Am I misguided carrying a 3 iron?

[Gordon McTavish]

What I find puzzling, and perhaps I'm being a little dense here, is that I was under the impression that with each new iteration of irons, the forgiveness factor increases.

I wasn't even aware of "Super Game Improvement" Irons until late last year. I thought they maxed out at "Game Improvement."

So, first it was the 1 and 2 iron that were too hard to hit for the average player, now it's the 3 and 4 iron... and in some cases I've seen advise in favour of swapping the 5-iron for a hybrid equivalent.

Based on this, I wonder if this "Game Improvement" is just another load of marketing BS. I've seen plenty of "Game Improvement" sets that start with a 3-iron.

Am I missing something?

[JetFan1983]

I like my 3-iron; it's a good, forgiving next generation 3-iron, and I'm glad I own it. Am I consistent or confident with it? No, I can't say that I am (yet) but it's a good club to have around during practice sessions. I plan on working on my choked up stingers with it as soon as the weather gets nice around here.

[Dub]

I'm just gaming one hybrid at the moment. My current 4 iron is fairly easy to hit so I'm not actively seeking
a replacement.

I've been kicking around the 5-wood/2-hybrid gap in my bag....I think the 5-wood us going to win out.

[670forged]

Since I don't get to play as much (once a week instead of 3-4 times) I swapped out my 3 and 4 irons with the Mizuno MP Fli-Hi iron hybrids. It's been a good comprimise so far. If I ever get back to playing multiple times per week then I will put the 3 and 4 irons back in the bag. It's an individuals decision on what they are able to hit and feel most confident with. The scorecard has no pictures or area to write what clubs your using.

[Shanks A Million]

What I find puzzling, and perhaps I'm being a little dense here, is that I was under the impression that with each new iteration of irons, the forgiveness factor increases.

Apparently no one has yet told you about the "ultra game improvement" clubs. These are total hybrid sets, even the pitching wedge is a hybrid. These things are draw biased, ultra flexible shafts, super MOI, totally crazy stuff. To me, these clubs are much harder to hit.

It's no secret that I use blades, from my 60° wedge to my 8 iron are blades, then my 7 to 5 are muscle backs, and my 3 and 4 iron are cavity backs. My 2 iron is a blade, but it's not always in the bag, and when it is, it's there to flight the ball low, so a cavity would defeat this purpose. I honestly believe that if you hit down on the ball properly, you can hit any iron. Probably 95% of golfers don't hit down enough on the ball. I don't consider myself to have a good swing, but I do hit down on the ball, and therefore most of my swing faults are forgiven. I have a friend who has an over the top slice, and a really poor swing, but he can launch his long irons every time, because he hits down on the ball. What's scary is, he has enough confidence to beat me, and he often does. So, if the hybrid makes you confident, use it. If the long iron makes you confident, use it. Don't ever take a formulaic approach to golf. Golf is like love, you can't explain it, you can't quantify it, it just is.

[Gordon McTavish]

Apparently no one has yet told you about the "ultra game improvement" clubs. These are total hybrid sets, even the pitching wedge is a hybrid. These things are draw biased, ultra flexible shafts, super MOI, totally crazy stuff. To me, these clubs are much harder to hit.

Ha ha! Seems like I'm behind with the times!

I've been playing X22s since last April, the long irons are reasonably thin soled, but the short irons are like shovels. When I'm having a good round, I much prefer the long irons. But also, a sloppy swing procudes dire results for me, regardless of the sole width. Sometimes I think Golf is being dummbed down for beginners (by publications like Golf Digest) with little encouragement to actually learn and study the game rather than hacking about with massive over-sized clubs (not that I object to anyone's choice).

[sean_miller]

What I find puzzling, and perhaps I'm being a little dense here, is that I was under the impression that with each new iteration of irons, the forgiveness factor increases.

No. Some people prefer to hit long irons over 5, 7, and 9 woods. Some people prefer to hit a hybrid over a 2, 3, 4, or even a 5 iron. Different strokes for different folks.

I've played with guys who can stripe a 2-iron but struggle with a wedge. And vise versa.

[WUTiger]

I wasn't even aware of "Super Game Improvement" Irons until late last year. I thought they maxed out at "Game Improvement." ...

You understandably are confused because two different rating systems are at play - but posters don't say which one they're using.

Original rating system came with The Maltby Playability Factor: Understanding Golf Club Dynamics , by club-designer Ralph Maltby (written in 2005). The original Maltby MPF system had six categories: Player Classic, Classic, Conventional, Game Improvement, Super Game Improvement, and Ultra Game Improvement. Player's Classic is really tough to play, and UGI is really easy to play (but UGI with extra offset and high launch guarantee may hinder many players). Enter the Golf Digest Playability sytem: It combines Maltby's bottom three categories into Players, Game Improvement holds its own, and Super Game Improvement for the top two MPF categories. The Golf Digest "Hot List" issue each January uses the three-category classification system. Maltby puts out his updated MPI listings each year. Check out his web site. http://www.ralphmaltby.com/ --------------------------------------------- The Maltby Playability Factor: Understanding Golf Club Dynamics , by club-designer Ralph Maltby (written in 2005). This full color book, with engineering analysis drawings on both classic and modern irons, is on clearance at various golf shops for about $1 (after multiple price cuts). If you like golf history and physics, this will be the best dollar you ever spent.

[senorchipotle]

due to my height(6'5''), my long irons have always been the easiest to control. in fact, my 3 iron is the most consistent club in my bag, and it's a blade. the only time i ever pull out a hybrid is out of the rough. the hybrids are too easy to hook, imo.

[Shanks A Million]

due to my height(6'5''), my long irons have always been the easiest to control. in fact, my 3 iron is the most consistent club in my bag, and it's a blade. the only time i ever pull out a hybrid is out of the rough. the hybrids are too easy to hook, imo.

What you need to do is get your shorter clubs lengthened. This is a pretty good trick for people who are tall, yet like the feel of their long irons. You add some length to the wedges and short irons, but leave the long ones the same length. You'll get a nice feel from them all.

[Gordon McTavish]

Maltby puts out his updated MPI listings each year. Check out his web site.

Thanks WUTiger. Interesting to see models like the AP2 listed as "Game Improvement..."

[senorchipotle]

What you need to do is get your shorter clubs lengthened. This is a pretty good trick for people who are tall, yet like the feel of their long irons. You add some length to the wedges and short irons, but leave the long ones the same length. You'll get a nice feel from them all.

yeah, i've thought about that. but i got some new golf shoes which were considerable taller than my others and it screwed up my swing for like a week. i'm used to squatting down, so it doesn't bother me much. unless i'm hitting a full 60* shot or something. which is only once every two rounds or so.

[duckhook]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to having a hybrid. I know many players who swear by them and have definitely improved their games using them. I can't hit them to save my life. I hit the ball high enough already and hybrids go even higher. It's more of a personal thing, if I could find a hybrid that I could keep low and hit consistent I would put it in the bag.

[marksang11]

If you can get the job done with a 3 hybrid that you do with a 3 iron, then make the substitution.

[sean_miller]

If you can only get the same job done with a 3h that you do with a 3i, why make the substitution? I'm just sayin'.

[Dub]

I'm just gaming one hybrid at the moment. My current 4 iron is fairly easy to hit so I'm not actively seeking

Correction....meant to say 5-iron not 4-iron. I'm gaming one hybrid to cover both iron slots.

[KyGolfer1988]

if you feel confident using your irons then go with that, but why not give the hybrid a try on a practice round or two hitting both back to back 3i and 3hybrid? I tried using a 3 hybrid for a while but just couldn't hit it like my irons so got rid of it. But that's my individual experience, maybe you will absolutely fall in love with the hybrid and grab a few more. I also shoot around 90's and really haven't considered adding hybrid's, although if it works for you why not.

Completely agreed. If you like your 3i and have a good shot and know what the ball will do when you use your 3i then keep it. But I think it's worth a shot to try a hybrid or two. I personally carry two. 3 and 4. I don't carry any woods because I LOVE my hybrids. But everyone's game is different.

[nsorensen124]

I'd say whatever club you feel comfortable with. I personally took out my 3 iron, and replaced it with my hybrid.