Today from the Forums shines a light on a discussion between members over when the 1-iron began to phase out on the PGA Tour. Our members have been having their say on the topic, with some believing the club has simply evolved.
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.
- llamont: “My own opinion is that the 1-iron is alive and well in the evolved form of the modern-day driving iron/utility club (not hybrid). TaylorMade, Callaway, Srixon, Titleist, etc. all make driving irons used by professionals and amateurs alike. The number used to identify a club and the loft of the club are completely subjective when comparing equipment from different eras, but the intended purposes remain the same.”
- dalehead: “The 1 iron was never in the bags of most tour pros even back to the Hogan era. The most common bag set up was 3 woods, 2-PW, SW and putter. There was a big surge in 1 irons with the introduction of the Ping Eye 2’s which featured a 1 iron that even the less skilled could use (ask me how I know). It usually replaced the third wood in the bag. Several factors lead to the demise of the 1 iron. The lob wedge. Room had to be made in the bag for it. 2 and even 3 irons with the loft of older 1 irons. The hybrid. As others have said we have the modern driving irons, but they’ve come a long way from say a Wilson Staff button back 1 iron which was my unicorn when I was a kid.”
- Dr. Block :”I have a Wilson staff 1 iron from the early ’80s. I checked the specs, and its loft is equivalent to a modern 3 iron or 3 hybrid. So maybe the 1 iron died when club companies starting strengthening the lofts of irons to create extra distance.”
- 3jacker: “The most correct answer thus far is the ones stating that 2 and 3 irons are the same club as the old 1 irons. It is easy to compare today’s lofts/lengths with the clubs from the 90s and before. Second-biggest cause is the changes to the ball. Third is that hybrids replaced them, but at the professional level hybrids do not perform the same way as a low-lofted iron (utility or 2 iron today). Easier to hit but harder to keep down when desired. I had a full set of those Hogan PCs shown above back in the late 80s. Loved them, that 1-iron was a joy to hit well (when things were working). Still have them stashed away somewhere…”
Entire Thread: “When did the 1-iron phase-out on the PGA Tour?”