
The ‘face’ of the 3 iron has the lowest loft (around 20 degrees to the vertical) - and hits the ball low and long – in the region of 200 yards in the hands of a good player. At the other end of the scale you’ll have a pitching wedge (around 50 degrees loft) or sand wedge (56 degrees) which hit the ball high, but not as far – around 100 yards.
Full Answer
How to choose golf irons?
How to Choose Golf Irons. 1 Step 1. Determine which type of irons are right for your game. There are three types -- player's irons, game-improvement irons and super ... 2 Step 2. 3 Step 3. 4 Step 4. 5 Step 5.
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.
How much should you pay for a set of golf irons?
You can pay up to $1,500 or so for a set of irons (as of 2012). You also can buy similar models from the previous season, either pristine or slightly used, for $500 or less. It's akin to the difference between buying a new car and an almost identical model from last season. Choose the right shaft flex.
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.

What degrees should my golf clubs be?
In the longer irons a three-iron usually comes in at around 20 degrees, a four-iron at roughly 25 degrees and a five-iron at 29 degrees of loft. A six-iron is typically 31 degrees, a seven-iron is usually around 34 degree and then the eight- and nine-irons often come with 37 and 41 degrees of loft respectively.
Does 1 degree lie angle make difference?
Yes it will make a difference, I play 2 degree upright and +1/2. If your hitting the ball left all the while (I am guessing your right handed) won't be to do with having the lye angle to flat.
What lie angle should my irons be?
Lie angles almost always range from the mid-50 degrees (in drivers) to the mid-60 degrees (in short irons). In irons, the range is typically from 59 or 60 degrees to around 64 degrees. (Lie angles on putters reach into the 70s.)
What does 1 degree strong mean on a golf club?
Making Loft Angle Stronger or Weaker (Not all golf clubs can be bent in such a way; it's typically done only in irons and may depend on the type of hosel used.) Bending a club from 26 degrees of loft o 25 degrees is "strengthening the loft" by 1 degree. Making the loft weaker is the opposite.
How do I know what lie angle I need?
4:3911:13If the lines are pointing like this what that means is the club came into the ball. Too flat and weMoreIf the lines are pointing like this what that means is the club came into the ball. Too flat and we need to bend it more upright.
Should my irons be upright or flat?
If it's pointing towards the toe, then your club is too upright. If it's pointing towards the heel, then it's too flat. If the line is perpendicular to the grooves on the face, then your lie angle is correct.
Does 2 degrees upright make a difference?
What Does 2 Degrees Upright Mean On A Golf Club? If a club is 2 degrees upright that can mean a couple of different things depending on the context. Most likely, it means that a club is 2 degrees more upright than the standard lie angle for that brand and model.
How far should I hit with 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)
Does flattening lie affect loft?
The first thing to know is that lie angle being incorrect is the most important on clubs with more loft. The more loft a club has, the more magnified an incorrect lie angle will be when it comes to the direction of your golf ball.
Do lower lofted irons go further?
CAT GOLFER: “Good question, the way I understand it, disregard the number on the bottom of the club. A stronger(lower) loft in newer irons will produce a higher ball flight than the weaker(higher) loft in older clubs.
Is higher loft better for irons?
By pairing larger and faster, thin-faced irons with stronger lofts, golf club engineers can find the perfect balance of adding forgiveness and launch without robbing players of distance creates by excess spin.
How much does 1 degree of loft affect distance?
Given that you're at your maximum clubhead speed, just 1-degree change in the loft angle of a golf driver can affect your driving distance by 2-4 yards. As for irons, the difference in distance between 8-iron (37-39 degrees) and 9-iron (41-43 degrees) is usually 10-15 yards.
What does increasing lie angle do?
If your lie angle is too flat, you will tend to slice the ball. If your lie angle is too upright, then you will tend to hook the ball. It can even cause you to develop swing compensations to correct for it, preventing you from ever developing a consistent, repeatable, and powerful swing.
How does lie angle affect loft?
If you have the proper lie angle, the center of the sole will rest squarely on the ground when you put the club down behind the ball. Then the lie angle is the space created between the shaft and the ground on the heel side of the club head. Lie angle also increases as the loft increases.
How does lie angle affect driver?
0:001:36The reason that's important with an iron is because as you add loft as the club becomes more uprightMoreThe reason that's important with an iron is because as you add loft as the club becomes more upright and that aims to face more and more to the left as the club becomes too flat.
What is the angle of 1 degree?
Thus, the angle of 1∘ is equal to 0.
What to know before you buy golf irons?
These key factors will help you choose the right golf irons for you! There are several different types of golf iron, each type is designed for a slightly different skill level, so it is your skill level that will determine what irons you will need to look for.
Types of Materials
As well as different types of heads, golf irons also have different types of shafts to choose from. The shaft of the golf club will also have an impact on a player’s performance! There are three main types of shafts to choose from.
What makes a good golf iron?
The makeup of a good golf iron will be slightly different for each individual player. Whilst there are some good general rules to follow, the best golf iron for one player may not be the best option for another player.
Should you buy new golf irons?
When it comes down to buying golf irons, new ones are always better. The reason for this is that new ones will have less damage than older ones, as small chips and dents, particularly on the face of the golf club, can have a dramatic effect on how the golf club performs both through the air and when striking the golf ball.
How much does a full set of golf clubs cost?
The cost of a full set of golf clubs can differ. It will mainly come down to the type of construction required for your golf club, and also the quality of the materials it’s made from.
What To Look For When Buying Golf Irons -Conclusion
To sum it all up, you should always look for a well-fitted set of golf clubs that are in the best condition possible. It is recommended to visit your local golf shop in order to be fitted for golf clubs properly before you buy them as this will make sure you have the best irons for you, and this can help improve your game.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
Long Irons
The long iron is exactly what its name suggest, a golf club for the further away from the green the ball is. Longer irons are usually more difficult for a golfer to hit and is the most common clubs in an iron set to be substituted out for a hybrid. Here are the typical long irons and their loft.
Mid Irons
The mid iron is one of the most common irons to be hit throughout a round of golf. Many players find themselves needing to use these clubs the most on the course.
Short Irons
Short irons are very interesting when assessing their spot in an iron set. You can say that the short sticks are an extension of wedges, and in most scenarios iron sets with feature the pitching wedge and the gap wedge.
Iron Shafts
As any club, the shaft is a very important part in making sure the club is fitting to any player. Iron sets come in two types of shaft material, steel or graphite. Both shafts are capable of high level performance and ultimately comes down to feel.
What do less confident ball strikers like?
Less confident ball strikers may prefer the security of looking down on thicker toplines that promise more forgiveness while lower handicappers might prefer the promise of control from sleeker, ‘player’s’ irons. Don’t ignore the importance of finding a set that looks great to you, particularly at address.
Do new irons take your game to the next level?
New irons are guaranteed to take your game to the next level, right? As much as we’d like that to be true, if you end up with a set of irons that aren’ t right for your game, you’re unlikely to get the performance benefits you’d hoped for. However, take the following seven factors into account before buying new irons, ...
What are the biggest mistakes you can make when buying irons?
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to buy expensive irons that are wrong for your game and swing. The right set will fit your game and swing as snugly as a bespoke suit. Choosing the best irons depends on a number of factors other than just your playing ability. The size, shape, flex, material and feel of the clubs are key elements ...
What are the different types of irons?
Determine which type of irons are right for your game. There are three types -- player's irons, game-improvement irons and super game-improvement irons . Player's irons are targeted to players with the highest ability level and produce the best response when struck correctly. Game-improvement irons are for mid-level golfers.
What does it feel like to hit a stiff shaft?
If you swing slowly and try to hit a stiff shaft, it will feel like you're swinging a telephone pole, and you'll likely leave the shot right (for a right-handed golfer).
What is a game improvement iron?
Game-improvement irons are for mid-level golfers. These irons are designed to produce better results -- straighter and longer shots -- when you miss contacting the ball in center of the clubface. For higher handicap golfers, super game-improvement irons offer even more forgiveness on your off-center hits.
Can a club fitter match you?
An experienced club fitters can match you and your clubs to a tee. As "Wall Street Journal" writer John Paul Newport put it, clubs that fit properly "will make your subsequent golf less frustrating because well-fit clubs promote a more efficient swing.". Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match.
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.
Mizuno Irons Handicap Chart
Mizuno irons have a reputation of being “better player irons.” While their latest selection of irons are geared toward low handicappers, they do offer a couple options for mid to high handicappers.
Callaway Irons Handicap Chart
Callaway irons are one of the most consistently high performance golf clubs in the market. Ever since they introduced Apex technology, their irons are the perfect blend of accuracy, distance and forgiveness.
Titleist Irons Handicap Chart
When it comes to irons, Titleist Golf is known for their blade designs and driving irons. You will see plenty of Titliest long irons on Tour utilized as driving irons when the fairways get too narrow.
TaylorMade Irons Handicap Chart
TaylorMade Irons also range from low to high handicap options. If you’re looking for a more controlled ball flight and like having some shot shaping skills in your bag, the TaylorMade P700 series is right up your alley.
Cobra Irons Handicap Chart
Cobra irons have a large offering for every skill level. If you’re looking for control and feel, you’ve got it; if you’re looking for speed and distance - check.
PING Irons Handicap Chart
PING irons have mainly focused on Moment of Inertia (MOI) as of late. By increasing the MOI, or resistance of the clubhead in the impact zone, PING Golf has given the clubface a much higher chance to be square at impact, creating straight, long shots.
Cleveland Irons Handicap Chart
Cleveland irons are focused on increasing your launch angle, as noted by the models listed below. Theoretically, the higher your golf ball goes - with the appropriate amount of spin - the longer your carry distance.
