Driving irons

[Jaydenw21]

Hi everyone, been curious and been looking around for a 2 driving iron lately not sure on any specific one yet wondering if anyone can give me some help or reviews with there driving irons and help me make a decision.

thanks 

[cnosil]

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

The 2024 test should be starting in a few months.

[flaherty24]

I play the ping i crossover in a 3 iron as a hybrid replacement/driving iron on short or narrow par 4s and I absolutely love it. Gets the ball up in the air easily like a hybrid would but has way better feel and workability. Plus it’s decently forgiving on off-center strikes.

[KevB_44]

I second the ping iCrossover suggestion.  I am awful with a hybrid and can't explain it.  I similarly use my iCrossover off the tee when conditions dictate that move---narrow or need to navigate a hazard, etc.  I also have zero issue off of the turf although I rarely run into a need for it other than managing a par 5 second shot possibly.   The other nice thing is that it is adjustable and I have lofted mine down.   I know you were looking for a 2 iron, but not sure what you were looking for loft-wise.   I still get good launch and high ball flight even though I think I am at 17 degrees.   I really wanted a low laser like stinger and I guess I get more height than I anticipated.  I have considered an alternative shaft, but I guess I'm a bit hesitant to change it.   I have a UST V2 ProForce that would work (and maybe flatten it out) if I changed out the tip.  

[RetiredBoomer]

I use a driving iron on tight driving holes, but I'd never even think of pulling it out anyplace other than the tee.  Maybe on a perfect uphill lie against a strong wind, but even then, I don't recall having done it.

Five iron is as much iron as I like to hit off the deck.  Even though I have the tee pretty much pushed in all the way for the driving iron, it's at least teed up the thickness of the tee's cup or a tiny bit more.  I prefer picking up a broken tee from the ground for any irons, even a shorter one on a par 3.

[Lacesr4suckers]

I have a srixon zu85 2 iron that has been in the bag longer than any other club. It’s 230-240 off the tee and straight all the time. I swap it for a hybrid on some courses though bc it’s a one trick pony for me I’d never hit it off fairway 

[AverageSizedDog]

Rumor is the icrossover is the better of the bunch, from experience I have a Taylormade burner 3 iron that was released in '96 and it is by far my favorite club in the bag. 

[RetiredBoomer]

I've played something that I used as a driving iron going back to my 1970s Spalding Executives.

Those clubs, pretty much made for the old Top Flite ball, were weaker lofted than most, probably all, of today's irons.

I used the 20° 2-iron as my driving iron,
left the 23° 3-iron out of my bag,
and the 26º 4-iron was  the strongest iron that I'd hit from the fairway.
(The irons went in 4° increments after that.)
I was OK with lofted fairway woods.

With my Titleist DCI 962s, I used a cosmetically matching but larger faced DCI O/S  2-iron as a driving iron.  

Eventually, I bought a Mizuno Fli Hi II "bespoke or dedicated or actual"  driving iron with Exsar shaft.   That was a good club.

Now I uses a U-505 with shaft and grip that match my irons and wedges.  The Recoil 95 isn't the stock graphite shaft but it was a no extra cost option available to match on driving iron, irons, and wedges.

I never spring for premium shafts.  I'm not that good to notice benefit.

For me, the driver is the easiest club with which to hit an on-purpose hook or slice.  I'm not talking about a controlled draw or fade.  Those are hard.
I'm talking a big banana to get around a dogleg.  I can do that.

The driver, however, being the strongest lofted non-putter club
(13.5° in my case but usually stronger for most)
LOVES to impart sidespin whether one wants it or not.  For that reason, I need to see wide open spaces before I try to hit a straight driver shot.

That's why I've always had a long iron "safety driver."
I don't ever remember hitting driver off fourteen tees like I see some players do.

I played six holes yesterday and nine early this morning.
Rehab is over.  I'm ready to come off the DL and play a full round tomorrow or Friday.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 22 by RetiredBoomer

[JC24]

I just recently started using a Callaway X Forged 18 degree.  So far, its been pretty easy to hit.  Still learning with it and getting use to it, but I highly recommend it.

[Wolfstrum]

I added the Sub70 699 ProV2 3i driving iron to my bag this past month. It was a savior for me on my last round when I couldn’t hit my driver for the life of me. I use it off the tee and off the deck. 
 

I really like the feel and pop I get with a flush hit. The ball really takes off.  On miss hits it is very forgiving.   I went with the KBS Max 80 steel shaft that matches up well with the Score LT steel shafts on my iron set. 

[brogies]

I have a Ping iCrossover 4i and enjoy it!

[AdamC86]

On 5/3/2024 at 3:50 PM, KevB_44 said:

I second the ping iCrossover suggestion.  I am awful with a hybrid and can't explain it.  I similarly use my iCrossover off the tee when conditions dictate that move---narrow or need to navigate a hazard, etc.  I also have zero issue off of the turf although I rarely run into a need for it other than managing a par 5 second shot possibly.   The other nice thing is that it is adjustable and I have lofted mine down.   I know you were looking for a 2 iron, but not sure what you were looking for loft-wise.   I still get good launch and high ball flight even though I think I am at 17 degrees.   I really wanted a low laser like stinger and I guess I get more height than I anticipated.  I have considered an alternative shaft, but I guess I'm a bit hesitant to change it.   I have a UST V2 ProForce that would work (and maybe flatten it out) if I changed out the tip.  

I came here to say essentially the same thing. I have the 4i and use it as a driving iron/decent fairway lies. I cannot believe how forgiving it is on left/right dispersion. My miss hits may lose 20 yards but they’re still down the middle. My only complaint is the same as you-I was looking for a bit more piercing ball flight and it definitely has a bit more height than anticipated.

[Gunn404]

I just purchased my first driving iron (Mizuno Pro 24 FliHi 3), and I wasn't fitted I just bought it based on others experiences.  I used to use a hybrid (Cobra KingTec 3) but it was mainly used off of the tee box and rarely off of the turf.

I'm more accurate with the Driving Iron and have less chances of having to find my ball in the woods.  Like the previous post states, missed shots just mainly lose distance.  The hybrid was longer but not by much.

[chisag]

... I think this category of club is all about compromises. I find driving irons more accurate than hybrids. But hybrids are much more versatile. I have recently committed to a G430 22* hybrid instead of my driving irons and so far I am happy with the change. In the past I always tried a hybrid but after a poor tee shot or a draw that was more of a hook, I put my DI back in the bag. I realized my hybrid misses were from over swinging, something I didn't do with my DI's so that has been a game changer for me. 

... I would still be more comfortable hitting a DI off the tee if I have to hit a tight fairway so that is a consideration for someone just using their DI for driving (duh) but if light rough, bad lies or softer fairway bunkers are in play, a hybrid is a much better choice. That said, I know more than a few just struggle with a hybrid so DI's like the Taylor Made DHy as opposed to their UDi can be a nice compromise as well. 

Edited July 11 by chisag