A Guide On How To Choose Golf Irons Designed For Your Needs
When trying to choose the right set of golf irons or any type of golf club, it’s perfectly understandable that you run into some confusion.
There are a lot of golf clubs out there and all of them have something to offer for different kinds of players.
To avoid buyer’s remorse, and being stuck with a golf set that does nothing for you, you need to know what to look for when shopping for golf irons.
In this article, we’ve broken down the top things that you should consider when looking for golf irons and how to purchase golf equipment like a pro. Read on to learn more! [no_toc]
What to Consider When Choosing Golf Irons:
In many ways, golf clubs or irons are an investment in yourself more than anything else. Though the equipment you use in golf is important, it is still a skill-based sport more than anything else. The top consideration you should make when purchasing golf irons is how their features support you and your playing style.
Grip Thickness
When the grip of the clubs is too thin, there’s less surface area for your hands to grip on. Thus, grips that are too thin offer less traction. On the other hand, grips that are too thick can be equally as cumbersome.
The proper grip should let you hold the club using the middle and ring fingers of your left hand with very little touching the pad with the thumb.
Shaft
The correct length of the clubs is also essential in ensuring good posture. Good posture leads to swings of higher quality.
The taller you are, the longer the shaft you’ll need.
The shaft flex is also a factor that needs attention. Too stiff or soft of flex can lead the ball to go to totally different places than you intended.
Top 3 Golf Irons, for every Golfer
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GREAT FOR THE PRICE |
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Best Price |
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USED BY PROS |
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Best Price |
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BEST FOR BEGINNERS |
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Best Price |
Loft
The loft, or loft angle, is probably one of the most important considerations you’ll have to make when choosing the right golf iron set.
Generally, clubs with lower numbers have lower loft angles which cause the ball to go farther. Clubs with higher loft angles will get the ball rising and descending into the air at a steeper angle.
Each brand produces its loft angles a little differently by number, give or take a few degrees. This is why when golfers get used to using a certain brand of clubs, they rarely make a switch.
The Clubhead
The choice of the size you prefer for your club heads depends greatly on your level of experience.
Generally, the larger the clubhead, the more forgiving your swings are.
Although that’s not to say you can’t make a poor hit and still achieve a good result with an oversized head, these are often heavy and hard to control.
This is why more experienced golfers opt for more compact clubheads that might not be as forgiving but offer more control.
What’s In A Name?
Sometimes the most expensive golf iron sets are the ones that are the hardest for you to use.
We encourage you, as a beginner, to not put too much importance on the name or price of golf iron sets.
Your priority in your formative months in golf should be improving your swing and confidence level. The flashy equipment can come later.
Related: Golf Essentials For Beginners, What You Should Know
Take Your Time
Do not rush your first set of golf clubs. Take your time and meticulously inspect and try out each set before making a choice. This will go a long way to ensuring you get the iron set that truly fits you.
Clubs For Beginners
If you are just starting at playing golf, it’s probably best and more practical to simply borrow a set or buy used clubs. For Beginners, check out the Callaway Big Bertha Irons or the Taylormade Sim2 Max Irons.
If you’re looking for something better geared towards better players, check out the Taylormade P770 Irons or even the Titleist T100 Irons (though they’re more geared towards pros).
Once you have played a couple of rounds and have become familiar with the game, you can proceed to get your first few clubs and go from there.
Golf clubs are best bought slowly, collecting more advanced ones as your experience increases and you progress in the sport.
For players with a year or more experience, you might want to start building a set of golf clubs that is more tailored to your physical characteristics and ability.
Step-By-Step Guide To Choosing Golf Irons
Step 1 – Shafts First
When shopping for golf clubs or iron sets, you need to choose from the shafts first. As a beginner, we would recommend graphite shafts since they are lighter and are easier to carry.
They also twist in your hands less, allowing for more accurate shots.
Step 2 – What Flex To Use?
Once you know what kind of shaft you want, it’s time to decide on what kind of flex you’re comfortable using. There are usually 5 categories to choose from: Senior, Ladies, Normal, Stiff, and Extra-Stiff.
Start with seniors and move your way up as you manage to hit the ball farther and farther.
Step 3 – Get A Grip!
Select the right grips. There are several types to choose including rubber, leather, and synthetic materials. There are even grips with fabric that’s interwoven within which allows them to stay tacky even in the rain. Since your only contact with the club is your grip, don’t skip on its importance.
Step 4 – The Club Head
Pick the club head according to your skill level, large means more forgiving, and start practicing. With the right golf clubs in your arsenal, all you have to do is play and get those stats up!
Step 5 (Optional)
Clubs are made for the average player, so up to a quarter of them are sold to people who should modify them.
Once you reach a certain level of expertise such that your equipment can’t keep up, you can have clubs custom-fitted. Many pro golfers take their clubs to a professional club fitter who will measure you so that your new clubs fit.
Bottom Line…
And that was all you should know about buying your own golf club set.
Keep in mind that, in the beginning, it’s okay to use secondhand or borrowed clubs.
Swing quality and skill are much more important.
When you decide you’re ready, then you can put what you learned here into practice and get a set of your own!
Want to learn more?
Check out OUR Top 10 Golf Irons for the year!