Should I get a 4 Iron?

[kingface12]

I am looking at getting new irons. I just tested out forged irons for the first time.....and I don't think I will EVER go back to cast. I tried out the Cobra S2 Forged and the Mizuno MX-300. Both were insanely nice. I went in thinking TM R9's or Callaway Diablo Edge.....NEVER thought about Mizz or Cobra.... Which is why we try them out and get fitted I guess!!

I went throught the complete fitting process but I really need to keep costs down. I am settled on the Mizzies...but what I am wondering is if I should get a 4 iron. I have a new TM 4 hybrid Rescue and a TM 3 Hybrid. The course I belong to I rarely used my 4 iron last year (just got the hybrids this Winter). Should I bother getting a 4 iron to keep costs down or will I regret not getting one down the road? I have NEVER bought a set of irons that didn't include 3-PW so this is very odd for me I guess. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[RCF]

You are buying a nice set of clubs so I say better safe than sorry; I'd get the 4 iron. With the set, you may enjoy the 4i.

[lcfd42]

Stay with the hybrids, I have a 3i and 4i that never leave the closet and I have no regrets using this set-up. I hit the 3/4 irons ok but I like the consistency and ball flight of the hybrids. No need to rush and buy something that you can always go back later and pickup.

[keb]

While it boils down to how you hit the club, don't forget to account for loft difference with Cobra S2.

  kingface12 said:

I am looking at getting new irons. I just tested out forged irons for the first time.....and I don't think I will EVER go back to cast. I tried out the Cobra S2 Forged and the Mizuno MX-300. Both were insanely nice. I went in thinking TM R9's or Callaway Diablo Edge.....NEVER thought about Mizz or Cobra.... Which is why we try them out and get fitted I guess!!

[James_Black]

If it's windy I'll bring a 4i out, it gets under the wind.

Might aswell try one.

[sean_miller]

  kingface12 said:

I have NEVER bought a set of irons that didn't include 3-PW so this is very odd for me I guess.

It seems odd to me too (a set that doesn't have a 2 iron seems incomplete to me), but it seems to be commonplace now. What club would you use off the tee on on a really tight par 4 or on a windy day. If you'd reach for a hybrid, a wood or something that's not a 3 or 4 iron anyway, you probably don't need one. Having said that, I'd still get one if it were me.

[RCF]

  sean_miller said:

It seems odd to me too (a set that doesn't have a 2 iron seems incomplete to me), but it seems to be commonplace now. What club would you use off the tee on on a really tight par 4 or on a windy day. If you'd reach for a hybrid, a wood or something that's not a 3 or 4 iron anyway, you probably don't need one. Having said that, I'd still get one if it were me.

Well said.

In spite of my handicap now, I am very comfortable with a 3i. But IMO, the OP is making an investment in a fine set of clubs and I think at least a 4i should be included in that investment. Taking a long view, think about trade in value or gifting such a fine set of clubs. A classic set of clubs should include a 3i to a PW.

[bruce]

  James_Black said:

If it's windy I'll bring a 4i out, it gets under the wind.

I'm with you,i like my 3 and 4 iron when its windy.

[ks8829]

Hit the 4 iron your considering buying and if you can get it in the air with consistency include it in the purchase. I play mp33s and only hit up to a 5 iron. by the way, did you know that the number 4 in chinese is considered bad luck, the sound is similar to death.

[kingface12]

HAHAHA!!!!! Thanks ks8829!! Because of the whole 'death' thing I have now decided to never play a 4 iron....or a 4 hybrid or 4 wood for that matter.....

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think what I'm going to do is go 5-pw. I understand that there are a lot of scenarios where a 4 iron will come in handy but there will always be scenarios where I wish I had a certain club. I hit those Mizzies consistently 10 yards further than my current clubs and on my 'home course' I only hit my 4 iron a few times....I think the 5 iron will be useful in sitution where I usually hit the 4 because of the added distance. I can always order a 4 iron later on as mentioned. The extra $100 for getting a 4 iron will make it so I can't get into these irons until the end of the season.....( I need a new roof and EVERY penny counts.....)

Anyway, thanks again for the help!!

[Dub]

Save the money....skip the 4i. That depends on your swing speed, though. If you are actually cranking it....then maybe....but for the average joe....skip it.


My current set was the very first that wasn't 3-PW. I took advice from numerous sources and ordered my current set without a 3i and 4i...and added GW and SW instead.

This proved to be a rare stroke of genius on my part !!!!!!!

I actually use the wedges for the various distance gaps and they do translate to better scoring. I wansn't properly seeing the gaps at the long end of the bag.

I opted to go with my 4H which picks up nicely where the 5i drops off once I bought one that has the same shaft as my irons. I skipped the 3i slot and added a LW instead.

I'm very happy with the current line up and feel like I really did the right thing.

[Shanker]

My .02...I would've never hit a 3i or 4i until my recent Iron upgrade...my 4i Raptures hits really well and long. I can't imagine not having one for those windy brisk days in WI...I only like to carry one hybrid and thats my 3 hybrid...

[Deryck Griffith]

I would get the 4i just for practice purposes. Being able to learn and swing a long iron can do wonders for improving your swing. You may not use it, but at the range, it allows for great practice. Nevertheless, it looks like you have mad your decision and will have a great setup. Enjoy!

[WUTiger]

  kingface12 said:

... I tried out the Cobra S2 Forged and the Mizuno MX-300....

One item on the MX-300 club specs: Note where the loft difference switches from 4° to 3° ...

7i....33° 6i....29° 5i....26° 4i....23° See if your distance yardstick bunches up in the long irons. May want to consider bending 5i to 25° if bunch up starts. If you then bend 4i to 22°, you pretty much have a 3i. Or, a slightly stronger 5i might make 4i less necessary. Depends on what you want. Also, a 4i would help eventual resale value, and give you flexibility if your swing or game tatics changes.

[kurisu]

  Deryck Griffith said:

I would get the 4i just for practice purposes. Being able to learn and swing a long iron can do wonders for improving your swing. You may not use it, but at the range, it allows for great practice. Nevertheless, it looks like you have mad your decision and will have a great setup. Enjoy!

Exactly the reason why I got the #4. It made the #5 so much easier to hit!!

[RCF]

Here's another thought or question. Would having a 4i in the set make it more marketable if you were to sell or trade the set?