In our forums, our members have been discussing the lost art of hitting a long iron. WRXer ‘theothertwo’ laments how long irons have been pushed aside for hybrids, saying:
“Nothing against hybrids, I carry a 3 hybrid, and my longest iron now is a 4 iron which is rarely used. When I first started playing golf in 1990, a regular set of clubs would consist of a driver, 3 and 5 woods, 2-PW set of irons, a sand wedge and a putter.
I had to learn to hit the long irons because there was no other choice, but in retrospect, some of the best shots I remember from those days are well struck 2 and 3 iron shots.
Now that art is gone except in the pro and maybe the single-digit handicap range of golfers.
I remember when the challenge was learning how to hit a long iron because once you learn that, all other shots seem easier to hit.
I just miss the 3 and 2 iron sometimes, but to score better nowadays, hybrids are a must.”
And our members have been reacting to the post in our forum with some very interesting contributions.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- Myherobobhope: “I’m a decently high swing speed player, and the longest iron I carry is a 5… my 4 utility and 3 hybrid simply offer more value and better options for me on the course. A perfectly struck 2 iron isn’t going farther than a well hit 3 hybrid… the return simply isn’t there.”
- ALIF: “Balls don’t spin like they used to. The game has evolved. If we were still playing wound balata, then yes, 1, 2, & 3 irons would still be in the bag.”
- raynorfan1: “As others have noted, I still carry and hit a club that’s the same loft and length as an old 1 iron. It has a 3 stamped on the bottom.”