Gapping between longest iron and driving/utility iron

[NikeTaylormade891]

I play Mizuno JPX 921 Forged irons with a 21 degree 4 iron.

 

I love the Mizuno Fli-Hi utility iron. But I'm torn between the 3 and 2 iron version. The 3 iron is 19 degrees, so only a 2 degree gap with my 4 iron. But the 2 iron is 16.5 degrees, which is a fairly large gap at the top of the bag. Do you think, given the hollow head and graphite shaft, that there will still be a good distance gain over the stock JPX 921 4 iron to make buying the 3 iron worth it? I'm considering using this club to replace my current hybrid.

[Max2341]

I use a 24 degree 4 iron (225 Y) and a 21 degree utility iron (240). Utility has a graphite shaft though. I would recommend the 3 over the 2. It is much easier to hit and 2.5-3 degrees is likely enough, especially with a shaft/length difference

[Rosco1216]

Also depends on what shafts you have in your irons. If you have heavy steel shaft in your 21 4i, you could go basically the same loft in a utility iron with a longer and lighter graphite shaft and gain 12-15y.  

[Phabs]

I've always ran 3* gaps from 6 iron up and 4* gap from 7 iron down. 

 

My 4 iron is 24 degrees and my 2 iron is bent to 20 to get rid of some offset. 

[NikeTaylormade891]

9 minutes ago, Phabs said:

I've always ran 3* gaps from 6 iron up and 4* gap from 7 iron down. 

 

My 4 iron is 24 degrees and my 2 iron is bent to 20 to get rid of some offset. 

Three degree would be my preference, but looking at the Fli Hi lofts, my gap choice is either 2 degrees or 4.5 degrees (since 3=19 degree and 2=16.5 degree)

 

Given longer/lighter shaft and presumably 'hotter' thin face, I am thinking the 2 degree gap should be alright 

[Phabs]

I'd go with the two degree gap and can have it weakened if need be for yardage 

[NikeTaylormade891]

15 minutes ago, Rosco1216 said:

Also depends on what shafts you have in your irons. If you have heavy steel shaft in your 21 4i, you could go basically the same loft in a utility iron with a longer and lighter graphite shaft and gain 12-15y.  

Thanks, this has me sort of affirming my thought to go 3 iron. My steel shafts in my iron set are 25g heavier than the graphite shaft of the Fli Hi, not to mention the utility iron is 0.75" longer than the 4 iron I have

[RobS]

The challenge with the 2 Fli Hi is that you need to be a relatively high ball hitter and have a lot of speed for it to be useful for anything other than a tee club.  If do you have that type of speed and launch, you should get enough of a gap with the 3 Fli Hi.  You can also bend the 3 a little stronger if you're trying to squeeze a couple extra yards out of it.  I hit both when they first came out.  I'm a relatively high ball hitter with pretty good clubhead speed by non-Wrx standards and I couldn't consistently carry the 2 further than the 3 off the turf.  Total distance was longer with the 2 but for gapping purposes, I focus on carry and reasonable stopping power.

[mat562]

26 degree 4-iron, followed by a 22 degree 3-utility (bent 1 degree weak) and a 19 degree 2-utilty (also 1 degree weak). All have the same shaft.

 

The utilities are bent weak simply because I found they went too far when introduced to the set. One degree apiece was enough to make the gaps more manageable; albeit by the time I'm hitting a 2- or 3-iron to a green, four or five yards is neither here nor there.

[Sean124]

I’d probably bend the 3 to 18*

 

Then I’d remember that I dont like sub-20* irons off the deck, sell it at a loss, and go back to my hybrid. 

Edited March 29, 2023 by Sean124

[Ed McNicholas]

I have apex tcb at 23 to an x forged ut with 105x 3 iron bent to 20 degrees. With that said I only opt for that on windy days or short tight courses otherwise I have an apex uw that is far more versatile and forgiving.