what to look for in irons golf

The look of the club as you address the ball and the feel of the club as you swing it should also please the senses. Try out irons with steel shafts and irons with graphite shafts. Graphite shafts are lighter and absorb vibration -- a good choice for someone with arthritis.

Full Answer

What are the different irons in golf?

Irons are divided into three sets; long irons (2, 3 and 4-irons), mid-irons (5, 6 and 7-irons) and short irons (8 and 9-irons, plus the pitching wedge). Long irons are used to hit the ball further with a shorter loft, while the short irons are designed to produce a higher loft.

How do I choose the best beginner golf irons?

Beginners should always choose irons described as "game improvement" or "super game improvement," as these provide the golfer the most help. A typical, off-the-shelf set of irons will include a 3-iron through pitching wedge (advertised as "3-PW"), 8 clubs total.

How important are irons in golf?

Put simply, irons are a hugely important part of your game. You might not use them as much as a putter, for example, but you’re going to need them for a huge variety of shots – ranging from 100 meters right up to 250 meters. As a result, it’s pivotal that you have a set that suits you.

How do I know what iron to buy?

Put simply, you want an iron that’s a little more forgiving. If you’re playing off a higher number, one of the main reasons is that your swing isn’t consistently the same – which means you need a club that isn’t going to punish you too much when your swing is a little off.

What should I look for in golf irons?

When you set out to buy new irons, it's important to get fitted. For optimal consistency and accuracy, you should have clubs customized to your body and swing. Our in-store PROS at Golf Services can help you find your optimal set makeup, loft angle, lie angle, shaft type, shaft length, grip size and more.

How do you pick out irons?

How to Choose Golf IronsDetermine which type of irons are right for your game. There are three types -- player's irons, game-improvement irons and super game-improvement irons. ... Determine your price range. ... Choose the right shaft flex. ... Try out various irons. ... Custom tailor your irons.

Which golf iron is the most important?

In total, 54 percent of golfers agreed that the putter is the most important club to have in the bag in order to lower scores. 20 percent of golfers said the driver was their most important club while 14 percent said their wedges.

What is the easiest iron to hit in golf?

From experience, most golfers will tell you that the 7-iron is the easiest club to master. A 5-iron will go further, and you can be on the green in three if you are lucky, but a 7-iron will go at least 120-130 yards, getting you easily on the green in four.

How far should you hit a 7 iron?

Average 7 Iron Distance By AgeAge RangeAverage 7 Iron Distance20-30160 yards30-40155 yards40-50146 yards50-60139 yards2 more rows

Do better irons make a difference?

The simple truth is you need to honestly assess your iron performance and see if you think you can get more from a newer model. If you're a good player who's lost some speed and distance over the years, a new set of irons can make a big difference.

What 3 clubs are needed?

Add a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a putter and you have every essential club you need to take the course by storm. You've made one of the best decisions of your life by taking up golf. Read on to simplify your entry into golf and get better faster. Let's turn you into a golfer!

What irons does a beginner need?

EQUIVALENT IRON / WOOD A beginner should certainly not have a traditional 2, 3 or 4-iron in their bag. One option would be to choose a 3 and 4 hybrid and then add a 5-iron, 7-iron and 9-iron. Or alternatively 3 and 5 hybrid (with an option of a 4 hybrid also) and adding a 7-iron and 9-iron.

What is the hardest club to hit in golf?

The long irons, like the one, two, and three iron, are the hardest golf irons to hit. These clubs have less loft than other clubs, require a fast swing speed to hit them well, and a smaller sweet spot makes off center hits more common.

Do I need a 5 or 6 iron?

The only golfer who should carry a 5 iron is one that can hit their 7 iron more than 150 yards. Golfers who hit their 7 iron less than 150 yards should replace their 5 iron with a hybrid and have a 6 iron as their longest iron.

What irons are most forgiving?

The Most Forgiving Irons Are:Best All Round – Cleveland Launcher Turbo HB Irons.Budget Pick – LAZRUS Premium Golf Irons.Premium Pick – TaylorMade P790 Irons.Cobra F Max Irons.TaylorMade M4 Irons.Callaway Golf Mavrik Iron Set.Mizuno JPX921 Forged Irons.TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Iron Set.

What are the most forgiving irons for beginners?

Best Irons for Beginners and High HandicappersCleveland Launcher XL Irons – Best Golf Irons for High Handicappers. ... Cleveland Launcher XL Halo – Best Irons for Beginners. ... Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Irons. ... TaylorMade Sim 2 Max Irons. ... Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal Irons. ... Cobra F-MAX Airspeed Combo Irons.More items...

Why are irons important?

Irons can swiftly ruin a potentially fruitful hole, all with one slightly off swing. On the other side of the coin, however, they can also save you from a whole lot of trouble. Put simply, irons are a hugely important part of your game.

What does a cavity back iron look like?

Cavity Back Irons look like there is a cavity missing at the back and they are hollow. The clubs are naturally lighter and more forgiving so they suit the slower swing speeds of beginners and improvers. They also cost a bit less generally speaking and give you a bit a more distance.

Why do golfers stop looking for forgiveness?

As golfers improve, they stop looking for forgiveness and distance in their irons and start to value feel and control more. The Muscle Backs are slightly more build out at the back of the club and this has the effect of making to club heavier for their higher swing speeds.

How much is the Taylor made iron to the pitching wedge?

You can get the 5 Iron to the Pitching wedge for $600 depending on the options you select.

Do narrow heads require swinging?

Conversely, narrow heads require the swing itself to do more of the heavy lifting. As a result, these are typically used by higher quality players. If you’re a high handicapper using irons with narrow soles, chances are you’re going to have a tough time getting a consistent ball flight.

Do irons set the ball rolling?

Many people dispute the importance of irons. They aren’t used as regularly as a putter, and they most likely won’t set the ball rolling (hopefully not literally) off the tee on a majority of holes. The reality is, however, every club in your bag is important, and around half of them are going to be irons.

Do irons hurt your golf game?

This is the case with all golf clubs, but irons in particular are made for a certain level of golfer. If you’re a higher handicapper, many irons will be too difficult to consistently hit well and will ultimately be detrimental to your game. Conversely, golfers at the other end of the scale need to find a set of clubs that’s going to enable them ...

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.

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.

How tall should a golf iron be?

Golf irons will come standard length unless you order them custom. Generally speaking for men, if you are taller than 6’1″ and shorter than 5’5″ you should be looking into custom golf clubs. The majority of golfers inside this range will be fine with a standard length golf club.

What are the two main categories of golf irons?

Golf irons are made by many manufacturers in several different styles. However, the majority of golf irons can be divided into two main categories, cavity back and muscle back or so-called blades.

What is the best shaft for a golfer?

The graphite shaft is best for a slower swinging player seeking more clubhead and swing speed. Graphite shafts are very lightweight and will help you hit a golf ball quite a bit further. Unfortunately, they are not always as accurate as a steel shaft can be.

What is a muscle back iron?

Instead of having this hollowed-out cavity back area on the back of the iron, the iron itself will be one solid piece with a solid back. The muscle back irons are not nearly as forgiving as a cavity back iron would be.

Is a steel shaft better than a graphite shaft?

If you have played other sports, are in good physical condition, and are young, the steel shaft is a great choice. Steel shafts may not allow golfers to hit it as far as graphite shafts, but they can be much more accurate.

How to make iron?

Unlike the forging technique, creating an iron involves heating metal until it’s a melted liquid, pouring it into a mold. Wait for it to cool down and that’s all it takes.

How does a blacksmith make iron?

This iron manufacturing technique is like this: the blacksmith takes a single piece of metal or carbon steel, heat until it’s red hot, then he uses strength to hammer it into the desired shape. after that he works on the cosmetic side, he grinds and polishes it by hand.

What is a blade iron?

Blade irons or muscle-back blades comes with a full back on the rear. The weight of the head is evenly distributed on the clubface. This makes the center of gravity and the sweet spot right in the center of the club’s face.

Why is it important to choose the right golf shaft?

Choosing the proper shaft is a hugely important part of the fitting process. The shaft will greatly influence the feel of your irons, not to mention the launch, spin, landing angle, and distance of your golf shots. Also, there are no standards in ...

What is the lie angle on iron fittings?

Lie angle is one of the most important specs to get right in an iron fitting. If it’s off, you’ll have a much harder time with accuracy and hitting more greens. Historically, lie angle has been measured by reading divot patterns or using sole tape and a lie board to mark strike point being centered, toe, or heel down.

Do upright clubs go left or right?

Upright clubs tend to go more left…. Bending them upright might give a cleaner divot but would make his misses even further to the left. Not a good move as a fitter. Incidentally, when the face is closed, the toe is lower, the lie board was giving him a false impression of his club’s lie angle at impact.

What is the sole type on an iron?

Next, you have to know what sole type is on the iron you’re planning to purchase. The sole refers to the base of the club which gets in contact with the ground.

How long do irons last?

A: Most irons last for long, even a lifetime for casual golfers. For pros and everyday golfers, about 10 years is a good rule of thumb, though some can last longer than this period.

How far can a 2 iron hit?

A: In average men’s distances, a 2-iron can hit up to 190 yards. As for women, 2-irons average around 170 yards. It still depends on the performance of the golfer and his or her swinging techniques.

Is Mizuno iron forged?

Mizuno as a brand is no stranger to making some of the best iron sets in the world. This set is not forged like other common models, but the overall construction still makes them highly durable. The manufacturer uses high quality multi-material combination with a precision design. The result is that you have a set that feels premium and still affordable.

Is Callaway the best iron?

Callaway is no stranger to making some of the best iron sets in the industry. This one is not any different as it will live up to your expectations. It will still offer the best value for money. For this range of irons, the manufacturer put in years of research and development. It is why you find them being popular. These irons also come made of the best material and advanced design to make golfing even better for you.

Do irons go dead?

A: No, unlike other golf clubs, irons don’t go dead. However, when the grooves on the clubhead have been worn out due to countless games, you’ll need to purchase a replacement.

How to get a feel for swinging irons?

Take your iron setup without the golf ball. As you swing the club back, step the trail foot back and behind your body so it’s perpendicular to your lead foot. Then step the trail foot back into place as you swing through. This drill helps you get a feel for strong rotation and natural movement in the body.

How to get a short iron?

Try following these steps: Stand with your feet together, the ball aligned with the space between your feet. Step your lead foot towards the target, but make that step slightly smaller than you would if you were setting up your stance for a short iron. Take a step away from the target with your trail foot.

How does the club head change direction?

Think of the shape your club head makes as you swing through the golf ball. As you move through the transition at the top of your swing , towards the ball , the club head is traveling at a downward angle. At some point (more specifically, at the low point), your club head changes direction.

What irons are considered long irons?

First, make sure you know which irons are considered “long” and which are “short.”. Your long irons (2, 3 and 4) have a lower loft and are designed for more distance. (1 irons if you have them) Short irons (8, 9 and pitching wedge) have a higher loft and help you pop the ball up in the air as you get closer to the green.

How to hit down on a golf ball?

To Hit Down on the Golf Ball: At setup, position the ball in the center of your stance. Shift your hands toward the target just slightly so the club is in front of the club head. In the transition, think about pulling on the club with your lead hand instead of throwing the club out and down with the trail hand.

What is the goal of an iron shot?

For an iron shot, however, the goal is to hit down on the golf ball. Another way to say this is that your moment of impact should occur before the low point of your golf swing. It’s important to make this distinction when discussing how to hit irons because this whole down/up thing trips up a lot of golfers.

How to get better at golf?

As you take your golf setup, allow your head to float up a bit instead of tucking your chin close to your chest. Stay relaxed in the neck and shoulders. As you swing away from the ball, allow your head to slide away from the target. This accommodates for better rotation, better speed, and a better shot.

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

Distances

Hitting