Golf irons are the workhorses of your club set. They make up the majority of a standard set (an 8 club set will contain as many as 5 irons) and they each have varying levels of loft which, together, makes them a versatile team of clubs to suit a lot of different situations you encounter on the course.
The different irons are identified by number (ranging from the 2 iron up to the 9 iron) and if you have a larger set (such as a 12 club set), you will probably include one of each. In addition to varying degrees of loft, the irons also differ in shaft length, angles, clubhead shape, and accuracy.
Basically, there is a lot you need to know about your irons in order to select the best ones for you and to get the best use out of them. So this article will cover the different kinds of things you need to consider when looking at golf iron sets but it will also tell you how to use a golf iron.
Here’s a rough guide of the different kinds of irons, including golf iron distances and golf iron angles:
In general, as you move up the line, the amount of golf iron accuracy increases (while the distance you get decreases). That means you have the least control but most distance with a 2-iron and the most control but least distance with a 9-iron.
Also, as you move from 2 through 9, the golf iron shafts get progressively shorter. However, there are still different length options for each iron depending on your height. A taller person needs a set of irons that are on the longer side.
Typically the short irons (8 and 9) are the easiest to use for beginners as they are the easiest to control. A few other things to consider:
We recommend getting complete set of irons all made by the same manufacturer. This gives you the most consistency across the group since each one is crafted with consideration for the others in the line.
The golf iron swing starts with a good grip. If you don’t know how to hold a golf iron, you simply won’t be able to swing a golf iron effectively. Follow these very general guidelines for holding and swinging a golf iron:
Mastering these fundamentals is essential to improving your game. And it takes practice, practice, practice. Every chance you get, take a few moments to practice your swing. Keep your irons at work with you so that you can rehearse your swing a few times whenever you can spare a couple minutes.
Finally, take good care of your golf iron set. Use golf iron covers to protect the heads from scratches as dents—which can easily happen as your clubs clang against each other in your golf bag. Covers also offer some protection against the elements.
Above all, before you invest in a set of irons, read through golf iron reviews to get a better sense of what you can expect from a specific product. Shop around and try out different irons before you commit to a set.