Find the ideal golf iron for your game 

Golf Irons (or an iron set) are so-called because their clubheads are consist of a type of metal and feature grooved faces that promote backspin motion on the golf ball when struck. The style of iron can vary between a cavity back, peripheral weighted design and blade design. 

How golf iron numbering works 

Most commonly, throughout the iron set, each club is numbered - the lower the number the further the club is designed to hit the ball. Each iron has a little less loft (a measurement, in degrees, of the angle at which the face of the club lies relative to a perfectly vertical face) than the next and a little longer shaft length than the next. This means each club goes a little farther than the next.  

That is, a 5-iron has less loft than a 6-iron, which has less loft than a 7-iron, and so on.

Also, a 5-iron is a little longer than a 6-iron, which is a little longer than a 7-iron, and so on.

Therefore, a 5-iron will go a little farther than a 6-iron, which will go a little farther than a 7-iron, on through the pitching wedge.  

Generally speaking, the distance gap between golf irons is 7-10 metres.  So your 5-iron should produce shots that are 7-10 metres longer than your 6-iron.  

Also, as you move through the iron set to the shorter, more lofted clubs, the resulting shots will have a steeper trajectory. Shots will rise at a steeper angle and fall at a steeper angle.  

Irons are generally categorized as long irons, mid-irons and short irons.

Long irons are the 3- and 4-irons.

Mid-irons, the 5-, 6- and 7-irons.

Short irons, the 8- and 9-irons and pitching wedge.  

For most amateurs, the short irons are easier to hit than the mid-irons. The “hybrid” clubs are often replacing the long-irons in set.  

What part of the game are golf irons best for? 

Golf irons can be played from the teeing ground using a tee, and it is often appropriate to do so. On a par-3, for example, you will probably use an iron on your tee shot. Or you might use an iron off any (or even every) tee in order to have better control over the shot.  

But most of your golf iron shots will come from the fairway. Irons are designed to strike the ball creating a “divot”. Divot refers to both the turf that is scraped up upon impact and the scarred area in the fairway where the turf had been. A good divot will start just in front of where the ball was at rest - meaning that your club struck the ball first, then the ground. Irons are designed with a leading edge that is somewhat sharply rounded.  

Golf irons are designed to be played with the ball positioned so that it is struck on the downswing. That is, the club is still descending when it makes contact with the ball. 
 

Purchasing a new set of irons

The decision to purchase a new golf iron set can be a complicated task. The variety of designs, materials, aesthetics and prices can be confusing to even the most knowledgeable golfer. Clubhead design, composition and shaft flex are all important in matching a set of irons to suit your game.

Types of Irons 
Traditionally the two main types of golf iron are cavity back and bladed-style irons – with many iron sets incorporating hybrids to replace the traditional “hard-to-hit” 3 and 4 irons. This adds the playability and forgiveness of a wood to the feel and control of an iron

How do cavity back iron sets differ from bladed iron sets?

Cavity Back iron sets are designed to distribute the weight away from the centre of the clubface and create a larger sweet spot, offering greater forgiveness on off-centre shots. Moving the weight towards the bottom of the clubhead creates a lower centre of gravity when striking the ball, allowing you to get it airborne more easily. This type of club traditionally suits mid to high handicap golfers, who benefit most from the forgiveness and higher trajectory. They are also more likely to offer off-set options, to help square the face at impact and avoid a slice.

Bladed iron sets are designed with a full back and no special weight distribution. With a smaller sweet spot, ‘muscle-back’ golf irons are less forgiving on mis-hits. This type of club is ideally suited to a more skilled golfer looking for more control and a softer feel, and when the ball is struck square, they often offer more accuracy.

Cavity back iron sets tend to be cast (molten metal, usually stainless steel, is poured into a mould to create the clubhead). This process is generally less expensive than forging, and cast clubs tend to offer less feel. This means they are most appropriate for medium to high handicappers, who do not need as much subtlety in their golf irons.

Blade iron sets are usually forged (they are made from a solid metal billet which is beaten into the desired club head shape). Forging uses more expensive materials, such as carbon steel, which lead to better feel, performance and quality. The smaller sole makes blades easier to hit off tight lies, as well as offering more versatility around the green. These are ideal for better players, for whom the nuances of a shot can make all the difference.

Forged cavity back iron sets have been a recent addition to the range of leading suppliers. This design combines the weight distribution away from the centre of the clubface, creating a larger sweet spot. This offers greater forgiveness on off-centre shots with the control, accuracy and softer feel of a blade club.

Clubhead Size 
Clubhead profile can range from standard to oversize. Standard cavity-backs and blades are similar in size and offer better control for an advanced player. Meanwhile, oversized clubs, with larger cavities and hybrid combinations are more forgiving on mis-hits, making them a good choice for mid to high handicap golfers.

Offset design 
The offset distance is the space between an imaginary line down the centre of the shaft and the leading edge of the clubhead. An offset club helps a player to align the clubface with the target, thus reducing slice and helping produce a higher ball flight. In progressively offset golf irons the offset will vary, with more in the longer irons to correct the tendency to slice with these clubs.

Shaft Type 
Choosing the right shaft is equally as important as getting the right clubhead design, as it plays a critical part in distance and control. Irons are produced with either steel shafts or graphite shafts. Steel shafts tend to be stronger and more durable, providing greater consistency for faster swinging players. Graphite shafts are lighter, allowing a golfer with a slower swing speed to gain greater club head speed and better feel for the clubhead, generating more power and distance.

Shaft Flex 
Flex is the ability of the shaft to bend as you swing. Flex is the ability of the shaft to bend as you swing. As a general rule, beginners and players with less powerful swings will benefit from a more flexible shaft. Players with an average swing speed tend to need a regular flex, while golfers with a more powerful swing benefit from a stiffer flex or stiffer tipped shafts to maximise clubhead control. 

Your experience, style and swing will affect the golf irons that are best for you. Visit The HOUSE of GOLF for an expert analysis and assessment. Our technicians are passionate about quality and will ensure you walk away knowing which iron set will take your game to the next level.