4 iron replacement - Thoughts?

[JTexGolfer 1,042]

I currently carry a 3 hybrid, and have toyed with the idea of a utility iron in place of my standard 4 iron. Thinking along the lines of standard 5 iron, iron like 4 hybrid/utility, standard 3 hybrid.

 

What have you guys that replaced your 4 iron replaced it with? Hybrid or Utility iron, and what did you use? Like or dislike? I am thinking about either a Srixon ZU65, Ping Crossover, or Cobra Utility iron, all would be graphite shaft.

[Canucklehead 1,634]

Personally I rope hook my hybrid more than I'd like to admit, so I got the Cobra Utility iron near the end of the season.

 

Only got 27 holes in with it, but man was it straight. Don't think I'll be going back to hybrids after hitting this. Have it set half a degree stronger than the hybrid, but both go about the same.

 

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[Mr_Theoo 3,371]

I prefer irons over hybrids because I just could never get them to work well enough. I use a more forgiving model for my long iron. I plan to get driving irons next season

[hckymeyer 6,682]

I did the 4i replace a few years back and went with a 22 degree hybrid.  It's been a great switch for me overall, ball flight is high and lands soft.  No issues trying to hold a green and it's much more consistent distance wise than my 4i was.  My big miss with the hybrid vs the 4i is they hook though.  Every once in a while it'll get a little snappy.

[Peaksy68 5,106]

I replaced my 4 iron with a 22 hybrid years ago. It took me a while to get used to it, but it's been a very worthwhile change. If you hit your 3 hybrid well its probably a no brainer.

 

I've tried to find a hybrid to replace my 5 iron, unsuccessfully to this point. For me, finding a shaft that works has been a problem.

[Golfspy_CG2 34,080]

I picked up a 816 H1 in 23 degrees two seasons ago. It is by far the easiest hybrid I have ever hit.

 

I know that may be closer to a 5 iron loft. But it can be adjusted down.

 

 

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[Kkaw1988 217]

I've had hybrids and irons in play over the last few years. Lately I've moved back to my irons as the hybrids have been a little hit or miss. Hoping to pick up a utility Iron this year for the 3H/3I spot and maybe swap out my 4I shaft to graphite for a bit more height(potentially). I think it all comes down to what you want out of that club. And then testing to see what works.

 

 

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[JTexGolfer 1,042]

I did the 4i replace a few years back and went with a 22 degree hybrid.  It's been a great switch for me overall, ball flight is high and lands soft.  No issues trying to hold a green and it's much more consistent distance wise than my 4i was.  My big miss with the hybrid vs the 4i is they hook though.  Every once in a while it'll get a little snappy.

I've been experimenting with some lead tape on my G30 hybrid for that very reason. Its one of the main reasons that I am thinking about utility irons for a 4 iron replacement.

[JTexGolfer 1,042]

I picked up a 816 H1 in 23 degrees two seasons ago. It is by far the easiest hybrid I have ever hit.

 

I know that may be closer to a 5 iron loft. But it can be adjusted down.

 

 

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That's one of the complications that I need to address beacuse my 5 iron and 4 iron are both about a club strong right now, but it makes the gapping work out right at the moment. I want to get on Trackman with the full bag and get all of my carry numbers to see if I have my gapping right.

 

The ZU65 "4 iron" is the same loft as my 565 5 iron, but not sure how much difference the longer and lighter graphite shaft would make on distance, and I feel like the 20 degree would be a right around the exact distance as my 19 degree 3 hybrid.

[JTexGolfer 1,042]

I've had hybrids and irons in play over the last few years. Lately I've moved back to my irons as the hybrids have been a little hit or miss. Hoping to pick up a utility Iron this year for the 3H/3I spot and maybe swap out my 4I shaft to graphite for a bit more height(potentially). I think it all comes down to what you want out of that club. And then testing to see what works.

 

 

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When I am having a good day with a hybrid its a life saver, but man I can hit some ugly shots with them sometimes.

[cnosil 26,495]

Took me a while to find a hybrid that I didn't hook like crazy,  but once I found one I replaced my 3i and 4i.   I went with the Titleist 915h1 and and 816h1

[PMookie 17,650]

I just added the MP-18 driving iron to the bag to see about switching it for my 3 iron and, so far, I really like it. I only use my long irons/hybrids off the tee, or on a long par 5, and my current X2 Hot Pro hybrid is one of my most consistent clubs, although it's LONG. The MP-18 is showing carry of 10 yards more than my current set 3 iron, and I really like the look of a driving iron over a hybrid. As someone mentioned above, the right shaft is crucial! One just can't buy a hybrid off the rack...

 

 

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[JTexGolfer 1,042]

I just added the MP-18 driving iron to the bag to see about switching it for my 3 iron and, so far, I really like it. I only use my long irons/hybrids off the tee, or on a long par 5, and my current X2 Hot Pro hybrid is one of my most consistent clubs, although it's LONG. The MP-18 is showing carry of 10 yards more than my current set 3 iron, and I really like the look of a driving iron over a hybrid. As someone mentioned above, the right shaft is crucial! One just can't buy a hybrid off the rack...

 

 

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Interesting! What shaft do you have in your MP-18 versus your iron set? Loft and length difference in the two clubs?

[PMookie 17,650]

Interesting! What shaft do you have in your MP-18 versus your iron set? Loft and length difference in the two clubs?

Honestly, I'm not sure of the loft difference... My 3 iron is 20*... I have C-Taper Lite Stiff in the MP-18, and KBS Tour V Stiff, hard stepped, in my gamers. Not sure of length either...

 

 

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[josmi15 1,761]

I replaced my 4iron with a 22 degree hybrid. I haven't looked back! The thing was before I went hybrids, I never had a problem with my 4. About 5 years ago I tried hybrids for the first time. I went back to 4I late in 16, and struggled mightily.

 

 

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[Popeye64 662]

I replaced mine with a Matby an HDI iron. Unfortunately they are being discontinued as they were not a big seller which is a true shame. It's a hybrid for guys who hate hybrids. So easy to hit, forgiving while maintaining a solid amount of precision.

 

I personally hook hybrids like it's my job but this more iron style plays straight as could be. Ping makes something similar.

 

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[Jmikecpa 13,755]

I play an old 712u in 20* and then the rest of my set is Titleist TMBs. I will say the TMB long irons are really easy to elevate and surprisingly forgiving.

 

 

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[MattF 15,035]

I replaced mine with a Matby an HDI iron. Unfortunately they are being discontinued as they were not a big seller which is a true shame. It's a hybrid for guys who hate hybrids. So easy to hit, forgiving while maintaining a solid amount of precision.

 

I personally hook hybrids like it's my job but this more iron style plays straight as could be. Ping makes something similar. ma0238.jpg

 

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I've got the same 3, 4 and 5 in my bag. It is a shame they're being discontinued because I really like mine.

[JTexGolfer 1,042]

Yeah I looked at the website and they only have the 5 iron of these left.

[yungkory 11,243]

Not a 4i, but I replaced the 3i in my bag with an MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi as a recommendation from my fitter. I tried hybrids, but I haven't found one that I can keep from going left. @jlukes reached out to Mizuno on Twitter and they recommended the same shaft he games in his irons, and my fitter did as well. Waiting for the Fli-Hi to arrive, but the demo I hit in the stock c-taper was much more consistent than my 900 Tour 3i. Doesn't really go "hi" but the distance is where I need it.