If you’re wondering what golf irons to buy, you may be looking into the different types of irons out there.
Golf irons come in two main types, cavity back and muscle back. Both types can be cast or forged.
All golf iron types are suited for different player levels, so it is not easy to choose. Read on and we’ll explore much more about golf irons.
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The Different Types of Golf Irons
Have you asked yourself: What are the different types of golf irons? To begin with, there are two main styles of golf irons: cavity back irons and muscle back irons. The former, cavity back irons respectively, are very popular nowadays among average-to-beginner golfers, and there’s a good reason for that: a cavity back iron has a larger sweet spot compared to a blade, and that makes it easier to hit, especially for beginners.
On the other hand, muscle-back irons, also known as blade irons, are less forgiving than cavity irons, but they’re more precise, as you can shape/control the ball trajectory way easier. Design-wise, muscle back irons feature a thin top line, a thin face, and a relatively small sweet spot compared to cavity-back irons. And before you ask, this design feature means they’re generally aimed at better players.
We must also mention the manufacturing process, which gives us two types of irons: forged irons and cast irons. Forged irons is built in a similar fashion to what an old-school village blacksmith used to do back in the day, i.e. you start from a rough shape, a chunk of metal if you like, which is hammered into the shape (more or less) of a golf iron. The raw forged iron, which is basically a carbon-steel alloy clubhead is then milled, ground, and polished to perfection until it looks like a modern-era golf iron.
This technology results in a one-piece and solid-looking iron, with a relatively small sweet-spot. As you can imagine, forged irons are best suited to better players, and yes, before you ask, most muscle-back irons are forged.
On the other hand, cast irons are manufactured via a molding process, and that allows manufacturers to produce complex head designs, as liquid metal is poured into a mold, so you can play more with the head shape. Moreover, due to their complex shape, cast irons can be “upgraded” with multi-material technology, and stuff like perimeter weighting, etc.
It’s also worth mentioning that cast irons are cheaper to manufacture than forged irons, hence they’re more affordable, i.e. you get more for less.
The Importance Of Choosing The Right Golf Irons
Now that we solved the mystery of what are the different types of golf irons, let’s dig a little deeper, shall we? The thing about golf irons is that quality gear doesn’t come cheap. You see where this is going, right? If you’re a total beginner, buying very expensive irons may be tempting, yet the price is not necessarily a metric to look after when shopping for irons.
The ideal set of irons must fit your swing style (and your game generally speaking) like a custom-made suit. The point is, you must choose your gear to match your skill level; that’s very important, especially for beginners. For example, if you’re shopping for a highly expensive set of players’ irons and your handicap is over 20, forget about it, this is like driving a Ferrari 458 on a dirt track.
Here’s the deal: there are 3 types of golf irons: super game improvement irons, game improvement irons, and players irons. Players’ irons are designed by experts for highly skilled players, and they can be used and struck correctly only by golf pros. Average golfers do best with game improvement irons, as these babies are built to deliver straighter and longer shots even if you fail to hit the ball with the sweet spot.
If you’re a high handicap golfer, just go for super game improvement irons and thank us later. There’s no shame in using super game improvement gear and believe us, you’ll see your game improving dramatically in no time, as these irons are built with a larger-than-life sweet spot and they’re amazingly forgiving, which means they’re awesome confidence boosters for beginners.
Super Game Improvement Irons
As we already told you, super game improvement irons are the best choice for high handicap golfers and the way to go to lower your handicap.
What Are Super Game Improvement Irons?
Super game improvement irons (SGII) are your best friend if your handicap is 20-plus. Seriously speaking, super game improvement irons are aimed at people looking for complete forgiveness and ultimate distance, and they’re usually built with all the technological bells and whistles one can think of in the current year.
To make it really simple, if you want to make your life easier on the golf course, and have a little fun while playing, even if your name is not Tiger Woods, super game improvement irons will spice up your life in a pleasant way. It’s true that SGII are not as sexy looking as their more advanced brethren, but they’ll definitely allow you to hit better shots, even if you won’t experience the same sound and feel at ball impact.
Who Will Benefit From SGII’s?
That’s an easy one: if you’re having trouble with that damn ball, as in you keep missing it or the greens, just give SGII a chance. If you’re a high-handicap golfer, SGII is the way to go.
Game Improvement Irons
Game improvement irons are the bread and butter of the golf industry, as they’re the most sold variety, which means they’re usually high quality and affordable.
What Are Game Improvement Irons?
Game improvement irons are basically a blend of nice design, larger head, great forgiveness on off-center hits, and impressive carry distance. Forgiveness and power, that’s the definition of a GII.
Who Will Benefit From GII’s?
If your handicap is 10-plus, game improvement irons are the way to go. They will provide you with enough forgiveness to get the ball in the air but still maintain some workability.
Players Irons
Players irons are the absolute best when it comes to golf gear, and it’s basically the stuff PGA pros are using on a daily basis. So, if you’re a skilled golfer, there’s nothing better than players irons, provided you can drive them correctly.
What Are Players Irons?
Usually speaking, players irons are forged (sometimes cast) single-piece clubheads, with thin toplines, smaller heads, very narrow soles and very small cavity backs. These babies sound and feel awesome, and they deliver amazing feedback compared to GII or SGII, yet they’re obviously less forgiving.
Who Will Benefit From PI’s?
If you’re blessed with a golf handicap of 10 and under, getting a decent set of players irons should be the next logical step, if you want to see your game improve.
Summing It All Up
So, in the above post, we’ve learned that there are three categories of irons in which you can do your shopping around. Summing it up briefly it is as follow:
- Super Game Improvement Irons
- For the high handicap golfer looking for forgiveness and budget-friendly options.
- Game Improvement Irons
- For the vast majority of mid-handicap golfers. They will provide forgiveness while allowing for a small amount of the benefits from players irons.
- Players Irons
- For the low handicap golfers and pros. The players irons will allow for excellent ball control if your skills match it. Watch out though: The players irons can ruin your golf experience if you’re not ready for them.
So if you’re looking for new irons, take the above into account.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Golf Irons For Beginners?
You will only be able to answer this question yourself after you’ve played with the irons. With the proper research, you will be able to tune in on what set looks like it will fit you the best. You need to take different things like design, ease of use, quality, and price into account.
We’ve gathered the best irons for beginners in this article.
What Are The Different Types Of Golf Irons Used For?
The different golf irons can be divided into three categories:
Long irons: 2, 3 and 4-irons. Used for long par threes or drives when your clubs are misbehaving. Can also be used for approach shots on long holes, but are harder to land where you want.
Mid irons: 5, 6 and 7-irons. These irons have higher trajectory and more spin can be added to the shots with these. They hit shorter than the long irons and therefore they are suitable for normal par threes and approach shots on par 4 and 5’s.
Short irons: 8, 9-iron and wedges. You won’t be able to hit far with these, but you will be able to hit high and put a lot of spin on them. Best on short par threes and short approach shots where you need to land on a dime.
More on what the different irons are used for in this article.
How Do I Choose Golf Irons?
Shopping for new golf irons can be an overwhelming task. With all the options out there, how do you choose the best golf irons for your game?
First, decide if you’re looking for game improvement irons (cavity back) or players’ irons (blades).
Then you need to figure out what shaft is best for you, and lastly if you should go with a particular grip type.
When you’ve sorted this out, you’re ready to choose golf irons. If you need help, check out our article on the subject.
