Your 4 iron spot-iron,hybrid, FW or driving iron?

[VanTheMan0519]

I have a set 4 iron. But tossing the idea of replacing with a hybrid or a utility iron. 
 

Currently playing:

driver, 16.5 fairway, 21* Callaway UW or 20* srixon utility

then starts the 4 iron…. 

[robcha]

Going through the same issue right now. I bag a driver, 3w, 5w, then 4i (ZX7). 

 

Was leaning towards just getting the ZX5 but had decent results with a driving iron so torn. 

 

Do you often use the utility iron off the tee box or getting onto the green in 2 for par 5s? 

[Sean124]

My 4 iron will remain in the 4 iron spot for the foreseeable future. 
 

It is one “size” larger than the rest of the set. 

[steventoo]

Regular 4 iron for me, too. I have a more chunky 3 iron to make it into a mini driving iron but I don't need that with the 4.

[BallerNate]

Yup, I’ve struggled with this issue over the last 2 yrs and have tried a ton of different options in that gap. 
 

The slots that are set are:

 

Driver (10.5*), 3W (15*), then 5-iron (24*)

 

In between I’ve tried all these:

 

5W -Callaway Rogue

 

Hybrids -Srixon Z H85, TaylorMade SIM Max (19* and 22*), SIM2 Max 19*
 

Driving Irons (w/ Graphite) -Srixon Z U85 (20*), Z 565 (22*), TM P790 (21.5*)

 

4-irons: Srixon ZX5, TM P770 (‘17 and ‘21 versions)

 

I finished the season playing 2 Hybrids in between the 3W and 5-iron, both the SIM Max 19* and 22* Hybrids.

 

Ordered a Srixon ZX4 with a graphite UST Smacwrap 680 shaft to try out in that slot though and will keep either the SIM Max 19* or 22* Hybrid in the bag with it depending on course conditions and desired launch/spin. We’ll see how it goes in the Spring!

[Tupperwolf]

I had a G425 Crossover driving iron but just sold it and adding a set blade because I'm dumb and a masochist. 

[eric61]

Titleist u505 22 degree for me. 

 

It gives me forgiveness and launch characteristics that are comparable to a hybrid, but is a straighter option off the tee. Not as good at blasting out of a terrible lie as a hybrid, but not bad, either. I've flipped back and forth in this spot so many times, and have settled on this as the best compromise. (But I also have a Sim2 Rescue set to 23* and an old Adams Idea Pro 23* in the closet just in case I change my mind again...)

 

I go 15* or 16.5* TSi3 (depending on the course), then 19* Apex UW, then 22* u505, then 5 iron on down.

[Lefty19]

I play basically the same set up now - almost thought of dumping the 7WD and getting 3i but holding off for now. I play shorter courses and always seems to be windy, hence the 3i thought. 

 

Driver

3HL

7WD

4i down- I LIKE my 4 iron with the wind here and the courses I play.

 

David

 

[LeoLeo99]

That's a tough spot.  I've had 4i, 4h, 3h, driving iron, 7w all spend some time there.  Right now it's literally vacant with only 13 clubs in the bag until I decide on what's going there.  Probably back to the 7w.  

[VanTheMan0519]

54 minutes ago, robcha said:

Going through the same issue right now. I bag a driver, 3w, 5w, then 4i (ZX7). 

 

Was leaning towards just getting the ZX5 but had decent results with a driving iron so torn. 

 

Do you often use the utility iron off the tee box or getting onto the green in 2 for par 5s? 

 I have a Zx5 in the 4 iron and 5 iron. Then Zx7 in 6-Aw. 
 

my course is short but tough. A handful of 330-380 tight par 4’s. I use it as a tee club and then approach shots. The ZX utility is so automatic I thought why not try it in the 4 iron slot. 
 

but first I need to figure out what will win out of the ZX 20 degree or the 21 Callaway UW. 

[evoviiiyou]

Its all about usable gapping.  Out of 15-20 shots with each club...what distance can you count on? Then you can make those gear changes based on distances. Really the type and number on the club is irrelevant and only a guide to use and dial in. even at a range with flags and a range finder can help a lot if no access to a trackman outside.

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

Dr, 4W, 3H, 4H, 5i for me. The 4H has been very consistent for me, but I’d love to be able to use a 4i. 

The truth is, the 4H is just more reliable, plus really useful out of the rough. The one spot in the bag where I let reason prevail. 

[lefthack]

I still carry a 4 iron, but sometimes I wonder why. It works well when it does. 🤣

[GoodRoll]

3 crossover off the tee and just un-bagged the 4i for a 4h. Zero swings with it so still feel great about it! 

[wsupjs]

43 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

Ordered a Srixon ZX4 with a graphite UST Smacwrap 680 shaft to try out in that slot though and will keep either the SIM Max 19* or 22* Hybrid in the bag with it depending on course conditions and desired launch/spin. We’ll see how it goes in the Spring!

 

I just bought ZX7's 5-PW and am trying to figure out the slot between 5 iron and SIM Ti 5 Wood. My local shop for some reason had an individual ZX4 4 iron available for cheap, so I'm giving it a go in that slot after bending it 1 degree weak.

 

I've had a very mixed relationship with hybrids in the past, and I'm hoping this will fill the driving iron role and be easier to hit than the ZX7 4 Iron.

[jah7838]

I’ve used an Adams Super 9031 23° for a majority of the last 8 years…maybe longer. I’ve dabbled with some utility irons from Ping and Callaway this past year, and went back to the Adams towards the end of summer. 
 

I recently got the ZX 23° utility from Srixon and installed a Recoil 110 in it, and I’m liking it more than the Ping and Callaway utilities. Jury is still out about it staying permanently, but the results are promising so far. 

[BallerNate]

1 minute ago, wsupjs said:

 

I just bought ZX7's 5-PW and am trying to figure out the slot between 5 iron and SIM Ti 5 Wood. My local shop for some reason had an individual ZX4 4 iron available for cheap, so I'm giving it a go in that slot after bending it 1 degree weak.

 

I've had a very mixed relationship with hybrids in the past, and I'm hoping this will fill the driving iron role and be easier to hit than the ZX7 4 Iron.

Nice…please let me know how it goes! If it sucks, just give me the heads up and I can cancel my order with Srixon! 🤣

 

From the reviews of the ZX4 it looks super forgiving, great distance, and should blend really well with the ZX irons though. I’ve got ZX7’s in 6-AW and a ZX5 5-iron (although a ZX7 5-iron would’ve been totally fine there).

[DCCarpenter]

I use a Wilson Staff Utility Iron in that spot, I have a 4 iron but it is on the bench until I get more consistent with it. It's very best shots are better off the deck than the utility iron but the utility iron is more consistent and way better off the tee. 

 

I use it as my primary tee club on really windy days and as a another option off the tee when the 3/5 wood aren't working as I don't bag a driver usually.

[LBB]

I use a 22 degree hybrid rather than a 4 iron.  That part of my bag gets the least amount of use/practice so I need as much forgiveness as I can get when I do use it.  I prefer a hybrid over another fairway wood to still make it easy to get the ball in the air, but not balloon sky high.

 

 

[wsupjs]

1 minute ago, BallerNate said:

Nice…please let me know how it goes! If it sucks, just give me the heads up and I can cancel my order with Srixon! 🤣

 

From the reviews of the ZX4 it looks super forgiving, great distance, and should blend really well with the ZX irons though. I’ve got ZX7’s in 6-AW and a ZX5 5-iron (although a ZX7 5-iron would’ve been totally fine there).

 

Hah will do! Initial swings/testing at the shop aligned with your notes. Numbers on Trackman were really impressive, especially because I wasn't exactly loose. It also looks really good at the top of the bag.

 

My only concern is it's shafted with the standard Nippon 950 GH NEO stiff flex shaft, and I play X Flex in my other non-wedge clubs. Not sure if it will cause any issues in the real world, but it wasn't snappy on Trackman. We'll see how it goes!

[OsnolaKinnard]

Either a Ping 425 SFT 22* 7 wood or a Kasko K2K 55 (22*) weirdo club

[Jmccas]

9W. If I hit 10 balls each between a 4 iron and 9 Wood, 40% of the 4 iron would be great whereas I’m 90-100% with the TM SIM2 Max 9W (24°). 

[azgreg]

Hybrid, but I'd like to try a 9w in that slot.

 

 

Edited January 4, 2022 by azgreg

[CUBuffaloes]

I have a TS2 23* hybrid that sometimes replaces my 23* U-500.

 

I take course conditions and the state of my golf swing into consideration when deciding between the two.

[LoopySwing13]

I play 5W, 19* 3H and 4 iron. A bit of a tight gap but I find I use them all way more than more wedges

5W: 220-225 carry

3H:  210-215 carry 

4I:  200-205 carry 

Edited January 4, 2022 by taylormade4life

[CoachCraigie]

My irons are fairly strong, 23* 5i so I don't have a 4i in the bag. Was playing driver, 19* 3H then 23* 5i. I've just added a 5w so now thinking of switching to a 21* 4H and going straight to the 26* 6 iron. I play a short course but with a couple of good par 5's so I'll have variety off the tee and on the fairway(and rough!). Plus it's a club less in my bag that I don't have to carry.

[doctorgriffo]

Has anyone taken a GI/SGI 4 iron (the lofts of these seem to be in the high teens loft) and stuck a decent shaft in there? The amount of offset might be a bit of a challenge (but my ballflight is left to right and I don’t get the hooks) and if the goal is a straight, easy to hit club then I’ve always wondered if this would work. For example, you can put a steelfiber 115 (which I have in my other irons) in the PXG GI iron in their current sale and just buy a 3 or 4 iron. I guess it might launch a bit high if you have tons of speed, but the loft is very low in these. Be interested to know if anyone has tried this. 

[hammergolf]

 

[rx7mark]

I personally love my Maltby FDI hybrid Irons. For the 5i I use a 24 degree that Maltby marks at as a 4 and is 23 degrees stock.   I play them at standard iron length and had to try a few shafts to get it right and add quite a bit of weight.  My shaft of choice is a hybrid Nunchuk.

 

They are a little chunky looking but that goes away after you hit them a few times.  Long and straight.  I have played pretty well with 3 of these and no driver or woods.

[zrheisler22]

I’m going through this same debate. Currently have the C721 19 degree hybrid then the T100 4 iron at 23 degrees and 5 iron at 26. 
 

Thinking of dumping the 4 iron for the 22 C721 as I currently only have a 8 yard gap per my last gapping session. The 4 iron is fine off the tee or the lie is perfect most of the time, through in any rough or slope and it’s chunk city.