4 iron? Or 5 through PW irons?

[writing running]

Hello:  I have a question for all of you more knowledgeable than me:  I do not own a 4 iron.  Rather, my bag contains a 4 hybrid and  5 through PW irons (Ping G410). I can move my 5 iron pretty well but am not in love with my hybrid -- feels fickle, but yes easy to get off the ground. I play my irons well.  I am thinking of buying a 4 iron for shots from the rough at 190+ and for my push out game (play in heavily wooded fairways in the upper Midwest). What do others have in their bag that might help me make this decision?  Thanks. 

[ChipNRun]

I'm unusual. I carry a 4H and a 4i.

 

The 4i is tweaked: it has a parallel hosel, so I refitted it with a hybrid shaft; original was steel KBS Tour 90.

 

I use my 4i as a driving iron, and for shots off the fairway from a good lie, especially into wind. Even with hybrid shaft, I get a lower, semi-stinger flight with lots of rollout.

 

Caution: a 4i out of the rough can be iffy. 

 

[MattM97]

I play a 4i and I'm comfortable with it, if you're comfortable with a 5i then could get a 4i, other option is a 9 wood but that's if you're comfortable and confident hitting woods especially off the deck, also not really a common option but it's out there for sure. 

[Pepperturbo]

I played a challenging course yesterday with some tight holes, about 6400yds.  Found myself using 2-4 irons rather often.  Par 5's were not long just sphincter tightening off the tees and 2nd shots called for 2i-4i, except one 4wd.  This ole man isn't about to give up on his long irons.  Course, yesterday's shot compliments and result support that least for the foreseeable future. 

 

Here's the thing, two of the people I played with out drove me, had max 5i in the bag, rest hybrids/woods and they didn't fair nearly as well as the ole man smacking long irons.  My 4i and 2i are my favorites.

[pgarob]

I just added a TMB 4-iron. More forgiveness than the traditional 4-iron and just easier to hit. Play the T100s irons in 5-PW

[hagimihale]

I still play a 4i.  200yd club that I use regularly off the tee on short/tight par-4s and for long approach shots.  My 2-hybrid and 3-hybrids are longer, and they can be easier to get up in the air depending on the lie.   But the 4i is less likely to go offline and the miss is more manageable.  Reached a par-5 in 2 yesterday, into the wind from about 180 with my 4. Its not going anywhere.  

 

It looks like your G410 give some launch help in the long irons (undercut channel + slightly wider sole and extra weight low and deep).  So I bet you'd do just fine adding a 4.  Off the tee, long approach shots and punch out shots would all work.  But as @ChipNRun said above, the 4i can be iffy out of nasty rough...

[writing running]

Hi All: Thanks for the replies. This is very helpful. Now that Ping is introducing new irons to replace the g410s I feel that I should purchase the 4i soon (with my specs) before its too late.  Why does the hybrid have a tendency to go off-line -- that is why is it less consistent left and right than the long irons? I heard one of the pros make a comment at the Payne cup recently that he opted against his 3 hybrid because of the consistency issues in colder, windy weather....

 

The point about using the 4i for driving on short par 4s and into doglegs (and so forth) on par 5s is really good advice. I keep overshooting the preferred landing zones with my 5 wood and 4 hybrid. 

 

I am new(ish) to golf and so all your advice is much appreciated. As noted, I also have 5 wood (G410).  

[Pepperturbo]

Let's face it, Pro's using hybrid replacement clubs get customized builds.  They do NOT play what average retail customer buys off the retail shelve. 

 

Most people I see using them have dispersion and distance control problems, though the desired trajectory might be there.  Part of the problem is quality of graphite many people put in hybrids, even their woods.  Also, hybrid head specs and OA length is different than most comparable, 3 or 4 irons. 

 

Yesterday, on an elevated tee of Par 5, 524yrds, forced carry was 210yds, right to left breeze, didn't aim far enough right so the breeze took my ball a bit left of center, and the ground took it further left into 3" rough, where the ball was seriously above my feet.  I choked down on 2i and smacked a nice draw down the right side plus roll out ended about 115yd for PW into the green.  NO way I would want that shot using a hybrid or wood, can't manipulate the face as easy in an ugly lie, plus the cross breeze would play havoc with the ball.

 

As I see this, dispersion and distance control are tied to shaft quality and small club head, and I didn't need help getting the ball out.  Thank you Steelfiber i110 "S" in my 17* 2i, plays like steel.

Edited November 16, 2020 by Pepperturbo

[SwingMan]

If you have some speed,

 

Try a Driving Iron - Tour Edge EXS220 has a Ti face driving iron and choose a shaft that gets up in the air.

 

Srixon also has a new driving iron...

 

TM has several.

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

I’m at this junction in my game right now, and I think I’ll go with an iron vs. hybrid. 
Punching out and hitting low shots just feels better.

If I’m in the rough 180 out, I’m not gonna hit the number anyway, I just want to advance the ball as far as I can. I can do that with my 3 hybrid. 
A good option is going with a GI iron and lighter shaft (maybe graphite?). Takes off the pressure to hit it perfectly out of the middle, but you still get iron looks and shot characteristics. I like that. 

[cjblake09]

I would suggest maybe the new Taylor Made DHY.  Super easy to hit. 

[steventoo]

I have a 3 iron, 4, iron, etc., through to pitching wedge. I also have a 1 utility iron. No traditional fairway woods or hybrids.

 

It's not a setup for everyone, but it works for me. I don't miss having a 3 wood - I'm yet to seriously miss its distance off a fairway, and I'm yet to find a tee where I can't use driver/1/3 iron.

 

Re: punching - I use my 3 iron rather than my 1. It's easier to hit from poor lies and rough, particularly if it's a punch out rather than a full swing. The 1 iron needs more speed than I am comfortable controlling like I can with a 3 iron.

Edited November 16, 2020 by steventoo

[BirdieBob]

1 minute ago, cjblake09 said:

I would suggest maybe the new Taylor Made DHY.  Super easy to hit. 

Thats what I have...OMG what club!

The #4.

[ChipNRun]

1 hour ago, writing running said:

Why does the hybrid have a tendency to go off-line -- that is why is it less consistent left and right than the long irons? I

 

Be aware that all hybrids are not created equal. The average hybrid, designed as a replacement for long irons, has quite a bit of offset. This makes it easier to square the clubface if you tend to slice.

 

BUT, if you square up the clubface naturally with your swing, extra offset can lead to left misses. Hence, the mantra that "hybrids are a hook machine."

 

Solution: look for pro- or tour-headed hybrids, or others such as Cobra which have a more square face. Tour Edge made this the basis of their CBX and CBX.119 hybrids, billing them as left-proof. 

 

Too bad COVID has torpedoed the demo days. If you could have a hybrid-focused demo day, you would see the options you have!

Edited November 16, 2020 by ChipNRun
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[LeoLeo99]

I can hit my 4 iron off the tee but struggle with it off the deck and even off the tee it's best for a fairway finder. Doesn't go high enough to hold a green.  Out with the 4 iron, in with  the 7 wood.  I really like my 7 wood and wish I bought it sooner.  Hard to find in a stiff shaft but I'm glad I found it and bought it.  Hybrids always went left for me.  Hook city unless I really make a great swing and try to cut the ball.  Never really sure where it's going with the hybrid.  

 

[14max]

Why not get a 4 Crossover?

[LeoLeo99]

5 minutes ago, 14max said:

Why not get a 4 Crossover?

I have one.  I like the 4 iron better.  The crossover is great if you're playing a hard, tight, windy course and need a low stinger shot off the tee but that is about all it's good for.  At least in my hands.

Edited November 16, 2020 by LeoLeo99

[Drivingrangehero]

A juiced 4 iron helps. like a T-MB, HMB, Cobra Forged Tec, or even something in between a hybrid and iron like a TEE Ironwood, Adams DHY, Gapr mid, Ping Crossover ..... something in that realm may be a good fit! 

[kiwihacker]

I play a 4 iron and a 23° hybrid as they fill different distance gaps and purposes in my bag. Having said that my 4 iron is 24° which is a 5 iron in most modern sets. A weak 5 iron if we start talking 'distance irons' powerspec etc. However regardless of the number stamped on the club a 24° iron is the strongest iron I want in my setup. After that I will switch to hybrids. 

[uglande]

Get a 7 wood. You won't regret it. 

 

I solved my 4-iron dilemma by just getting rid of it. I play 5-iron as my longest iron and then go straight to 7 wood, which I can always dial down for in-between distances. 

 

If you have some good speed and are a good iron player, maybe consider the 4-iron. But if you're like most people, you'll find it to be an inconsistent club with a small yardage gap relative to the 5-iron. And if that's the case, it's not worth a spot in the bag. 

[cn34]

1 hour ago, 14max said:

Why not get a 4 Crossover?

I concur with this solution. Gives you best of both worlds.

 

If that doesn't suit, I do like the idea of going with something like a P790, Cobra Forged Tec, etc that others suggested. 

[PhlashPhace]

I normally play some sort of CBs in my 5-P and for the past couple seasons I've put a GI 4 iron in my bag opposed to a hybrid.  I carry a 13 degree 3 wood, a weak 5 wood and then a 5 iron so a stronger GI 4 iron seems to do the trick.  I currently play the new X Forged CB irons in the 5-P and an Apex Forged 4 iron.  It's basically the loft of a 3 iron and length of a 4 iron so it works great to fill the gap.  I also hit it much better off the tee than a hybrid and it is definitely my go to for punch shots.

[Tree Levino]

As someone who swings 4i over 100mph... I still have a 4 hybrid (steel shafted) that I use sometimes. If the course has long par 3s (my home course - 220-235) I keep the 4i in the bag. If I’m playing long approach shots into par 5s I’ll throw the hybrid in. It’s drastically easier out of the rough. I play with tons of older average golfers as our tee sheet is insanely hard to get spots on with the covid golf bump and 90% of them him 4-6 the same distance without realizing it. A good portion of golfers would be better off playing a 4 hybrid or 7 wood. I got my dad to drop his 4 iron and he is SO much better with his hybrid and 7w. 

[lefthack]

My newish iron set was 5-PW and I have a 3h and 4h. But after hitting my new 5 iron, I REALLY want to try the 4 and maybe the 3. 

 

I could hit my old 3 and 4 ok, but not as well as the hybrids. But a 4i might be a good option as well. Mainly because I really like my 5 iron now.

[YMark]

5 hours ago, ChipNRun said:

I'm unusual. I carry a 4H and a 4i.

Caution: a 4i out of the rough can be iffy. 

 

I'm unusual too, as I carry the same. I can hit my 4H about 10-15 yards farther than my 4I. I play driver, 4W, 4H, 4I.

 

And I agree with your caution. You have to have some serious swing speed to hit a 4 iron out of the rough.

[T Creer]

Most modern 4 irons have the loft of the traditional 3 irons. Who cares what number is on the bottom, play what fills the gap. 

[setter02]

Better to ask what is the loft on the longest iron you have in the bag.  Mine is 24* where as some SGI are like 19* now...  

[VCGolfer79]

I have 2 4 irons haha. I carry a Jpx Tour 4 iron at 24 degrees and just got the 921 Forged 4 iron bent to 20. They do their jobs well. Hit what your comfortable hitting. I snap hook hybrids and hate the hollow feel of the GI long irons. So I went with a the forged 921 nice club and feels great. 

[JoeFrigo]

13 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

I would suggest maybe the new Taylor Made DHY.  Super easy to hit. 

Another vote foe the SIM DHY for me. I have it in a 3i and absolutely love it

[Jifmoli]

Not sure what the issue is. You say you hit your 5i fine, you will be ok with 4i too. Your 4h will go longer than your 4i coz of the longer shaft. 

 

For me 5i is long enough, next club is 5h. I love hybrids