Today’s typical golf iron set includes the 3 through 9 irons, a pitching wedge and perhaps even a sand wedge. In days past a 2 iron was also included, however, most amateur golfers have difficulty hitting the 2 iron. The 2 irons are still available but sold separately.
A golf iron set comes in two varieties, forged or cavity back. The forged irons are solid and are not hollow in the back of the clubhead. Forged irons, or blades as they are sometimes called, are used by the majority of PGA professionals. These clubs are less forgiving and in order to hit a good shot, the golfer must hit the sweet spot (center of clubface) consistently. The shafts can vary from soft, medium stiff or X-stiff and are made of steel or graphite. All clubs come with grips but it is suggested that hand measurements be taken to determine if a larger grip size is required. If a larger grip size is necessary the grips will have to be replaced.
The other type of golf iron set is the cavity back style. These are the most widely used clubs of all. The clubheads are hollowed out in the back and usually perimeter weighted. Cavity back clubs are extremely forgiving and are ideal for amateurs and beginners. They are also available in soft, medium, stiff and X-stiff steel or graphite shafts.
When purchasing a golf iron set it’s a good idea to have the clubs fitted to your particular specifications. This requires that you hit several practice shots. There is a piece of tape placed on the bottom of your iron and a qualified teacher or tech can tell where the bottom of your club is striking the golf mat. From this measurement the loft angle you require can be determined. If the angle of your clubhead needs to be changed, an experienced repair tech can do it. The whole process is very simple and not very costly. Once done you will have a set of custom fitted irons. It’s a good idea to explore many different golf sets before you make your decision. Many retailers will allow you to hit the clubs you are interested in before purchase. Don’t be in a hurry because you will be using these clubs for years to come.
