Set shrinkage.

[Starter]

When I started playing, in 1970, the standard make up of a set of irons was nine clubs, 3-SW, although some included a 2 iron.

A half set was usually four irons, 3,5,7 and 9.

I have just taken delivery of my latest new set and it only includes four clubs, 7-PW.

Of course it could have been more but the modern game with hybrids at one end and specialist wedges at the other makes me wonder just how many 3,4 and 5 irons manufacturers now produce and are SW's included in any sets these days.

But that's progress I suppose although I still hanker after some nice persimmon headed woods. Not laminates though, they just never felt quite the same.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Its no good hankering after the past, you know.

A 38° 9-iron is much better than a 38° 7-iron of 55 years ago. Anyone who disagrees is barmy.

I hope you are enjoying your new irons.
Just out of interest, what is the length and loft of the 7-iron?
Asking for a friend.

 

[Starter]

Its no good hankering after the past, you know.

A 38° 9-iron is much better than a 38° 7-iron of 55 years ago. Anyone who disagrees is barmy.

I hope you are enjoying your new irons.
Just out of interest, what is the length and loft of the 7-iron?
Asking for a friend.

32* loft, 37" length.

Pretty old school for these days.

 

[IanM]

Sets haven't shrunk, the composition of them has changed! (if you see what I mean)

Is that engineering or marketing? Could be both!

 

[Starter]

I realise that sets of clubs may not have shrunk in number.

However, my point is how sets of irons have. Particularly due to the increase in high lofted woods, hybrids and specialist wedges.

How much effect the Marketing Dept has upon R&D is an interesting question.

Who leads who?

 

[Slab]

My most recent irons 15 months ago were a seven iron set 4-pw with the pw at a strong 42 degrees
Added gw at 48 and sw at 54

Very happy with the spacings

I often take the 4 iron out and pop in 23 degree hybrid with 3w and driver to finish the bag

 

[Voyager EMH]

32* loft, 37" length.

Pretty old school for these days.

Wow, that is retro. A Ping G15 from 2011 is 7-iron 32° and 36.75"

My ideal set of 9 irons 3-SW would be 19°, 22°, 26°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 51°PW and 58°SW

I really don't feel any need for a "wedge" with less than 50° loft.

To answer your other question - I would say it is mostly manufacturer driven - diversification of product - marketing - to increase overall consumer spending.

 

[Orikoru]

This is all because they have had to strengthen the lofts of the modern irons because they launch so high, and this makes them go further. But this means high and mid handicapper are more likely to struggle to hit a 4 iron, since it's now 18° rather than 26° or whatever. So more and more people are replacing the long irons with hybrids and 7 woods that are easier to get airborne. And the problem at the other end of the bag is that a PW is now 42° instead of 46-48, so people are having to buy another 'wedge' to fill the gap as well.

If things carry on this way it won't be long til everyone only has three or four irons in their bags, bar the low handicappers and great ball strikers.

 

[Starter]

This is all because they have had to strengthen the lofts of the modern irons because they launch so high, and this makes them go further. But this means high and mid handicapper are more likely to struggle to hit a 4 iron, since it's now 18° rather than 26° or whatever. So more and more people are replacing the long irons with hybrids and 7 woods that are easier to get airborne. And the problem at the other end of the bag is that a PW is now 42° instead of 46-48, so people are having to buy another 'wedge' to fill the gap as well.

If things carry on this way it won't be long til everyone only has three or four irons in their bags, bar the low handicappers and great ball strikers.

My PW is 46* and even that seems strong to me.

 

[wjemather]

This is all because they have had to strengthen the lofts of the modern irons because they launch so high, and this makes them go further. But this means high and mid handicapper are more likely to struggle to hit a 4 iron, since it's now 18° rather than 26° or whatever. So more and more people are replacing the long irons with hybrids and 7 woods that are easier to get airborne. And the problem at the other end of the bag is that a PW is now 42° instead of 46-48, so people are having to buy another 'wedge' to fill the gap as well.

If things carry on this way it won't be long til everyone only has three or four irons in their bags, bar the low handicappers and great ball strikers.

Not really. It's because their entire marketing strategy is selling distance (and extra specialist wedges).
The only real way to do that with a standard iron is to strengthen the loft and lengthen the shaft, so that's what they did.

The reason I hit my current 9-iron about the same distance as I used to hit a 7-iron in the 1980s is because they are virtually indistinguishable.

 

[IanM]

Got a set of Blueflash Irons in the garage... numbers, lofts and head sizes have no correlation to my modern set.

Mind you, the Pts 90 or Tour Edition balls of the day are quite different too

 

[bobmac]

From 2015...

Thread '6-9 irons'

Dec 20, 2015

When I started playing golf, a set of irons were 3-SW
Nowadays, with people buying more hybrids and specialist wedges, is it likely manufacturers will end up selling just 4 irons in a set (6-9)?

I know people will buy whatever clubs makes golf easier and they haven't got time to practice so why bother.......just fill your bag full of hybrids and wedges and bingo, I'm your uncle.

• bobmac
• Replies: 330
• Forum: The Lounge

 

[Backache]

The iron set I bought a couple of years ago had 8 clubs in it.
Four wedges and 9-6 iron. First set I bought forty odd years ago had 9-3 iron and 2 wedges. So only one fewer clubs in the modern set.
Definitely less speed in my swing now.

 

[Crow]

A pitching wedge should be 52 degrees.

 

[rulefan]

A pitching wedge should be 52 degrees.

?

Wedge Loft Chart: Comparing Pitching vs Sand vs Lob vs Gap

Compare the lofts of pitching, sand, lob, and gap wedges in our comprehensive chart. Then deepen your understanding of when it's best to use each wedge.

golfworkoutprogram.com

Complete Guide to Golf Wedge Lofts

You must consider several factors when building your set of wedges. Learn from a former club-fitter how to optimize your wedges and ensure the lofts are the perfect fit for your game.

www.golflink.com

 

[Crow]

?

Wedge Loft Chart: Comparing Pitching vs Sand vs Lob vs Gap

Compare the lofts of pitching, sand, lob, and gap wedges in our comprehensive chart. Then deepen your understanding of when it's best to use each wedge.

golfworkoutprogram.com

Complete Guide to Golf Wedge Lofts

You must consider several factors when building your set of wedges. Learn from a former club-fitter how to optimize your wedges and ensure the lofts are the perfect fit for your game.

www.golflink.com

Huh?
Why have you posted some duff information?

 

[jim8flog]

I always think it is the short clubs that are missing from modern sets. Lots of modern sets may call the most lofted club in the set PW but is never going to be a PW to me. It is either an 8 or a 9 iron.

I am with Crow on this one a PW is something with a loft around of 50 degree or more.

At least my current set all have numbers on the bottom i.e. 9,10, 11 but I still need a 52 wedge.

 

[rulefan]

Huh?
Why have you posted some duff information?

What is duff about it? Surely it is a matter of opinion/preference or manufacture's description. Why did you specify 52?

Golf Monthly says: Typically, a pitching wedge loft will be somewhere between 42° and 46° but they can occasionally vary either side of this range.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

As always - does it really matter

Hit whatever you want , use what ever club gets the ball to the hole for you

It’s irrelevant if it says 8 ,9 or 2 at the bottom - all that matters is that you know how far each club goes

 

[Starter]

I completely agree.

When I posted originally I was merely reflecting on how the make up of many players' bags has changed in the 50 odd years I have been playing.

I certainly wasn't trying to reignite the tired old argument about lofts and lengths clubs should be.

If you need to hit your bal a given distance just pull from your bag whatever club you feel will achieve that.

Nobody but the player is interested in what number is on the sole or how old the club might be.