Irons

Golf Equipment Tips - How To Choose Your Irons

Selecting the right golf club irons is a critical step in being able to play the game of golf correctly. A set of irons will make up the vast majority of clubs that you'll carry in your bag. They are used on almost every hole on the golf course, from the shorter par threes to the longer par fives. And they will often also include clubs to help you hit out of the sand and pitch from short distances around the green.

The function of each club in the iron set is to hit the ball a certain distance depending on the loft of each individual iron. So a set of golf club irons are usually numbered from 1 - 9, and then you have a pitching wedge and a sand wedge too. The lower numbered clubs are designed for longer shots, and as the numbers go higher the loft of each club increases and therefore the distance decreases. Generally speaking, a full set of golf irons should be able to cover a distance of between 100 - 200 yards.

When choosing a new set of golf club irons, it's a very good idea to get them custom fitted to your particular skill level and body type. Usually you can get a custom fitting at a golf pro shop or a golf equipment retail store. The fitting usually only takes about 45 minutes or so to complete and will often cost about $50, but the advantages of having a custom fitted set of golf irons is well worth the money spent at this point.

As far as the equipment itself is concerned, there are two main considerations that you have when looking at a set of golf irons. The first is the clubhead itself. Most often, clubheads come in either cavity-back or forged design. Which type of clubhead you choose will most likely depend on your current skill level at the game. The advantage of cavity-back clubheads is that the weight is distributed around the outside perimeter of the clubhead, making a much larger sweet spot for hitting the ball.This can be a great advantage for a new or high handicap golfer who doesn't always strike the ball exactly right.

On the other hand, forged clubs are the weapon of choice for more experienced, low handicap golfers instead. The advantage of forged irons is that they are made from softer steel and therefore transmit more feel to the golfer. Of course, because the clubhead is much smaller than what you would find in a cavity-back clubhead, forged irons are much less forgiving then cavity-backed clubs are. But for better and more experienced players, forged irons give them much more control over the shape of their shots.

The second component of a set of golf irons that needs some consideration is the club shaft. Usually, there are two major choices that can be made here, having to do with the kind of material that is used for the club shaft. The choices are either steel or graphite. Generally speaking, steel shafts can be a good choice for those who have a very fast swing speed as it gives you more control. On the other hand graphite shafts can help out those who have a slower swing speed as they provide more distance.

Buying a new set of golf irons is a very important step in improving your game, so be sure to take your time and select the clubs and materials that will best fit both your skill level and the way you play the game.

Steadman Issenburg writes on many consumer related topics including golf. You can find a golf club comparison and golf equipment ratings by visiting our Golf Tips website.