Do You Use a Driving Iron

[HomerJSimpson]

Back in the day I had a Wilson 2 iron (with fat shaft) in the bag which was specifically for the downhill 5th and long par 3 9th on the old course inside the race course. It rarely did what it was supposed to and put me off the idea. Of course technology has moved on and so I'd concede they should be easier (in the scheme of things) to hit but there isn't really a hole on the current course that would justify getting one

 

[sunshine]

Sorry, maybe I wasn’t clear. It was a high slice if I tried to hit it low. My normal drive is a fade, but into the wind would climb up and stall

Traminator's point is that hitting the driver normally (slightly on the up) you should get optimum spin and distance, whatever the wind. By teeing the ball lower, you are hitting down more on the ball, causing it to spin more and hence slice more.

 

[sunshine]

If the set I'm playing has a 2 iron then I'll hit it, usually from the tee but occasionally from the fairway.
I have a couple of 1 irons as well but they are strictly tee only.

(Not sure if it affects my shots but I'm currently driving a Nissan Micra)

To be fair, your 1 irons have the same loft as a modern 4 iron

 

[clubchamp98]

Just bought myself a Ping 2 iron.

Went beautifully today, low and not too much spin, so went well into the wind. For use when driver goes too far.
I have it in conjunction with my 4 wood.

With driver you need to tee it up and hit it normally, they are low spin and as such work pretty well into the wind when used normally.

What one did u get.
I have a #4 iron 410 and was toying with getting a #2.

 

[Crow]

To be fair, your 1 irons have the same loft as a modern 4 iron

Very true up to a point.
The long irons in an average modern set are 2 or 3 clubs stronger so they tend to stop around a 4 or 5 iron, manufacturers know that if they carried this strong loft theme all the way to a 1 iron it would be ridiculous! That's one of the reasons they introduced specialist long irons that are easier to hit but also not as strongly lofted.

Example:
(And back in the day a 4 iron was typically 37.5 inches long)

 

[clubchamp98]

I remember one morning at Hawkstone Park watching Sandy Lyle hitting 1 iron on the practice ground.
It was awesome could have put a duvet over all his shots.
He was in his waterproofs as well.
Had a chat with him and a really nice guy.

 

[Grant85]

I don't, but would consider a 2 iron if I was playing at a links course all the time.

 

[Crow]

I remember one morning at Hawkstone Park watching Sandy Lyle hitting 1 iron on the practice ground.
It was awesome could have put a duvet over all his shots.
He was in his waterproofs as well.
Had a chat with him and a really nice guy.

One of the best long iron players of all time.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

What one did u get.
I have a #4 iron 410 and was toying with getting a #2.

G410 Crossover I believe

 

[sunshine]

Very true up to a point.
The long irons in an average modern set are 2 or 3 clubs stronger so they tend to stop around a 4 or 5 iron, manufacturers know that if they carried this strong loft theme all the way to a 1 iron it would be ridiculous! That's one of the reasons they introduced specialist long irons that are easier to hit but also not as strongly lofted.

Example:
(And back in the day a 4 iron was typically 37.5 inches long)
View attachment 32151View attachment 32153

42 degree pitching wedge! That's basically an 8 iron!

Great marketing... look how far you can hit this new pitching wedge

 

[GG26]

My G700 4-iron with Powerspec loft is 18.5 degrees and fairly forgiving. Only use it off of the tee on holes where a lay up is required.

 

[hovis]

I swap my 5 wood for a driving iron when the wind is up. Thing is a bullet

 

[patricks148]

i play a all my golf on links courses, i don't have a 2 iron or even a 3 now, hybrids all the way, far easier to hit