Irons make up an important part of what’s in the golf bag – and having the right set is essential to improving your game and achieving the results you want.
If your irons fit well, you’ll feel confident enough to make a full, confident swing, which will help you drive some yards when you need to.
Knowing which irons are best for you is important, especially with so many variations available on the market.
What do you get in a set of instruments?
Iron sets are collections of clubs, designed to cater to the diverse needs of golfers looking for the holy trinity of accuracy, distance, and control in their shots.
A typical iron set consists of seven clubs, and ranging from a 4 iron to a putting wedge, each of these clubs will have varying levels of loft and shaft length.
Lower numbered irons, sometimes called long irons although the term is usually used for 2 or 3 irons that are not usually in the iron tin, will have longer shafts and lower elevation angles, this helps produce greater distance for players.
As the number of numbers increases, so does the loft angle of the clubs.
Each addition provides more spin allowing golfers to have more control over their shots.
Iron sets will often include the option to purchase additional clubs such as a 3-iron on the long side, as well as wedges, sand wedges and lob wedges for golfers who want to fill in extra yardage gaps with a wider range of irons.
Why are there so many types of irons?
Irons are the most popular choice for new golfers as they have many different features that set them apart. They can be divided into important factors, the main three being the construction of the club, the design of the club head, and the skill level of the player.
Forged vs Cast irons
Club construction refers to the method used to construct the iron club head. The two main categories of construction include wrought and wrought iron.
Counterfeit Instruments
Wrought irons are constructed from a single piece of metal, usually carbon steel or mild stainless steel, which is heated and then worked into the desired shape.
This meticulous process results in a consistent grain structure and soft feel, providing golfers with improved response and efficiency. Forged irons have become very popular among golfers of all skill levels.
Cast Irons
Steel golf clubs are made by pouring molten metal into a mold, producing a club head that is then cooled and finished.
This approach allows for complex designs often aided by AI technology, such as perimeter measurement and multi-material construction, which provide a stronger feel compared to forged steels.
Cast irons are often found in complete golf club sets and are an affordable option for new golfers looking for greater forgiveness on off-center hits.
Cavity Back vs Back Muscles
When shopping for new irons, you’ll likely come across the terms cavity back and muscle back irons. Compared to a regular iron, cavity back and muscle back irons have different club head designs that are optimized to meet the specific needs of different playing styles.
Cavity Back Irons
Cavity back irons feature a curved section behind the clubhead, which redistributes weight around the perimeter. This design can help increase forgiveness on off-center hits and promote higher ball flight.
While most golfers can find success with cavity back irons, others may choose to use specialty irons such as deep cavity irons and tour cavity back irons depending on their unique playstyle.
Muscle Back Muscles
Muscle backs, also known as blades, have a strong and compact clubhead with a narrow top line and a small offset. Muscle backs will be more consistent with shots hit from the center of the clubface, but won’t offer the same cavity back mis-hit forgiveness.
The design provides improved performance and shot shaping ability, making them a popular choice among low handicap golfers.
Skill level
Instrument Development Game
Game improvement irons are developed to help beginners and intermediate to high handicap golfers.
These irons can include larger clubheads, perimeter weight, and wider soles, which help increase forgiveness and distance, and are generally more user-friendly clubs.
Game Improvement irons typically have a lower center of gravity, which promotes higher ball flight and makes it easier to hit for those with slower swing speeds.
Player performance tools
Performance golf irons cater to experienced golfers, such as low handicappers and professionals, who want performance, feel, and control.
Generally, these players are getting better at the game and need more performance when communicating well.
These irons typically have smaller clubheads, smaller soles, and less offset, which contribute to increased shot shaping ability and response. They tend to have a compact design and a high center of gravity, allowing golfers to control their ball flight and trajectory with precision.
Tour-grade instruments
Tour-grade irons, as may be obvious, are designed specifically for professional and handicap golfers who want control, feel, and performance and are the types of clubs favored by top professionals.
These sets can include muscle back irons or a combination of muscle back and cavity back designs, providing the perfect balance between forgiveness and shot shaping ability.
