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when to choose which golf iron

by Giovanny Ratke Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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You can choose the most suitable golf irons for your personal golf game by first determining what irons are best for your skill level. The best irons for a mid handicap tend to fall in the ‘cavity back’ category while the best irons for beginners lie solidify in the ‘game improvement’ classification.

A 5-wood is used for a shot of about 180 yards, while a 5-iron is used for a shot of about 160 yards. As you may have deduced from the numbers above, a 5-wood and 3-iron are both typically used for the same distance shot and should be chosen based on the desired loft for the shot.

Full Answer

How do I choose the right irons for my game?

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 to consider. Price also is a serious consideration.

Are irons meant for beginners or Tour players?

The truth is, some irons are meant for beginners while others are meant for Tour players - with tons of options in between. It’s important to choose irons that fit your game because doing so will allow you to hit those crisp shots we all crave and advance to the next level.

What should I consider when buying new golf clubs?

The size, shape, flex, material and feel of the clubs are key elements to consider. Price also is a serious consideration. Determine which type of irons are right for your game.

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.

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How do I know what golf iron to use?

IRONS2-iron = 105 to 210 yards.3-iron = 100 to 205 yards.4-iron = 90 to 190 yards.5-iron = 80 to 175 yards.6-iron = 70 to 165 yards.7-iron = 65 to 155 yards.8-iron = 60 to 145 yards.9-iron = 55 to 135 yards.

When to use a 3 or 4 iron?

Should You Carry A 3 Iron? For mid to high handicap golfers, having a 3 iron in the bag is not recommended. The low amount of loft and thin face makes a 3 iron hard to hit and is why you'd be better off playing a 4 hybrid. Just like with a 2 iron, most of the golfers you'll see on your local course won't have a 3 iron.

What irons should an average golfer use?

Here are the 3 best irons for average golfers:Taylormade M6 (best overall iron set)Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo (most forgiving iron set)Cleveland Launcher CBX (best budget-friendly iron set)

When should I switch to back irons?

If you are frequently shooting scores in the 70s, there is a good chance you are ready to play forged irons. You don't have to crack the 80 barrier every time you tee it up, but you should at least be able to sneak into the 70s from time to time before you reach for a new set of forged blades or muscle back irons.

Should I replace my 4 iron with a hybrid?

For hitting into greens, the 4-hybrid is the best play for most. Golfers across the board hit more fairways with a 4-iron. The 0-5 handicap bracket is more effective with the 4-iron than any other bracket. Almost every other bracket hits it longer and records more GIRs with the 4-hybrid.

Why is a 5 iron so hard to hit?

Some golfers make the mistake of playing the five iron with a ball position that is right in the middle of their stance. This will make it very difficult to even get the ball up off the ground. A proper ball position with a five iron is closer to your left foot than it is to the middle of your stance.

How far should you 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) PGA Tour Players- 185 yards (men) or 160 yards (women)

Are 20 year old golf irons still good?

There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.

What irons should I buy in 2022?

Best irons of 2022 for every budget and handicapRogue ST Max, Rogue ST Max OS, Rogue ST Pro irons. Callaway Rogue ST iron family (Callaway) ... Callaway Epic Star. Callaway Epic Star irons. ( ... Cobra King Tour. ... Mizuno Pro 221. ... Ping i525 irons. ... Ping G425. ... PXG 0311 GEN4 ST. ... PXG 0311 GEN4 T, 0311 GEN4 P, 0311 GEN4 XP.More items...•

Do any tour players use cavity back irons?

According to Titleist, 70% of tour players use cavity backs while 30% use blades. Cavity back irons provide increased forgiveness while blades offer more control and a better feel. This is why a lot of tour players have both cavity backs and blade irons in their bags.

Who should use cavity back irons?

golfersA cavity back iron is the easiest of the three to hit and should be played by most golfers. If you're just an average golfer who's out for fun then you'll get the best bang for your buck with these. They're the easiest to hit, are the highest launching, and will most likely give you the most distance.

Can a mid handicapper use blades?

Can a mid-handicapper use blades? Mid-handicappers can use blades; however, they may benefit more from using cavity-backs as they still provide excellent feel and control, without being as punishing on off-centre strikes.

When would you use a 3 iron?

The 3 iron is for ultimate control from the tee or fairway for better golfers. The 3 wood is the best alternative to a driver from the tee and from perfect lies on the fairway. The 3 hybrid is the perfect substitute for the 3 iron for golfers who struggle to hit the strong iron.

What is the difference between a 3 iron and 4 iron?

A 4 iron is very similar to a 3 iron, it just has more loft in the club. This extra loft leads to a higher and shorter flight path with less roll out. The extra loft also adds more spin to the club and this allows for more workability and increased pin hunting ability for players of all ages.

What is a 3 iron golf club used for?

Generally speaking, a 3-wood is used for a shot in the range of 210 yards, while a 3-iron is used for a shot in the range of 180 yards. A 5-wood is used for a shot of about 180 yards, while a 5-iron is used for a shot of about 160 yards.

Why is a 4 iron so hard to hit?

The main reason hitting long irons is difficult for an amateur is the fact that they do not turn their shoulders to hit the golf ball. They use their hands and arms to drag the body back on the backswing and pull the body forward on the downswing.

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.

How To Choose The Best Irons?

The first step in choosing the best golf irons for you is to determine which type irons will be the best for your level of skill.

The Best Golf Irons - What makes them better and how do they improve your game?

The best golf irons depend on what skill level a player performs at. Different club construction methods make an iron ‘easier’ or ‘harder’ to hit depending on your swing consistency and power.

Different Types of Golf Irons

There are three distinctly different types of golf irons. Traditional irons, where the club head is made up of a solid piece of metal, are called blade irons and are used by professional golfers and low handicap players.

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 ...

How to choose a golf club shaft?

Choose the right shaft flex. Shaft flexes -- the amount of bend in the club -- range from "Ladies" and "Senior" (typically, the most flexible) to "Regular," "Stiff" and "Extra Stiff." Some club manufacturers offer several different flexes for women. In general, the faster your swing speed, the stiffer the shaft should be. 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). If you swing fast and use a flexible shaft, you'll have trouble controlling the direction of your shots -- they could go left or right.

What is a player's iron?

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. These irons are designed to produce better results -- straighter and longer shots -- when you miss contacting the ball in center of the clubface.

What are the key elements to consider when buying a golf club?

The size, shape, flex, material and feel of the clubs are key elements to consider. Price also is a serious consideration.

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.

What is a set of irons?

A set of irons is one of the biggest investments any beginner or advanced golfer makes to better their game. TGW offers all types of golf iron sets from TaylorMade and Titleist irons to Callaway, Cobra, PING, and more. As you’re searching for the perfect iron set to match your golf game, use our golf irons buying guide to help you find the right clubs. Here are five key aspects to consider about your next set of clubs:

What are the two main styles of irons?

DIFFERENT STYLES OF IRONS. The two main styles of irons are cavity-backand muscle-backblades. The muscle-back style features a full back on the rear, while the cavity-back is made with a hollowed-out rear club head. Muscle backs are primarily used by the pros and advanced players, and the hollowed-out rear club head offers novices perimeter ...

How many degrees does a long hitter need to keep his irons separated?

Long hitters often keep irons separated by 3 degrees, while short hitters can use a 5-degree difference to ensure proper gapping.  TYPES OF SHAFT AND FLEX. The type of shaft and flex you choose affects the feel of the club, the distance it produces and your swing speed.

How many sets of irons are there?

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 many clubs are in an 8 club iron set?

Typical iron sets include seven or eight clubs: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 irons, as well as a pitching wedge and sometimes a gap wedge. Now, 8-club sets generally come with a gap wedge instead of a 3-iron. Hybrid iron sets replace the harder to hit long irons with hybrid clubs that are easier to launch with more forgiveness.

What is hybrid golf club?

Hybrid clubs, also known as rescue clubs, are designed with a larger profile and sweet spot that makes it easier to quickly elevate the ball to achieve a straighter shot with its more forgiving club face.

Why is it important to choose irons?

It’s important to choose irons that fit your game because doing so will allow you to hit those crisp shots we all crave and advance to the next level. This leads us to Pro Tip #4 - make the golf clubs work for you, not the other way around.

What is a driving iron?

Driving irons: also known as a 1 iron, this longer iron has an almost vertical face and is used as a substitute for a driver when accuracy or exact distance is a must; for example, Tour players may use a driving iron when fairways get too narrow or they want to hit their tee shot just a bit shorter to avoid a hazard.

What is Titleist golf?

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. Their T-Series irons are geared toward low to mid handicappers, though that doesn’t mean Titleist Golf has eliminated offerings for their higher handicap customers.

What is a SIM2 Max iron?

On the flip side, if you’re a higher handicap golfer, the TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons are designed with a larger sweet spot, which means you’ll find distance and accuracy on your iron shots despite a slight miss-hit. Turns out TaylorMade Golf’s driver technology carries over into their irons.

What is a game improvement iron?

Game improvement irons: these irons are geared towards mid to high handicappers who are looking for more forgiveness, distance and accuracy.

What is a T300 iron?

In fact, the T300 irons are some of the most advanced game improvement irons in the market today; slightly larger but packed with the same T-Series technology, the T300 irons increase your swing speed and forgiveness.

What is Callaway iron?

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.

How fast can a 6 iron hit?

This category includes above average amateurs who hit their 6 iron between 155 and 170m and have a club head speed between 80 and 90mph. Please note that these are only approximate values.

How long does it take to find the perfect shaft profile?

It is difficult to give basic recommendations and the perfect shaft profile can only be found in a fitting and usually over longer playing periods. It can take years for a player to find the perfect profile. Therefore a player usually stays with it and remains consistent throughout the set.

What is the softest point of a shaft?

Then there are shafts with a stiff tip and a soft grip area. Basically the tip is the softest point of the shaft. These shafts are nevertheless stiffer at this point than, for example, in the middle of the shaft.

Is the 105 a stiff shaft?

The Modus 105 in Regular is basically just as stiff as the Modus 120 in Stiff. One thing that is striking about the Fujikura Pro shaft, for example, is that the stiffness is very constant across the weight classes. That is why, for example, the Pro 75 is just as stiff as the Pro 85 in Stiff.

Is a longer shaft better than a shorter shaft?

The good thing about such a shaft is that you can also build longer clubs with it without making the total and swing weight too heavy. Longer shafts are always softer than shorter shafts. So anyone who needs longer shafts and a certain stiffness without making the club too heavy is well served with such a shaft.

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