, we must first understand the fundamentals of golf as laid out by Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett in their Stack and Tilt book.

image

What are short and long irons in golf?

2:4712:44Long Irons VS Short Irons - THE DIFFERENCE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHead inside the lead heel this is the constant ball position we're talking about. But instead ofMoreHead inside the lead heel this is the constant ball position we're talking about. But instead of having this wide stance. That we need for the speed. Obviously in the long iron.

What is long iron and short iron?

0:059:51LONG IRONS vs SHORT IRONS - Simple Golf Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLess now we're seeing generally that an eight iron is going to be around somewhere around about 34MoreLess now we're seeing generally that an eight iron is going to be around somewhere around about 34 degrees and a four iron is going to be somewhere.

How do you use short irons in golf?

2:348:20THE BIGGEST MISTAKES MADE WITH SHORT IRONS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's just enough shoulder width apart. So you can see here now put my hands down there and tubeMoreIt's just enough shoulder width apart. So you can see here now put my hands down there and tube lines my feet are just in a shoulder-width apart. We don't want a stunt like a 7-iron or even a driver.

What is the difference between a long and short iron?

Long Irons Vs Short Irons The most significant difference between these two clubs is the length and the loft. The long irons are, in fact, longer than the short irons. When you start with a club like a pitching wedge in your hand, and you move up to the nine iron, there is an increase in the loft of the club.

What irons are considered 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).

What is considered short iron?

Short Iron is steel, thicker than 3/8", and shorter than 3' x 2'. Short iron is long iron that has been cut down to the appropriate size. Short Iron is premium ferrous scrap. Cast Iron consists of mainly brake rotors, bath tubs and engine blocks.

Why do I hook my short irons?

0:553:25Why Do You Pull Your Golf Short Irons - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's going to go left it's a very common mistake with short irons a couple of things I would try andMoreIt's going to go left it's a very common mistake with short irons a couple of things I would try and get you to do first of all I would just try and just check your posture.

Why can't I hit my low irons?

If you're struggling to hit the ball solid with your long irons, then by all means, play the ball in the middle of your stance or a ball or two forward of center, like you would an 8-iron. This will help you to compress it better and launch the ball high with enough spin to carry it the appropriate distance.

Why do I slice my short irons?

2:276:311 SIMPLE DRILL TO FIX YOUR SLICE AND PURE YOUR IRONS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipToo much loft at impacts like Paul's getting here with the shaft leaning too much back.MoreToo much loft at impacts like Paul's getting here with the shaft leaning too much back.

Do you hit long irons the same as short irons?

There are a few main differences when it comes to hitting long irons vs. hitting short irons. The biggest difference is the ball position. The shorter and more loft on the iron, the more the ball is in the middle of your stance.

How far should an average golfer hit a 7 iron?

The average golfer hits their 7 iron 145 yards, but the average distances will vary between 128 and 160 yards. Golfers in their 20s typically hit the ball the longest, and the distance tends to decrease as the golfer gets older.

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.

What is a long iron?

1 : a golf iron (as a North 1, North 2, or North 3 iron) that has a long shaft and relatively slight loft and is used for hitting a long relatively low ball. 2 : a shot or stroke made with a long iron — compare short iron.

Are shorter length irons easier to hit?

While longer clubs can help increase speed and launch angle, shorter clubs can be easier to hit solid due to the reduction in swing arc.

Should I play shorter irons?

For the average golfer, having clubs that are a bit shorter than normal will produce the most consistent shots. Being closer to the ball and more bent over will give you a better relationship to the ball, which will result in more distance, better trajectory, and increased control.

Should I play shorter iron shafts?

A shorter club technically should improve control and accuracy. A longer club technically should increase distance. A club that is properly fitted in terms of the length of the shaft will maximize accuracy and distance.

What is the focus of short iron play?

In summary, the focus on short iron play is absolute precision – controlling not only direction but the distance of each shot. Take the same athletic posture and stance suitable for maintaining balance throughout your swing.

How to set up short irons?

Standard set up with short irons is with the ball in the middle of your stance and your feet shoulder width apart. The first step is to assess your lie. If the lie is poor, in taller grass, or presenting limited access to the back of the ball, you want to choke down on the club and push the ball an inch or two back in your stance.

Do you have to lie to take dead aim with short irons?

There is plenty of loft on the club, so don’t worry about the ball getting up in the air. With a good lie, more confident players will take dead aim with short irons. Be very precise in setting your club face angle at address, and ensuring that your body lines are aligned perfectly.

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 ...

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.

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.

What is the best short iron?

The Thorn is one of the most popular short irons in the game. It offers good distance, a reasonable ball guide and all the backspin that you'll ever need. Just try not to get too carried away with the backspin because it can turn around and bite you.

Is the Hornet a good short iron?

Along with The Thorn, The Hornet is a very popular choice of short iron. It's accuracy is unrivaled and that stat alone will lead to a few chip ins that you wouldn't get with a lesser club. It makes a big sacrifice on backspin though so you'll need to get used to how the ball bounces and runs with this one. The ball guide is comparable to The Thorn so between the two, you'll have a good club to make a few eagles.

What is a long iron?

Long irons are considered any iron between 1 and 4. The important thing that beginners mix up is about the distance that each iron goes. The smaller the number, the less loft so it goes farther. For example, your 3-iron should go much further than a 7-iron!

What is the range of mid irons?

The next category of irons is the irons in the range of 5 to 7. Mid irons are common clubs that golfers use on par 3’s and approach shots with 160 yards. That number can fluctuate greatly depending on how much power a golfer has.

What is the highest lofted wedge?

The highest lofted wedges are lob wedges. They are 58 degrees of loft and can run up to 64 degrees in some instances. There are even higher lofted lob wedges that are rare, and they can be 68 degrees of loft!

Why are woods used in golf?

The first reason is that they are great off of the tee if a golfer is struggling to keep their driver straight. The second reason that woods ae used is that they hit the ball a bit shorter than a driver, so there are situations for it. The third reason is that they can be used in the fairway if you are a long way out.

What is the distance of a pitching wedge?

A pitching wedge is a wedge with the lowest loft, meaning that it has the farthest distance. A typical male golfer hits a pitching wedge 110 yards. For women, the average distance is more like 90 yards ( source)

Why do you tee the ball up for a driver?

The reason that you tee the ball up for a driver is that the sweet spot is higher up off the ground and no touching the ground. The driver ball flight is usually medium to high in trajectory and rolls out very nicely.

What is the last club on the golf list?

The last club on the list is a putter, and I am sure if you are on a golf site then you have heard of one. The putter is used on the green and is the last club that you will use on every hole in most cases.

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.

STEP 1: STOP PRESSING

The loft on your 8- and 9-irons is already enough to produce towering approach shots. But many players still feel the need to press their hands too far forward at address, which delofts the clubface. Instead, try this: Play the ball in the middle of a narrow stance and set your hands about an inch ahead of the ball.

STEP 2: SHIFT AND TURN

The best players rotate their hips and shoulders as much with their short irons as they do with their driver. Start your downswing by shifting your lower body toward the target, then turn your hips through (above). You may feel the clubhead lagging, but that’s the feeling you want.

STEP 3: SWIVEL TO THE FINISH

Don’t try to steer the club into the ball. Instead, concentrate on swinging the clubhead toward the target. You should also allow your head to swivel forward to encourage momentum down the target line. Your torso and hips should point just left of the target at the finish, and your weight should be over your front foot.

image

Set Composition

Image
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 an…
See more on tripsavvy.com

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…
See more on tripsavvy.com

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...
See more on tripsavvy.com

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. …
See more on tripsavvy.com

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 …
See more on tripsavvy.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9