18* DI vs 18* 3 iron off teebox?

[kody17]

Would the driving iron be more forgiving, higher launching, and for the most part go farther than a traditional 3 iron bent to the same loft?

 

I plan on replacing my 3iron from my Srixon z545 set with a new U85. Just wondering if there would be any advantage doing so.

[Krt22]

Typically yes, but I would say the srixon z545 and u85 are closer than most other traditional 3 irons. The Z545 (and 5 series in general) is very forgiving, hot/thin face, full perimeter weighting. Main difference is the wider sole (and likely slightly lower CG) with the U series.

[MelloYello]

My experience with driving irons is that they usually increase distance slightly.

 

It looks like the U85 18⁰ is 40" while the Z545 3i is 39". Might keep that in mind as well.

[BigHook25]

Interesting, I was actually considering the Srixon Z585 3-iron bent a degree or two as a driving iron. I figured slightly more forgiving and a cheaper option for similar performance.

 

I've tested a few "driving irons" vs 3-irons over the last few years and only difference I've seen is some of the driving irons are a little less forgiving and made to launch a little lower (mainly less weight at the bottom of the club).

[uglande]

The driving iron will likely have a higher CG and generally produce less spin than a similarly lofted standard iron, but if you're increasing the DI loft to get to 18, it might perform similarly to the 3i. I would guess the DI would still produce less spin, so if you have spin to spare, the DI might give you more distance off the tee.

[mootrail]

I've tested a few "driving irons" vs 3-irons over the last few years and only difference I've seen is some of the driving irons are a little less forgiving and made to launch a little lower (mainly less weight at the bottom of the club).

 

Not sure what you've been testing, but you're seeing the opposite of what driving irons are about. That's better forgiveness, easier to launch and longer distances. The soles are usually massively wider and heavier which elevates the shot higher. Maybe you're talking about irons like T-MBs or P790s with irons that go to a 2 or 3. So really more irons then specifically designed driving irons.

[BigHook25]

I've tested a few "driving irons" vs 3-irons over the last few years and only difference I've seen is some of the driving irons are a little less forgiving and made to launch a little lower (mainly less weight at the bottom of the club).

 

Not sure what you've been testing, but you're seeing the opposite of what driving irons are about. That's better forgiveness, easier to launch and longer distances. The soles are usually massively wider and heavier which elevates the shot higher. Maybe you're talking about irons like T-MBs or P790s with irons that go to a 2 or 3. So really more irons then specifically designed driving irons.

 

I was comparing some of the driving irons to the more game improvement type 3-irons or 4-irons, the ones with 18-20 degree loft. I'm not saying the specific driving irons aren't forgiving, but with their design to be lower flight they can be.

[Krt22]

I've tested a few "driving irons" vs 3-irons over the last few years and only difference I've seen is some of the driving irons are a little less forgiving and made to launch a little lower (mainly less weight at the bottom of the club).

 

Not sure what you've been testing, but you're seeing the opposite of what driving irons are about. That's better forgiveness, easier to launch and longer distances. The soles are usually massively wider and heavier which elevates the shot higher. Maybe you're talking about irons like T-MBs or P790s with irons that go to a 2 or 3. So really more irons then specifically designed driving irons.

 

I was comparing some of the driving irons to the more game improvement type 3-irons or 4-irons, the ones with 18-20 degree loft. I'm not saying the specific driving irons aren't forgiving, but with their design to be lower flight they can be.

 

I don't think that is true...Most clunky DIs have a low CG to promote higher launch

[JJK947]

From what I've seen the U driving irons are going to be higher launching than the 5 series irons in the same loft.

 

FWIW, I use a 545 3-iron as a diving iron with my 945 4-PW. So it's all relative. Great club, regardless.

[BigHook25]

From what I've seen the U driving irons are going to be higher launching than the 5 series irons in the same loft.

 

FWIW, I use a 545 3-iron as a diving iron with my 945 4-PW. So it's all relative. Great club, regardless.

 

Yea, it seems they are all different depending on the manufacturer. I have a Mizuno MP 2-iron and its lower launch than some of the 3-irons I've tried with similar loft. The srixon (think I tried the U45) seemed to launch fairly easy. I guess it depends if you want higher launch and also use it off the fairway. For me, most of the "driving irons" I used were better off the tee than the ground, although some of the newer ones (Srixon and say Mizuno fli-hi) are going more towards higher launch.

[manima1]

Yes, it will go ~10 yards further in my experience. The U series driving irons have very low CG due to the wide sole - that means high launch and low spin. The hollow body construction of the U series makes them quite forgiving as well - so on bad strikes the distance gap increases

[BigHook25]

Yes, it will go ~10 yards further in my experience. The U series driving irons have very low CG due to the wide sole - that means high launch and low spin. The hollow body construction of the U series makes them quite forgiving as well - so on bad strikes the distance gap increases

 

Some of the distance might be just because of a slightly longer and lighter shaft. When you tested or hit the 3-iron against the U85 was it with the same shafts?

[kody17]

Just for reference, I only use the club off of the tee. But since my original post, I went ahead and got a brand new one from ksouth off ebay.

 

18* with Recoil 95 X-flex. Can't wait!

[mootrail]

Here's an excellent video comparing the X-Forged Utility 3 and a Z 765 3 iron that helps answer why a utility might be a better choice over a 3 iron.

 

[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1em73XU[/media]

[mootrail]

Just for reference, I only use the club off of the tee. But since my original post, I went ahead and got a brand new one from ksouth off ebay.

 

18* with Recoil 95 X-flex. Can't wait!

 

I just got my U85 2 from ksouth9 yesterday:) It's shiny! I already play a U45 3, so I know it's going to good. Enjoy!

[manima1]

Yes, it will go ~10 yards further in my experience. The U series driving irons have very low CG due to the wide sole - that means high launch and low spin. The hollow body construction of the U series makes them quite forgiving as well - so on bad strikes the distance gap increases

 

Some of the distance might be just because of a slightly longer and lighter shaft. When you tested or hit the 3-iron against the U85 was it with the same shafts?

 

Yes, S400 in 3 iron length.

[ORT]

I have a 20 degree u65 as well as a 20.5 degree steelhead XR 4 iron. The u65 is a solid 15 yards longer than the 4 regular iron of almost the same exact loft. I also find the u65 to be higher launching than the 4 iron despite the almost identical loft.