Driving Iron's

maverick_21

Hi All,

I recently took up golf again after a 10 year absence. I bought a second hand set of R'9s and a Ping G15 Driver.I also bought an Oddessy putter.They were all second hand but in mint condition. The irons and putter are lovely to play with but i'm having big trouble hitting the driver.
Obviously i need more practice but just wondering what is everyone's opinion on driving iron's?Are they worth buying?

ThunderCat

Drivers nowadays are one of the easiest clubs in the bag to hit due to their head size and their forgiveness for off centre hits. Driving irons would be far less forgiving and far more difficult to hit consistently well. To be fair, you have a quality driver there so it could be a case of not giving yourself enough time to get used to it as you hit the ball differently with a driver compared to an iron. Also loft could be a factor. What loft is it? Ideally you should have tried out a few different drivers before purchasing, perhaps you did, but my advice would be to head to the range and try and get better aquainted with the club and just give it a bit of time.

acejeff

I would suggest a hybrid/rescue club with around 18 degrees loft to help solve your issue. Generally fairly forgiving clubs but still retain much of the control of a long iron. Off centre hits will do better, less dispersion and better distance, than the old type driving iron. IMHO a good club to use for positioning the ball off the tee.

maverick_21

Thanks for the replys's guy's. My driver is 10.5 loft. I spent the morning at the driving range and finally started to get the hang of the driver:)

I think the problem i had was a result of not opening up the clubface when lining up the ball.I seemed to always have it turned facing in.

My bag consists of driver,4-sw and putter at the moment.Would you recommend getting a hybrid instead of a 3 or 5 wood?

ThunderCat

maverick_21 wrote: »

Thanks for the replys's guy's. My driver is 10.5 loft. I spent the morning at the driving range and finally started to get the hang of the driver:)

I think the problem i had was a result of not opening up the clubface when lining up the ball.I seemed to always have it turned facing in.

My bag consists of driver,4-sw and putter at the moment.Would you recommend getting a hybrid instead of a 3 or 5 wood?

The driver loft sounds fine and you seem to be getting more used to it now which is great. Just keep at it.

With regards a hybrid or fairway wood, I agree that you definatly need to bridge the gap between Driver and 4 iron. If it were me, I'd be getting a 5 wood and then maybe a 23 degree hybrid and leaving the 4 iron at home. But thats just me. You should go to your local pro shop, driving range, or golf store and try out a few.

stockdam

maverick_21 wrote: »

I think the problem i had was a result of not opening up the clubface when lining up the ball.I seemed to always have it turned facing in.

Were you closing the face of the driver? At address it should sit in a neutral position (neither open nor closed).

maverick_21

I've been looking up the lofts on the hybrids and am thinking of purchasing an 18 & 21 degree hybrid.Would these replace the 3 iron and 3wood?

ThunderCat

maverick_21 wrote: »

I've been looking up the lofts on the hybrids and am thinking of purchasing an 18 & 21 degree hybrid.Would these replace the 3 iron and 3wood?

A 3 wood is usually 15 degrees so the 18 degree hybrid would be in place of a 5 wood and the 21 degree hybrid would be a 7 wood/3 iron loft.

GreeBo

stockdam wrote: »

Were you closing the face of the driver? At address it should sit in a neutral position (neither open nor closed).

+1
the face will be correct when the club is let sit flat on the ground...you shouldnt be manipulating the face at all...

maverick_21

GreeBo wrote: »

+1
the face will be correct when the club is let sit flat on the ground...you shouldnt be manipulating the face at all...

I wasn't letting the club sit down flat.I was closing in the face and kept mis hitting my drives as a result. I have definitely had more positive results since the driving range at the weekend. Practice makes perfect i suppose.

maverick_21

ThunderCat wrote: »

A 3 wood is usually 15 degrees so the 18 degree hybrid would be in place of a 5 wood and the 21 degree hybrid would be a 7 wood/3 iron loft.

Ok thanks.I might buy a 3 wood so and the two hybrids. I should have everything i need then. I dont mind spending money to start off as long as i get the right gear. Can you recommend any hybrids or would i need to get fitted?

I really appreciate all the feedback so far. Its badly needed for a novice like me:)

ThunderCat

maverick_21 wrote: »

Ok thanks.I might buy a 3 wood so and the two hybrids. I should have everything i need then. I dont mind spending money to start off as long as i get the right gear. Can you recommend any hybrids or would i need to get fitted?

I really appreciate all the feedback so far. Its badly needed for a novice like me:)

Seeing as the whole lot is going to cost you a fair bit of cash, you would be wise to try out a few brands before you purchase anything. I use a 21 degree Ping G10 hybrid that I adore but it might not suit the next man so try a few out and see what suits you best. Most brands offer similar quality and forgiveness so it's much of a muchness there but also dont limit yourself into buying an 18 degree hybrid; try a 5 wood as well as you might find that you prefer it. Personally I can do without a 3 wood seeing as my 5 wood is my favourite club in the bag so you might be wasting money getting a 3 wood seeing as there is only 3 degrees of loft seperating it from a 5 wood/18 degree hybrid.
One last thing, do you have any idea what your swing speed is? Most clubs will come in a stiff shaft or regular shaft. Stiff shafts are more suited to faster swing speeds so give it consideration too. No need to get fitted I dont think. You'll find because you are starting out in the game, your swing will change anyway which in the coming months could render any fitting done now as obsolete. The stock shafts in the hybrids/woods should be fine.

Kace

Here are a couple of good options for you....

http://www.adverts.ie/golf/ping-g15-3-wood/1114995

http://www.adverts.ie/golf/ping-g15-hybrid/1212520

maverick_21

Kace wrote: »

Here are a couple of good options for you....

http://www.adverts.ie/golf/ping-g15-3-wood/1114995

http://www.adverts.ie/golf/ping-g15-hybrid/1212520

Cheers man. Unfortunately i'm left handed so they are a no go. They look like nice clubs though.

maverick_21

ThunderCat wrote: »

Seeing as the whole lot is going to cost you a fair bit of cash, you would be wise to try out a few brands before you purchase anything. I use a 21 degree Ping G10 hybrid that I adore but it might not suit the next man so try a few out and see what suits you best. Most brands offer similar quality and forgiveness so it's much of a muchness there but also dont limit yourself into buying an 18 degree hybrid; try a 5 wood as well as you might find that you prefer it. Personally I can do without a 3 wood seeing as my 5 wood is my favourite club in the bag so you might be wasting money getting a 3 wood seeing as there is only 3 degrees of loft seperating it from a 5 wood/18 degree hybrid.
One last thing, do you have any idea what your swing speed is? Most clubs will come in a stiff shaft or regular shaft. Stiff shafts are more suited to faster swing speeds so give it consideration too. No need to get fitted I dont think. You'll find because you are starting out in the game, your swing will change anyway which in the coming months could render any fitting done now as obsolete. The stock shafts in the hybrids/woods should be fine.

Ya you might be right with the 5 wood and 21degree hybrid combo.I used to hit my 5 wood fairly well back in the day.I'm going looking at clubs at the weekend so will report back on any purchases. I dont swing too fast so think the regular shafts are ok so far anyway.

ThunderCat

maverick_21 wrote: »

Ya you might be right with the 5 wood and 21degree hybrid combo.I used to hit my 5 wood fairly well back in the day.I'm going looking at clubs at the weekend so will report back on any purchases. I dont swing too fast so think the regular shafts are ok so far anyway.

Good man, best of luck with it.

peepee

Just wanted to renew this thread to mention the Mizzy H4 2 Iron. Just picked one up and its superb. Had an MP Fli Hi from a few years ago but this is even easier to hit off tee and fairway.