Driving Irons

Do we have any users here?

I personally cannot abide my woods, I truly hate them and have honed my  game around not using them. I currently use my 5 iron for driving which isn't bad because I can keep up with other people and their drivers.

I've always fancied a driving iron but I was wondering what people's opinion of them are? Can you get on with them?

I'm good with my long iron, both off the tee and from the floor.

The lowest iron I go to is a three iron, although my first ever set of clubs came with a two iron.

I've been thinking of getting a driving iron but never actually got around to it.

You don't see many in the shops so I guess I would have to search on the web for one.

Russ

Stuart

if you can match most people's driver distances with your 5 iron what's the problem?  Why not just use a 3 & 4 as well?

Seriously, there seems to be an obsession with having the 'correct' clubs in peoples bags.  Use what gives results, you don't have to a take a bag full of clubs for a walk just for the sake of it.  Just think, if you can hit any club consistently 180 yards that puts most par 5's in range in three...

The last twenty years have seen the one and two iron clubs all but disappear and as Ivan says they're either custom built or (like mine) vintage. I think it's a v underrated club (to which you might reply 'well you would say that ) but seriously it's invaluable if you're into the wind with tight fairways. The problem is people think they can't use them and that's why they've vanished.

You are so right, Patrick. Everyone these days takes the easy way out, but they do not realise what knowledge they are passing up. Even 3 and 4 irons are considered to difficult to hit these days and with everyone seeming to be able to hit a five iron 200 yds, one can see why.

Hello Stuart,

I used to be in exactly the same boat as you. Similar handicap too. Also making no real progress with my golf just 'keeping up with others'.

That was until i bought a Ping Rapture driver with a 13.5 degree loft only a month ago. Gone from 22.6 to 16 and the best is yet to come. Still using the irons and putter from my Wilson starter set from American Golf.

I am not saying to go and buy the same club - but you must find the woods that suit you.

Doug.

I am afraid StuartG has been sworn to secrecy, StuartR.

Agree with Doug. Got a Ping G15 driver with 12 deg of loft after as custom fit session and it's a joy to hit. Goes at least 30-40 yards further than my mid 90s vintage "Big" (now tiny) Bertha and I am getting straight drives about 8 out of 10. I could not believe it yesterday when I "connected" with one and it stopped just short of a ditch having covered 295 yds. I used it on every par 4 and 5 yesterday and was only in real trouble once. I doubt I could be as consistent with a 5 iron and would have been a good 75-100 yards back on every hole even if I was.

Then again my first worst shot yesterday was when I took a 7 wood off tee on a par 3 and ducked hooked it OOB. Duh. That's definitely when I was trying to be too ambitious but hey I carrted the thing round with me and was the right club for the hole.

In fact I finding driver easier than my fairwood woods. Maybe a technique thing as the driver is a tee up and sweep thing, the fairway woods I clearly need more practice.

It's largely confidence isn't it. On my first "long" hole after my long lay off from golf I took out a 7 iron, tee'ed it up and just punted it down the fairway. Such a relief to play 2nd shot from the short stuff...

I also now really love my G15 4 iron hybrid. Finding it much easier than a fairway wood say for 2nd shot on a par 5 or long par 3s.

Stuart, you always knew that I was a mine of useless information.