Thick topline Vs. thin topline

[Golfaway]

I can't get the point here. Why are thick topline irons more forgiving than irons with thinner topline? Is it just something about inspiring confidence or is there something physics behind it?
I am interested in knowing it.

[colin007]

more weight around the entire perimeter.
but theyre also fugly.

[Golfaway]

but theyre also fugly.

Not really. I find them very confidence-inspiring.

[ControlJunkie]

The thicker top line allows for more weight to be distributed along the outside edges of the face. On top of that, a thin top line equates to a thicker face, which generally allows more room behind the impact area for added weighting. It all boils down to MOI. The larger and heavier the club head is, the more MOI it has. The more MOI a club has, the less it will twist on an off center hit. With all materials used being the same, a club head with a thicker top line will be heavier than one of the same shape, but with a thinner top line.

Did I completely lose you there?? Because I think I lost myself for a sec

[DiverDown]

more weight around the entire perimeter.

Have to agree, can't stand the look. Big and bulky looking.

[jpasiczn]

Honestly I find it more confidence inspriing to have a nice thin line when looking down. Makes me really concentrate on my swing thoughts and put a nice stroke. I found myself getting really loosy goosy when I had my old CB's with thick top

[sean_miller]

Honestly I find it more confidence inspriing to have a nice thin line when looking down. Makes me really concentrate on my swing thoughts and put a nice stroke. I found myself getting really loosy goosy when I had my old CB's with thick top

No kidding - who wants to set up for a 160 yard shot and look down at what looks like a driving iron head bent to 7/8 iron loft.

[ControlJunkie]

I guess I'm the oddball here

It doesnt really matter to me either way, whether the top line is thick or thin. Once I address the ball and am aligned properly, I can honestly say I'm not really looking down at the club face, so the top line doesnt really give me any more or less confidence. Instead, I'm looking at the ball, or either slightly in front of or behind the ball. At that point I'm just thinking "square contact" and "swing along the target line "the entire time, but nothing about the appearance of the club. The same goes for drivers and woods. I hardly ever notice the crown, or the shape of the head. I know I'm in the minority on that though

[iacas]

Not really. I find them very confidence-inspiring.

And you're a 28 handicap. You're in the "forgiveness" mode where a shovel on the end of a shaft is "confidence inspiring."

Generally, a thinner topline is not "confidence inspiring" to a lower handicap golfer. Quite the opposite.

[Replay]

I would say a larger club face is more confidence-inspiring than thick/thin topline.

I would say a thicker sole is more confidence-inspiring than a thick topline. I find the thick topline to be a bit ugly...(and makes me feel "noob")

I like the size of my SGI irons(v.large club face)...although I would prefer a thinner topline - only in the looks dept.

Clearly a thick topline is important in the functionality of a SGI iron...it's purpose is to create more weight around the perimeter of the club...to increase MOI...and so off-centre hits and more forgiving.

Thin topline and thin sole...look amazing!! But thick topline and thick sole...hit amazing!!! lol

Overall, I would like to see a nike cavity back club with a relatively thicker sole (for low CG), large cavity (for high MOI), and thin topline (for looks...and to see that massive slab o' sole on the bottom - like the big bertha '08 i-brids)...but that's entirely off-topic.

[tjy355]

You guys have totally gone off topic. The question is why is a clubhead with a thicker top line more forgiving.

Thick top line is a result of the perimeter weighted design. And it is not just the top line, the entire perimeter of the club head is thicker. Perimeter weighting increases the size of the sweet spot and helps with shots not hit perfectly on the center of the clubface.

Whether it inspires confidence is entirely subjective and a matter of personal taste.

[sean_miller]

. . . I would say a thicker sole is more confidence-inspiring than a thick topline . . .

I tend to sweep more than dig - a lot of thinned shots with fat soled irons. I also prefer the control around the greens (chipping, bump and runs, etc) with thin soles.

You guys have totally gone off topic. The question is why is a clubhead with a thicker top line more forgiving.

If this website is any indication, many golfers - not just low hdcp players - are not fans of this added bonus material around the perimeter of the clubface.