purpose of offset in irons

[jacksonlui]

does anyone know for a fact what purpose of having offset in irons are? I've read that it's suppose to help allow more time to close the clubface which can turn a drawer of the ball into a hooker. I've also read that it's not true and it's suppose to help get the ball up higher, not sure how.

Please advise

thanks

Jack

[lidomkj]

My undertanding of offset is to help a player to square the clubface at impact. By allowing extra time for the clubface to square and make solid contact, you will hit the ball straighter, higher and further. Most clubs have progressive offset for the long irons and get less in the shorter irons.

 

I am not sure if some who draws the ball will turn into a hook, but it is a good question.

[abewley]

two reasons..

 

one has stated above.. the help square the clubface.

 

the other is to move the cog more rearward...

[huskerfan3582]

I know Jim Furyk's irons "are specially made with extra offset because it helps my launch conditions" (his words). I would assume that means it helps him hit the ball higher.

 

As for if a drawer of the ball would hit hooks, I have irons with progressive offset and I hit them with a natural draw. However, the weird thing is that I tend to hit more hooks with non-offset clus, such as blades. I think that is mostly in part to the fact that non-offset irons are usuallly smaller, making it easier to turn the club over.

[sevenfourate]

Offset in irons achieves 3 main things:

 

1/ Gives the clubface more of a chance to rotate throught impact,close up and square-up.Definately a plus for a fader/slicer.

 

2/ Tends to promote a descending blow with the irons as the hands become slightly ahead of the leading edge automatically.

 

3/ Effectively moves the COG back = higher ballflight.

 

You can now see why all these features would generally tend to benefit a higher handicapper/infrequent golfer/someone new to the game.

[jacksonlui]

if this was true that it helps the high handicapper, there are a lot of pros on tours with larger than normal offsets as mentioned with Furyk. Also some of the tour equipment by TM which has additional 2mm offset, although it does look funny at address. maybe the truth is that all of us need more offset, a la Ping.

[sevenfourate]

I stated "generally"in my last resume......

 

Also bear in mind all irons have offset.Its just the degree to which they are offset you are talking about.Some have little - again GENERALLY blades,Cally Pro-series,"players cavities" etc ....... and plenty have more.Again,"generally" your typical larger headed game improvement type club....

 

Im sure there are pro's out there who have more offset than 99.99% of people - theres always exception's to a rule.

 

I was merely telling you why from a clubmakers/designers point of view irons have offset and what the offset is designed to do.I wasnt trying to fit any one type of player into a particular type of iron head.If any golfer favours more,less or no offset it is clearly their choice,and in Furyk's case im sure its something he's learned from years of experience.

[jacksonlui]

sevenfourate, sorry didn't mean to criticize. just wanted to get an understanding. sounds so far having offset doesn't cause a hook, rather allow time to square as well as a higher ball flight which all makes sense. Wouldn't offset also help frame the ball?

[sfdoddsy]

No, offset doesn't cause a hook. Your swing causes a hook.

 

If, however, you have a hooky swing, offset is not going to help.

[Evil R1]

Being a high handicapper, I am not sold on the benefits of Offset. I have owned/borrowed/demoed 4 sets of clubs with major offset; Ben Hogan CFT, Callaway BB04, Callaway X-18, Ping Eye 2, and 4 sets with minimal to almost none; Ben Hogan BH-5 Standard, Callaway X-18 PS, Callaway Fusion, Callaway X-Tour (current).

 

For my swing there are 2 things consistent between these two groups:

Offset = Super High Launch and major alignment issues at address

Non Offset = Crisper Iron Shots and natural release through the swing

 

I have found my best play has come from Clubs without the massive amount of offset found in Game Improvement Irons. This is just my expirience.

 

Thanks,

[jacksonlui]

can you explain how the offset causes alignment issues?

[Evil R1]

can you explain how the offset causes alignment issues?

 

The alignment issues was just me (I don't think it's rather normal) but any club that I used that was offset I would setup with the clubface open (looked square to me). I noticed that I never had this issue with clubs with little offset. Maybe I am so right eye dominent or I'm just weird, but it was happening. Once I got clubs without the massive offset I was hitting them straight at the target.

 

Thanks