The 4 iron spot.....

[jmtbkr]

I took the 4i out of my set and just use the 3i. Not much of a gap to the 5 from the 4, so it went.

[Pepperturbo]

Got ya... We're not all the same in body composition and ball striking. I have no issues getting the ball up with my long irons, and holding greens, partly because I spin the ball a lot and my 620irons help.

During my round the other day on first Par5, I hit a great drive down the middle, then a blind 2 iron over a mound to the middle and 118yd leave. My buddy said what a pretty shot. He out drove me some but was in the left rough, uphill lie and hit 3wd to just past where my 2i landed. He bogey and I pared. My buddy uses iron replacement hybrids and 75 gram graphite "R" iron shafts, 5 & 3wd, and fitted Ping driver with "R" shaft; 18yrs younger than me too. He pulls a 5i and I pull 6/7i, with weaker lofts and heavier "s" shafts too. During our other round he hit his 5wd on a 210yd uphill par 3, and I hit 2 iron. He hit the green edge, I was just short of the edge, pitched to the pin and made par, he made par too. As we were walking off he looks at me and our buddy's and says da**, shakes his head and says that is amazing; I hit 5wd the best I could and you hit, what? a 2i 15' behind me then par the hole.

We're all different for various reasons. I've worked out all my life, which is partly why my strength allows me to play the clubs I have. My buddy, however, never worked out. Honestly, not sure there will be a day in my future for hybrids. I might kick before that happens.

Have a good weekend of golf.

[Pepperturbo]

LOL big 2 iron, wouldn't you say...

[DangerousDan]

Ping Blueprint 4 iron. Love it

[kearneyhill]

Srixon U65 4 iron. Really like how it blends from my 565 5 iron to my G410 19* hybrid

[animalgolfs]

9 wood

 

Yeah, I'm that cool

[Chuck905]

That’s an interesting experience. I found my 4 iron 565 went too far as my 20* U45. The 5 iron went as far as the 23* U45. I kept the 18* and sold the 20* and 23* UDIs because the 565 irons went too long.

[kearneyhill]

My 5 iron 565 is 1/2 degree weak at 24.5 degrees and is 38 inches long

my 4 u85 is 1.5 degree strong at 21.5 degrees and is 39.25 inches long

both my Ping G400 & G410 hybrids are standard at 19 degrees and are 40.25 inches long

that specific gapping makes them blend well for me

i have a Mitchell loft/lie machine so that makes it easier for me to create a particular static mathematical relationship between each club versus the factory settings that we are supposed to accept. I can then modify the specs and create a dynamic relationship between each club based on the on course results.

 

[animalgolfs]

I need to hang with you...... You gotta lot going for ya

[HappyGilmore22]

Have been playing a T200 4 iron bent 1 deg weak but I've decided today that I'm going to get rid of my 4 iron and replace with a U500 3 iron. T200 4 iron launching way too high off the tee and that's about the only time I use it for shorter par 4s and the rare par 5 where I'm at the right distance. Will be nice to have another ~15 yards off the tee too.

[krawchukery]

P760 does not match 5–pw Titleist irons

[Chuck905]

Everybody is different.

I always prefer or have bent clubs 1-2* weaker for the added height, added bounce and frankly, like the look of less offset at address.

Some people may get into trouble with reduced bounce or in case of the U45/65/85 series UDI (0* bounce stock), you get negative bounce when you strengthen the lofts.

Something to consider if you choose to strengthen lofts.

[asKaasa]

Done any changes to lofts?

[Justsomeguy]

My irons stop at 5i.

Instead of a 4i, I skip to a 3h that is a little strong.

It's a completely different tool for rough, height, etc. And it's a great tee club.

It gives me real separation bt the 5i and 4i spot, which was 10 yards on my best days when I used to carry a 4i.

It also makes room for an extra wood or wedge to skip a senseless club for most ams.

My bag is: 1w, 3w, 5w, 3h, 5i....pw, aw, sw, lw. And most importantly I don't bunch up anywhere in the bag.

[Rebbutt]

I have a puzzle in my set... seeking opinions

 

Problem: carry distances for 4-iron and 3 hybrid are too similar... feels wasteful to have both clubs in bag, although I use them for different lies and roll out is of course better for 3 hybrid

4-iron on-course carry: 195-205 yards (Callaway Apex Pro 19, 23* degree loft, +1/2" length) vs.

3-hybrid on-course carry: 205-215 yards (Callaway Apex 3 hybrid, 20* degree loft, std length)

 

Some options I am considering...

a) swap out 3 hybrid for 2 hybrid (issue is that I get more 200 yard shots than 225 yard shots)

b) swap out 3 wood and 2 hybrid for a 4 wood, and a 3-iron.

(I already have PW 45 deg, AW 50 deg, SW 54 deg, LW 58 deg in the bag... don't need a 62 deg lob wedge)

 

Thoughts?

[hypergolf]

Normal 4 iron works fine for me. For those having difficulty with long irons, try changing the shaft to a lighter weight and you would be surprised how well you might be able to hit your set iron.

[Mikeflj]

This is next level detail.? I found the same that the 565 5 iron and 4 iron carried the same distance with a few extra yards of roll out with the 4. It makes sense they are 24 and 22 loft. I actually go 20 Apex hybrid then 20 U65 3 iron with a steel shaft to the 565 5 iron then to 785 6 iron. Gives nice flexibility to have 3 iron off tee as I play in windy conditions.

[BostonWRX]

Only 1 degree difference. I found the U500 to be a little longer so no issue

[kearneyhill]

1) Add 1/2 inch extension to your existing 3 hybrid to gain about 3 yards of carry all things else equal which would be the same length as a new 2hybrid.

or

2) get a 19* hybrid so that your distance between your 4 iron and 3 hybrid are more discernible.

 

 

[Hit em good]

23° hybrid PIng G25

This covers the 3iron and 4iron spot for me

[DNice26]

So if Web Simpson isn't gaming a 4 iron.......why are we?

I like his hybrid steel shaft 4 iron setup....

[cugolf14]

I went with the TMB 4 iron with my AP2's. Love it!

[animalgolfs]

He doesn't carry it 345yds.....

 

Hes a mere mortal around WRX

[Hookasaurus Rex]

My 4 iron spot goes to my p790 4 iron. It’s very easy to hit...

[ctandc]

Just noticed this thread.

My G30 4 iron is 21 degrees - and I hit it pretty well, around 185 yards or so. I picked up a G25 20 degree 3H at GG for peanuts, because it was cheap, and I hit it really well. Turns out the tour stiff shaft might have something to do with it - who knows. Regardless, it's now one of my favorite clubs in the bag. The course I regularly play has several holes where a driver over 230-240 yards or so gets you in trouble, or makes the hole play ridiculously long. Didn't have this issue until I started hitting my driver solidly a few weeks ago (been away from the game for a LONG time). I'm just not consistent with a driver without using a full swing. After some range and course time with the G25 3H - I really like this club. I've figured out how NOT to hook it (unless I need to), I can play low shots with and higher approach shots pretty consistently and I actually really like it off the tee box on certain holes. It's nice being able to take a smooth swing off the tee box and hit a low shot than runs without having to worry about shaping a driver or hitting it too long.

In fact I just bought a used 17 degree G25 2H - can't wait to see if I like it just as much. Weirdly enough I can hit the 3H 210 no problem from a good lie or tee box. I've had a few low shots run further than that. It's just a comfortable club for me - it might be a placebo for all I know, but it works for me. If I hit the 2H just as well as the 3H - my 3 Wood will likely go away.

So I guess my 4 iron will get retired shortly.

 

[JTK37]

I just snagged another RSI UDI 23* to replace my 4-iron and fill my need for a utility club off the tee. I had played one a few years ago and loved it(selling was a stupid club ho move). High flat ball flight off the deck, can flight it as needed, plays about 5yds longer carry than the 4-iron that matches my set. I would shaft it with the same shaft you play in your irons. PS the blacked out PX LZ looks amazing

[GolfTurkey]

Have you ever tried a 7 wood? Will go higher and carry further than the 3 hybrid.

[Roejye]

I actually have 2 4 irons in my bag right now. I was not getting along with my 3 hybrid at all, and my home course didn't really have use for it. I was using it as a punch out club mainly, so I replaced it with a more traditional 4 iron with a graphite shaft that I picked up at Goodwill. So for full shots with no overhead trouble I use my Adams 4 hybrid, and I use the 4 iron as a punch out club/low flight 150~ yard club.

[Vater]

My 718 AP1 4 iron might be my best club in my bag right now - and I didn't even carry a 4 iron previously.

If you're looking to mix it up at that spot, why not go with an iron with help instead of the other type of club/shaft route?

[L29]

I was going 4w, 7w, 3H, 5i. The 3H never ever got used. Pulled it about a year ago and just go 4w, 7w, 5i and much prefer taking just a little off the 7w to fill the very small gap to the 5i. Haven't looked back.