3balls Golf
For a majority of golfers looking to grind out a solid round, there are always a few shots on the course that can define what the round will actually be.
According to the USGA, nearly 55 percent of male golfers play within the 9-20 handicap range, while nearly 22 percent of women are at the same level. What this translates to in golfer’s terms, is that a large majority of golfers are scrapping out rounds, not cruising to a solid round by hitting 15 greens in regulation. This scramble limits the margin of error a golfer has if they want to close out a round they can be proud of.
As a result, looking for the most forgiving irons, which not only increase the likelihood of a pure shot being struck, but also limiting the damage a poor shot can cause, is the essential trait golfers should look for in making an iron set purchase.
There are a lot of great iron options out there for the average golfer. However, one can easily become lost in the technology lingo that golf manufacturers throw out there in an effort to convince a golfer that their irons provide the best fit for them.
In an effort to make things a little easier, there are a few traits that one should look for in in choosing the right set of irons to fit their personal game.
Does the ball get in the air fast?
No golfer wants to experience the dread of the infamous worm-burner, which can put numerous hazards into play. The first goal of every golfer when striking an iron shot is to get the ball in the air as fast as possible. This allows the ball to land softer and to travel farther, which can equate to hitting more greens or at least putting the ball in a position to allow for a reasonable up-and-down opportunity. Many companies have developed irons in a fashion to get the club below the equator of the ball faster, which allows a player to turn a normal ground ball into something far more respectable.
Does the club head afford more protection on the toe and heel?
With many clubs, the toe and the heel have a design that produces significantly less distance, while also limiting the ability for the ball to stay close to its intended flight.
However, in recent years, many designers have focused on bulking up the toe and heel of the club to allow for more forgiveness on these all-too-often mishits. Many companies have labeled this technology in a way that explains that those toe and heel shots are no longer your worst enemy and can in fact still result in a golfer sitting pretty on the green.
So what irons fit these criteria best?
As one of those golfers in the 9-20 handicap range, I have recently been turned on to the hybrid style clubs that have given me more forgiveness then any irons I have experienced before. I have found that, for my personal game, the Cleveland 588 Altitude Irons make the most sense.
If the name doesn’t indicate enough, the performance of these irons certainly will. These irons are focused on getting the ball in the air and giving the golfer the best chance to hang in a round even if their swing that day has thoughts to the contrary.
Every golfer has their own preferences given the uniqueness of their swing. However, when it comes to avoiding that nasty number on the scorecard, we all follow the same dream; we don’t want that one poor swing to overly punish our chances at a good round. With a little dedication and the right iron purchase, this dream can easily become a golfer’s reality.
