Iron
Iron is the English word for the German "Eisen" and denotes the group of clubs with flat metal heads and numbered lofts.
The irons form the backbone of your bag and carry numbers from 1 to 9. The higher the number, the more loft the club has and the higher and shorter the ball flies. One distinguishes long irons (1 to 4), mid irons (5 to 7) and short irons (8 and 9); after them come the wedges. Among the designs there are two camps: cavity back irons with a hollowed back are forgiving and right for most players, while massive blades give precise feedback but demand clean striking. In German usage one almost always says "Eisen"; iron appears above all in product names and international descriptions.
On the course the irons are your tool for approaches and long shots from the fairway. An example: you stand 140 metres in front of the green, the wind comes slightly from the left. With the 7 iron, whose distance you know from practice, you aim for the middle of the green instead of the flag. This club selection by distance instead of by feel is the core of iron play. Whoever knows their true flight distances per club plays more calmly at once.
A typical misconception is the distance illusion. Many amateurs believe they hit their 7 iron as far as the professionals on television and then regularly stand in the rough in front of the green. Measure your distances honestly once on the range or with a launch monitor. Second mistake: wanting to play long irons at any price. For most golfers, a hybrid instead of the 3 and 4 irons is the considerably easier solution.
FAQ
How do I find out which iron I need for which distance?
Measure your true flight distances per club honestly once on the range or with a launch monitor — do not guess and do not orient yourself by professional distances. Whoever knows their distances selects on the course by metres instead of by feel and aims for the middle of the green instead of the flag. That is the core of iron play.
Should I as an amateur play the long 3 and 4 irons?
For most golfers, a hybrid is the considerably easier solution. Long irons have little loft and demand clean striking at high tempo — whoever regularly lands in the rough with them is wasting strokes. Check honestly whether you really strike the long irons consistently, otherwise out of the bag.
What is the difference between cavity back and blade?
Cavity back irons have a hollowed back and are forgiving — for most players the right choice. Blades are massive heads that give precise feedback but demand clean striking. If you are unsure, go for the cavity back; blades are something for very consistent ball strikers.