Golf Irons Buying Guide


by Jonty Driver - Date: 2007-04-12 - Word Count: 659 Share This!

Find The Ideal Irons For Your Game
Choosing a new set of golf irons is no easy task. The variety of designs, materials, aesthetics and prices can be confusing to even the most knowledgeable golfer. Aspects such as clubhead design, composition and shaft flex are all important in matching a set of golf irons to your game.

Types of Irons
There are two main types of golf iron; cavity back (usually cast) and bladed-style (usually forged) irons - and now many sets are being sold with hybrid options. In these, the hard-to-hit 3 and 4 irons are replaced with hybrids, or golf iron-woods, which add the playability and power of a wood to the feel and control of iron construction. For more information on hybrids, please see our section on choosing the right golf hybrid

Cavity Back
These are designed to distribute the weight away from the centre of the clubface and create a larger sweet spot, giving 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 is ideally suited to 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
These 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.

Cast versus Forged Golf Irons
Cavity backs tend to be cast - molten metal, usually stainless steel, is poured into a mould to create the clubhead. It is less expensive than forging, and cast clubs tend to offer less feel - so they are most appropriate for medium to high handicappers, who do not need as much subtlety in their golf irons.

Blades are usually forged, meaning that they are made from a solid metal block 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 - and 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.

Clubhead Design

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

Offset
The offset distance is the space between an imaginary line down the centre of the shaft and the leading edge of the blade. 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.

Shafts
Choosing the right shaft is equally as important as getting the right clubhead design, as it plays a critical part in distance and control.

Materials
Golf irons are available with stainless steel shafts, which are strong, durable, cost-effective and provide better consistency for very good golfers. Alternatively, graphite shafts are lighter, allowing a golfer to gain more club head speed and better feel for the clubhead, generating more power and distance.

Flex
The ability of the shaft to bend as you swing. Your local Foremost pro will be able to identify how much flex is right for you without compromising control. Generally, beginners and players with a slower swing speed will benefit from a more flexible shaft.


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