Driving Iron vs Players Distance Iron

[RCGA]

What are the differences between a driving iron (Titleist u505, Srixon ZX, Stealth UDI) and a players distance iron (TM P790, Titleist T150/200, Ping i525), assuming similar lofts and shafts.

Edited October 12, 2023 by RCGA

[jvincent]

The driving irons sometimes have a wider sole, but not always.

 

The basic construction of the hollow body irons is the same, so you really need to compare two specific irons in detail to see where the differences are.

[Pepperturbo]

Driving iron and players' distance iron are often the same, just different names, all depends on the OEM.  Some OEM's offer 2i, but most do not.  They offer 3i-4i to matching sets, and call them player distance. 

 

I have 2022 T200 17' 2iron with Tour AD IZ Hybrid, 85S - it's the same head as the T200 iron set 2 iron. 

 

2023 T200 doesn't offer a 2i or 3i in the set.  If you want either of those, they offer 2, 3, 4 utility irons, that are one and the same, only different shaft offerings. 

 

u505 is a purposely designed driving iron, no matching iron set, also has different lofts vs. T200 utility build. u505 is more forgiving too.

 

[J_Tizzle]

Personally I don't think there is a huge difference.  I've actually been trying to replace my DI 4i and just got a p790 4i.  Just got it in the other day, so will try it out this weekend.

[topgolfhero24]

The biggest difference I have noticed is that driving irons are bigger overall. I think for forgiveness, ball speed and also to move weight around to keep them low launching. 
 

they are also usually only available in 2-4 irons. 
 

I find most player iron sets still get progressively smaller in the longer irons. This has always been frustrating to me since I struggle to hit long irons and want smaller 8-pw. 
 

driving irons tend to sit by themselves in terms of size. 

[Streuner]

to me this differs from brand to brand. Mizuno pro 225 and the Mizuno fliHi are significant different. Titleist T200 and T200U are similar only the shaft changes to a hybrid model.

My favorite DI is the SRIXON ZXU and the difference to the ZX5 for example is also noticable. Before I was playing the WILSON Staff Modell Utility and also this one differs from something like the D9F

 

mostly the DI have the larger hollow head, mostly some kind of weight shift inside to get a deep and low CG. To get this possible the head is growing in size on the backside of the club

[Rapidcat]

Yes, depends on OEM, here's an example for Srixon:

 

Different head design & different lofts comparing the ZXU vs ZX4 for 4I.

 

Gotta do your homework to get what you need.