Utility irons from the fairway

[jomatty]

How do you guys find utility irons perform from the fairway?  I recently added a Cleveland uhx utility to replace my i500 4 iron.  Now I’m thinking about trying to go to something easier to hit than the i500 5 iron, which to be fair, is not especially difficult to hit. It is the point in the bag where I start to not be quite as confident though, and I only hit it about 9-10 yards further than my 6.  The Cleveland 5 iron is way too bulky for me.  The 4 iron has worked out well but in a 5 iron I want something a little less hybrid shaped.  I play a 19 degree hybrid (turned down to 18.25) and like it but do not want to have more than one hybrid in the bag (i played a 23 hybrid for awhile before going back to the i500 and then Settling on the utility).  
 

My concern is how well the utility irons do off of the fairway.  The soles are so wide.  I’ve gotten along fairly well with the Cleveland, but it is basically a hybrid, so I’m wondering if something like the cobra king ut or one of the s Sxrixons’s might be a good option.  
 

My current hcp is 6.4 and iron play is a strong suit.  I’m 42 and have had a lot of back and other assorted injuries.  When I was young I was long but now I’m a much more moderate swing speed player (95-100 mph driver).  I do okay with my 5 iron but am always looking for improvements...to sum up my overly long post “how do utility irons perform from the fairway and which ones do you guys like that offer forgiveness in a not overly hybrid/bulky shape”.

thank you

[jsn]

I suck with utilities out of the fairway and only find marginal improvements off the tee vs my set 3i. Maybe I just don't make good contact with them period. 

I have tried a Srixon U65 and U85 (various shafts) versus my set z745 3i and like I said, maybe slightly better off the tee but my contact off the fairway is so much worse.

For me, it doesn't elevate as well as a hybrid, and the contact isn't as consistent as my set 3i, so I've never been able to find a place for it. If only I could convince myself to stop trying.

[JoeFrigo]

ive never tried a utility that far down the bag. Only ever had either a 2i or 3i utility

 

if you want a utility to help get the ball in the air and that extra carry distance over your 6i then id go with something a little more chunky such as the srixon u85 or SIM DHY. Those 2 should be the best with getting a higher trajectory

 

I had the cobra utility and thats another very good option off the fairway. 

[Chadwickog]

This sounds more like a good opportunity for a blended set, find a 5 iron at the right loft to match your set that's chunkier and easier to hit.  I've done this with 4 iron to great results.

[jvincent]

1 hour ago, jomatty said:

“how do utility irons perform from the fairway and which ones do you guys like that offer forgiveness in a not overly hybrid/bulky shape”.

thank you

 

I used to play the Cobra utility, which I quite like with my only complaint being the wide sole.

 

I has swapped it out for a Cobra Forged Tec 3i which is basically the same tech but with a narrower sole.

[dmbrill719]

I absolutely love my Titleist T-MB 4 and 5 irons.  They're great off the fairways.  They launch high, don't balloon, are forgiving, and I don't feel the need to help them or muscle them up into the air.  The shafts are also about 10 grams heavier than my hybrid shaft and about 15 grams lighter than my iron shafts.  Maybe track down some 718 T-MB long irons?  Titleist stopped the u500 at the 4 iron, but I've been told a 5 iron will likely be included in the next iteration of the u500 series.

 

I find I use them most on par 3's and on layups on longer par 5's.

[chipa]

I play a small blade and recently changed out the 4 iron (really 3) for something more forgiving with the hope that it will be easier to hit off the tee and the fairway. It is not sold as a utility iron but is definitely GI (on the smaller side) with a wider sole than my blades and a little more offset(which was very difficult to find in component clubs). If this works out I'm going to order the 3(2) iron too.

[bnperrone]

What about swapping your i500 out for a G410 or G710 4-iron? More forgiving but not a driving iron, almost certainly easier to get in the air. I've never hit any of Ping's irons, but it seems like this would be the small adjustment you need instead of the big jump to a driving iron. 

[me05501]

I have used a U85 4 iron replacement for the last couple seasons. I have, at times, hit really good shots with it, but I think the longer shaft gives me some setup issues. I tend to hit it thin or off the toe. I probably need to spend more time on the range with it to be honest. 

 

My irons are Srixon 765's and I own the 4 iron. I hit the 5 iron well so I probably ought to get the 4 iron and the U85 out to the range to play around with.

[Puttersaurus Rex]

ZU85 5 iron in my bag with modus 105.  I play this shaft straight in, and cut it down to match the progression of my other irons.  The other irons are hard stepped once.  One of my favorite long clubs to play from the fairway when needed. 

 

I have the 4 as well, but a 7-wood currently fills that role.

[VNutz]

If you can find one of the original Adams dHy in the 5/27 loft that might be an option. Not as chunky as a Srixon U and plenty easy off the deck IMO.

[HaggisPXG]

I use the Ping Crossover G400 3 &4 irons to complement my PXG Gen3Ts - they work well off tee and fairways (and some rough as well!!!) - no complaints at all once you sort out the shafts. 

[Orange Hog]

I game a PXG 0311X in my 4 iron spot and love it.  That said, it's probably the only utility iron I've ever really got along with.  I tried the Srixon utility iron (still own it) and the Callaway UT and just didn't care for either of them.  Feel was fine but I struggled to hit them consistently off the deck.  Off the tee was fine.  What's odd is that I can easily hit FW, hybrid and even slimmer sole long irons off the fairway pretty easily.  Not sure what it is about most utility irons that I struggle with.

[RxGolf1]

The Cobra Utility and SIM DHY are easy clubs to hit off the deck and tee. I replaced a set iron and hybrid with those clubs and have been satisfied with the results. 

[dmeeksDC]

I am with the OP on the wide soles of utilities being not so great off turf. I go with a Cobra 7/8 wood and then straight to a 5 iron. If I were to look for what you seek I would definitely look at the Titleist TMB, but I also like the Ping 410 Crossover — much sleeker than the 400.

 

I also would just look for a 5 iron from a more forgiving set design, such as the Cobra F9 5 iron or maybe the Mizuno JPX 921 forged or hot metal series. Usually can find soles that split the difference in width. 

[DArnie]

My SS is about the same as yours with similar back issues and am a former pro. Here's a little different thought for consideration and what I have done to my five iron to get more out of it instead of just being a punch out club. 

Pretty much any iron set made within the last ten years all have stronger lofts and some even longer shafts to keep the marketing guys in business. So what I have done with my decreasing SS is to add loft in my 5, 6 and 7 irons. 2, 2 and 1 degrees respectively. I actually get more distance with this setup and it is actually easier to hit. My gaps are where they should be and it has helped with these clubs. Worth a try imo. Works for me.

 

[jgreer1421]

Similar to the other comments in here, but maybe an alternative for you....I have a srixon u65 4 iron w/ an AMT x100 to launch higher.  But I'm with you as I prefer a more compact look for the 5 & 6 irons.  I have a mizuno mp18 Hifli 5 & 6 irons w/ TIX100's.  More compact and narrower sole for better out of grass, but at least to most tests out there, falls in the "utility" category, then my 785's 7-pw.  Could be a decent option for an AMT shaft set to help launch those 4-6 irons...

[Tim Sherwood]

I play U85 in 4,5 and 6 iron. Started with just the 4 and loved it. To me, the U85's are almost cheating. I find them so easy to hit off the grass that I don't even put them on a peg when I need them in the tee box. I have modus 105 in mine, mixing into z765 7-pw which are shafted with Modus 120's. The head size progression doesn't bother me as I find I don't even really look at the club head when I'm actually playing.

 

Edit to add - I find them forgiving enough when I miss low on the face, but they seem to really excel when you hit down and take a nice divot. The ball really gets up.

Edited October 29, 2020 by Tim Sherwood

[jomatty]

On 10/28/2020 at 8:42 AM, bnperrone said:

What about swapping your i500 out for a G410 or G710 4-iron? More forgiving but not a driving iron, almost certainly easier to get in the air. I've never hit any of Ping's irons, but it seems like this would be the small adjustment you need instead of the big jump to a driving iron. 

This is something I’ve definitely considered.  I may end up trying it. The success I’ve had with the 20 degree utility has made me curious though.  That may be the ticket though.

[jomatty]

On 10/28/2020 at 1:11 PM, DArnie said:

My SS is about the same as yours with similar back issues and am a former pro. Here's a little different thought for consideration and what I have done to my five iron to get more out of it instead of just being a punch out club. 

Pretty much any iron set made within the last ten years all have stronger lofts and some even longer shafts to keep the marketing guys in business. So what I have done with my decreasing SS is to add loft in my 5, 6 and 7 irons. 2, 2 and 1 degrees respectively. I actually get more distance with this setup and it is actually easier to hit. My gaps are where they should be and it has helped with these clubs. Worth a try imo. Works for me.

 

That’s an interesting idea.  Even just weakening the 5 might make it easier to hit without really sacrificing any distance.  The gapping is definitely bunched between my 5 and 6 iron (I have total confidence in my 6 and my 5 makes me nervous).  It won’t cost anything to give it a try so I th8nk you are right that it is worth experimenting with.

[jomatty]

On 10/28/2020 at 1:13 PM, jgreer1421 said:

Similar to the other comments in here, but maybe an alternative for you....I have a srixon u65 4 iron w/ an AMT x100 to launch higher.  But I'm with you as I prefer a more compact look for the 5 & 6 irons.  I have a mizuno mp18 Hifli 5 & 6 irons w/ TIX100's.  More compact and narrower sole for better out of grass, but at least to most tests out there, falls in the "utility" category, then my 785's 7-pw.  Could be a decent option for an AMT shaft set to help launch those 4-6 irons...

I’ve never seen the fli hi’s in person.  They definitely look nice.  I wonder how much easier they are to hit than an i500 5 iron (fairly easy overall).  Definitely something to look into though.

[jgreer1421]

1 hour ago, jomatty said:

I’ve never seen the fli hi’s in person.  They definitely look nice.  I wonder how much easier they are to hit than an i500 5 iron (fairly easy overall).  Definitely something to look into though.

I don’t have any experience hitting the i500’s(can’t stand the look of any Ping iron at address), but I ultimately went with the hifli’s over the “normal” 585/785 combo set is the hiflis had a little thinner top line, felt a little softer, and really the extra toe weighting helped with my swing. Just kept going straight!  Added bonus was they were $30-$40 cheaper a club.  I can get you some in hand pictures tomorrow if you’d like.

[jomatty]

1 hour ago, NotThatGuyorAmI? said:

6.5 iron play strong point not confident with 5 iron.

 

The world has changed.

Gear has changed.  Lofts has changed.  Balls have changed. 
I don’t think I’m the only not great golfer that struggles a bit with a 5 iron...

[jgreer1421]

18 hours ago, Tim Sherwood said:

I play U85 in 4,5 and 6 iron. Started with just the 4 and loved it. To me, the U85's are almost cheating. I find them so easy to hit off the grass that I don't even put them on a peg when I need them in the tee box. I have modus 105 in mine, mixing into z765 7-pw which are shafted with Modus 120's. The head size progression doesn't bother me as I find I don't even really look at the club head when I'm actually playing.

 

Edit to add - I find them forgiving enough when I miss low on the face, but they seem to really excel when you hit down and take a nice divot. The ball really gets up.

Those U85/65’s are incredible!  Defiantly no issues with launching them high. 

[chipa]

I just read about the PXG 0311 X and it says it was low launch and low spin. Is that how most of the hybrid irons play? I would prefer to have something that I hit at least as high as my normal 3 or 4 iron only more forgiving. If it hits it higher all the better as I can always put the ball back in my stance or keep my hands a little more forward of the ball to deloft it.

[BostonWRX]