If majority of the LPGA don't use 4 irons.. why do you?

[Phabs]

I love these topics. 

 

I carry a 4 iron for the same reason as everyone else on this site - I need a smooth easy 280 carry club that only goes about 10 feet off the ground. 

Edited October 12, 2023 by Phabs

[Ripken08]

1 hour ago, PJE said:

This is insightful. I can hit a 4 iron well and I think so can many golfers up to mid handicaps.
For mid caps, GI irons now have low lofts so one needs some speed to launch it. Today’s 5 iron is also yesterday’s 4 iron.
So if you can hit a 5 iron well do you even need a 4 iron much less a 4 hybrid? I think it depends on the player’s gaps and the course. 
Suggesting that amateur golfers should emulate LPGA bag set ups is too broad of a brush. Lots of amateur golfers have higher swing speeds and hit it further than LPGA players so their ideal bag might be different than a typical LPGA bag. 

Don't believe this one bit.  And speed it kind of irrelevant.  Consistency is key.  LPGA player is gonna wax them 99 times out of 100.

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

2 hours ago, PJE said:

So if you can hit a 5 iron well do you even need a 4 iron much less a 4 hybrid? I think it depends on the player’s gaps and the course. 

Agreed.  One thing that often gets missed in the hybrid discussion is that hybrids are usually a lot longer than the clubs they ostensibly replace.  My "4-hybrid", and 21°, is 40" long stock.  Which is an inch longer than my 20° 3-iron.  Gapping gets challenging in these situations.

 

I would've said, go hybrid or fairway wood, when you can't get enough ball speed to ensure proper gapping in the iron set.  For me, that used to be true at the 3-iron to 4-iron gap.  Hence the hybrid purchase.

 

Also, some long irons are a lot easier to play than others. i210s, IME, are ridiculously easy to get up and spin adequately.  If I had blades or SGIs, I'd probably have a slew of hybrids for my 3-5, maybe 6-iron too.

 

It all depends.  I think @phizzy30's idea of having both hybrid and DI at a given loft, has some merit depending on expected distances, shots, and weather.

 

 

 

[gvogel]

3 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

She finished runner up at The Open and was pretty solid at Pebble earlier this summer.  I'd say she's had a decent year(understatement).   Plus she looks damn good in a bikini. 

But she couldn't get out of her way at the Solheim Cup.

[Pepperturbo]

I am glad @bombs is now stress-free and thinks he found the cheat code.   

 

FYI, never assume, based on one's skill or lack thereof, that your discovery is what the rest of us need to do to enjoy stress-free golf.  Golf has always been a stress-free game for me.  The result of learning the game using 15.5' 1i and 18' 2i MB and those dastardly 3-PW MBs.  Always been a horse of a different color, still rely on long irons.

 

I am not a big supporter of the LPGA.  But if what they choose works for you, go for it.

[MtlJeff]

4 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

She finished runner up at The Open and was pretty solid at Pebble earlier this summer.  I'd say she's had a decent year(understatement).   Plus she looks damn good in a bikini. 

 

Pshhh, MtlJeff goes at least 2/4 on those accomplishments

[third-times-a-charm]

I put my ego aside and did this. So far has been a fantastic decision. 

 

I have intrusive thoughts sometimes about adding a 5 hybrid but my brain just can't do it right now. Maybe for my 40th bday in the future.

[gripandrip]

5 hours ago, Propofol_Papi said:

Because my favorite feeling in golf is hitting a 4 iron pure. 

For me.. 3 iron.

[Pepperturbo]

5 hours ago, MtlJeff said:

I think the question is more about launch than how difficult it is to hit. Many LPGA players probably can't launch a 4 iron even if they hit it perfectly, it would carry less or the same as their 5

Agree ^^^

 

Amazing doesn't matter, women, LPGA or men; if someone is unable to launch a given club, that's a reason for replacement hybrids. 

 

I have a T200 22' 4i with MMT i95S, and a new T100 24' 4i with MMT i85S.  The other day, hit T200 4i 195yds, and as far as 200+, and the T100 185+. 

[MtlJeff]

5 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Agree ^^^

 

Amazing doesn't matter, women, LPGA or men; if someone is unable to launch a given club, that's a reason for replacement hybrids. 

 

I have a T200 22' 4i with MMT i95S, and a new T100 24' 4i with MMT i85S.  The other day, hit T200 4i 195yds, and as far as 200+, and the T100 185+. 

 

Note---I was on a trackman today and even with my SS my 4 iron carry is only ~6yds longer than my 5 iron carry---significantly less than 10-11 yd gaps i normally have

 

Again, this is a good indicator of why someone with a slower SS could not use a 4 iron

[Sean124]

Because I’m not a 5’2” woman. 

[ProV1Killa]

It's simple, when I pull out that teeny tiny MB 3 iron on the first tee and proceed to hit a sweeping hook that rolls out past your driver I'm in your head and the match is as good as over.

[Pnwpingi210]

2 minutes ago, ProV1Killa said:

It's simple, when I pull out that teeny tiny MB 3 iron on the first tee and proceed to hit a sweeping hook that rolls out past your driver I'm in your head and the match is as good as over.

This is the correct answer 

[Pepperturbo]

15 minutes ago, MtlJeff said:

 

Note---I was on a trackman today and even with my SS my 4 iron carry is only ~6yds longer than my 5 iron carry---significantly less than 10-11 yd gaps i normally have

 

Again, this is a good indicator of why someone with a slower SS could not use a 4 iron

You bring up another valid point, in long irons, CARRY distance is seldom discussed, vs. OVERALL distance.  Those distances I shared were overall.  Yet, carry distance is the most important number to know for every club.

[Pepperturbo]

7 minutes ago, ProV1Killa said:

It's simple, when I pull out that teeny tiny MB 3 iron on the first tee and proceed to hit a sweeping hook that rolls out past your driver I'm in your head and the match is as good as over.

I've experienced similar during InterClub Match play.  Long 2–4 MB irons are deadly mind psyche's, when you can put the ball right down the middle with run out.  Still get my jollies watching playing partners scratch their heads.   

[HKS350]

In todays club environment what even is a 4iron? Half of why i laugh when people try to ask what club I hit relative to their own, we might be 5 degrees apart based on stamps.

 

To answer the question, because it fills a need in my bag better than other options. Given my personal swing dynamics more loft or high launch is my worst nightmare.

Edited October 16, 2023 by HKS350

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

1 hour ago, MtlJeff said:

 

Pshhh, MtlJeff goes at least 2/4 on those accomplishments

"It's called a 'manssiere."  Not a bikini.

[blades_are_life]

12 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

I've experienced similar during InterClub Match play.  Long 2–4 MB irons are deadly mind psyche's, when you can put the ball right down the middle with run out.  Still get my jollies watching playing partners scratch their heads.   

It's just such a satisfying way to start off a hole.

[tilasan]

Although one dimensional, I love my 9 wood.

[Pnwpingi210]

14 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

I've experienced similar during InterClub Match play.  Long 2–4 MB irons are deadly mind psyche's, when you can put the ball right down the middle with run out.  Still get my jollies watching playing partners scratch their heads.   

I love that feeling.

 

i equally hate the feeling after my competition witness me 3 jack that first hole and they know that it doesn’t matter how good of a ball striker i am if I can’t putt🤣

[aussieb]

I'm a faster ss player with both a 4i and hybrid in the bag considering the conditions living near the coast.  I got fit for my distance gaps and the higher trajectory shot with hybrid doesn't get exposed in the simulator.  Earlier in the year I had a TSR3 24* (5H) that went the same number as 4i in theory, but shorter with wind.  Switched to a T200 utility and it was too hot and low spin causing inconsistencies in distance control. The Mizuno does a better job hitting my window with a bit more speed and spin.  I then weakened the 4i to fill the gap between hybrid and 5i.  There's no stock answer and comparing to pros' setup needs is kind of a joke, as they're not like us athletically and under the pressure of competition for money.

[mattman]

Because I hit it a lot farther than they do

[Pepperturbo]

24 minutes ago, blades_are_life said:

It's just such a satisfying way to start off a hole.

Yes, but finishing a hole too.

 

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[NRJyzr]

49 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

I've experienced similar during InterClub Match play.  Long 2–4 MB irons are deadly mind psyche's, when you can put the ball right down the middle with run out.  Still get my jollies watching playing partners scratch their heads.   

 

You triggered a memory....

 

One of the few times a random person noticed what's in my bag...  I was playing in a threesome at my usual course.  Was carrying Ram TG-898s, 2-PW.  Guys ahead of us saw us, let us play through because in their words, "we're way slower than you guys."

 

#2 at my course is a dogleg about 335 yds.  I usually hit my 2 iron off the tee in those days, to avoid tree issues.  One guy noticed I had an iron, came over to watch me put it in my bag and saw it was a 2i, and when he saw it was a blade, he got pretty jacked about the whole thing.

 

It really wasn't anything special, and still isn't.  Makes me laugh, though, even now.

 

[AnthonyC143]

My 4 iron is a T350..... so..... barely a 4 iron haha.  Works great for me though!

[phizzy30]

2 hours ago, gvogel said:

But she couldn't get out of her way at the Solheim Cup.

Can't win them all.  Euros managed to tie and retain the cup when it seemed as though the US would beat them on paper.   

[AP76]

I use my 4 iron off the tee quite a lot. Hybrids have always been hook machines for me unfortunately! 

[Shilgy]

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

You bring up another valid point, in long irons, CARRY distance is seldom discussed, vs. OVERALL distance.  Those distances I shared were overall.  Yet, carry distance is the most important number to know for every club.

I had that conversation with a golf buddy.  He still carries a 4 iron and will hit it anywhere from 170-200 ….but carry is only 160 tops.  So elevated green? No chance.  Soft conditions? No chance. Firm conditions? No idea how far run out will go.

 

 I’m sure there are a few here that can still hit 3 and 4 irons.  My bet is that more on this thread are like my buddy.

 

The only answer is to do an honest assessment of your game.  Track greens in regulation with your long irons and proximity to hole. Perhaps most importantly track how often it leads to lost a lost stroke or two.

 

There is nothing “unmanly” about hitting hybrids.  I was in the same boat as many posts here in that the early hybrids were left machines but those days are long gone

[rooski]

14 hours ago, sheezymaneezy said:

Because I'm a macho man who bombs it 350y from the tips. 

 

This but unironically

[Pepperturbo]

1 hour ago, Shilgy said:

I had that conversation with a golf buddy.  He still carries a 4 iron and will hit it anywhere from 170-200 ….but carry is only 160 tops.  So elevated green? No chance.  Soft conditions? No chance. Firm conditions? No idea how far run out will go.

 

 I’m sure there are a few here that can still hit 3 and 4 irons.  My bet is that more on this thread are like my buddy.

 

The only answer is to do an honest assessment of your game.  Track greens in regulation with your long irons and proximity to hole. Perhaps most importantly track how often it leads to lost a lost stroke or two.

 

There is nothing “unmanly” about hitting hybrids.  I was in the same boat as many posts here in that the early hybrids were left machines but those days are long gone

Can't say whether right or wrong, regarding who might be in that buddy boat you're suggesting.  I am not, and believe there are more than a few here.  Good golfers always know a few things, their strengths, weaknesses, and carry yardages of each club.  Otherwise, they don't/can't play hard courses, regional events or real $$$ matches.   

 

Good golf is NOT about ego, or static decisions.  Whether using blade long irons or hybrids, good golfers choose clubs based on need, or their ability to hit them.

 

There is NO right or wrong, carrying a 4i, 160yds, is fine, especially on shorter courses where there's no forced carry.  My 80+yr old relative still carries 4i-PW, but uses a hybrid too.  He only plays, 5500yd, no forced carries, so he's fine.  If you and others like hybrids, fine.  They don't interest me.  Maybe when I am 80+... LOL 

Edited October 12, 2023 by Pepperturbo