Is the 4 iron in danger of extinction from most club players bags....

[Whereditgo]

The 4 iron is definitely staying in my bag for the foreseeable future, it gets used off the tee on 3 out of the first 4 holes at my home course and depending on wind direction and pin position probably another twice off the tee on par 3's.

And that's without the numerous low punch shots out of the trees!

 

[Lawrence22]

As a high handicapper I carry three hybrid clubs and nothing longer than a six iron. I have tried longer irons and practised a lot with them but I am just far too inconsistent with them. I have far fewer miss hits with the hybrids, I rarely use my 6 or 7 unless I need to keep the ball low on half shots, for shots of these distances it's usually an easy 5h or a hard 8. Just more confident hitting these clubs.

 

[Evesdad]

My 4i hasn't been in my bag for a long long time it's practically unused! My on off love affair with my hybrid continues so I'm going to chuck it bag in and give it a whirl! My iron striking has improved alot recently so hopefully it may be time!

 

[USER1999]

I have a 4 iron at 24 degrees, and a 21 degree hybrid which replaces my 3 iron. Works for me. I can normally hit either of them, but rarely in the same round. No idea why.

For those who think hybrids launch too high, they should try mine. It is as penetrating as you could wish for.

Gave up on the 3i long ago. It is not flexible enough. It's fine off the fairway, and off the tee, but I can hit my hybrid way better out of rough, semi, and I often chip with it around the greens, as it gives a consistent run regardless of contact, and you can't shank it.

 

[kid2]

Hybrids and lots of wedges........then you don't have to practice
Sorted.

Classic Bob. :rofl:

 

[Jay Nause]

I am fairly new to golf but have just bought a set of irons , they didnt even come with anything lower than a five iron , i`m thinking now maybe it would be better for the set to go from 3-9 instead of 5-sw because i have separate wedges for using at that end and now i wont get to try hitting a four iron , yes i have a hybrid its 24 degree loft which is equilavent to a three iron (I could be wrong)

 

[Jay Nause]

I am fairly new to golf but have just bought a set of irons , they didnt even come with anything lower than a five iron , i`m thinking now maybe it would be better for the set to go from 3-9 instead of 5-sw because i have separate wedges for using at that end and now i wont get to try hitting a four iron , yes i have a hybrid its 24 degree loft which is equilavent to a three iron (I could be wrong)

should have read above post 24 = 4 iron

 

[GB72]

I have just gone the other way and taken a hybrid out of my bag and replaced it with a 4 iron. My new irons are a bit heavier than my old ones and my old 4i hybrid just felt too light when I switched to it. I just have a 3i hybrid in the bag now that works fine.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

should have read above post 24 = 4 iron

My 4 iron is 22 degrees.

 

[mashleyR7]

I'm a 16hc and I dont have a 3 or 4 iron and have been considering getting rid of my 5 iron and replacing that with a hybrid. I have a 4h and can hit it consistently well so it make my game better and easier and more fun than having a 4i. With my 5i i am inconsistent but i did make the effort to practice with it on Sunday so will keep going with that for a while.

My goal is to shoot lower scores and get a lower handicap. If that means using hybrids I will. I wont stick to using a 4i badly just because it feels special etc.

 

[Jay Nause]

My 4 iron is 22 degrees.

its not set in stone then , did you have the loft altered or is it different from set to set ?

 

[USER1999]

It differs set to set really. Better players irons tend to have weaker lofts, more game improvement stuff has lower lofts, possibly to counter the lower centre of gravity, which could lead to the ball ballooning. Complicated?

 

[GeneralStore]

I love my 4 iron and I have just ordered a 3 iron because I prefer my longer irons to my hybrid

 

[Jay Nause]

It differs set to set really. Better players irons tend to have weaker lofts, more game improvement stuff has lower lofts, possibly to counter the lower centre of gravity, which could lead to the ball ballooning. Complicated?

fairly complicated yes , but all good , thanks for the info

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I would reckon its to do with the fact that folk just dont want to practice getting the long irons right.

So can you hit a hybrid without practicing then? You wanna tell that to the guys at our place who spend half their time looking for the balls the just hit in the clag with their hybrids

I my opinion there are two types of people who have hybrids. There are those who never practice and have had it drummed into them that they should have a hybrid as it's easier to hit and have convinced themselves that they hit it better than their 4i. They probably don't but when they had a 4i they never used to hit it because they keep being told long irons are hard to hit. The hybrid however apparently hits itself so they have convinced themselves that no matter how they hit it it is better than their 4i and will tell anyone that will listen how great they are.

Then there are those people who can hit a 4i perfectly well but like the versatility of a hybrid.

I guess you also have to consider that a hybrid generally costs more ghan an iron so when selling sets to beginners, the cynic may say the retailer can make a few more quid

 

[Imurg]

I guess my 4 iron is a kind of hybrid - MP Fli-Hi.
It looks like an iron but flies like a hybrid
And it won't leave my bag - ever. Until it wears out....

At the end of the day, for the majority, a 4h is more versatile than a 4i - it's as simple as that.
There are shots you just can't play with a 4i that are straight-forward with a 4h. Ever tried playing a 4i out of rough? Your contact has to be on the money to get any results at all. With a 4h as long as you make contact you'll get a result...

And I'm with Hawkeye - hybrids don't hit themselves. You can still hit crap shots with them...

 

[Captainron]

No hybrids will be in my bag - ever! Love my 4 iron!

 

[fundy]

always carry the 4 iron (24 degree), the 3 iron (21 degree) has just gone back in the bag, almost tempted to dig the 2 iron (18 degree) out and see how that fares too

 

[munro007]

Hawkeye, you don't half talk some rubbish. I love my woods/hybrid. Cant stand long irons. Simple really

 

[theWOAT]

I just recently took the 3i for my new 7 wood, overall a great decision really, as I never ever really used the 3i, and I barely use the 4 either, though it does get the occasional use, so when I start getting comfortable with my wedges, that will probably come out for a 50 Vokey.