Picking the right irons for your game
You’ll be using irons on almost every hole, we’re sure of it. So it’s important to know the main aspects irons offer to improve your game and dial in your distance when you need it the most. This guide will provide the essential information you need to know which irons are right for you.
Want a quick overview of some basic (and important) golf club definitions before you start thinking about irons? Head over to our general Golf Clubs 101 Buying Guide and we’ll meet you back here when you’re ready.
Sets
Irons typically come in sets of six to eight clubs. A set usually includes a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-irons, and pitching wedge. Some may even come with an additional wedge called a "gap" or "approach" wedge. That type of wedge has a loft between a pitching and sand wedge.
Clubhead
Iron clubheads are groovy. Literally. They have a greater number and greater depth of grooves than woods and hybrids. An iron’s grooves and thinner head create more ball spin so you can control your shot, helping improve accuracy.
Loft
An iron’s number tells how high—and far—the shot will go. A good rule of thumb is the higher the number, the higher the ball will launch and the shorter it’ll go in distance.
Length
Iron sets offer clubs in three lengths. Long (2, 3, and 4), mid (5, 6, and 7), and short (8, 9, and pitching wedges).
We recommend using a long iron to hit the ball further and with less loft. Use short irons for higher launch, more spin, and shorter distance.
Find your style
There are two main styles of iron: cavity-back and muscle-back (aka blades) irons.
The cavity-back style or game-improvement irons have a thicker sole and larger clubhead. These are perfect for beginners or intermediate players looking for that larger sweet spot. They’re more forgiving with off-center strikes.
The muscle-back style, or the players’ iron, has a shorter blade length, narrower sole width, and thinner top lines. These irons are usually used by the lower-handicap players and professionals for their increased performance and shot-shaping control.
Find your fit
Playing with irons that fit your body and swing type is important. Taller golfers will play irons that are longer in length and sit more upright in the lie angle. The opposite is true for shorter golfers, so we suggest they go for shorter irons.
Many manufacturers offer custom set configurations with cavity-back irons in the longer irons and blade or muscle-back irons in the shorter irons.
Your local PGA TOUR Superstore fitting experts are also ready to help you find the fit you need so you can strike while the iron is hot.
