How Much Stronger Will Irons Become?

The industry is getting way out of hand. When I started playing golf in 1990, the pitching wedge was 48 degrees and the standard 5 iron was 37.5". Graphite shafts were starting to become popular, persimmon wood heads were phasing out, and irons with perimeter weighting--later to be known as "cavity back"--was in vogue. Technology has taken over tradition when it comes to club design and clubmaking, and we have Callaway Golf to thank for shattering the standards. Ever since the Big Bertha irons were first released in 1994, equipment manufacturers were trying to devise ways for clubs to hit the ball longer and straighter with every club. Today, clubs are stronger and longer. I understand that the standard length 5 iron with steel shaft is 38" and half an inch longer for graphite, and the pitching wedge is now 43 or 42 degrees. This is ridiculous. At some point the bumping of lofts must stop. Will we see a pitching wedge at 35 degrees? I would not count that out, since long irons are phased out and people are putting four or five wedges in their bags.

What is your guess, guys, to how strong clubs will become ten or more years from now? Let's just assume the year 2025. Will the pitching wedge fall below 40 degrees and the 5 iron reach 40 inches?

We get it. You're a luddite.
Things change over time, whinging about it won't reverse things. Focus on building a time machine, you'll be happier.

[quote name='EmperorPenguin' timestamp='1388297057' post='8361905']
The industry is getting way out of hand. When I started playing golf in 1990, the pitching wedge was 48 degrees and the standard 5 iron was 37.5". Graphite shafts were starting to become popular, persimmon wood heads were phasing out, and irons with perimeter weighting--later to be known as "cavity back"--was in vogue. Technology has taken over tradition when it comes to club design and clubmaking, and we have Callaway Golf to thank for shattering the standards. Ever since the Big Bertha irons were first released in 1994, equipment manufacturers were trying to devise ways for clubs to hit the ball longer and straighter with every club. Today, clubs are stronger and longer. I understand that the standard length 5 iron with steel shaft is 38" and half an inch longer for graphite, and the pitching wedge is now 43 or 42 degrees. This is ridiculous. At some point the bumping of lofts must stop. Will we see a pitching wedge at 35 degrees? I would not count that out, since long irons are phased out and people are putting four or five wedges in their bags.

What is your guess, guys, to how strong clubs will become ten or more years from now? Let's just assume the year 2025. Will the pitching wedge fall below 40 degrees and the 5 iron reach 40 inches?
[/quote]


doubt if it can continue.44 wedge means at least 2 clubs between it and the sw.

makes the 5 iron just about unplayable for most.

sets will be 6 -gw with mulitple options for wedges and hybrids

Reason #25352 for why I still play irons from the 80's... 50° PW, 46° 9 iron all the way up to a 23° 3 iron.

It sucks having to adjust to the new distances because of the strengthing lofts. Some young people think the lofts are fine, but they haven't had to endure the marketing driven changes the way some of the more experienced people have.

I think the manufacturers are starting to figure out they've max'd out the lofts. I think this is why you are seeing companies placing more emphasis on looks these days. I firmly believe more companies will start following Cobra's lead and offering more color combos or other appearance tweaks. Look at the Cobra Bio Cell irons coming out. Now I personally am not a fan of the look but there will be plenty of people who buy them because they are "different". While there are plenty of traditionalists in the game, there are plenty of people who like different.

What I find funny is that so many people still buy iron sets only down to the pw. Don't they realize that the gap wedge IS their pitching wedge? To me any set without the matching UW is incomplete. The 3 or 4 irons are irrelevant for most people anymore. I can foresee a time when all the irons in a set will have letters instead of numbers.

I still use 48* pitching wedge and so forth, its funny to me how some of the guys at the clubs buy irons because they can hit them further and get on the course and have no distance control whatsoever.

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1388298111' post='8361949']
We get it. You're a luddite.
Things change over time, whinging about it won't reverse things. Focus on building a time machine, you'll be happier.
[/quote]

I guess I'm a luddite too.

But I am smart enough to know that taking a 4 iron and stamping 6 on it isn't technological advancement.

The manufacturers count on the fact that most of their potential customers aren't smart enough to understand that. Those guys whose only goal in golf is to hit a higher numbered iron than their "buddies" when they are all gathered on a given par 3.

And evidently there are plenty of them out there.

Buy a 4-U/GW and call it a day. It doesn't matter what is on the bottom, just buy what lofts you need. All of Pings 'U' wedges are 50 degrees. You could call it your 'pitching wedge' or write a P on it with a sharpie if it makes you feel better.

[quote name='j_king' timestamp='1388324551' post='8362253']
Buy a 4-U/GW and call it a day. It doesn't matter what is on the bottom, just buy what lofts you need. All of Pings 'U' wedges are 50 degrees. You could call it your 'pitching wedge' or write a P on it with a sharpie if it makes you feel better.
[/quote]

Question is when are equipment companies going to introduce GW2 into the mix?

[quote name='Nessism' timestamp='1388326710' post='8362331']
[quote name='j_king' timestamp='1388324551' post='8362253']
Buy a 4-U/GW and call it a day. It doesn't matter what is on the bottom, just buy what lofts you need. All of Pings 'U' wedges are 50 degrees. You could call it your 'pitching wedge' or write a P on it with a sharpie if it makes you feel better.
[/quote]

Question is when are equipment companies going to introduce GW2 into the mix?
[/quote]I see it going pitch-gap-sand-lob-slob (SL)

I specifically remember John Daly's distances through the early 1990's when he played Ping Eye2 irons: LW 135 yds, 8 iron 185 yds, 1 iron 265-280 yds. These distances were based on actual shots he played in tournaments and I have the VHS tapes to prove them. He played the Maxfli HT balata early in his career, and after signing with Wilson he played Ultra irons and Ultra Competition ball. I think that a hard-hitter with today's ball and clubs can compare with those distances--or at least the industry will lead him to believe that.

I hate that there isnt a norm. Sounds so stupid and German to say it, but honestly, how can the[size=4] [color=#444444]USGA and golf's governing body not just make a norm. All theyd have to do is norm one club and all would be fine.[/color]

[color=#444444]This is why I bought mp33, I have 4 wedges including the pw now and all have great gaps and play well in distances. [/color][/size]
I did say once that we'll probably end up having 8 wedges in the bag sooner than later, with the rate its going. Every year at least a degree gets dropped.

Many of us here may prefer the older lofts, but at the end of the day it's just a number on the bottom of a club. So today's 5-iron is yesterday's 3-iron, or today's PW is yesterday's 9-iron. So what? Again, it's just a number on the bottom of the club.

Can't have too many of these threads apparently.

I was watching a documentary about the Sudan, and all I could think about was the injustice of OEMs putting P on 9 irons. The nerve.

Or maybe instead of regulating the clubs, just tell them to write the lofts on the clubs as well. 6³² or something like that. Doesnt one manufacturer already do that oO?

Edit:

[quote name='HighSpeedScene' timestamp='1388333588' post='8362749']
Can't have too many of these threads apparently.

I was watching a documentary about the Sudan, and all I could think about was the injustice of OEMs putting P on 9 irons. The nerve.
[/quote]

We have some serious problems here, all the Sudan needs is food, water and peace.
This is the world we are saving man.

5-GW = What used to be 4-PW.

Done. Who cares?

I have a 125 club, a 150 club and a 175 yard club. Who cares what the number on the bottom is as long as I know how far it goes?

Mostly it is just a number, but it is rather silly that the pitching wedge no longer serves its implied purpose.

[quote name='Nessism' timestamp='1388326710' post='8362331']
[quote name='j_king' timestamp='1388324551' post='8362253']
Buy a 4-U/GW and call it a day. It doesn't matter what is on the bottom, just buy what lofts you need. All of Pings 'U' wedges are 50 degrees. You could call it your 'pitching wedge' or write a P on it with a sharpie if it makes you feel better.
[/quote]

Question is when are equipment companies going to introduce GW2 into the mix?
[/quote]

Haha, I guess I'll have to play 5-GW2 at that point.

I agree I do not care at the club has on the bottom, as long as it goes the same distance every time. It is interesting though as it seems that many of the tour guys even play a bit stronger lofts on their irons, and do not seem to have any issue with it?

I agree, wrx should have more sudan feel bad threads. [/sarc.]

[quote name='HighSpeedScene' timestamp='1388333588' post='8362749']
Can't have too many of these threads apparently.

I was watching a documentary about the Sudan, and all I could think about was the injustice of OEMs putting P on 9 irons. The nerve.
[/quote]

You could say that about a lot of things: the price of gas or a gallon of milk, the weather, how your professor gave you a B instead of an A, pace of play, someone cutting you off in traffic, a BST transaction gone wrong, Miley Cyrus twerking, your cleaning lady quitting, GolfWRX is slow, you don't hit the ball far enough, too much spam...feel free to add more.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. It's tragic, and yes the money spent on defense by the nations of the world could wipe out hunger and a myriad of other problems overnight. But the human race is what it is.

Each of us does what we can. We contribute to charitable organizations, we volunteer, we pray, or what have you. If it bothers you that much, sell all of your belongings, move to Sudan give all of your money away and work in a refugee camp.

But, this is a golf forum and we talk about things related to golf. You could say "the nerve" about pretty much any topic. I'm sorry your sensibilities are offended. I too am not happy with the state of our world, with the lack of "moral evolution" of our race, and our continued brutality we foist upon one another, but a golf forum is no place to post such a comment you posted.

These discussions almost never include discussion on what else has changed about the designs aside from loft.
I also wouldn't mind some discussion on how the ball has changed in that time. And the grooves for that matter. Or how the faces are thinned out. Or....

Take an iron with the COG shifted way back which promotes higher flight, and now add those 1989 lofts to the equation. It will go very high.

Those that complain about this the most usually have no interest even playing the strong lofted GI irons in question anyway.

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1388337051' post='8362977']
[quote name='HighSpeedScene' timestamp='1388333588' post='8362749']
Can't have too many of these threads apparently.

I was watching a documentary about the Sudan, and all I could think about was the injustice of OEMs putting P on 9 irons. The nerve.
[/quote]

You could say that about a lot of things: the price of gas or a gallon of milk, the weather, how your professor gave you a B instead of an A, pace of play, someone cutting you off in traffic, a BST transaction gone wrong, Miley Cyrus twerking, your cleaning lady quitting, GolfWRX is slow, you don't hit the ball far enough, too much spam...feel free to add more.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. It's tragic, and yes the money spent on defense by the nations of the world could wipe out hunger and a myriad of other problems overnight. But the human race is what it is.

Each of us does what we can. We contribute to charitable organizations, we volunteer, we pray, or what have you. If it bothers you that much, sell all of your belongings, move to Sudan give all of your money away and work in a refugee camp.

But, this is a golf forum and we talk about things related to golf. You could say "the nerve" about pretty much any topic. I'm sorry your sensibilities are offended. I too am not happy with the state of our world, with the lack of "moral evolution" of our race, and our continued brutality we foist upon one another, but a golf forum is no place to post such a comment you posted.
[/quote]

I'll run it by you next time first.

Gotta go, I feel this place needs another "most forgiving blade" thread. Its been a few minutes.

[quote name='HighSpeedScene' timestamp='1388337655' post='8363023']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1388337051' post='8362977']
[quote name='HighSpeedScene' timestamp='1388333588' post='8362749']
Can't have too many of these threads apparently.

I was watching a documentary about the Sudan, and all I could think about was the injustice of OEMs putting P on 9 irons. The nerve.
[/quote]

You could say that about a lot of things: the price of gas or a gallon of milk, the weather, how your professor gave you a B instead of an A, pace of play, someone cutting you off in traffic, a BST transaction gone wrong, Miley Cyrus twerking, your cleaning lady quitting, GolfWRX is slow, you don't hit the ball far enough, too much spam...feel free to add more.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. It's tragic, and yes the money spent on defense by the nations of the world could wipe out hunger and a myriad of other problems overnight. But the human race is what it is.

Each of us does what we can. We contribute to charitable organizations, we volunteer, we pray, or what have you. If it bothers you that much, sell all of your belongings, move to Sudan give all of your money away and work in a refugee camp.

But, this is a golf forum and we talk about things related to golf. You could say "the nerve" about pretty much any topic. I'm sorry your sensibilities are offended. I too am not happy with the state of our world, with the lack of "moral evolution" of our race, and our continued brutality we foist upon one another, but a golf forum is no place to post such a comment you posted.
[/quote]

I'll run it by you next time first.

Gotta go, I feel this place needs another "most forgiving blade" thread. Its been a few minutes.
[/quote]

You don't need to run anything by me. However, you may want to be a bit less cynical, it's probably not good for your digestion. :-)

Okay then, it's confirmed: I'm an idiot. Been playing since the early 1980's and get confused as to what club to pull sometimes. Heaven help me if I take the 588TT's out of the bag and give the Wilson Progressives a go (lofts are more than 5* different). Guess it's time to start bringing a calculator to the course. Is that legal?

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1388337958' post='8363049']
[quote name='HighSpeedScene' timestamp='1388337655' post='8363023']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1388337051' post='8362977']
[quote name='HighSpeedScene' timestamp='1388333588' post='8362749']
Can't have too many of these threads apparently.

I was watching a documentary about the Sudan, and all I could think about was the injustice of OEMs putting P on 9 irons. The nerve.
[/quote]

You could say that about a lot of things: the price of gas or a gallon of milk, the weather, how your professor gave you a B instead of an A, pace of play, someone cutting you off in traffic, a BST transaction gone wrong, Miley Cyrus twerking, your cleaning lady quitting, GolfWRX is slow, you don't hit the ball far enough, too much spam...feel free to add more.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. It's tragic, and yes the money spent on defense by the nations of the world could wipe out hunger and a myriad of other problems overnight. But the human race is what it is.

Each of us does what we can. We contribute to charitable organizations, we volunteer, we pray, or what have you. If it bothers you that much, sell all of your belongings, move to Sudan give all of your money away and work in a refugee camp.

But, this is a golf forum and we talk about things related to golf. You could say "the nerve" about pretty much any topic. I'm sorry your sensibilities are offended. I too am not happy with the state of our world, with the lack of "moral evolution" of our race, and our continued brutality we foist upon one another, but a golf forum is no place to post such a comment you posted.
[/quote]

I'll run it by you next time first.

Gotta go, I feel this place needs another "most forgiving blade" thread. Its been a few minutes.
[/quote]

You don't need to run anything by me. However, you may want to be a bit less cynical, it's probably not good for your digestion. :-)
[/quote]

I eat a high fiber and protein diet - so no worries on me. Gonna go make sure my grips are all within +/- 5 microns so I dont have to post on that as well.

[quote name='EmperorPenguin' timestamp='1388297057' post='8361905']
The industry is getting way out of hand. When I started playing golf in 1990, the pitching wedge was 48 degrees and the standard 5 iron was 37.5". Graphite shafts were starting to become popular, persimmon wood heads were phasing out, and irons with perimeter weighting--later to be known as "cavity back"--was in vogue. Technology has taken over tradition when it comes to club design and clubmaking, and we have Callaway Golf to thank for shattering the standards. Ever since the Big Bertha irons were first released in 1994, equipment manufacturers were trying to devise ways for clubs to hit the ball longer and straighter with every club. Today, clubs are stronger and longer. I understand that the standard length 5 iron with steel shaft is 38" and half an inch longer for graphite, and the pitching wedge is now 43 or 42 degrees. This is ridiculous. At some point the bumping of lofts must stop. Will we see a pitching wedge at 35 degrees? I would not count that out, since long irons are phased out and people are putting four or five wedges in their bags.

What is your guess, guys, to how strong clubs will become ten or more years from now? Let's just assume the year 2025. Will the pitching wedge fall below 40 degrees and the 5 iron reach 40 inches?
[/quote]Really-who cares!! Don't use them if you don't like it.