Last year, I went through three different pieces of equipment: driver, iron, and wedge.
They were all valid. I learned something from each one and am happy with the gear I ended up with.
But if you asked me which one I would recommend first, it’s irons.
I have been playing golf for over 30 years and every time I have gone through an iron it has made a noticeable difference in my game. Here’s why.
You hit more iron shots than you think
Yes, the shooter is used the most. But if we’re talking full swings, the irons are where most of your spin happens.
Approach shots, putts, putts, par-3s—you’re constantly relying on them. And they have to do a lot.
I need to be able to fly them down or hit them up depending on the situation. I have to trust where the ball starts and how it will land. I want distance, but I also need control.
This is a difficult combination to achieve if the clubs don’t match your swing.
Iron shafts are a different animal
For me, one of the biggest reasons why the iron setup is worth it is the number of shaft options.
With a driver, there are a lot of options, but I know it’s going to be graphite and it’s very quick to figure out the right bend and then we choose the rest.
Irons are different.
Now you are deciding between steel and graphite, then weight, flex, release profile and feel. It adds up quickly and it’s not easy to solve on your own. It may not even stay consistent throughout the set.
Even if you understand the basics, it’s hard to know what really works without seeing the numbers and feeling the differences side-by-side.
It is also a gap
Opening the iron was part of the process for me when I had my iron fitting last year.
i play Title T250 but i keep one T350 5-iron. This combination gives me better space at the top of the bag without sacrificing control on the scoring clubs. This is not something I would have figured out on my own or if I had just hit a few 6 irons at a test facility and decided on what I thought was best.
The iron opening is important and it is more than the attic. Speed ​​up, rotate and start all the games on it.
Let’s talk about the cost
i understand Cost matters.
I had the last set of irons in my bag because I found a good deal. They weren’t suited to my game and I felt it. I had to learn to adapt and make them work.
Here is my advice.
At some point, pay for a proper iron fitting. Get the data. Ask questions. Take pictures. Get a printout.
Then use that information as you wish. If this leads you to a whole new group, great. If it gets you to a three-year-old model with the right axle and specs for half the price, that works too.
It’s not about spending more. It’s about finding something that fits so you’re not fighting your gear every time you play.
Final thoughts
If you are deciding whether to assemble before buying ironsi would do it.
Maybe you can convince me to bag a driver, fairway wood, or no-mount hybrid. Irons are just different. They affect a lot of shots and require a lot of precision to guess your way. In an ideal world, fit every club in your bag.
Next on my list? A shooting device.
I have had the same insert in my bag for 20 years. It feels like the time has come.
