Equipment
Forum Thread of the Day: “Best Distance Irons for Seniors?”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from disco111, who asks fellow GolfWRX members for their opinion on what are the best distance irons for seniors. Plenty of different clubs get a mention, and some of our older members also offer their advice on how to solve the issue of decreasing length.
Here are few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- jjfcpa: “I’m 71 and been looking for more distance since I started playing just three years ago. Took a few lessons last year from Golftec just to make sure I had the fundamentals down and was not grooving a bad swing. I have pretty good luck with the short irons, but the long irons are a real problem for me. I’ve tried many irons and brands and just recently acquired a set of Z585’s from Srixon with lofts jacked 2 degrees and UST Recoil senior flex shafts. I’m finally seeing distances that I’ve expected from my mid irons and long irons.”
- Cslade: “Rogue X are very strong lofts, but they also have a very low and deep CG. They should launch at about the same angle as more conventional lofts, spin a little less and go really far.”
- farmer: “At 68, I play hybrids through the 7 iron. Easy to hit, easy to get into the air, distance is as good as any iron I’ve hit in my senior years. Easily 150 with the 6, easily 140 with the 7, good decision for me.”
- wmblake2000: “I’m 66 and this getting older is a real thing. But I also notice I still have days and swings where I still hit it like I think I should. It just takes a better swing than it used to.”
In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.
They wrote:
“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”
Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
- scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
- phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”
Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.
@TightFade asked:
“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
- JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
- ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
- ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”
Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
- Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black TX 80 g
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana WB Wood Shaft 83 TX
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB Wood Shaft 83 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), Bridgestone Tour B 220 MB (4-9)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (46, 52, 56, 60)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Tour
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z Grip Cord
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X Mindset
Check out more in-hand photos of Chris Gotterup’s clubs here.
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Methusalem
Jan 14, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Sorry but this makes no sense. What does that even mean „Distance irons for seniors“? Distance irons need a certain amount of clubhead speed so the proper question would be „Are there any distance irons for people with a low clubhead speed?“ And there is only one answer to this: If you can‘t generate enough clubhead speed for your distance iron, replace it with a hybrid. Why is this the forum thread of the day? Its a stupid question.
budT
Jan 14, 2019 at 10:58 am
Don’t mess with Senior Golfers. We’re the ones who have the time and the money to play golf.
Tom
Jan 10, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Senior golfers are more concerned about peeing every other hole than distance of their iron shots.
Brad
Jan 9, 2019 at 6:36 pm
The irons that the majority of seniors should be playing with are the Cleveland Launcher HB irons, or similar from Tour Edge or even the older Cleveland Altitude hybrid irons.
Most of the “distance” irons on the market have lofts that are far too strong for the swing speeds of most senior golfers. Because of D-plane, stronger lofts are also harder to hit compared to clubs with more loft, no matter how low or deep the CG.
Golfers need to get off of the ego train and stop drinking the kool-aid from the marketing machines of these golf companies, so they can actually play better golf and save a few dollars.
Johnny Penso
Dec 26, 2018 at 4:17 pm
The best distance irons for seniors are called hybrids.
/end thread
MARK
Aug 14, 2019 at 5:41 pm
WHICH HYBRIDS DO YOU RECOMMEND.
abe
Dec 26, 2018 at 1:18 pm
If your core is compromised with a loose weak enlarged belly and no x-factor between your hips and shoulders, you will never be able to generate enough kinetic energy to power up your kinetic chain. You are terminal.
geohogan
Dec 27, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Power in the golf swing comes from the turning of the torso. Clubhead speed from LAG.
So called X factor is simply an illusion created by proper use of the scapula(loosest joint in the body)
Jamie
Dec 26, 2018 at 11:28 am
Lofts being equal, it’s the shaft that will help seniors hit it further in a meaningful way and not the head.
smz
Dec 26, 2018 at 2:18 pm
Nothing will help seniors hit it further… it’s ‘old age despair’ creeping into the rest of their life on the golf course. Pathetic.
JAMES BERRY
Dec 27, 2018 at 8:28 am
Just remember, getting old is a pleasure denied to many. I hope you get the pleasure.
geohogan
Dec 27, 2018 at 12:08 pm
A truth for every golfer, the day will come when we will have hit our last golf ball.
True at any age, we know not when that shot is our last.
dixiedoc
Dec 28, 2018 at 11:40 am
Really, the slow play at our club is the 25 to 45 y/o who think that the pro tour is only a step away. Excessive times deciding which iron to hit, excessive times on the greens and you stroll along like you’ve got all the time in the world. The old guys play in about 3hrs and 40 minutes or less. We’ve timed the members so don’t say I’m making it up. You will be old one day too so learn to keep pace.
Jim K
Dec 28, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Really? Then why are our two foursomes of old men in their 60s and 70s always waiting for the young guys ahead of us to get out of our way so we can finish in less than four hours and get to the bar for a few beers? By the way, most of us usually score between 75 and 85….how about you?
Vic
Dec 29, 2018 at 11:08 am
LOL well said.
joro
Dec 28, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Abe, just remember this, you will get old also, at least I hope you do not leave us early. When you do just remember this shitty remark you made when you are wobbling around the green and trying to crawl out of a trap. It affects everyone that makes old age, but I hope your not hinting that we should just go away.
Drbopperthp
Dec 28, 2018 at 12:46 pm
GFY
Howard
Dec 28, 2018 at 2:38 pm
The cultured and educated reply from a moron. No/fewer seniors = fewer players = higher costs.
If you are lucky you will live long enough to reach our “old age”.
Robert Dicks
Dec 29, 2018 at 9:48 am
SMZ, if you worded your comment more cleverly, it might be taken tongue-in-cheek or as satire. But nope, it’s just mean. And the #1 reason for slow play is jerks of all ages playing from the wrong tee, not seniors on the course. And for distance as seniors, nothing beats a hybrid, as others have mentioned.