Golf Tips: Best Irons For Your Game

Today’s Tuesday Tip is a bit like the elephant in the room. That elephant staring you in the face may be your irons. Are they right for your game? Here’s a set of three scenarios/suggestions to help you figure that question out. Beginners and/or High Handicap Players Because Tiger Woods plays a certain iron brand or style doesn’t mean that’s best for someone else. Beginners especially should choose irons which are very forgiving or “easy” to hit. Easy is of course, a relative term because in golf nothing is that easy. “Game improvement” clubs are the best choice for beginners or high handicappers. These types of irons feature larger, more forgiving club heads. This design helps mis-hit shots as well as helps the player get the ball airborne easier. Game improvement clubs also have built in adjustments to counteract the typical error for higher handicap players, the slice. Mid-Handicap Players Players who range from around 10-18 handicap may prefer an iron with a little more control and a little less game improvement technology. These types of players may not need to correct the slice as much and closed game improvement club faces may cause them to pull or hook shots. This level player needs some forgiveness and some performance. This type of club is typically slightly smaller than game improvement clubs and may feature cavity back or cavity muscle back technology. These clubs can be used to curve or work the ball, but are still forgiving. Low Handicap Players and Professionals Some pros and low handicap players (single digit handicaps) may still choose the mid-handicap player style irons mentioned above, but many choose “blade” style irons. These irons have the smallest clubheads and are the hardest to hit out of all the irons. The tradeoff however, is ultimate control and feel. Good players who use blades can control every aspect of the ball flight from launch angle to draws and fades. Blades are a bad idea for high handicap players as they’re not easy to hit, or are they forgiving. Conclusion Are you an 18 handicapper playing blades? Moving to a better fit club for your game could make the game much easier and more enjoyable. Analyze your game and your irons to determine the best setup for you.