Walking into a golf store and gazing upon rows and rows of club options while searching for game improvement irons might make you feel like a kid in a candy store. On the other hand, if you’re like most amateur golfers, it feels a lot more like choice overload.
With so many different Drivers, Fairway Woods, Putters, Wedges, and iron selections, where do you even begin?
Do you listen to the guy behind the counter just because he has a golf match on the TV behind him?
Do you just get the cheapest set?
How about the most expensive one?
Before we whip out the credit card and buy whatever the guy behind the counter is selling, we’ve gotta pump the brakes.
There’s a process for buying game improvement irons and it requires a wee-bit-o-self reflection.
Who am I?
??? Who are you, who, who, who, who??? Oh, the wonderful song by The Who. Really gets stuck inside your head, doesn’t it?
Start by being candid about who you are as a golfer. Are you just starting out and need some forgiveness in your irons? Are you getting up in age (like me) and find that you’ve lost a pinch of swing speed? Have you been playing a while but seem to be lacking distance in your irons? Do you struggle to shape your shot? Are you a golfer with a low handicap and would like a tour-style club?
We have to know who we are and where we are at in our golf journey before we can decide on what irons we need.
Notice I said need and not want. What we want is a lower score. In order to get a lower score, we must buy the clubs we need!
It is not just about going to the golf store and getting a set of Wilsons or Titleist Irons.
Those brands are fine. The brand name has little to do with which irons you should purchase. The type of iron is decided first, then the brand.
For this article we will be discussing Game Improvement Irons.
What are Game Improvement Irons?
Game improvement irons are just as their name implies.
They help improve your game.
They help minimize errant shots.
Overall, they have more forgiveness than a traditional iron type.
Game improvement irons are known for their oversized club heads. Equipped with either graphite shafts to lighten the club resulting in higher swing speeds. Or with steel shafts that range from X-Stiff, Stiff, Regular, or Senior flex.
What Do They Help You With?
1. Game improvement irons help increase distance by the larger, more forgiving club head.
A larger design in the clubhead paired with graphite shafts reduces the total weight of the club. Making it easier to increase distance with little effort.
2. Super game improvement irons reduce ball spin, in turn helping reduce slicing or hooking the ball. In my opinion, this is the best feature on all game improvement irons.
3. Ball flight is another benefit that is produced with game improvement irons. Launching the ball in the air can be difficult at times. The larger clubhead design gives the golfer the best chance for a good ball flight.
Who Makes The Best Game Improvement Irons?
This last question is really a tough one. It will come down to your personal preference. Most club manufactures make game improvement irons. So when you set out to purchase yours, narrow your selection by asking yourself the following three questions.
1. Do I like the design?
Look at the clubs and how they are manufactured. Do you like the way they look in your hands? Do you like the way they look when addressing your ball? Looks are important in this process. Seeing is believe in golf!
2. Do I like the type of shaft?
Game improvement irons can be equipped with two shaft materials…steel or graphite. However, their flex can range from X-stiff, stiff, regular, senior, and ladies. The right flex for you will depend on your swing speed. If you have a slower swing speed it is recommended to equip a senior flex shaft on your clubs. Likewise, it is most recommended to equip a stiff or X-stiff flex shaft if you have higher swing speeds.
3. Do I like the way they feel?
Hopefully, by this time you have it narrowed down to three different club manufacturers. Swing each one and decide on the one that has the best feel to you. Grab the 7 iron of each manufacturer and head to the virtual golf machine or the golf cage. No need to hit every club, the 7 iron will give you all you need to know in that sweet swing.
Parvelous Top Picks
3. Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal Irons
The JPX921 Hot Metal irons pair Mizuno’s fastest ever ball speed with a piercingly straight ball-flight and controllable landing angles. The 3rd generation of Mizuno irons to utilize the resilience of Chromoly – the JPX921 has the most complex face geometry to date for additional energy from the clubface. Technology is in no short supply with these irons. Stability frame for perimeter weight, seamless cup face is 0.2mm thinner across the center point, and variable sole resulting in greater face flex and ball speeds.
2. Taylormade M6 Irons
Explosive distance with maximum forgiveness with Taylormade’s Speed Bridge. The new Speed Bridge structure unlocks the ability to generate more ball speed. Ultra-thin clubface design with Inverted Cone Technology delivers incredible ball speed over the entire face area. These irons will make you feel like a pro, even if you are still working on your game.
1. Ben Hogan Edge EX Irons
Hands down the best game improvement irons on the market. You may have thought that Hogans are for experienced, pro-type players. Wrong! These Edge EX’s are a golfer’s best friend. The unique Open Cavity Design used in Edge EX irons provides exceptional forgiveness for better shots, even on mis-hits. Modified sole shapes independently designed for each club to provide you with the best turf interaction. And, like all Ben Hogan irons, they provide the feedback that only a soft, forged club can. You’ve never hit anything like Edge EX irons before. And these are manufactured right here in the states, Fort Worth, TX. They only sell directly from their website. But don’t worry, this is a good thing. This helps keep the unnecessary costs to a minimum. Cost like advertising, marketing, and retail mark up. Plus they give you a “try before you buy” option. Check them out here.
Closing Thoughts on Game Improvement Irons
Game improvement irons are truly a fascinating feat of technology. These easy-to-hit irons are perfect for golfers that are looking for extra distance and better ball flight. They can help build game confidence when you’re just starting out, as well as extend the life and longevity of your love of the game.
Let’s golf! And remember to have a Parvelous round!
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