Are we now entering the 5 wedge era?

[Voyager EMH]

Personally I don't care about what loft my clubs are (and I don't know what they are - apart form the couple with it stamped on). What is important to me is how far I hit each one, and if people were honest then this is also what matters to them.

I play some social games with older clubs - so I am being honest when I say that the inconsistent numbering has caused problems unnecessarily.
Also an issue when you decide it is time for a new set of irons.
Probably little difference in the distance hit between a 37° and a 38° iron. But confusing when the 37° is a 9-iron and the 38° is an 8-iron. From the same manufacturer.

Playing with the older clubs from time to time has made me realise that a 40° iron from 40 years ago is much the same as a 40° today and that I will hit them similar distances.
I have come to the honest conclusion that the changes in numbering have been unnecessary and led to unnecessarily confusing sets of irons.

 

[AussieKB]

I'm assuming that Tommy Armour 36° is a 7-iron.
My Ping Eye2 7-iron is 36°.
Played with a Ping i10 8-iron of 38° for the last 18 summers.
I am currently trying to get used to my Ping i530 9-iron of 37°.

This steady change of numbering has not helped me in any way.
A 36° iron from 40 years ago is much the same as a 36° iron today. There was, and still is, no need to change the numbering.

Time for a reset to sensible numbering - is my view.

Yes....it still makes me laugh at people now, when they say I hit my 8 iron as far as your 7 iron, when you point out they are the same loft they still say but I hit my 8 iron as far as your 7 iron, what ever makes them happy.

I remember playing Ballybunion and the wife and I were paired with a US couple, we came to a par 3 and he said what did you hit, I said a 5 iron....he said very proudly he hit a 7 iron, I then pointed out I was on the green and his ball was most probably lost.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Don’t really care what number and loft it is - as long as I know how far I hit that club and the gap to the next club is workable

 

[bobmac]

It isn't just the age it's also to do with type.
New blades seem to be closer to the 'old fashioned' lofts than game improvers

 

[garyinderry]

Your driver only goes so far.

The rest of the clubs have to fill the gap. Pick your poison.

Post your score. There's no box to say what clubs you used.

 

[Voyager EMH]

It isn't just the age it's also to do with type.
New blades seem to be closer to the 'old fashioned' lofts than game improvers

My new Ping i530 irons are marketed as blades. Ridiculously strong lofts.
The 5-iron is 22° and the Ping G10 iron it is replacing for me is the 21° 3-iron. 18 years of progress.