Do you still use a 3-iron?

[DrvFrShow]

@Fourputt From what I've read in the late 80s the lofts started getting stronger. Probably 19 degrees.

Edited December 7, 2015 by DrvFrShow

[Fourputt]

17 minutes ago, DrvFrShow said:

@Fourputt From what I've read in the late 80s the lofts started getting stronger. Probably 19 degrees.

Yeah, but every manufacturer had their own design philosophy - still do.  The only set I ever owned with a 2I was my MacGregor RPM manganese bronze set bought in 1987 or 1988 - 2I through PW were cavity back, but the SW that I bought separately was not, even though it was considered as part of the set.  

I had at various times starting in 1975, 3 irons in sets of Golden Ram blades, and Lynx and MacGregor cavities.  After the 3rd set I never bought another 3 iron.  Didn't have any particular need for one, as that distance range was always covered by something else in my bag that I could hit more consistently, or it was just not really needed.

[metbid]

I'm crap with Hybrids....love my 3 iron, I consider my long irons as my go-to clubs.  I am not the longest hitter, but I can get my 3i out 200 - 210 yds. fairly straight.  I tend to duck hook hybrids too often, getting much less distance.

[Keep It Simple]

Replaced my 3 iron with a 4 hybrid in the last set of clubs I acquired mainly to try something new.  It is serving it's purpose as well as the 3 iron.  I enjoy hitting it, fun club.     

[pganapathy]

My set of Taylor Made RAC OS irons came with a 3 iron and I still use it.  When I am in form can hit it no problem.  When out of form, particularly when I am not playing regularly, the longest club I can hit reasonably is a 4 iron, or at worst a 5 iron.

But overall I believe the 3 iron has a place in the bag.  For me a 5 wood makes more sense than a hybrid

[dkolo]

My Callaway XR 3 hybrid just came in the mail Friday. So... no. 

[Tee2Trees]

I have a couple of ridiculous 4 irons from modern sets (Burner 2.0, Cleveland MT).  They are 2 or 3 irons in loft and length, but no, I don't carry them.  There are some great, low-spinning, and cheap hybrids out there (e.g. Adams Super LS).

[DrvFrShow]

They keep telling me I need to learn how to hit a hybrid. I find there is too much turf interaction with the hybrid. They may be fine off a fairway, but out of taller grass I'd rather hit an iron.

[vangator]

I don't currently carry a 3 iron since my current set doesn't come with one.  I have lots of older 3 irons, so I may crack one out.  Hybrids are hook machines for me.  Why do they all have such offset?  Plus, I'm a low ball hitter and don't get hybrids up very high anyway.  I have a 23* 5 wood for that.

I'm getting a 4 iron for my set which will be 20* (I believe).  I doubt my current 3 irons would be much different.  They would have a much longer shaft though.

I have a set of Tommy Armour T1 100 (the all titanium iron shovels).  The heads are huge.  They are great for turf or tee but are miserable out the rough, particularly wet rough.  Too big.  Plus I need to regrip them and they have those awful .860 butt shafts.  I have a 1 iron in that model which I use as a back scratcher.

Edited December 7, 2015 by vangator

[9wood]

On 12/7/2015 at 2:15 PM, vangator said:

 Hybrids are hook machines for me.  Why do they all have such offset? 

Just wondering if those hooking offset hybrids would help individuals who slice the ball

[vangator]

33 minutes ago, 9wood said:

Just wondering if those hooking offset hybrids would help individuals who slice the ball

The believe the idea behind the hybrids was to replace long irons which were harder to hit.  Most of those who couldn't hit the long irons were higher handicap golfers, most of which hit slices.  Therefore, offset.  Offset also helps in getting the ball airborne, or so I've read here, but I wouldn't think it would be a lot.

I would consider a hybrid if I could find one without much if any offset and didn't cost too much.  I ran across a Nickent hybrid a while ago that was adjustable, but I didn't check it too closely.  A lot of the adjustable drivers have loft adjustments.  I'd want to be able to adjust the face either open or closed.

I prefer long irons anyway.

[ghalfaire]

I don't use a 3 I anymore.  Just too difficult for me.  In fact my longest iron in the bag is a 6.  My 3,4,5 are all hybrids.  I tried earlier this year putting the 4 & 5 Irons back in the bag.  The 4I was a disaster for me but I could hit the 5I reasonably well.  But still like the hybrid better so back in the garage they both went an back in the bag are my 4 & 5 hybrids.  

[Rainmaker]

I voted sometimes because I do carry one.  I use it a couple times a year, if that.  I would rather have a hybrid but I just don't, lol.  I have the 3iron so that's what I use (rarely).

[bkuehn1952]

On 12/5/2015 at 9:10 AM, 9wood said:

I still use a #3 iron when I still have a good distance to go from the fairway. It also comes in handy on windy days when I don't want to hit a high trajectory shot. One other use for the 3 iron is when there are over-hanging tree branches and I need to keep my ball flight low to avoid the tree limbs. I use to have a #1 driving iron but could never hit that thing so it had to go.

I think you should use that 3 iron as a fireplace poker like most of us sensible seniors do.

[DrvFrShow]

7 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

I think you should use that 3 iron as a fireplace poker like most of us sensible seniors do.

That's what 1 irons are used for.

[bkuehn1952]

10 hours ago, DrvFrShow said:

That's what 1 irons are used for.

Except with the modern lofts, you don't need so much club to turn the logs.  

[9wood]

15 hours ago, bkuehn1952 said:

I think you should use that 3 iron as a fireplace poker like most of us sensible seniors do.

Most seniors can't hit a 3 iron. I'm one of the few that can. Other seniors are amazed at how well I hit the 3 iron. 

[DrvFrShow]

6 hours ago, bkuehn1952 said:

Except with the modern lofts, you don't need so much club to turn the logs.  

Then I forget that the modern 3 iron is the same loft as the old 1 iron.