What to hit from 170yds out...

[jeffc]

Interesting to see how many people have voted and the distribution. Good to see i am solidly in the middle of that bell curve.

[nokids]

Rather than start a new thread I'll throw my question into this one.

What is the importance/advantage of hitting irons farther? Is it for when you're attacking the green you can make the ball stop? So if two players are equally accurate from 170 yards but one uses a 9 iron while the other hits a 5 iron, the longer hitter would be at an advantage if the flag was tucked behind some hill/hazard....?

[jeffc]

Rather than start a new thread I'll throw my question into this one.

What is the importance/advantage of hitting irons farther? Is it for when you're attacking the green you can make the ball stop? So if two players are equally accurate from 170 yards but one uses a 9 iron while the other hits a 5 iron, the longer hitter would be at an advantage if the flag was tucked behind some hill/hazard....?

I'd say a few things.

a 9 iron is easier to hit accurately and the right distance than a 5 iron. Higher ball flight means you can attack a pin better if its tucked or you have to clear trouble at the front as well as more spin which can make a ball stop or check. Rather than compare two different players, just look at yourself. If I have a wedge in my hands I have a much better chance of hitting the green or attacking a pin than if I have 7i or 5i or hybrid. The shorter the club the better aim I can take.

[Redwing269]

I would go with a 6 -iron....'cause I'm old (71)

[DenisO]

I would go with a 6-iron or maybe even a 5-iron.... 'cause I'm short (5'8)

[nokids]

I said 5-iron last year, but hopefully my new grip, swing, gym workouts and understanding of compressing my irons will allow me to swing harder and I'll hit a 6-iron 170.

[bNeill]

Probably an 8 iron now (39*)

[Wknd_Warrior]

I used to hit my gap, but unless it was really dry I'd spin back off of the green half the time, now I take a pitching wedge and just baby it up there.

[Wknd_Warrior]

I said 5-iron last year, but hopefully my new grip, swing, gym workouts and understanding of compressing my irons will allow me to swing harder and I'll hit a 6-iron 170.

I've never seen anyone hit their driver so much farther than their irons, but you're absolutely right, there's no reasons to crush an iron as long as it holds the green.

[mpare]

I'd like to meet the 24 guys who can fly an 8 iron 170.

[DenisO]

They probably all play RocketBallz!

I'd like to meet the 24 guys who can fly an 8 iron 170.

[adam]

I can hit a 35 degree 8 iron 170 . . .

[gregnol]

skull a wedge and put a nice gash in my golf ball, or a clean easy 7 with the old style lofts

[nokids]

I can hit a 35 degree 8 iron 170 . . .

my stock 7 iron is 35 degrees. did you do some modifications?

[mathc38]

Easy 6 should get me 170 yards

[adam]

my stock 7 iron is 35 degrees. did you do some modifications?

No, just next set of clubs I get I am re-stamping them all one club up to make myself feel like a man . .

[bNeill]

my stock 7 iron is 35 degrees. did you do some modifications?

Adam was trying to make a joke..

[nokids]

Adam was trying to make a joke..

whoosh! ova ma head!

[Gropper]

whoosh! ova ma head!

When you are as short as you are, im sure its pretty common!

[nokids]

I had 205 yards left to the flag yesterday but had a tree close enough that I didn't think I could get over with the the 3-iron. I hit the 6-iron instead and came up 35 yards short. Which means...... drum roll please.......

I hit my 6-iron 170, woo hoo!

[Roach]

I'd take an easy 7 hopefully right at it!

[mpare]

Doesn't everyone use a pitching wedge?

[byerxa]

Doesn't everyone use a pitching wedge?

Sure. Then I would be 50-60 yards out

[Big Johnny69]

Sure. Then I would be 50-60 yards out

And possibly 30yds left or right of target trying to swing so hard to get it there.

[Husband]

I'd like to meet the 24 guys who can fly an 8 iron 170.

I can say with 100% confidence that I can hit my 8i 170 yards almost every time. For reference, my driver SS is an average of 108mph through 6 shots, despite one only being 99mph (foot slipped, was not wearing cleets). It's probaly closer to 110-111mph on average.

Unfortunately, I didn't get measured with my 7 or 8 iron... but my 5i was 210, 204, and 208yds.

[Sunny D]

I'd like to meet the 24 guys who can fly an 8 iron 170.

When I responded to this I was swinging an older set of PING's and said 7i. Since then have bought and spent some time with a new set of Cleveland's and they just seem to suit my swing. I have had to adjust distances. I now regularly take a full swing with my 8i to go 170. My new 7i is closer to 178 on a full swing. PS ball flight is much better with the new clubs as well. This is such a between the ears game for me.....

[gregnol]

im sure if the poll was taken again there would be a lot more than 24 guys who can fly a 8 iron 170. with distance focused consumers an the marketing forks knew the only way to increase sales around distance was to change the lofts. look at the loft of a 8i for a mid handicaper produced within the last 2 years, now go and compare it to a players set or even a game improvement set from 5 years ago. the 8i is the same loft if not stronger then the 7i. people aren't hitting the same club further all of a sudden, there hitting the same loft the same distance but the number on the bottom of the club is different, good job marketing department.

[Bouche]

Doesn't everyone use a pitching wedge?

No, just me

[HoganWoods]

We should redo the poll with lofts, not iron numbers.

[Husband]

We should redo the poll with lofts, not iron numbers.

Although that would make more sense, I don't think most people would know the loft of their irons. This was probably more of a bragging thread for the longer hitters anyway to see how many standard deviations they are above the average hitter