The Dream of Long Irons is Finally Over !! Time to Admit it

[MichMan123]

Started golfing at 30. 45 now.  Was down to a 3 HC a few years ago and shot sub 70 in my Club Championship and Barley lost it... 

 

Coaching, Injuries and Real life problems have killed my golf game.  Up to a 10 now.

 

I used to hit beautiful Draws with my 3 and 4 irons... Towering 230 yard 3 irons off tees.  Automatic. 

Now I can't hit them.  I'm done with them.  3 and 4 irons are just too hard for me to hit consistently.   low hooks.  Ugly Blocks.  Not the cleanest contact.. The Dreaded S once in a while. 

I have played a TS2 hybrid on and off for a few years and and really found it remarkable to hit especially from the rough....

I really don't like other hybrids except the Cobra offerings from years ago.

This weekend I hit a bunch of them.

 

Today I ordered a TSR2 18 and 24 Deg Hybrids.  The 3 and 4 Iron will be out of the bag when they arrive.

 

Time to make golf easier and get the Ego out of the way..... Also Nobody I really play with gives a s*** what is in my bag anyways not sure why i care lol.

 

Swapping the 4 wood (Which I hate and hit too high) For a 3 wood as well.  New Top of Bag will be TSR2 Driver 1k White Shaft, TSR2 Fairway 15 Tensi Blue 75 and 18 / 24 TSR2 Hybrids Tensi 75 Hybrid Shafts.... No Par 5 will be safe!!

 

 

 

[goaliedad30]

Embrace the headcover bouquet .... 😎😁

[launcher]

Absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing with you current set-up. Many have come to realize that they reach a point where it's time to go to a more modified set-up. 

 

I wonder if you're considered one alternative though. Have you tried any utility irons? I believe this is the one area where serious improvements have been made. I couldn't possibly go back to a regular 3 iron, but have no issue with the 2 utilities I'm using. They are considerably easier to hit, and way more confidence inspiring. 

 

Just a thought, but if you choose to go the hybrid route, nothing wrong with that at all. 

[MichMan123]

45 minutes ago, launcher said:

Absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing with you current set-up. Many have come to realize that they reach a point where it's time to go to a more modified set-up. 

 

I wonder if you're considered one alternative though. Have you tried any utility irons? I believe this is the one area where serious improvements have been made. I couldn't possibly go back to a regular 3 iron, but have no issue with the 2 utilities I'm using. They are considerably easier to hit, and way more confidence inspiring. 

 

Just a thought, but if you choose to go the hybrid route, nothing wrong with that at all. 

 

 

I have.  I suffer from similar issues as the Long irons.  I don't hit them that much better.  I do love the MKII utility but yesterdays testing showed I didnt hit it much better than equivilent iron

 

[BirdieBob]

https://www.taylormadegolf.com/P∙UDI/DW-TC563.html?lang=en_US

 

[J-Blade]

Ditto for me, though I am over 30 years older than you are, but I just came to the same conclusion.. I bag a 3 and 4 hybrid and just purchased a used set of Ping ISIs, 6-PW. I will probably use those most of the time instead of my S59s. 

[MN Moose]

Funny I see this today.  I played my first two rounds of the season up here in MN last week.  As long as I'm hitting my driver well, I rarely dip into the 3 or 4 irons.  But the few shots I (attempted) to hit with them were awful.  Pretty sad when I don't even attempt to go for a par 5 in two and just lay up.  I was once a great ball striker with the long irons but maybe I need to be honest with myself and remember that I'm not in my 20s anymore and don't play as much as I did back in the day (47 now).

Time to consider utility or hybrids and I've played without a 3 wood since HS because it was never worth the trouble, I may have to give that a chance again...

[North Butte]

I recently got a high-lofted hybrid to replace my 6-iron, even though the 6-iron is hardly tough to hit (it's a super game improvement clubhead with a boatload of tungsten and an 95g steel shaft). Easy to hit or not it just didn't fly very high or stop on the green within reason.

 

My biggest adjustment has been not thinking of that hybrid, like the lower lofted ones, as a "go far" club. I keep hitting these high, straight, reasonably soft landing 150-something shots with it and out of habit I want to react like, "Dang, that sure didn't go very far for a hybrid!". 

 

But then I remind myself, the 6iron it replaced would have flown about 145, at half the height, then rolled out 20+ yards once it hit the green. Then I'm OK with it!😍

[Mike_C]

Turn in your handicap card laddie, and might as well move up to the lasses tee box. 

 

Just as it is "nae wind, nae golf", so it is "nae long irons, nae golfer"......

 

Unless you have one of these in your bag, you might as well take up pickle ball or shuffleboard...😁

 

 

[JohnKHawk]

4 iron...what's a 4 iron? In all seriousness I gave up on log irons years ago. They make a difficult game even more difficult. Have a 5 iron but only use it off tee or perfect flat lies. Anything that I need to hit past 200 yards I usually grab a hybrid. Misses are less punishing for me.

[m d g]

1 hour ago, Mike_C said:

Turn in your handicap card laddie, and might as well move up to the lasses tee box. 

 

Just as it is "nae wind, nae golf", so it is "nae long irons, nae golfer"......

 

Unless you have one of these in your bag, you might as well take up pickle ball or shuffleboard...😁

 

 

 

I do have a '70s-era 1 iron.

 

And it's in the 'golf bag of ancient wonders' in my garage where it belongs : )

[MN Moose]

1 hour ago, Mike_C said:

Turn in your handicap card laddie, and might as well move up to the lasses tee box. 

 

Just as it is "nae wind, nae golf", so it is "nae long irons, nae golfer"......

 

Unless you have one of these in your bag, you might as well take up pickle ball or shuffleboard...😁

 

 

I have one of these in the bag, does that count?

 

[boggyman]

Got 10 years on you myself. Old MX injuries and life itself takes a toll, as does Father Time. Love a long iron, but as of late have realized after seeing the results on the course how much easier a “hybrid” style iron and high lofted fairway wood are on for an old guy. I pick up my old faithful blades in the garage with heavy steel shafts and almost cringe. Guy in our regular group said to me, take a pic of your bag so you know what’s in it when you get home today”🤣 I’m SLOWLY learning to like my “old man” bag! Added a 7 wood, seriously contemplating a 9 wood, to go with my 588 Altitudes. 

[gvogel]

2 hours ago, North Butte said:

I recently got a high-lofted hybrid to replace my 6-iron, even though the 6-iron is hardly tough to hit (it's a super game improvement clubhead with a boatload of tungsten and an 95g steel shaft). Easy to hit or not it just didn't fly very high or stop on the green within reason.

 

My biggest adjustment has been not thinking of that hybrid, like the lower lofted ones, as a "go far" club. I keep hitting these high, straight, reasonably soft landing 150-something shots with it and out of habit I want to react like, "Dang, that sure didn't go very far for a hybrid!". 

 

But then I remind myself, the 6iron it replaced would have flown about 145, at half the height, then rolled out 20+ yards once it hit the green. Then I'm OK with it!😍

71.  Four or five years ago I could hit my AP1 5-iron with OK height, and it slotted in between a 7-wood and 6-iron.  Now I'm playing TSR1 5, 6 and 7-hybrids.  I have a new TSR1 7-wood that I haven't had a chance to hit, but who knows, that might replace the 5-hybrid (or certainly sit along side it).

 

Life goes on.

[Bow Hunter]

I still carry a 24* 4 iron but I have 21 and 19 degree hybrids.

 

The 4 iron still has a place in my bag for full shots, punch outs, knock downs into the wind, etc.

[North Butte]

32 minutes ago, Bow Hunter said:

I still carry a 24* 4 iron but I have 21 and 19 degree hybrids.

 

The 4 iron still has a place in my bag for full shots, punch outs, knock downs into the wind, etc.

If you've got a 14th spot open in your bag and play tree lined courses, a 4-iron is a beautiful thing for hitting those waist-high punch shots that run 120-130 yards. 

[Bow Hunter]

1 hour ago, North Butte said:

If you've got a 14th spot open in your bag and play tree lined courses, a 4-iron is a beautiful thing for hitting those waist-high punch shots that run 120-130 yards. 

 

Yep. I'm a 2hcp and my set is putter, SW, GW, PW 9-4 iron, 21*, 19*, 16* and Driver

Edited May 13, 2024 by Bow Hunter

[CTG77]

17 hours ago, BirdieBob said:

https://www.taylormadegolf.com/P∙UDI/DW-TC563.html?lang=en_US

 

Yes, just grabbed a used 2 iron UDI off the BST and am pairing it with a TI X100!   Hit that combo at 2nd Swing here in Dallas last week and it was amazing.

Edited May 13, 2024 by CTG77

[aquapig]

I'm 49 and play to 1.5 index. But until about 3 years ago stayed around 7-8 index. Finally got rid of 3 and 4 irons and got a 4 wood, 7 wood and now a 9 wood. Since they change, I'm shooting around par consistently and having much more fun playing. 

 

My longest iron now is my 5i which I might use once a round. 

 

Golf is hard. Trying to hit long irons, for me at least was making a hard game even harder. 

 

 

[MichMan123]

I hit 2 beautiful 5 irons yesterday... 

 

I can handle the 5 iron no problem regardless of iron type..

 

That is another positive of dropping 3 and 4.  I can pretty much play baldes because I can hit anything from 5 down.

 

Can't wait until these hybrids arrive!!

 

 

[byerxa]

Now 55 and like many life and father time have degraded everything physically. Not that long ago the 4i was the break even point for me between iron and hybrid. Other than out of the rough I'd could get similar results over a 10 shot average. But not now. Can still hit good high drawing 175-ish 5 irons, but no longer can I consistently hit the 4i. My trusty old Apex 4H is simply more forgiving, even when it is no longer considered forgiving compared to a more recent hybrid.

[dmeeksDC]

On 5/12/2024 at 10:55 PM, BirdieBob said:

https://www.taylormadegolf.com/P∙UDI/DW-TC563.html?lang=en_US

 

I hit the UDI and UDH yesterday, both 3 irons. They’re impressive. UDH launches like a hybrid but is easy to aim like an iron. Long game options are getting better and better. 

[tbowles411]

On 5/12/2024 at 7:56 PM, goaliedad30 said:

Embrace the headcover bouquet .... 😎😁

I realized I had to get over it.  It was sad and humbling, but man is the game easier now. I even ripped out the 5 iron and am toying with the 6 hybrid.

[Wardonation]

On 5/12/2024 at 5:38 PM, tigerfan23 said:

Started golfing at 30. 45 now.  Was down to a 3 HC a few years ago and shot sub 70 in my Club Championship and Barley lost it... 

 

Coaching, Injuries and Real life problems have killed my golf game.  Up to a 10 now.

 

I used to hit beautiful Draws with my 3 and 4 irons... Towering 230 yard 3 irons off tees.  Automatic. 

Now I can't hit them.  I'm done with them.  3 and 4 irons are just too hard for me to hit consistently.   low hooks.  Ugly Blocks.  Not the cleanest contact.. The Dreaded S once in a while. 

I have played a TS2 hybrid on and off for a few years and and really found it remarkable to hit especially from the rough....

I really don't like other hybrids except the Cobra offerings from years ago.

This weekend I hit a bunch of them.

 

Today I ordered a TSR2 18 and 24 Deg Hybrids.  The 3 and 4 Iron will be out of the bag when they arrive.

 

Time to make golf easier and get the Ego out of the way..... Also Nobody I really play with gives a s*** what is in my bag anyways not sure why i care lol.

 

Swapping the 4 wood (Which I hate and hit too high) For a 3 wood as well.  New Top of Bag will be TSR2 Driver 1k White Shaft, TSR2 Fairway 15 Tensi Blue 75 and 18 / 24 TSR2 Hybrids Tensi 75 Hybrid Shafts.... No Par 5 will be safe!!

 

 

 

Stock Tensei blue in hybrids? How was launch and spin with them?

[Wardonation]

51 minutes ago, dmeeksDC said:

I hit the UDI and UDH yesterday, both 3 irons. They’re impressive. UDH launches like a hybrid but is easy to aim like an iron. Long game options are getting better and better. 

How were the spin numbers with both? l am always afraid of too low of spin...

[GeauxGolfLSU]

The longest iron I have in my bag is a 6 iron. I hit a 24° hybrid with much more consistency than I do a 5 iron. Granted, my 6 iron has the loft of last generation's 5 iron, so it's really just semantics.

[eric61]

Lately I've been playing a Ping G430 5 hybrid, -1 at 25 degrees, as my 4 iron replacement. It's been an awesome change. A 4 iron or 4 utility iron is great for me off a tee or the fairway, but this has given me so much more versatility out of the rough and out of tough lies. 

 

What really unlocked this club for me was learning to hit a knock-down with it -- which is something I've found hard with other high-lofted hybrids before. I actually tried a TSR3 24 degree hybrid last year with a HZRDUS Gen4 90/6.0 shaft, and it launched higher than my G430. I can't really explain why -- the G430 has more loft and is a higher-launching club design, yet for some reason the trajectory is just much easier for me to control and keep from ballooning up to 120+ feet peak height. 

 

 

[BraxtonFullerton]

I'm torn because I loved my Cobra F8 hybrid. I replaced it with a TSR2 and just could not hit it straight to save my life.

 

So I moved to a 20 degree UT. I love it off the tee and fairway, but hitting it out of the rough is daunting. I may pick up a 7W to play in wetter conditions and out of the rough.

[dmeeksDC]

20 minutes ago, Wardonation said:

How were the spin numbers with both? l am always afraid of too low of spin...

Yeah, me too. I have not typically played this type of club. Spin is surprisingly good, about 3400 for me with the UDH and a little more, 3700-3800 with the UDI (higher CG). Stock Recoil Dart 90 stiff shaft. 
 

Major difference in shot height — I hit the UDH 20 feet higher every time. I was not going after it, swinging these in the low 90s. My 7 iron speed is about 85 mph, fyi. UDH was getting up over 90 feet, plenty high to stop. 
 

I liked both, but they perform quite differently. I played it safe and went with the UDH. TM says it is the most forgiving long iron they make, even more than Qi10. A hybrid/iron blend that has best of both worlds potential. I hit hybrids plenty far, am hoping the UDH is more precise. Should be good off fairway or rough. If it does not work out I have 90 days to switch to the UDI. 

[BirdieBob]

1 hour ago, dmeeksDC said:

I hit the UDI and UDH yesterday, both 3 irons. They’re impressive. UDH launches like a hybrid but is easy to aim like an iron. Long game options are getting better and better.