Tips on How to Choose Your Model of Golf Club Iron Set - With or Without Hybrids
If you are looking to buy a new set of irons but don’t know where to start then this should help you decide. My name is Darcy Schmidt from the team at golfstuff.ca and I have been selling and fitting golf clubs for over 25 years. My goal here is to help you understand what you need and make the decision easier. With all of the different brands and models it can be overwhelming having too many choices, so this I hope should put an end to that.
Ok so the first thing is almost all of the brands, whether it is Ping,TaylorMade, Callaway, Cobra, or Titleist they generally have 3 types of clubs for 3 types of players. They are designed and engineered from every aspect to appeal to a certain type of golfer.
These three types I will refer to as Player irons , Game Improvement irons, and Super Game Improvement irons. Each of these types of clubs are made for a different type of player.
Player’s Irons
The first so called “Player” type of irons typically have a narrower sole, little or no offset, small or no cavity on the back, smaller head size, and a thin top line. These are made for the best and most skilled players, and feature a look and feel that the best players want. Main benefits of this model are maximum feel and feedback, the most precision of all models, and nice looking compact head. These are best suited for someone who is very skilled, has a high swing speed, and typically draws the ball. Some of the Players models out today are the Ping Blueprint, TaylorMade P.7TW, and the Callaway Apex MB.
Game Improvement Irons
The next type of irons are Game Improvement Irons, and compared to the Players irons they will typically have a wider sole, more offset, a medium to large size cavity on the back of the club head, larger head size, and a thicker top line. These are made for a wide range of players and are usually the most popular clubs overall, anyone from a low to a higher handicap may find that they like this style of club. Main benefits of this model are significantly more forgiveness than the players irons, wider sole and top line which gives more confidence to the player knowing they don’t need a perfect hit to get a good result, and they usually launch the ball higher and further than the players clubs. These clubs are best suited to someone who wants some forgiveness and in need of more distance but doesn’t want the typically bulkier look of the super game improvement iron. Also this person would often be someone who fades or slices the ball and has an average swing speed and has a handicap of about 9 to 20. Some of the Game Improvement models out today are the TaylorMade Sim Max, and the Callaway Mavrik.
Super Game Improvement Irons
The next type of irons are Super Game Improvement Irons, and compared to the Game Improvement irons they will typically have the widest sole of all, most offset,the largest head size, and the thickest top line. These are made typically for someone who has a high handicap, slow swing speed, or slices the ball a lot. Main benefits of this model are maximum distance, height, and forgiveness as well as reducing slicing. These clubs are best suited to someone who wants the most forgiveness and distance, and a straighter shot and about a 15 to 36 handicap. Some of the Super Game Improvement models out today are the Ping G410. TaylorMade Sim Max OS, and the Callaway Mavrik Max.
In Between Players and Game Improvement Irons
Not all models of irons fit perfectly into the 3 types I have talked about, sometimes they are in between categories. For example you have the Ping i210 or the Callaway Mavrik Pro that are made for a better player, say 3 to 10 handicap, but allow for more forgiveness than a Players iron but less than a game improvement iron. These will have some of the features that a better player will appreciate without giving up massive amounts of forgiveness by going to a blade style Players club.
How Model Affects the Stock Shaft and Grip
Manufacturers will match the stock grip and shaft to the style of the iron as well. If you purchase a Players iron set you can expect a heavier and lower launching shaft, it will always be steel, and a firmer feeling lower torque grip.For game improvement irons you will usually find a medium weight shaft that is mid or high launching, usually both steel and graphite will be offered, and a grip that is a little softer feeling than what is in the Players irons. For Super Game Improvement Irons you can expect the lightest weight and highest launching shaft, graphite shaft will be very common in this style, and will most often have a softer grip as well.
Hybrid or Combo Iron Sets
Stock iron sets that come with hybrids are also called Combo Iron Sets as they are a combination of traditional style irons mixed with hybrid golf clubs. Most Players clubs will not have any hybrids and may have a typical set of number 3 or 4 iron through to the pitching wedge. Game improvement combo irons sets will often have a number 3 and 4 hybrid and then number 5 iron through to the pitching wedge. For Super Game Improvement Irons you will often see number 4 and 5 hybrid plus number 6 iron through pitching wedge.
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In summary I would always suggest trying clubs before you buy them, your best results can be expected from actually comparing models instead of just reading about them, but with knowledge you can know what you are gaining or losing by the different choices available.
I hope that this information has been helpful, please let me know any questions or comments you may have by contacting us at golfstuff@golfstuff.ca.