The 300 year old golfer Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 I am 72 years of age. Over the years I have lost distance. The gap between my irons got narrower so that the longer irons all basically all went about the same distance. it became increasingly hard to get the longer irons up in the air. I decided that I would increase the gap in the lofts from 4° to 5°. Now my irons are 60°, 55°, 50°, 45° pitching wedge, 40° 9 iron, 35° 8 iron, 30° 7 iron, and 24° 6 iron. That makes the six iron almost a 4 iron in loft but because of the technology it still goes high. I then go to a four hybrid, seven, five, three wood and driver. The gap between the six iron at 26° and the four hybrid at 24° is just right as the hybrid is longer. Shrek74 and a802313 2 Quote I hate Golf and Golf hates me. I keep playing for the feeling of the well struck shot that actually does what I want it to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julius Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 I am 59 and walk the course 90% of the time. 5 is the lowest iron in my bag, and I generally only use it for 2 situations. 1 - the most common being when I am in a place such as under a branch or other obstacle that where I need to keep it low and I use it to punch out and get some decent distance (and I can control it). 2 - if I am in longer rough and I need to get it out and need some distance also (as the woods/hybrids are more difficult in that grass). I have a 3,5, and 7 wood in my bag and a 4 hybrid that is rarely used. I could leave the 5 out of the bag and just use the 6 as well I guess. Years ago I left behind the lower irons of 3 and 4 as I found them too hard to hit and not having much differential for distance, and then for me woods are much easier to hit. Hybrids I am hit or miss with, sometime i can hit it well but I am much more consistent with the woods. Shrek74 1 Quote 425's- 5i to PW, UW G400 Driver, G425 3W, G425 7W, G425 3H 56 degree Hi-Toe wedge Glide 60 degree Evnroll ER3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pots Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 51 here....5-iron is the lowest iron in my bag. Still have enough speed to hit it (106-108 w/ driver). It will be the first to likely go when that changes. I find it helpful to have in the bag for lower-trajectory shots like a punch out from the trees or in windy conditions. Also, it is the fairway finder for that tight + short par 4 or the dogleg that requires a placement shot... a802313 and Shrek74 2 Quote As of 4/20/24 Driver: Titleist TSr3 10.0 w/ Tensei AV Series Blue S Shaft Wood: PXG 3 wood 15* w/ HZRDUS Smoke Black Low Spin Shaft 2-Hybrid: PXG Gen5 0311 17* w/ EvenFlow Riptide Graphite Hybrid Shaft 3-Hybrid: Taylor Made Burner Superfast 2.0 18* w/ Stock S shaft Irons: PXG 0311P Series - 5-7 Iron; 0311T Series 8-W Wedge: PXG Sugar Daddy 0311 - 50,54,60 degree Putter: EVNRLL ER2 Black Balls: ProV1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MajorMike Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 Still have a 5 in the bag though it is the lowest iron, then a 7 wood. Shrek74 and William P 2 Quote Cobra F9 King Speedback driver Ping G410 3 wood and 3 hybrid Sub 70 949X 5 and 7 woods Sub 70 699 v2 Pro 5-GW Sub 70 JB 54 and 60 wedges Odyssey Ai One 7C White Hot putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
och27 Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 I've used my 5 iron more the last 2 weeks than I have in the past 2.5 years. Im kicking myself for not trying it more consistently before. I feel it was a confidence thing for me. Dr, 5w, 4hy, 5i-PW Shrek74 1 Quote WITB: Driver: Cobra Speedzone Extreme 5W: Callaway Big Bertha B21 4H: Callaway Rogue ST 5i-PW: Cobra Radspeed 52°: Vokey BV52 56°: Cleveland CBX2 Flat Stick: L.A.B Link 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhatz Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 Just turned 75. The last set I ordered was Mizuno JPX 221 Tour 6-PW. Haven't carried a 5-iron for some time. Replace a few years ago with PING hybrids 22* and 26*. All my long clubs are PING. Shrek74 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Kraemer Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 My 5 left my bag 10 years go. I am 74 years old and play to a 6.7 handicap. I am not a fan of hybrids, so I have added Cobra 4-5 wood as well a 6 and 7 wood. I never thought I would add 7 wood, but Father Time catches all of us. He is undefeated Shrek74, itsteetime and MajorMike 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman K Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 I don’t carry a 5 iron anymore. I carry 60°, 56°, 50°, 46° & pitching wedges, 9, 8, 7, & 6 irons. I carry a driver, 5 hybrid, 7 wood & change between a 4 hybrid or a 5 wood depending on the course I’m going to play. Shrek74 1 Quote Playing golf is very important to me. I enjoy the integrity of the game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GOLF GUY Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 On 5/10/2024 at 8:51 AM, Gbufer said: These are really solid distances and gaps! Not bad for a 63 year old William P 1 Quote Taylormade Stealth 2 10.5* Fujikura Ventus 5 S (tipped an inch) @ upright @9.75* Taylormade Stealth 2 HL 16.5* 3 wood Fujikura Ventus 6 S Taylormade Stealth 2 7 wood Fujikura Ventus 7 S Taylormade P7MC 5-PW Aerotech Steelfiber I 95 gm R Tileist SM09 54 & 60* wedges Ping Anser Bridgestone BXS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuyGolf Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 Stop sending me these emails. The friggin follow topic undo button isn't working ! Mr Lundt 1 Quote OldGuyGolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Lundt Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 10 hours ago, OldGuyGolf said: Stop sending me these emails. The friggin follow topic undo button isn't working ! You can check out anytime you like But you can never leave Lefty11 and Shrek74 2 Quote Callaway woods Talotlormade irons Vokey wedges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonry Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 I carry 3-pw Ping i3 OS. Not as strong lofted as current irons but nicely gapped for me. Shrek74 1 Quote Course Management is for the timid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCole Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 My 5 iron is one of my favorite clubs. Has been since I started playing Shrek74 and Wade L 2 Quote Ping v2 raptor driver ray cook sr900 putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne52 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 I'm 71 and took out my 5 iron 4 year ago and now choke way down on my 5 wood or use my 7wood if i need the height. I have been thinking of shopping around for a 4 wood or testing a senior shaft in my 3 wood. Callaway epic speed driver Mizuno 3 & 5 woods Callaway 7 wood Titleist AP2 6 thru GW Titleist Vokey SM8's 54 & 60 itsteetime, Shrek74 and TJ Hall 3 Quote Just a golfer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franc38 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 I haven't yet turned 50 (that's for next October), but I still carry a 5 iron... and a 4 iron, and hit them both relatively often. The 4 I often use off the tee for shorter par 4 to avoid the trouble of the green complex, to punch out of trouble, and for any approach that's 205 to 215 yards, the 5 iron I use for the obvious 200 yard approach and for playing knocked down shots into the wind. I must say I don't use the 5i as often as the 4i, but hey. I used to have, when I returned to the game 7 years ago, a 4 hybrid after my 5i, but I do control flight and direction a bit better with my irons so I've converted said hybrid into a 3 (21° of loft) and by closing the loft, that opened the face limiting a bit it's natural tendency to curve viciously to the left. Still, I don't use that often because it's a 225 yards club with a high trajectory and at that distance I'm typically laying up while I would prefer to tee off with either the 4i or the 4 wood... Still, from time to time it comes in handy and as I already only have 13 clubs in the bag, it stays! Shrek74, Wade L and TJ Hall 3 Quote Aim small... pray to miss small My bag: Ping hoofer lite. My driver: Nike Vapor Pro. 4w: Inesis 500. Hybrid: Nike Vapor Flex. Irons (4-PW): Takomo 301 combo on KBS tour X. Wedges: Vokey SM7 52° and 58°. Putter: Cleveland Classic HB1. Balls: Inesis Tour900 yellow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eltrain41 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 Reading the comments I do believe age is a factor with long irons unless you're a very low index of course. I'm 41 and still carry a 4 and a 5 iron. I feel mostly comfortable hitting them both off a fairway into a par 5 if the yardage works. I also hit them both quite a bit of the tee where it's very easy to hit them. My irons travel far so on a short Par 4 I often times will hit iron to keep the ball in play, and still be left with 9 iron or wedge in. The 4 and 5 iron can be useful too, when under trees to advance the ball down the fairway and try to save par. I even carry a 2 iron (driving iron) but that's another topic. Shrek74 1 Quote Driver: Stealth Plus, 9* turned 9.75*, Stiff, Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 60g, Cut 1" Short Hybrid: Pro 2 Hybrid 18* Aldila Tour 75g Stiff Driving Iron: Akira Mi118 Prototype Utility 2 Iron Irons: P790, 4-GW Dynamic Gold, Stiff Wedges: RTX Zipcore MID 56* & 60*, Bent 2* upright Putter: GM2 Exchange 2 Mallet, Center Shaft, Super Stroke 2.0 Ball: TP5x Technology: Blue Tees Golf Series 3 Max Rangefinder Bag: Boom 14-Way Cart Bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kschicky Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 I recently updated my clubs and dropped the 5 iron from my bag. My bag now consists of the following Driver - Srixon ZX5 mk II 3 wood - Callaway AI Smoke 5 wood - Taylormade QI10 3 & 4 hybrid - Taylormade Sim 2 6 - Gap wedge - Srixon zx5 mkII 54 & 58 wedge - Cleveland zipcore cbx4 Shrek74 1 Quote Ken Schickman, MBA www.thryvflorida.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 Great topic - when I turned 50 the question was 4 iron rather than 5 but honestly they are the same club. That was right around when I got rid of 4 iron in favor of my first hybrid for the first time. At 30 I shifted from 2 iron to 5 wood (that was so hard because I loved that 2 iron). At 40 it was 3 iron for 7 wood. At 50 it was the 4 iron and 3 wood for 4 wood - I also played the best golf of my life after that. 6 iron made it to 65 at least Shrek74, fozcycle and TJ Hall 3 Quote Driver: Taylor Made Xi10 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 R flex - 44.25 Fairways: Ping G410 5, 7, 9 wood Alta CB red 65 R flex Hybrid: Ping G410 26 degree Alta CB Red 70 R flex Irons: Ping G430 7-PW, 45, 50 Alta CB black 65 soft R flex Wedges: Ping 195 S54, E58 Wedges and irons are - 1/2” and one degree flat Putter: Sacks Parente Duke 32.5” Ball: Titleist Pro VI or Callaway Chrome Soft X ls While not at the same time I was fit for every club in my bag as well as the Pro VI ball. I use the chrome soft x ls on my league course. It has much softer softer greens than the club that I belong to. I’m on a mission to shoot my age - lifetime lowest round is 66 and I’m currently 67. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GOLF GUY Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 (edited) I do carry one but I’m currently testing the Titleist Utility Build 200 5 iron with an Aerotech steel fiber 95 gram shaft and love it . My old 5 iron is a Taylormade P7 MC and I hit it around 192 yards but hit the Titleist 195 and with more confidence too. So I’m about to put it in play . I have changed the top of bag a little in the last few weeks . Taylormade Stealth 2 10.5* to a Q10 Max 10.5* Taylormade Stealth 2 HL 3 wood to the 13.5* Mini Driver Still playing the Stealth 5 wood & 7 wood Taylormade P7 MC 5 iron to a Titleist Utility Build 200 5 iron Edited May 14 by THE GOLF GUY Shrek74 and TJ Hall 2 Quote Taylormade Stealth 2 10.5* Fujikura Ventus 5 S (tipped an inch) @ upright @9.75* Taylormade Stealth 2 HL 16.5* 3 wood Fujikura Ventus 6 S Taylormade Stealth 2 7 wood Fujikura Ventus 7 S Taylormade P7MC 5-PW Aerotech Steelfiber I 95 gm R Tileist SM09 54 & 60* wedges Ping Anser Bridgestone BXS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanjeev Thakur Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 I love my 5 iron. Its like a go to club for above 160yards. TJ Hall and Shrek74 2 Quote Driver - Ping 430Max Fairway Woods - Taylor Made 3&5 Irons - Takomo 201s Wedges - Takomo Skyforgers Putter - MacGregor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeansGuy Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 I just ordered a seven-wood to add to the bag or replace my five-iron. Our course has many trees, so I would consider keeping the five irons in the bag, as it's beneficial for getting out from under the trees. Shrek74 and TJ Hall 2 Quote Srixon ZX7 Mk II Irons 5-9 2024 Calloway AI Smoke 3 Wood Max with Oban Shaft PING G430 MAX 5 Wood 2024 Calloway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver with Oban shaft Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 Putter or Many different Putters. Whatever is working at the time Taylormade 2024 TP5x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haro Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 (edited) Turn 59. Change my 4 iron for a hybrid 2 years ago. Never really liked hybrids in the past but I’m feeling like it’s much easier to hit My 5 iron goes 175 carry and I can hit a green 190 yards as long as there no water in front But my consistency is not as good as the 4 hybrid I think of switching not just my 5 iron but 6 , 7 and 8 irons out. I tested a bunch of hybrids 24 degree to 37 degrees at the golf store and all were high launch and can carry to the green without rolling off. I think I can probably switch out and try all hybrids from 8-4 some day The 16-20 degree hybrids I tried were too “driving” and I felt like a need longer shaft. These degrees were more suited for fairway wood to match up my swing Edited May 17 by Haro itsteetime and Shrek74 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sejohnson Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 (edited) Back when I was young, dumb and full...needless to say I carried all the way down to a 2 iron. Right now, the longest iron I have is a 4 iron and I believe I will be trading that in for a 7 wood in the very near future. I hit my 5 iron very well so should have it for the foreseeable future, but I imagine that will start to be phased out as I continue to accumulate rings on my tree. Edited May 17 by sejohnson typo Shrek74 1 Quote DR: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 9* w/ GD Tour AD W-60 S 3W: Callaway Epic Speed 13.5* w/ Project X Hzrdus Smoke IM10 6.0 5W: Callaway Epic Speed 18* w/ Project X Hzrdus Smoke IM10 6.0 4i-PW: Razr X Forged w/ Project X 6.0 52°/10°S, 56°/8°C & 60°/8°C: Jaws MD5 Tour Grey w/ TT Dynamic Gold Tour Issue 115 S200 P: Studio Select Newport 2.6 Ball: Titleist Left Dash Pro V1X Bag: C-130S Stand Bag Other: Arccos Smart Sensors I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone's game. It's called an eraser. -Arnold Palmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 300 year old golfer Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 I keep hearing that a five iron is being kept for low punch shots. If you play a seven iron two or 3 inches back in your stance it becomes a five iron. Also because it is shorter, it is easier to make solid contact and easier to maneuver if you are in the trees or bushes. This frees you up to have an extra club in your bag. When you are in the trees, the object is not to hit a ball a long way. It is to simply get out safely. J.B. TexasEx and Shrek74 2 Quote I hate Golf and Golf hates me. I keep playing for the feeling of the well struck shot that actually does what I want it to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty11 Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 The highest iron I carry in my bag is a 6 iron. Last season, I switched to a 5 hybrid because I've had great success with my 3 and 4 hybrids. Javs and Shrek74 2 Quote Ping 425 18* hybrid 22* hybrid irons - Callaway rogue Putter - Odyssey AI one 2 ball DB 35¨ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredBoomer Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 I was, on this very forum, recently advised to drop my five iron to get down to the fourteen club limit while still bagging all the utility specialty clubs that I like to bag. In the end, that's very possibly going to be the route I take. For now, while I'm on the shelf temporarily with a minor ailment, I took my three fairway wood set out of the bag for a two fairway wood set with a different loft on the shorter one. We'll see how that works out first. That made me think of something. In deciding which clubs to include while configuring a bag, I wonder if most typical recreational players actually know the lofts of each one of their clubs, even when they have extras and thus choices to make. I do, but maybe I'm just weird. Probably, because I'm not a technically minded person in general. I wish that I could still have a 1990s flip phone instead of the complicated smart phone that I have to use now...and I still have a land line! Please ignore this part if you're bored, but these are my present lofts. driver...................................13.5° utility driving iron..............19° fairway wood....................18° fairway wood.....................23° 5-iron....................................26° 6-iron.....................................30° 7-iron.....................................34° 8-iron......................................38° 9-iron......................................42° pitching wedge...................46° gap wedge............................52-08 lob wedge.............................58-04 utility sand iron...................62° putter........................................3° Quote in flux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKACES Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 Yes, I have 4-10 iron, 2 wedges (52 & 54), driver, 3w, 5w, 3/4 hybrid, putter Also rotate a 3 Ping driving iron in bag, remove the hybrid or 5w at times. Shrek74 and itsteetime 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micah T Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 I’m 42 and still game a 4 & 5 iron. I keep a close eye on my gaps and I think the 4 iron might be gone by the time I’m 50, but not the 5. Then again, who knows what the loft of a players distance 5 iron will be by then… Shrek74 1 Quote Driver - Cobra LtDxLS 3 Wood - Ping g410 LST 2iron - Titleist U505 Irons - Ping i59 Wedges - Vokey Sm9 Putter - Mizuno Mcraft IV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_Mac Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 I'm 56, and 5-iron has been long removed from the bag. It's not a SS issue as I'm still (thankfully) 110+ mph with driver. I just went the easier route with hybrid.And last year, I turned the easy route on its head. [emoji6]After seeing a video of then Korn Ferry Tour, now PGA Tour player Kevin Dougherty about his caddy cutting a 300 Mini-Driver down to 7W length, I followed suit. I already had a 300 Mini collecting dust in the corner, figured, what the heck? It's been tremendous for me.https://www.pgatour.com/video/video/6326263643112/kevin-dougherty-shows-off-his-mini-driverAnd, above 6-iron, I went unorthodox again with Cobra Radspeed one-length hybrids. They're 7-iron length, look goofy as all get-out, as if kids clubs. But I hit them straight and long. Nearly instantly forgot to care about how they look.I'm a decent golfer who can still hit 3-iron, as evidenced by a good range session recently with a buddy's. But, for me, it's a question of "why?" Now, 3-iron is a big leap from 5-iron. But, when I can hit other, even silly, clubs more easily than 5-iron?Then... "why not?" [emoji2369]I'm firmly in the why-not camp. Regardless of how odd the bag set-up may appear. I'll always just play what works (for me). Shrek74 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcM Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 I have recently decided on my new titleist t350 iron set to buy 6 thru PW only the five and lower clubs I question the need for these when hybrids and hy-woods get the ball airborne with a softer landing. easier to hit off hard fairways no reason for long irons. I’m a 15 handicapper Shrek74 and Javs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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