Reader Question 3

Based on your feedback, and in co-operation with the Ontario PGA, we have assembled some of the top Canadian PGA Professionals and Apprentices in Ontario to form an expert panel in an effort to provide GolfScene readers with a cross-section of views and a wealth of game improvement knowledge.

Question:

Is the Long Iron Obsolete?

from Carl

PANEL ANSWERS

The long iron has been all but replaced from the bags of most amateur golfers. There are very few players who have the combination of club head speed and ball striking ability to warrant carrying long irons anymore. The trend of using hybrids to replace long irons is starting to become even more prevalent in the professional and college ranks.

Improved design and manufacturing technology allow for greater control of the COG of the club-head and bend profile of the shaft, this allows even players with the highest swing speeds to effectively use hybrid clubs.

The long iron is not extinct, but it is certainly on the endangered list.
- Liam Mucklow

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In today’s day and age it would appear that the long iron is becoming obsolete. A clear indication that hybrids are replacing long irons is proven by the fact that most tour players have already replaced their 2 iron with a hybrid, most have also replaced their 3 iron, and many have even eliminated the 4 iron.

Simply, for the vast majority of people the hybrid is a much easier club to hit because of its wider sole, lower centre of gravity, and overall forgiveness; and when the best ball strikers in the world are making the transition it would probably be a good idea for the ‘every day’ golfer to do the same.
- Michael Crane

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The recent US Open proved that the utility or hybrid club has become a favourite among the world’s best players. I believe that in the British Open Championship you
will see a different picture. It will be more about controlling the trajectory in windy conditions and, as a result, lower ball flights will be required. Therefore we will see a
reversal as competitors exchange the hybrid for a 3 iron in order to achieve the desired trajectory.

For the weekend warrior, hybrids take the fear out of hitting the ball in the forehead, therefore, resulting in more consistency and confidence in the tee shot or approach.

Obsolete for the professionals, no … Weekend warrior no doubt about it!
- Cheers, DK

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I don’t think so. They are not obsolete but there has certainly been a shift away from them over the years. I grew up washing clubs in the back shop and you would see 1 and 2 irons in a lot of the bags, especially the better players. These days, with the invention of hybrid/utility clubs, many golfers are pulling the 3, 4 and 5 irons as well.

There are quite a few options when it comes to choosing your 14 clubs. Every golfer should consult with a teaching professional or clubfitter to help choose clubs that fit
their game. Basically, the higher handicap golfer with low club head speeds should take advantage of hybrids and have 2 or more in their bag. They are simply easier to
hit, launch the ball higher into the air, and thus carry further than their predecessors.

Having said that, better players with higher clubhead speeds may not want to replace them at all. It’s important to have versatility and the ability to hit different golf shots. Last season I took the 3 iron out of my bag but put it back in this season as I missed the ability to hit low trajectory shots when in the trees after my tee shot. Maybe I should just stay out of the trees and get rid of my long irons!
- SeanCasey

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The long iron is obsolete for the vast majority of golfers due to the characteristics of the modern golf ball and the added forgiveness of hybrids and higher lofted fairway woods. The modern golf ball spins less and the lower centre of gravity present in hybrids relative to traditional long irons helps produce optimal spin rates. With the current golf ball there are very few golfers who hit sharply enough down on the ball to produce spin rates required for consistent quality long iron shots.

- Rob Hannah

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The long iron in the modern game is like wearing socks and sandles to the beach – people do it but what’s the point.

If your golf swing doesn’t create enough pure power to launch a 3, 4, or 5 iron as high as you hit a 7 iron check the ego and rock a hybrid club instead. The hybrid is the way forward.

- Cheers, Conor

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• Reader Question 1
• It’s All About Feel
• Reader Question 4
• Reader Question 2
• Different Ball Positions