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why new golf iron sets dont have 3 iron

by Mrs. Eunice Rohan IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

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.

Can you hit a 3 iron straight?

In addition to the loft creep, fewer golfers can hit a straight 3 iron. Besides hybrids, there are now driving irons (U-500-510) that can fill the role of a 3 or 4 iron with better results. The T-100 and 620 irons still have a 21 degree three iron but are generally considered to be for more skilled users.

How many degrees of loft do golf irons have been there?

Then in the ’90s, you’d pretty much see all iron sets with 21-degree 3-irons, down to 48-degree PW’s, and 21 degrees being the norm for the lowest lofted 3-iron. 2-irons at this time were typically 18 degrees and available by request only. Then came the 2000’s, an era we all should be familiar with. This is where things started to get interesting.

How have golf irons changed in the last 20 years?

The makeup of the iron set has certainly changed over last 20 years--the 3-PW was the standard when I began playing golf but now the hybrid or utility/driving iron is just better option for majority of golfers. Even better players are opting for half set (4-6 iron) in one model and half set (7-PW) in another model.

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Why is a 3 iron not recommended?

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.

Can you still buy 3 irons?

The 3-iron is almost extinct.

What golf club replaces a 3 iron?

Typically, 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.

Does 3 hybrid replace 3 iron?

Hybrid clubs are numbered and are generally designed to replace the iron with the same number – for example, a 3-hybrid would replace a 3-iron. However, a typical golfer will likely hit the ball a bit farther with a hybrid than with an iron of the same number.

Who still makes a 3 iron?

They include Callaway, Ping, Cobra, and Taylor Made, just to mention a few. The only clubs with a 3-iron are pro sets designed for scratch golfers and professionals. The reason for not including a 3-iron in a set is simple—long irons are too difficult to hit.

Is a 3 iron useful?

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 a 3 hybrid?

Their 3-hybrid shots measure between 183 and 193 yards, and 3-iron shots between 185 and 198 yards. In other words, even the best Arccos players come up short on shots hit with either club! This disparity becomes daunting with higher handicap players.

How far should you 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. The actual distance depends on the skill of the golfer and their ability level.

What is a 4 iron used for?

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.

When would you use a 3 iron 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.

Is a 3 iron the same as a 3 wood?

A 3 iron is a smaller and more compact headed club than a 3 wood and it has a lower flatter and shorter flight path than a 3 wood. A 3 iron has been replaced by a hybrid in plenty of beginner sets but it is club worth carrying for anybody who can hit it effectively.

Which is better 3 wood or 3 hybrid?

A 3 hybrid has a lower center of gravity than a 3 wood. Because of this, it is easy to launch the ball high and more difficult to hit the ball thin. The shape of the hybrid helps it to cut through dirt while a fairway wood bounces off the ground.

How far should you 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. The actual distance depends on the skill of the golfer and their ability level.

What loft is a 3 iron?

19 to 21 Degrees3-Iron Loft | 19 to 21 Degrees Depending on what level of player they're made for, 3-irons have lofts ranging from 19 to 21 degrees. Again, the vast majority of players today would be better served using a hybrid or fairway wood instead of a 3-iron.

Is a 3 wood the same as a 3 iron?

A 3 iron is a smaller and more compact headed club than a 3 wood and it has a lower flatter and shorter flight path than a 3 wood. A 3 iron has been replaced by a hybrid in plenty of beginner sets but it is club worth carrying for anybody who can hit it effectively.

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

Their 3-hybrid shots measure between 183 and 193 yards, and 3-iron shots between 185 and 198 yards. In other words, even the best Arccos players come up short on shots hit with either club! This disparity becomes daunting with higher handicap players.

What is the lowest loft iron in the PGA?

At 22.5 degrees, it is typically the lowest-lofted iron in the golf bag of the best iron player on the PGA Tour in 2019. Of course, he has the skill to play an iron with lower loft, but the point that history reveals to us is that the effective loft of playability for an iron is about 22 degrees and higher.

When did the 1-iron go extinct?

At this point, the 1-iron was virtually extinct, and in 1975 , Lee Trevino was immortalized by his joke about how God couldn’t hit a 1-iron, which typically fell in the 18-degree range at the time. 2-irons were standard issue in the set, and the lowest loft you might find is 20 degrees.

What is the average loft of a gap wedge?

Now in 2020, the average loft of the PW is 43.5 degrees, ...

Is the 3-iron extinct?

The 3-iron is almost extinct. It sounds like an odd statement, but it’s very true. Don’t believe me? Go try and buy one in a set. They are not easily found.

Does Mizuno have a 4-PW?

Mizuno only offers 4-PW in the JPX line now. Titleist only offers a 3-iron in T100s, while the rest are void of 3-irons. TaylorMade provides 4-PW in the P790, P790Ti, and P770. Callaway has done the same, only offering a 3-iron in the “players line” of clubs, while the rest is again void of the-iron. Cobra golf has also followed suit.

Why not include a 3 iron in a set?

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 irons should I play in golf?

Based on your skill or handicap, the only irons you should play are: 25 handicap – wedge, 9, 8 and 7 iron. 24 to 12 – wedge, 9, 8, 7 and 6 iron. 11 to 5 – wedge, 9, 8, 7 and 5 iron. 4 to 0 – wedge, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 4 iron.

What irons replace 3 and 4?

Gone are the long irons. This Cobra Hybrid, 3 to 4, will replace the 3 and 4 irons. — Photo courtesy Cobra Golf, Inc. There is an old joke told by PGA golfer, Lee Trevino, that in case of a lightning storm on the golf course, hold up a 1-iron to be safe, as God can’t even hit a 1-iron. The joke is not far from the truth.

What is CG golf?

1. The wide soul design and low center of gravity [CG], allows the ball to be hit off the fairway or out of the rough. 2. The new hybrids can be adjusted from fade to draw. 3. The shafts are shorter and the club head is smaller, making it easier to hit. 4.

Which golfers use hybrid irons?

Professional golfers on the PGA Tour took longer to adopt the hybrid, but Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, V.J. Singh and even Tiger Woods have used a hybrid.

What is the average temperature of a hybrid golf club?

Since there is no standard guideline for hybrid specifications, the average hybrid would be between 21 to 24 degrees, replacing the 3 to 5 irons. Hybrid is defined as a mixture of two clubs, the metal woods and the long irons, producing a new club.

scotth

So have been studying different irons sets that are offered these days, and see that most of them start with the 5 iron. I am curious to hear from people that have purchased a new set recently and what they purchased to use for distances that in the past would have been a 3 or 4 iron?

arturo28mx

I don't hit the 5 iron very well. Much less the 4 iron. So from the fairway the highest I'll go is 6 iron. I have a good short game so I don't mind landing a few yards outside the green. I can usually do a good up and down. 5 iron only from the tee.

Joeyvee

I just ordered a set that only had 5-AW. I hit the 5 over 200 so there's no need for a hard to hit 4 iron.

pganapathy

Of late I cannot hit my 3-iron very well, but can get about 200 to 210 with that when it clicks. Go down by 10 yards for the rest of my set.

MarvChamp

I have ALL of them. When I gave a friend some nice persimmons for his collection, he gave me the JPX Fli-Hi #3 and #4 that came with his last set. Later, I got the JPX-800 HD set with a 4 and 5 iron. When I was more of a "player", I could hit a 3 and 4 iron well. So I will play the 4 iron from time to time, thinking I can relive some old glory.

Denny Bang Bang

How many people added the 3 or 4 iron and why? What woods or hybrids are you carrying instead of a 3 or 4 iron and why?

upndown21

I play ping g25 irons 5-pw and recently ditched my Adams idea 22* for a titleist 816 h2 21*. My hope was to get a hybrid that plays more like an iron as I find that in dense or fluffy bermuda rough I often than hit a pop up. I am realizing as my ball striking improves I should probably get a 3 and 4 iron.

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 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.

What is the difference between a long iron and a short iron?

Long irons are used to hit the ball further with a shorter loft, while the short irons are designed to produce a higher loft. The higher loft results in a steeper ball launch angle from the initial elevation to the final drop.

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.

Callaway Rogue ST

We tested: Rogue ST Max: 4-PW, AW, GW, SW; Rogue ST Max OS: 4-9, PW, AW, GW, SW; Rogue ST Pro: 3-PW, AW; Rogue ST Max OS Lite: 4-PW, AW, GW, SW

Callaway Apex 21

Our take: There’s a reason that Callaway’s Apex irons are among the industry’s top selling and performing irons, year-after-year. Our testers found the Apex irons to offer a strong combination of distance, forgiveness, sound, feel and workability. If you’re unsure where to start your iron search, these are a good place to start.

Callaway Apex Pro 21

Our take: Don’t let the “Pro” name fool you. Yes, these irons are suited for low handicappers and even pros, but their forgiveness properties make them a contender for mid-handicappers, too.

Callaway Apex DCB 21

Our take: If you’re a mid-to-high handicapper who wants the look, feel and performance of an Apex iron, but don’t quite have the skill to use the smaller Apex or Apex Pro versions, the Apex DCB may be your ticket into the Apex family. They’re ultra-forgiving and have a slightly larger package to help with mishits.

Callaway Apex TCB

Our take: The Apex TCB (Tour Cavity Blade) irons offer everything that a better player wants from a blade iron in terms of looks, feel and performance, with just a touch of added forgiveness. They’re also world No. 1-approved, being that Jon Rahm used these irons to win the 2021 U.S. Open Championship.

Callaway Apex MB

Our take: Blade irons are for the golfer who wants the ultimate in precision performance, and the Apex MBs deliver both in shaping and in technology. If you hit the ball long and don’t miss the center of the face often, these could be the answer for your blade buying needs.

Callaway X Forged CB

Our take: The X Forged CB irons have a combination of control and forgiveness that suit both tour players and low-handicap amateurs alike. They’re not the smallest irons in Callaway’s stable, but they have compact shapes that produce precise workability with just enough forgiveness to help with misfires.

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