Driving irons, what are your experiences good and bad

[Everardo]

I’m a huge fan but also cause I like long irons. I play most of my rounds in Phoenix/Scottsdale but also worldwide. Took a while to find a driving iron I really liked and landed on the Srixon ZX and Ping iCrossover,  both did well in MyGolfSpy reviews

https://mygolfspy.com/buyers-guides/irons/2022-most-wanted-utility-iron/

 

https://mygolfspy.com/buyers-guides/driving-irons/best-driving-irons-2023/

 

 

[KC Golf]

The DI is in my bag depending on the conditions and the course.  I find if it’s windy and the course has rolling fairways, a DI on par 5s can be very handy.  Also if it’s windy my DI flies lower so it can be more effective than my hybrid.  I do think my DI is a little hard to hit from the rough than a hybrid.  So there are plus and minuses.  I just bought a Ping I-crossover 425 2 iron and it seems to look better for my eye than my U510.

[Shifty]

I have a 2i I switch in and out of my bag for certain courses.  Otherwise I use a 5 wood.  They both carry around 235-240, with the 5 wood being much higher.

If I'm playing a windy day or a tight course, I'll bring out the 2i.  I've shot one of my best rounds ever outside in the wind with my 2i.

That being said on my home course there are 2 shortcuts over the trees on different holes, and the 2i just isn't high enough for those shots.  So I normally keep the 5 wood in my bag as a default. 

I switch between those, as well as my 3 wood or my 62 degree, depending on the course.

[Micah T]

I’ve had both the Titleist u-500 3 iron and a U-505 2 iron: both were great weapons off the tee, but lost their spots to my Aerojet 5 wood. It’s just so much more versatile: hitting 2 iron off the deck is a 60-40 proposition for me at best, so adding a 5 wood that launches higher, lands softer and is easier to hit was the right choice for me.

[Donn lost in San Diego]

Like Vandyland, I have a Mizuno.  2018 model, 3, 18 deg I think, the MP MMC, on Recoil F3 (reg flex).  And flat face, not bulge & roll.  So I give up the so-called workability, in favor of straighter shot.  I don't draw or fade anything in my bag.  I bot it because 2 holes where I played were ideal holes for it, a long narrow par 3 and a narrow par 4 under an archway of trees and a fairway that rolls into the swamp too quickly.  It is not the easiest club, for sure, but I now play on a different course with a lot of scrub and trees, so I use it a lot as my rescue.  I can get 150 or more yards straight as an arrow even when under the trees and can't hit a regular club. This one is not forged.  I also have an older 24 deg Mizuno Fli-Hi that IS forged, even tho it looks like a typical hollow body SGI.  I don't use it a lot now that I added the newer one but I used it a lot when I bot it for $10 in 2016.  $10 for a Mizuno DI!  I use the newer one a lot on the driving range to work on my technique since it is impossible to put any wear on the grooves.  Bottom line:  if u can, hit a few different ones and then buy it.  I got my new one on a big demo day festival with all the big brands on a driving range.  

[ChiefMikeOfficer]

On 2/5/2024 at 12:16 PM, higherplane said:

Recently played golf in Arizona.  Courses had high tee shots off hills to fairways below, with seemingly thin landing areas.  Being the traveler and playing with good golfing locals, was only one without a driving iron.   I tried hitting 3 wood and driver but shots were towering and lucky to his fairway, also tried hybrid but again towering although slightly better controlled.   Driving iron looked to limit dispersion and had lower trajectory.  Thoughts?            

Based on your profile, you're a 4 with 110+ swing speed? I'm making some assumptions based on those stats, but if that's accurate, find a place that can demo the Titleist T200 Utility build. They are more like a regular iron, but with some heat. Try either a 2 or 3 iron for "driving" -- I have both a 3 and 4 in that model, alongside a U505 1-iron (all the 2021 models though), and if I went back and did it again, I'd get the T200 2-iron over the U505 1-iron (nothing against the U505, just like the T200 better and use the 3i off the tee more than the 1i -- might actually make that swap this year ). 

That's not a recommendation to buy, because they definitely aren't for everyone -- but based on my experience with these, if you like a slightly smaller profile on the driving iron and are a solid striker (again, assumed from 4 / 110+), I'd recommend trying these before pulling the trigger on something else. I've also had a Srixon 2i, which was solid and fairly easy to hit (and bigger too), but fell well short of the Titleist models (T200 3i flies like 20y further than the Srixon 2i that I had). I've also hit a friend's PXG 1i quite a few times -- wouldn't recommend it. 

[Julius]

I could never hit it enough to justify it in my bag.  Now that I am older and my swing speed is less I don't even think about it, I prefer the "safety" of my driver.  That said, I have to say I have played with guys with that and they crush it. 

[Dweed]

On 2/8/2024 at 9:18 AM, Marlin Dave said:

So when it comes to driving irons I had a love/hate relationship with mostly hate coming to mind. I had tried the Srixons and Titleists and just didn't like the

@Marlin Dave, first off, welcome to the forums. Thanks for your input. You mention your location as Michigan- Florida Keys. So are those Florida Keys on the Lake Michigan or Lake Huron side?

[MattWillGolf]

I tried the New Level Golf NLU-01 but was very inconsistent with it. I then went with a Ping G410 Crossover. It has become THE most reliable club in my bag. The shots fly straight and I can get a nice draw from time to time. 

[Peejer]

I kind of made my own driving iron.  I switched to Taylormade P790's last year and even though it came with a 4-iron, I wasn't using it.

Instead, I took the 4-iron from my Taylormade M6 irons, replaced the shaft and added an additional 2" to it and use it off the tee on short par 4's, or if I really need a straight shot.  The result is something I hit about 230 yards (off a tee). 

I know what you're thinking, my lie angle is all messed up now - and it probably is.  But, since I hit it so well - I don't want to mess with a good thing.  M6's being cast irons, I don't want to risk bending it too much and cracking the clubhead.  I've thought about doing the same thing to the P790 4-iron to match the rest of the set, but the M6 is so forgiving, I'm going to keep it in the bag!

-- Peejer

[Guest-0]

2 hours ago, Dweed said:

@Marlin Dave, first off, welcome to the forums. Thanks for your input. You mention your location as Michigan- Florida Keys. So are those Florida Keys on the Lake Michigan or Lake Huron side?

Actually they are on both sides

[chris_]

On 2/16/2024 at 7:21 PM, Peejer said:

I kind of made my own driving iron.  I switched to Taylormade P790's last year and even though it came with a 4-iron, I wasn't using it.

Instead, I took the 4-iron from my Taylormade M6 irons, replaced the shaft and added an additional 2" to it and use it off the tee on short par 4's, or if I really need a straight shot.  The result is something I hit about 230 yards (off a tee). 

I know what you're thinking, my lie angle is all messed up now - and it probably is.  But, since I hit it so well - I don't want to mess with a good thing.  M6's being cast irons, I don't want to risk bending it too much and cracking the clubhead.  I've thought about doing the same thing to the P790 4-iron to match the rest of the set, but the M6 is so forgiving, I'm going to keep it in the bag!

-- Peejer

I'm curious why the extra length and how you feel it impacts your ability to hit and distance. 

[Peejer]

9 hours ago, chris_ said:

I'm curious why the extra length and how you feel it impacts your ability to hit and distance. 

So the truth of the extra 2" is .... it was a mistake.  When I looked at the 4 iron length on-line, it was 39".  So...I went to golfworks.com and ordered the shaft cut to 39".

When I epoxied it all up and installed a brand new grip.  I put it in my bag and I realized it was much longer than my 5-iron.  I double-checked my 4-iron specs and realized - you dummy, the entire club is 39", not the shaft!  Doh!!! Rookie mistake.

I didn't want to ruin a new grip, so since I have a simulator I thought I'd just try it to see how it hits.  I hit the ball 230+ off a tee - the rest is history.  I love this club, I call it "Magic", haha.  Now even my friends call it "Magic".  So like many inventions in life, this was an accident/mistake, but it's worked out to 'magic' for me!

[Bang60]

Back in the early 80's in Sydney I started playing regularly and had a slice except with a Brosnan Driving iron, didn't hit driver for 5years then had lessons and slowly improved but when I was looking for a good score for competition I played that Driving iron

[Hovland]

Interesting topic!

What clubhead speed do you guys think is required in order to hit a UDI well? 

I had a Titleist T-MB 2 iron in the past, but was not able to hit it well. Back then my CHS with driver was around 98. Now my CHS with driver is a little under 110.

I have an inside-out path and really struggle to hit my hybrid anywhere near straight. At best its a draw, but most often a hook.

I've been considering to give a UDI (or similar) a new chance with the improved speed.

[chris_]

1 hour ago, Hovland said:

Interesting topic!

What clubhead speed do you guys think is required in order to hit a UDI well? 

I had a Titleist T-MB 2 iron in the past, but was not able to hit it well. Back then my CHS with driver was around 98. Now my CHS with driver is a little under 110.

I have an inside-out path and really struggle to hit my hybrid anywhere near straight. At best its a draw, but most often a hook.

I've been considering to give a UDI (or similar) a new chance with the improved speed.

Not really about speed but that speed is fine for it. 

[Guest-0]

3 hours ago, Hovland said:

Interesting topic!

What clubhead speed do you guys think is required in order to hit a UDI well? 

I had a Titleist T-MB 2 iron in the past, but was not able to hit it well. Back then my CHS with driver was around 98. Now my CHS with driver is a little under 110.

I have an inside-out path and really struggle to hit my hybrid anywhere near straight. At best its a draw, but most often a hook.

I've been considering to give a UDI (or similar) a new chance with the improved speed.

 

1 hour ago, chris_ said:

Not really about speed but that speed is fine for it. 

So for what it's worth I would try before you buy and do not hesitate to try one of the strong lofted super game improvement irons!! They are easy to hit and they come in varying degrees of loft down to like 17 or 18° I have one in a "4 iron" that is 19° and super easy to hit. I get the same result but cheaper and a whole lot more forgiving. Just a thought

[Guest-0]

9 hours ago, Hovland said:

Interesting topic!

What clubhead speed do you guys think is required in order to hit a UDI well? 

I had a Titleist T-MB 2 iron in the past, but was not able to hit it well. Back then my CHS with driver was around 98. Now my CHS with driver is a little under 110.

I have an inside-out path and really struggle to hit my hybrid anywhere near straight. At best its a draw, but most often a hook.

I've been considering to give a UDI (or similar) a new chance with the improved speed.

Funny I mentioned trying a game improvement iron as a "driving iron" got home today to this on my Google feed. Seems ole Will the thrill also subscribes to that theory. The SGI Irons are there and you can get one customized to you for less than 200 bucks

[Hovland]

21 hours ago, Marlin Dave said:

 

So for what it's worth I would try before you buy and do not hesitate to try one of the strong lofted super game improvement irons!! They are easy to hit and they come in varying degrees of loft down to like 17 or 18° I have one in a "4 iron" that is 19° and super easy to hit. I get the same result but cheaper and a whole lot more forgiving. Just a thought

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely try before I buy and will give game improvement irons a shot too

[Guest-0]

4 hours ago, Hovland said:

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely try before I buy and will give game improvement irons a shot too

It was cool to see Will Zalatoris also using the same idea!!