Your choice of a golfing iron influences your speed of learning the game and perfecting your skill. One mistake that many golfers make is to borrow irons from other golfers or buy one that their favorite player uses. You can copy some moves in the game, but not the equipment. The equipment that works for you will not work for the next player because you have different physiques. The ideal golfing iron for you depends on several factors, including your level of skill, club head design, shaft flex, and shaft material, among others. Each of these factors is discussed extensively below.

1. Level of Skill

Learning to play golf with the wrong club is frustrating. You move from one type of iron to another as your skills improve. You can choose from three major types of golf irons that include game improvement, super game improvement, and player’s irons. Game improvement irons suit mid-level players who wish to improve their strike. You can achieve longer and shorter shots even when you do hit the ball with the center of the clubface when playing with a game improvement iron. Super game improvement irons are the most forgiving irons for off-center hits. They are designed for players who are still learning to hit straight shots. This is the best golf iron to buy if you are a beginner. If you already have a high skill level, a player’s iron is your best pick.

2. Club Head Design

Pay attention to the design of the club head because the design determines your ball flight. Golfing irons come with different types of club head designs including the blade, midsize and oversized designs. The designs have different ball flights or shots. The right design for you depends on the level of skill. The oversized head design is your best pick if you are still learning the game. The center of gravity of this design is lower than that of other designs. Hence, you can easily hit the ball and learn how to hit straight shots. The deep cavity back makes the golf iron with such a design more forgiving than other designs.

The mid sized club head design has a slightly larger cavity back. It is suited to mid-level golfers. Once you master your hits with the oversized design, you can shift to the mid-sized design. The traditional blade head design is best suited for advanced players. It gives perfect straight shots. The head design is less forgiving compared to the other designs.

3. Shaft Type

Golfing irons have two major types of shafts that include steel and graphite shafts. Each type has its pros and cons. A steel shaft is durable but it makes the club heavier. A steel shaft does not give you options for the shaft flex. Graphite is lighter and gives you several options for a flex. However, graphite does not last as long as steel. A light golf iron makes the ball travel at a higher speed compared to a heavy iron. The good news is that steel shafts are getting lighter by the day. In the past, steel shafts weighed more than 120g. Today, you can buy a modern steel shaft of 80g to 90g. Most manufacturers specify the weight of the shaft, which makes it easier to pick the right model.

4. Type of Shaft Flex

Shaft flex refers to the level of bend in the club. The flex influences the trajectory and speed of the ball after you swing. Manufacturers have different names for shaft flexes. The most common flexes are ladies, senior, regular, stiff, and extra stiff. The most important consideration when choosing a shaft flex is your swing speed. The flex should match your speed. If you have a fast swing speed, go for a stiff flex. A regular flex is good for a slow swing. You will have no control over the direction of your shots if you use a flexible shaft flex for a fast swing. Stiff flexes are most suitable for advanced players who have mastered fast straight shots.

5. Sole

For beginners, the sole refers to the part of the club that lies on the ground. A wider sole is preferable because it has a lower center of gravity. Hence, you can easily hit and control your shots. Wider soles tend to be heavier. The weight lowers the gravity, but you need to check if the center of gravity is too low. The ball will travel slowly if the center of gravity is too low. Hence, you need to balance between the width and weight of the sole. Wide soles are mostly found on game improvement and super game improvement golf irons. Hence, if you buy any of these types, it may automatically have a wide sole to help you master high shots. Another advantage of wide soles over thin soles is that the ball has a better bounce after hitting the ground. The high bounce is better when playing on soft ground.

6. Offset

An offset is a special design of the club head in which the hosel or neck is slightly ahead of the club head face. The club head design was mostly used in the most forgiving irons, but is now common in all types of irons. Buying a golf iron with an offset has two major benefits. The first benefit is that the offset gives you more time to set the face of the club head. This means that you can square the face of the clubhead at impact. The second benefit is a higher launch or trajectory for your hits. The offset pushes the center of gravity farther back from the shaft. Consequently, you can hit the ball higher in the air with an offset than when using an iron without an offset. The more offset, the better for you, especially if you have difficulties with high launches.

7. Gaping

The ideal iron gap varies from one player to another. For most players, the ideal gap is 10 to 15 yards. Manufacturers tend to give accurate gaps for their irons. The averaging gaping varies across different models. You need to test the gap between your longest iron and the next club. Do the same for the shortest iron. Otherwise, you will have many clubs that travel the same distance. Most beginners complain of this challenge without realizing that they chose the wrong gap for their irons set. If you are unsure about your ideal gap, stick to the recommended gap of 10-15 yards.

8. Price

The price of golf irons varies with the model and manufacturer. As you look for the most comfortable iron for your level of skill, consider the cost as well. Compare different irons from different manufacturers. You can perform a price comparison online if you do not have time to visit several shops. Manufacturers offer different prices for the same type of the club. The comparison helps you get the lowest price for your ideal iron. However, if you are interested in perfecting your skills in the game, be willing to spend as much as you can to get the best golf irons. Having the right equipment is the first step to becoming a professional or advanced golf player. Save up for several months if you must for the right equipment.

9. The Club Feel

As you get more into the game, you will realize that golfing relies more on feel than dimensions. You can get a golfing iron with all the right dimensions, but it needs to feel right or comfortable in your hands. The key here is to test as many clubs as you can. The look and feel of the ideal club should be comfortable to your senses. Using touch may be tough at the beginning, but as you test several irons on the ground, you will find what works for you. Remember that golfing is progressive. You cannot use the same club for all skill levels. You need to invest in new clubs as you graduate from one level to another. Bear in mind that the material of shaft and clubhead influences your shots. While every experienced golfer may recommend a durable steel club, do not shy away from a graphite club if it feels comfortable.

Conclusion

Having the right equipment is important if you want to perfect your shots on the golf course. You can improve the trajectory and speed of your shots by picking the right set of clubs. Choosing the right golfing iron is a challenge if you are a new player. However, manufacturers have different models for each level of skill. Pick the right club for your level of play. As you develop your skill, it will be easier to pick the ideal club by just feeling it. Sometimes, manufacturers will consider your physique and skill and recommend the ideal dimensions for your golf club. However, do not rely on dimensions alone because the experience may be different in the field. The club should be comfortable for your type of swing. The bottom line is that the right club should match your level of skill and feel right to your senses.