The Future of Golf Clubs - Irons Edition

Today after a hearty lunch at my fave jap pork cutlet place, I went to indulge in my 2nd fave pastime, ogling at golf equipment.

I chanced upon a set of irons that had stirred my heart since seeing it last week at Ivan Golf Fitting on a set of prototype UST Mamiya iron shafts. (Note to self: Ivan's place is a poisonous place: visit sparingly) Up till now, I have refused to look at Japanese golf clubs despite the bestest efforts of my golfing buddies, and consider this area one of my biggest blindspot. Ironic considering I have been ho-ing after every piece of golf equpment under the sun for the past 10 years.

Anyways I digress, the set was perfect, so shiny and new I could see my reflection on the chrome plating, reasonably priced and everything was go until the over eager sales person showed me the brochure.

The deal killer was the stated loft on the set indicated that the 7 iron had 32 degrees.

What? Is that not a 6 iron loft?

I took another look at the other set in the same series of irons, which is a cavity model, and no surprise it is stronger by 1 degree.

This got me thinking: Is this a nefarious plot that the Japs have started? Build a iron set that is a club stronger so that you can underclub your opponent? Did Taylormade just imitate the Japs and do this with their RocketBladez irons? (2 wins for the RocketBladez Tour irons so far btw) Is this the future of irons? I turned to my golfing wiki and found out that this is such a common practice and not a new phenomenon at all, and it will continue.



With this trend, perhaps one day in the near future, I can have a driver and (jacked up) 9 iron into a par 5. ha ha

like u said, it's nothing new and many manufacturers have been doing this for some time. It's just sickening when they claim that they have produced a 7iron that can go 10-15 yards further...

Essentially, ur 7 iron is the equivalent of a 6iron, in terms of length and loft. Why do you think so many iron sets these days come with Gap Wedge? Bcos the Gw = Pw.

But if you think about it, it's really no big deal. it's just a different number printed on the sole of your iron.

When I bought my cobra s2 forged irons (which also come with stronger loft), i simply bought 6-Gw, since it is the equivalent of 5-Pw.

Problem solved.

scottycollector wrote:

like u said, it's nothing new and many manufacturers have been doing this for some time. It's just sickening when they claim that they have produced a 7iron that can go 10-15 yards further...

Essentially, ur 7 iron is the equivalent of a 6iron, in terms of length and loft. Why do you think so many iron sets these days come with Gap Wedge? Bcos the Gw = Pw.

But if you think about it, it's really no big deal. it's just a different number printed on the sole of your iron.

When I bought my cobra s2 forged irons (which also come with stronger loft), i simply bought 6-Gw, since it is the equivalent of 5-Pw.

Problem solved.

the trick is they hide it under some new revolution of golf technology. like the rocketbladez talked of the new slot technology - which Wilson used in its clubs earlier.

but i guess who doesnt want new toys to play with?

Crayon, interesting findings ... Do you happen to know 1 degree difference in loft translates to how many yards difference in distance?

As long as my pw is 46 deg and my 5i is 26. I'm set. 4 deg gaps give me 10m difference.

Turbo wrote:

Crayon, interesting findings ... Do you happen to know 1 degree difference in loft translates to how many yards difference in distance?

I googled the question and found a possible answer in golfwrx (my golf wiki) it seems that o on average a 1 degree difference will translate to about 2 or 3 metres difference in distance.

If you hit your 7 iron (35* loft) 150m and your 6 iron (30* loft) 160m then the 5* loft = 10m so that is why the answer is each degree loft get you additional 2m distance. Main assumption is that loft is main contributor for distance and not length of shaft because as you know the 6 iron is longer than a 7 iron. Thats the theory anyways.

For Nike VRII PRO Combo irons:

#4 - 23 deg
#5 - 26 deg
#6 - 30 deg
#7 - 34 deg
#8 - 38 deg
#9 - 42 deg
PW - 46 deg

The Nike VRII PRO Blades are weaker by one deg for each iron ...

crayon33 wrote:

Turbo wrote:

Crayon, interesting findings ... Do you happen to know 1 degree difference in loft translates to how many yards difference in distance?

I googled the question and found a possible answer in golfwrx (my golf wiki) it seems that o on average a 1 degree difference will translate to about 2 or 3 metres difference in distance.

If you hit your 7 iron (35* loft) 150m and your 6 iron (30* loft) 160m then the 5* loft = 10m so that is why the answer is each degree loft get you additional 2m distance. Main assumption is that loft is main contributor for distance and not length of shaft because as you know the 6 iron is longer than a 7 iron. Thats the theory anyways.

OK bro ... The length difference is not much ... About less than half an inch difference ...

my nine iron is 45 degree, it is nike pitching wedge.... maybe i should feel better now.