Swingspeed - Driving iron

[Gerald]

I have been reading some on driving irons vs wood like hybrids vs. those more compact head hybrids.

Lots of advise is like : driving iron higher swingspeed players, compact headed hybrids for about medium to higher swingspeeds and the wood like hybrids for the medium swingspeed players.

I have no idea what I am : my driver swingspeed is about 96-100 Mph

Would a Driving iron (18* or so) make sense or would you need a swingspeed of 110-130 to profit from a driving iron.

It would be my 210-225 yds. club

(currently using a Adams Black Pro 9031 - 20*)

[saevel25]

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

Lots of advise is like : driving iron higher swingspeed players, compact headed hybrids for about medium to higher swingspeeds and the wood like hybrids for the medium swingspeed players.

Not necessarily. There are PGA Tour players who do hit hybrids and do no hit driving irons.

Benefits of driving irons
1. Lower launch angle
2. Looks like an iron

That's about it. If you get a driving iron fitted into your set, they can perform well for a golfer.

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

I have no idea what I am : my driver swingspeed is about 96-100 Mph

Would a Driving iron (18* or so) make sense or would you need a swingspeed of 110-130 to profit from a driving iron.

Not how it works.

A driver is around 45" and weights about 250-280 grams in total. A driving iron is 40" and probably weights more than the driver. PGA Tour players lose 9-10 mph between their driver and 7-wood.

A driving iron will not be a driver replacement. It's just a term used for an iron that is stronger than a 3-iron, and is used more often off the tee on tighter fairways or golf holes.
 

[WUTiger]

2 hours ago, Gerald said:

... Lots of advise is like : driving iron higher swingspeed players, compact headed hybrids for about medium to higher swingspeeds and the wood like hybrids for the medium swingspeed players.

I have no idea what I am : my driver swingspeed is about 96-100 Mph

Would a Driving iron (18* or so) make sense or would you need a swingspeed of 110-130 to profit from a driving iron. ...

Looks like you are a higher (not superhigh) swingspeed player. One factor would be how aggressive your move from the top is, and what flex shaft you use.

A local golf pro who is an accomplished clubsmith did this for his low-end iron: a  large-size long iron head with an R-flex shaft, tipped for control. (I'll call him and see if I can get the exact recipe.) 

I'll give you the standard TST response to your inquiry: Do a side-by-side and see what works best.

And, let us know what you select. 

[billchao]

2 hours ago, Gerald said:

I have been reading some on driving irons vs wood like hybrids vs. those more compact head hybrids.

Lots of advise is like : driving iron higher swingspeed players, compact headed hybrids for about medium to higher swingspeeds and the wood like hybrids for the medium swingspeed players.

I have no idea what I am : my driver swingspeed is about 96-100 Mph

Would a Driving iron (18* or so) make sense or would you need a swingspeed of 110-130 to profit from a driving iron.

It would be my 210-225 yds. club

(currently using a Adams Black Pro 9031 - 20*)

It kind of depends on a few factors. You're not a slow swinger, but you're not necessarily fast, either. You should be able to hit one assuming you strike the ball well.

Why do you want to replace your hybrid? What don't you like about it? The reasons could help determine whether a driving iron might be good for your game or not.

1 hour ago, saevel25 said:

Not how it works.

A driver is around 45" and weights about 250-280 grams in total. A driving iron is 40" and probably weights more than the driver. PGA Tour players lose 9-10 mph between their driver and 7-wood.

A driving iron will not be a driver replacement. It's just a term used for an iron that is stronger than a 3-iron, and is used more often off the tee on tighter fairways or golf holes.
 

That's not what @Gerald is asking, though. He mentioned his driver swing speed to show how fast he swings, not that he wanted to replace his driver with a driving iron.

[saevel25]

53 minutes ago, billchao said:

That's not what @Gerald is asking, though. He mentioned his driver swing speed to show how fast he swings, not that he wanted to replace his driver with a driving iron.

You'd be correct. Sorry @Gerald

I'm making the excuse it is Friday Morning

[Gerald]

50 minutes ago, billchao said:

Why do you want to replace your hybrid? What don't you like about it? The reasons could help determine whether a driving iron might be good for your game or not.

I have a love/hate relation with my hybrids, they go in and out of my bag, some days they are great, some days they are in hooking country (but I also always have problems with my fairway woods from the fairway .... maybe just not a woodie player).

In the past I mostly also had a 2 and 3 irons in the bag and they were very useful for me.

I have an older Adams Pro Black 20* I only use from the teebox, nice for those long par 3's or narrow holes.

I have tried the old models FliHi about 5 years ago, great from the teebox but not for me from the fairway.

I just wonder if I would benefit from these Driving irons compared to "normal" hybrids and if my swingspeed would be high enough for these tools.

Thanx for the advise, Gerald.