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which are the three types of irons you may have in your golf bag

by Prof. June Brown I Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

  • What Are The Different Types Of Golf Irons Used For? The different golf irons can be divided into three categories: Long irons: 2, 3 and 4-irons. Used ...
  • How Do I Choose Golf Irons?

Most amateur golfers carry the same standard 12 clubs in their bag which are: (1) driver; (2) 3-wood. (3) 5-wood.

Full Answer

What Irons should you carry in your golf bag?

Then you can carry a set of irons from 3-9 along with a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a lob wedge. But if you’re looking to add a hybrid, a 7-wood or even a 2-iron, then the compromise will start. To help you make the best decision all the irons will be described below.

How many irons are in a set of golf clubs?

Irons account for nearly half of the clubs that a golfer is allowed to carry in their bag. Standard golf sets feature 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 irons. Irons are available in different shapes and sizes and they are made out of different materials.

What are the different types of back irons used in golf?

Cavity backs are used by all types of players, from beginner golfers to PGA Tour pros. Muscle back irons typically are only used by advanced players and some professional golfers. What Are The Different Designs Of Golf Irons?

How many clubs can you carry in a golf bag?

They all have a purpose, but it can differ what golfers will have in their bags. As it is up to yourself what you want to carry on a round, sets of golf irons will be very much up to personal preference. You just have to keep within the 14 clubs you can carry in your golf bag according to the rules of golf.

What irons should I have in my golf bag?

The most common setup in a golf bag includes these 14 golf clubs:1 driver.4 wedges (pitching wedge, sand wedge, gap wedge, lob wedges)2 woods (3-wood and 5-wood)1 putter.5 irons (5 iron, 6 iron, 7 iron, 8 iron, 9 iron)1 hybrid golf club (a combination of a wood golf head design with an iron length shaft)

What is a 3 iron used for in golf?

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.

What are the different types of golf irons?

Types of Irons For GolfForged Irons. Forging a club is very similar to what the village blacksmith used to do. ... Cast Irons. The alternative to forged irons is the cast iron. ... Blade Irons. ... Cavity Back Irons.Sets Of Irons. ... Hybrid Sets Of Irons. ... Steel Shafts. ... Graphite Shafts.More items...

What 3 wedges should you have in your bag?

So generally think about putting in a gap wedge that's 48 or 50 degrees, a sand wedge that's between 54 and 56 degrees, and a lob wedge that's between 58 and 60 degrees. These are general guidelines, make sure you're working with your fitter to get the gapping that works best for you. 3.

Is there a 3 iron in golf?

The only time you might see a 3 iron on the course is if it's a driving iron. A 3/4 iron are the most common types of driving irons, but they're mostly played by lower handicap golfers.

Why are there no 3 irons?

The reason for not including a 3-iron in a set is simple—long irons are too difficult to hit. In order to hit a 3-iron well, golfers need a slow backswing, bring the club to parallel, open the hips and shift the weight, sweeping down through the ball. Also being young never hurts.

How many types 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).

How many irons are there in golf?

A modern set of golf clubs typically consists of three woods (the 1-driver, 3, and 5), at least 1 hybrid (3H) seven irons (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and PW), and a putter. This gives you a total of twelve clubs.

How many different golf irons are there?

Here's the deal: there are 3 types of golf irons: super game improvement irons, game improvement irons, and players irons. Players' irons are designed by experts for highly skilled players, and they can be used and struck correctly only by golf pros.

Do you need 3 wedges?

Three wedges is standard, but you might want four or more Most players tend to carry three wedges — a pitching, sand and lob wedge.

What wedge setup should I have?

I don't want to get too deep into loft gapping, but the general rule of thumb is you want somewhere in the neighborhood of four degrees of loft between each club. For example, if you have a 44-degree pitching wedge, you'd want to look into adding a 48-degree wedge to keep the carry yardages consistent.

What wedge should you chip with?

The sand wedge is the wedge that is the best for chipping. With a sand wedge, you can fly the ball reasonably close to the pin, and expect it only to roll a few feet. Sand wedges are great out of the bunker, and they provide a ton of spin even on shots out of the rough.

What club does a 3 iron replace?

hybridTypically, a 3-iron is replaced by a 19 degree hybrid or a 5-wood, a 4-iron is replaced by a 22 degree hybrid or a 7-wood, a 5-iron is replaced by a 25 degree hybrid, and a 6-iron is replaced by a 28 degree hybrid.

What is the difference between a 3 iron and a 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.

Do pros use 3 irons?

Hell, only 20 percent of PGA Tour players carry a 3-iron that's not a utility iron. That number fades to almost nonexistent on the LPGA Tour.

How far should I hit a 3 iron?

between 125 and 250 yardsThe 3 iron can typically hit the ball between 125 and 250 yards. It should go further than most irons and slightly less distance than fairway woods or drivers.

What are the different types of golf irons?

There are two different types of golf irons, forged and cast irons . Forged Irons: Forged irons are created from a single piece of metal that is smashed into a rough shape and then hammered into the finished design. The club head is then sent through the process of grinding, milling and polishing until the final product is produced.

What is the majority of a golf bag made of?

A majority of your golf bag is made up of irons. It is important that a golfer knows how each iron feels. However, finding the right set of golf irons can take a considerable amount of time and money. The main two styles of golf irons are a cavity back and a muscle back blade. Each of these irons have different subsets within them.

What is the difference between a cavity back iron and a blade iron?

Cavity back irons have a larger sweet spot than blades and make it easier to elevate the ball and achieve a straighter shot. Muscle back irons (also called blade irons or blades) are not the most forgiving iron style. However, they do allow you to shape your ball much easier when compared to cavity back irons.

What is a muscle back iron?

A muscle back iron (or blade) features a full back rear of the club, while a cavity back features a hollowed-out rear end of the club. Cavity backs are used by all types of players, from beginner golfers to PGA Tour pros. Muscle back irons typically are only used by advanced players and some professional golfers.

How is cast iron made?

This type of iron is created by pouring molten metal into a mold, which then hardens as the finished process. Cast irons are created with multiple materials and feature more parameter weights. The casting process is cheaper and faster than the forged process.

Why are short irons easier to hit?

Short irons are typically easier to hit because the shaft of the club is shorter compared to the rest of the set. Learning how to hit your short irons is vital to shooting low rounds. Mid irons: Mid irons are your 6 iron and your 7 iron. These two irons should be your “mid distance” irons. Mid irons are a drop harder to hit than short irons ...

What is a short iron called?

Short irons: Short irons are your 8 iron, 9 iron, and pitching wedge. These irons are also called the “scoring irons”.

What are the different types of golf irons?

Irons account for nearly half of the clubs that a golfer is allowed to carry in their bag. Standard golf sets feature 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 irons. Irons are available in different shapes and sizes and they are made out of different materials.

What is a game improvement iron?

Game improvement irons feature a larger profile which might not appeal to all golfers but one can’t argue with results that these oversize irons deliver. Game improvement irons offer more than just big clubheads, the design of these irons are packed with other game improvement technological advances.

What is cavity back iron?

Cavity back irons offer the best of both worlds in terms of forgiveness and performance. Cavity back shaped clubheads are becoming popular features in the bags of professional golfers. The world’s best ball strikers seem to prefer the forgiveness of cavity-back clubheads over the workability of muscle back irons.

Why are muscle back irons called blades?

Muscle back irons are commonly known as blades because they resemble the look of a butter knife. These irons with their small clubheads are commonly found in the bags of professional and low handicap amateur players that are exceptional ball strikers.

What are the benefits of using Super Game Improvement Irons?

Super game improvement irons promote added distance, a high ball flight and exceptional forgiveness on off-center hits.

How much difference between lofts on irons?

It could be that there is a 2-3 degree difference which could result in nearly a 10-yard difference . Standard lofts also differ amongst iron types regardless of manufacturer.

Why use muscle back irons?

Muscle back irons also offer exceptional workability and this is one of the main reasons why professional players opt for blade irons. Muscle back irons have very small clubheads, if you miss the sweet spot it will be evident in the results. Blades with their sleek designs do look good but these irons are only suitable for a very small portion of the golfing population.

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 many clubs can you carry in a golf bag?

As a golfer reading this, you are likely aware that the rules of golf permit each player to carry no-more than 14 clubs in their bag for any given round. Having a limit on the number of clubs allows golfers to use strategic planning to determine which combination of clubs they will carry in their bag. Some of the important things to consider ...

How many wedges do you need to crush a driver?

For example, players that can crush their drivers do not often have to carry a 5-wood, so they’d rather keep three different wedges (i.e., 46-degree, 52-degree and 58-degree). This is sometimes referred to as a “three wedge system.”.

What is the final two clubs?

The final two clubs are generally a combo of pitching wedges with differing lofts. Just because that’s the common combination, doesn’t mean that you need to follow it. You may want to consider the following three items when determining how to customize your 14-club combination.

What is the hardest club to hit?

The lower lofted irons are commonly known as the hardest clubs to hit for the majority of golfers (even the pros). If you struggle with these clubs, consider switching over to hybrids and carry multiple hybrids that you hit relatively the same distance as your 3 and 4-irons.

How to hit a golf shot?

Most of the shots you’re going to hit are within close range of the green. Choose the wedges and short irons that you need first, then work your way to hybrids, fairways and the driver.

How to use a different putter when you miss a putt?

The temptation to use a different putter when you miss a putt is equally consequential, especially when switching between two totally different putter types like a heel-toe blade to a face-balanced mallet. Pick one driver and one putter before your round and leave the alternates in the trunk. 3. Start with your scoring clubs.

Does Golf.com make a fee?

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Is dropping golf clubs good?

Dropping clubs that you don’t need can be a good thing — mentally and physically. And replacing them with duplicate clubs can be advantageous (hey, Phil Mickelson won the ’06 Masters carrying two drivers ), but it can also be a wicked assault on your mind’s ability to trust your equipment, especially with drivers and putters.

What Is In A Set Of Golf Irons?

Normally a set of irons will consist of 4-9 along with a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. Sometimes golfers will add in a 3-iron if they are skilled in hitting the longer irons. And sometimes a gap or lob wedge is added for the utility.

Why don't golf sets come with a 3 iron?

With the emergence of utility woods the long irons have become less and less popular. The 3-iron suffers from the fact that it is still quite hard to hit well consistently, for the inexperienced golfer. That is also why a lot of golf sets don’t come with a 3-iron, it is something that you need to request specifically.

What wedges are used in golf?

Traditionally the only wedges you would find in a golf set was the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.

How many slots are there in a driver putter?

If you’re looking to carry a driver, a 3- and a 5-wood and (of course) a putter you will have 10 slots left for the irons and wedges. Then you can carry a set of irons from 3-9 along with a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a lob wedge. But if you’re looking to add a hybrid, a 7-wood or even a 2-iron, then the compromise will start.

Why is the Sand Wedge my friend?

Personally, the sand wedge (SW) has always been my friend. Maybe because I like those short, high trajectory shots around the green.

Which is easier to hit, a short iron or a mid iron?

Mid irons are easier to hit than long irons. Then there are the high numbers, and those will be used for the shortest approach shots and some very short par threes. The short irons are the easiest to hit. Lastly there are a vast selection of wedges to choose from. These can be utilized for many shots around the green and in and around hazards.

What are the small numbers on a golf iron?

The small numbers are the long irons, and they will be used for tee shots or long approach shots. The middle numbers are obviously the mid irons, and they will be used on shorter par three holes and approach-shots that are not too long and require more accuracy. Mid irons are easier to hit than long irons. Then there are the high numbers, and those ...

How many choices are there for iron shafts?

Once you know the weight class that you prefer (light, mid-weight, or heavy), you will probably only have two to four choices.

Why are 8 piece irons dead?

The reason that the 8-piece iron set is dead is that most golfers do not benefit from having long irons in their bag. The reason? The long irons do not have enough loft to be hit straight, hit on playable trajectories, or hit to distinct distances by most golfers.

How many sets can a fitter recommend?

Depending on how specific you are with your request, the fitter may be able to immediately recommend two or three sets for you to try. If you’re request isn’t 100% dialed in, your fitter should ask some questions that will help him make his recommendations. Here are a couple examples of how that conversation might go.

Do you need to fit shafts on irons?

With irons, I strongly recommend fitting the shaft – or at least finding your preferred weight class – before testing different heads. There is a huge variation in stock shaft weights and if you’re not taking that into account your testing will be virtually meaningless.

Is custom built irons good for the pros?

Jokes aside, it’s 2015. Custom fit, custom built irons have been available to consumers for years. It does NOT cost more (it might cost less !) and it is NOT only for the pros. Buying irons off the rack is not good for your game or your wallet, so stop doing it.

Is a 4 GW iron set a 3 PW?

You’ve probably noticed that over the last few years, more and more iron sets are sold 4-GW instead of 3-PW. This is not a meaningful change. The OEMs have just changed the stamping on the 3 iron to a 4, but that’s a topic for another day.

Can you hit each iron with a fitted shaft?

In a perfect world, you’d be able to hit each different iron with your fitted shaft before buying it to find out whether or not it works for you. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s a fitter on Earth that can accommodate that. What you should do is look at your current set and also use the fitter’s recommendation.

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