Optimal 2 iron numbers

Tyler17 · March 23, 2021

Hello everyone, I am looking to fill a gap in the upper end of my bag and looking for optimal numbers for a 2 iron (17-18 degree).

They have been hard to come by in terms of demos but attached is my ballpark numbers with the sim udi. Launch to low? Spin to high?

projector was a little off, sorry about the tough numbers to read.

jaskanski · March 24, 2021

If we could see your swingspeed and peak height/decent angle, it might give a better picture of exactly how 'optimal' those numbers are. If you're not looking to hit it any further, (or dare we say a specific yardage) then the numbers cease to be optimal - here's why:

'Optimal' launch metrics are for one purpose only - to hit the greatest possible distance with a given swing speed and loft. That's it. If you're looking to hit a specific yardage, or control the ball flight, then 'optimal' is not going to win that battle. 'Talent' does - or the abitly to finesse the shot to make the yardage you want regardless of ground conditions and weather conditions. The longer the club, the harder it becomes to hit a 'specific' yardage with any level of accuracy.

For what its worth (being a long time user of a 2-iron myself) I don't really think there is much more to add. If I were hitting low bullets at 252yards, I'd take that all day long if you play a windy links. The main factor is - where does it fill a perceived 'gap'?

The modern 2-iron (especially in the sub-18 degree range) isn't really reknowned a reliable go-to club for a specific yardage, so exactly what 'gap' it fills is open to opinion. From various lies and longer grass, there are better options out there to achieve the same result. Off the tee and better (ie perfect) lies, it can be a reliable fairway finder and wind beater, but if you're looking to hit a repeatable yardage +/- 10 yards or so from anywhere where a 250 yard shot is required, then you either need to be a pro-level ball striker or you need to have a reality check with it's place in your bag.

Long story short, the launch and spin figures are pretty much irrelevant if the ball flight fits the desired result. It's certainly good to hit your given distance off the tee, but don't expect to hit and hold any green with those spin and launch numbers. As a viable option for a low shot on a tight fairway where the resulting approach shot isn't compromised - it makes sense (as was the case with my 2-iron use on specific courses). Anywhere else - I guess you could always putt with it.

My 2 cents.