Long irons - why so unpopular ?

[DCB]

A lot depends on what type of course you're playing on. Is it links or is it Parkland. I tend to swap clubs about in the bag depending where I'm playing. on a links course I'll put the MP FliHi 2 Iron in the bag. Great off the tee and quite easy to make a good connection on the crisp turf of a links course. Playing inland on a lush (possibly wet) I'd drop the 2 iron and use a hybrid instead. I very rarely have the 3 iron in the bag as its not a lenght I use a lot at my own club.

It's definately a case of what suits you and your game. Go with whatever suits you best.

 

[RGuk]

would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me. You should learn how to use the 3 or 4 iron instead of "papering" over your poor swing!

Boll***

Also, you WOULDN'T countenance (countenance meaning "approve" in this context).

Lazy golf my ar**

That's like saying "I'm going to take on my tennis playing partner with a wooden racquet because a modern tech' racquet is cheating" or something.

If one type of club works better for you, use it!!!

Sorry, can't agree.....plus, end of English lesson too!!

 

[nomadpaul]

Maybe my view of this is skewed but isn't a hybrid just another golf innovation that helps 'ALL' types of golfers . Modern materials - modern manafacturing techniques - modern design - They all help , not only in clubs but balls , clothing even course maintenance.

I'm guessing that some on here that disagree with the use of a hybrid club are reaching for their GPS box every hole or their 460cc driver.

I believe in horses for courses and if the use of a hybrid club/set improves your game and helps you enjoy the sport then who are we to argue

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I can't agree with hell bunker as the majority of tour pros now have or have used a hybrid club. Is their swing not pure enough?

 

[SammmeBee]

I can't agree with hell bunker as the majority of tour pros now have or have used a hybrid club. Is their swing not pure enough?

Yes but I thinik DCB is on the money - it depends what kind of course you are playing - if it's a windy, fast running links then the hybrid thing is the last thing you need but for 'target golf' they're great....

 

[Macster]

Well, ok, perhaps it depends on your course too.

For me, we have 5 par 3's, and on a Medal day, I'd perhaps hit 4 iron on 3 of those, (190yds), and a 3 on the other (205yds.)
Also perhaps off the Tee on at least 2 of the Par 4's, not to mention the usefulness of a 4 iron from under a tree as a low punchshot.

Hellbunker knows where I'm coming from, but it was just a thought.

 

[Herbie]

would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me. You should learn how to use the 3 or 4 iron instead of "papering" over your poor swing!

Why should anyone learn to use a 3 or 4 iron if they dont have to? Comming out with a demeaning comment to those who choose a different club, in fact insulting by association of a poor swing is offensive in my book.
The fundimentals of a swing are not always at fault with long irons, often a very minute error, size error or mental error can have just as much effect.

Its a golf club, that requires a swing like any other, its not HOW, its HOW MANY, its pointless focussing on a 3 or 4 iron when they are used infrequently anyway, unless you are a short hitter, in which case a wood (or now hybrid) is a preferred option and has been for many years for the shorter hitter.

My old set from the 80s had a 3w 5w 7w my following set had irons 2 to sw but neither matter when it comes to getting the lowest score possible, I would use an elephants c*** if it was allowed and would get me back to 6h/c.

Perhaps you should stick with your beloved 3 and 4 irons so you can tell everyone you use a 3 and 4 iron and let everyone else try any ligitimate method they can to get their scores down.

Golf didnt originally have a 3 and 4 iron in its infancy, oh how they might laugh at the people of today with their shiney 3 and 4 irons?

 

[Cernunnos]

(The question that essentially possed). Long Irons Or hybrids...?

I love my long Irons. Though I know when I'm rusty or not played for a while my 3 iron may not go much or any further than my 4 iron. Though when everything is working well, when the swing is working nicely & naturally in the midle of the season, there really is nothing more satisfying than hitting a 3 iron sweetly & seeing the results.

In-fact, even when not hitting my longest irons at the best, normally they will be far more consistently on-line than the consistency with a hybrid any day of the week.

There has been some constination from different viewpoints of whether hybrids can be seen as proper golf. Someone replied to another poster that given an analogy of modern tennis raquets why would we want to use an old wooden raquets. Yes there is a lot to be said in any sport for taking advantage of any advance in technology that may be available, but just as equally there is something to be said for someone wanting to playing any sport in its purest earlier form. However & this is a big however the hybrid club in golf infact is nothing new at all. Don't believe me, then have a flick through any book containing pictures of antique clubs & there we will all find the unmistakable images of those diminutive headed clubs made from wood.

There is a hybrid iron for everyone, whether its the classic image, the long iron with loads of sole, or a hybrid more in common with a wood than anything else & everything inbetween.

Up until recently & until I got my Ping hybrid the hybrid I was using I'd be less than 50% sucsessful with in any way shape or form whether in distance or direction, yet give me the alternative long iron then I'd actually be less likely to get into big trouble no matter how bad or good the strike.

The irony of it is the Ping hybrid I use is not really there to replace 3 iron but as an alternative to my 5 wood, yet with a slightly different yardage.

Is the hybrid cheating...? Nah.

Are Long irons unpopular...? Not as far as I'm concerned. its simply that hybrids have become flavour of the month for quite some time & reason.

A hybrid is not an iron & its not a wood, its its own club, but having some advantages of both.

Now although I wouldn't be seen dead having a complete set of hybrids I think that for some there might be an advantage to some to get enjoyment from the game.

But I do wish some club golf pro's would stop trying to get every man & his dog to throw away their long irons when there is no reason to, As I really think some players are missing out on the satisfaction of hitting a long iron well.

So why drop a long iron or two to make use of a hybrid or two, why not carry both or be able to put either in the bag at whim, why miss out on either club.

 

[Macster]

Herb - had a bad day ?

 

[madandra]

I have had 3 hybrids in my bag before but found them useless in the wind and I love the feeling of a well struck 4 iron.


Irons for me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Imurg]

would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me. You should learn how to use the 3 or 4 iron instead of "papering" over your poor swing!

So in the same breath you should put your 2-ball putter back in the cupboard and learn to line up a putt! And your lob wedge and spin ball that make it easy to stop the ball on the green.

Welcome to the 1980's my friend!

 

[Cernunnos]

would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me. You should learn how to use the 3 or 4 iron instead of "papering" over your poor swing!

So in the same breath you should put your 2-ball putter back in the cupboard and learn to line up a putt! And your lob wedge and spin ball that make it easy to stop the ball on the green.

Welcome to the 1980's my friend!

Or even nearly a century of decades before too.

There is some merit for at least occasionally expeiencing going back to basics.

How many of us have from time to time toyed with using old fashioned equipment. Old fashioned bladed irons, pre 1970's or '60's balls.

Many here seem to regularly hark on about going out with a half set & a pencil bag, well that's certainly one way of experincing something of what has come before without having to go the whole hog.

 

[Parmo]

would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me. You should learn how to use the 3 or 4 iron instead of "papering" over your poor swing!

I think its horses for courses, many people don't have the time to spend on the range at weekends practicing with low irons, people like myself would rather be on the course and if I am practicing its my short game because thats where the score saving and lower hcp's come from.

Hybrid goes where I want it 8/10 shots, a 3 or 4 iron goes 6/10 places I want it, its a no brainer really hence the reason Pro's use them.

would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me

Using a electric trolley is lazy to me, but I don't see people complaining about them being lazy golf?

 

[Parmo]

Herb - had a bad day ?

No, more of idiots coming out with offensive posts I would have thought.

 

[StuartD]

As another poster said using a 3 iron brought him out in a sweat.

I was the same, so I got a 3 hybrid. Now the 4 iron brings me out in a sweat!!

 

[Parmo]

Hybrid's can be played from: -

Tee, Rough, Fairway & bunker.

3,2 or driving iron

Tee & fairway.

The Hybrid wins hands down whilst there is a limit on clubs you can carry.

 

[Macster]

Parmo: If the loft is the same, they can both be played from the same places, as I do when needed.

My comments were'nt offensive, or even meant to be, it was merely an observation, which I maintain, is probably true.

And see other comments Herb has made to me to understand why I posted the 'bad day' remark.

 

[Parmo]

Chris,
I didnt mean your remarks where offensive I was refering to the poster claiming that using hybrids was "lazy" and was a sign of a "poor golf swing".

Once again its ChrisMc V's technology lol

 

[USER1999]

To me, whilst the hybrid is alot more versatile, and hence I don't carry a 3i, the only time I miss the 3i, is when I want to keep the ball low (as in firing down the tree line, or into the wind). Even though I have a players hybrid (585H), these clubs are designed to get the ball airbourne, which is some conditions is not good. The loft on these things is almost irrelevant, as the sole weighting gets the ball up quickly.

As an aside, I don't find a well struck 3i any more impressive (rewarding, exciting, insert relevant word here) than any other club. They are all just golf shots, and a good shot is a good shot, end of.

 

[Twire]

would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me. You should learn how to use the 3 or 4 iron instead of "papering" over your poor swing!

You may have noticed from my signature that I have two rescues in my bag. Now does this make me a lazy golfer with a poor swing? I have them in my bag because I like the versitility of the rescues not because I can't swing a 3 or 4 iron.

It did make me smile when I looked at what was in your bag and spoted a 7 wood, is this not simular to a rescue?

I also think you should ditch your 2 ball putter and get yourself a bladed one....you wouldn't want people saying you're a poor putter and need assistance lining up with your two ball.