Why 3 iron is small?

[the_saint_siwa]

Good morning,

I have this thought for awhile but never really found the answer. Why is 3 iron smaller than say 7 iron? I mean from the design and functionality points why would they do that? If you can hit 7 iron comfortably, why would the designer make it smaller in the 3 irons, especially nowaday we moved everythig to hybrid.

I saw a 2008 Big Bertha from Callaway and I understand that it's a game improvement irons instead of player's iron but the 3 iron looks like the same size with the rest of the iron.

Thanks
Steve

[DavidFehertysBike]

Thats a good question...I dont know. But thinking about it you dont really want more room to miss on a 3i anyway. I sorta like that the head is smaller.

[iacas]

I have this thought for awhile but never really found the answer. Why is 3 iron smaller than say 7 iron?

Answer: it's not smaller. Heel to toe, most sets of irons are the same throughout the set.

The face is smaller ("shorter"), but that's because it's more perpendicular (has less loft). Look at the 3-iron from the front. Look at the 7-iron from the front. They'll appear to be about the same height, and relative to the ball at impact, they will be, basically. But because the 7-iron slants away more (has more loft), it has to be longer to reach the same height. Which of these lines is longer: | / ?? They're both the same height, but the / is longer because it's angled. Same holds with the 3-iron and the 7-iron.

[Crafty]

I think the fact that you stand slightly farther away from the 3 iron may also lead you to believe that the head is smaller. However, if you were to hold the two heads against each other, you would notice that they are roughly the same size.

[lordnazgul]

You've got to remember it is all about centre of gravity as well. Have you ever tried hitting a modern driver off the deck? With such a large face height and little loft, it is very difficult. Due to the loft of the 3 iron a large face would mean that the middle of the club would be a way off the floor, this would mean that to get the ball in the air the COG would have to be REALLY low, not ideal. By making the face smaller the designer can get a more balanced COG througouit the set, thus making all the irons better to hit.

[the_saint_siwa]

I guess what I'm trying to say is Pitching wedge or 9 iron has more face/hitting area that 3 iron. Why not make the shape (exactly) the same and just change the loft?

If you notice from your, well on mine at least, LW, then the SW, PW, 9 and 8, they roughly has the same face volume/hitting area, but as soon as you go down to 3 iron, 3 iron volume looks smaller, granted that 3 iron is longer and probably the actualy volume per square might be the same, why not just make the face "taller" instead of wider? I'm just curious.

BTW, iacas thank you for your explanation, it makes sense.

Steve

[allin]

Answer: it's not smaller. Heel to toe, most sets of irons are the same throughout the set.

Don't the weight of iron heads get progressively lighter? It would seem that there would be a slight difference in size as a result? Also don't most clubs designed for mid to high handicappers vary the club design so that the sole is wider and more weight is in the bottom of the club on longer irons these days? Maybe these changes affect look only, but it wouldn't suprise me if size varies somewhat also.

[iacas]

Don't the weight of iron heads get progressively lighter?

Yes.

It would seem that there would be a slight difference in size as a result?

I'm confused - what part of my post said there wasn't a reduction in size? Heel to toe, there isn't usually, but height wise there is. Why? Because the loft changes. The clubs still remain the same height as measured vertically, but their faces are longer because the longer clubs are angled (have more loft).

[allin]

Yes.

I got it but the original post stated why is it smaller, and you addressed only face height and heel to toe. I just threw out some other areas that at least in game improvement clubs might change dimensionally as well. Depending on how this person arrives at his perception, it could be influenced by how the club looks in the bag, at address etc. I am really aware of the top line and sole width esthetically, as someone edging into the mid handicap range I feel extreme sole widths limit my short game improvement. Maybe the poster is influenced by other factors.

[Jack_2251]

Answer: it's not smaller. Heel to toe, most sets of irons are the same throughout the set.

Perfect explanation.

[michaeljames92]

use your right angle trig to work out vertical component.