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One of the challenges of golf is deciding which clubs to put in your bag. While a golfer is allowed to carry 14 clubs in total, the number of clubs that are actually available on the market far exceeds that. So to make sure you’re packing the right arsenal, it would be important to consider all of the various situations you might encounter on the course. And then selecting your clubs to cover all of those potential conditions.
For instance, there are a number of clubs that satisfy the purpose of distance. They’re all designed in ways that meet this goal through different means. The driving iron is an excellent example of niche performance that works best for very specific situations. And although few people carry one of these. The best driving iron can be an intuitive arsenal addition for days when low launch angle distance shots might be necessary.
One of the reasons why most golfers choose to ditch the driving iron is because it’s often thought to be identical with hybrids. But these two posses very specific variations that allow them to perform differently on the course.
The Hybrid is essentially a cross between a fairway wood and an iron. As the longer irons (1 through 4) are often harder to hit, manufacturers combined their qualities with the woods to create a more forgiving club. The result is a long distance design that can launch the ball higher and accommodate mishits more readily than the long irons.
On the other hand, the driving iron is a low loft iron, typically around the same loft as a 1 or 2-iron. It’s a beefed up design that hits the ball higher and farther than your average long iron, but lower than similarly lofted hybrids or woods. In perfect conditions, and if you manage to really make the right choice at the golf club shop, your driving iron should hit your ball farther than a 3-iron but shorter than your 3-wood.
So despite having relatively similar construction and anatomy with the hybrids, driving irons launch golf balls to achieve a much lower maximum elevation. They do this by adapting their center of gravity, weight distribution, and shaft flexibility to change the way they act upon the golf ball upon impact.
Every driving iron is different, and may provide distinct performance depending on the specifics of its build, make, and material. Considering how all the different characteristics of a driving iron convert on the course can help you pinpoint a club that’s truly a match for your playing style and preferences.
As its name suggests, the driving iron is used for long-distance shots in conditions when high flight might not be ideal. Most of those who use the driving iron will actually use it off the tee box. Replacing the driver when high launch could potentially negatively affect the trajectory of the golf ball. Its larger head and enlarged sweet spot make it easier to hit than the average iron. However it also ensures that more force follows behind the face for more explosive launch speed and distance.
It’s usual that the longest driving irons will have a loft that’s just at the middle of the range. So if a driving iron can fall anywhere between 16 to 20 degrees in loft, then the ones that tend to travel the farthest will sit at just around 18 degrees.
It’s the intended purpose of a driving iron to fly lower than most other types of long carry clubs. With that, it should come as no surprise that these designs tout exceedingly low loft angles, at around 16 to 20 degrees. This allows the club to launch the ball at a relatively lower trajectory, and then roll it out several yards as it reaches the fairway.
To make sure you’re buying a driving iron that’s easier to hit, it would be worth considering an offset that gives you a split second to finalize and fine-tune your shot right before the clubface makes impact. A club with a lower center of gravity can also make it easier for less experienced players to generate just enough height during launch. So their ball doesn’t shoot straight forward and crash too soon after lift-off.
Then of course, there’s the consideration of shafts. A longer shaft will produce more club head speed, ideal if you’re not too skilled in the department of swing speed. Softer, more flexible shafts will also make a better idea if you’re interested in augmenting a potentially slower swing. These will typically work best for high handicappers, seniors, and lady golfers.
The most important thing to consider when buying a game improvement driving iron would be how often you think you’d need it in your bag. Because of the very special, niche conditions that the driving iron is intended for, it might not be necessary to keep it as a staple in your golf gear arsenal.
For instance, some players only pack their driving irons when they suspect certain wind conditions on the course. That said, if you think that the driving iron might be a worthy investment that will see frequent, regular use, then it might not be too impractical to buy something that’s a little more expensive.
On the topic of prices however, it’s imperative for buyers to remember that newer isn’t always better. Some brands like Callaway, Ping, and TaylorMade will parade brand new releases as the latest and greatest of their collections. But even dated clubs from two, three, or four years ago can have impressive designs that can still be relevant today.
Factor in their significantly lower price tags, and its easy to see that there’s still something to appreciate in these older choices. After all, a 3-year old model from Callaway is still a Callaway branded club. Its original date of release would be the last thing you’d consider if you were after quality.
Most players will have a love-hate relationship with the irons because of their unique performance yet notoriously difficult use. No doubt, the driving iron can be especially beneficial for certain conditions, but it also has limitations that could potentially change the way you experience its purpose.
It’s no secret that strong winds could potentially change the course of your golf ball’s flight. Because a driving iron will naturally launch your ball much lower, you reduce the resistance that strong winds could impart. Thus achieve straighter flight even in challenging golf course environments.
Some trees will extend well into the sky with some branches hanging low towards the ground. These behemoth hazards can be tough to get past, especially if their height would require excessively high launch angles with drivers or woods. That said, the driving iron’s low trajectory comes in handy yet again. Giving you the opportunity to clear through a low hanging hazard without sacrificing distance.
The smaller head and lighter build all together makes the iron feel a lot less intimidating than oversized drivers or fairway woods. Sure, that might not have a direct impact on your performance all together. But the added confidence that an iron’s feel can have on a player can significantly relieve those tee box jitters and improve swing dynamics.
While there are some driving irons that are designed specifically for players with slower swing speeds, these will typically dampen the overall distance the club can achieve. For the most part, the driving iron will find its place in the bag of a more experienced, seasoned, veteran golfer who can swing at speeds that are higher than average.
Driving irons aren’t like the putters or wedges that will always find a place in a bag. For instance, if there isn’t any high speed wind or low hanging hazards, then there might not be a need for the driving iron all together. In essence, it’s not going to be one of those clubs that will always find a place in your bag. And unless you encounter the conditions they’re intended for on a routine basis, then you might find that a driving iron will simply collect dust in storage.
True, most manufacturers have tried adapting the anatomy of the driving iron to make it easier to hit. But the long shaft combined with the small face will ultimately make them a challenge to hit consistently. So even if you do just fine with a driving iron today, the slightest change in your swing style could make the experience lackluster tomorrow. This is mainly the reason why driving irons are typically used by advanced players who know exactly how to use the club with precision time and time again.
The reason why the driving iron isn’t too popular among golfers is because of the very specific conditions that they’re intended for. Nevertheless, the club can be good to have around especially in those unforeseen situations. Like some of the wedges, the driving iron is a ‘just in case’ kind of club that you’ll hope you won’t have to pull out, but you’ll be happy to have anyway in case you’re confronted with the conditions that require its specific performance.
So what exactly are those situations?
If you frequent course with lots of trees around and hanging over the green, then you should be able to appreciate the purpose of a driving iron. In situations where it might be impossible to launch your ball over a tree, then you may have a better chance of piercing through underneath. A driving iron’s low trajectory can take your ball from the tee and towards the green without being hindered by low hanging hazards.
Strong winds and poor weather conditions can severely impact the flight of your ball. Even just a little drizzle and gustiness can take your ball off of its course, so it would be best to avoid those elements at all costs. A driving iron can send your ball over extended carry without launching it too high into the sky where poor weather conditions tend to be exaggerated. So what you get is relatively straight, long-distance flight that doesn’t expose your ball to volatile elements.
Scope the area: is the fairway relatively even and free from bunkers and other hazards? Will there be potential danger overhead? Then the driving iron might be better off the tee. Remember that shots produced by the driving iron will roll roughly 20 to 30 yards after being hit. Sure, it’s not going to be such an advantage if you’re aiming to plant your golf ball near the pin. But the roll can add significantly to the total distance your ball travels especially if the fairway will allow a seamless roll.
The TaylorMade GAPR MID Golf Club features an 18-degree loft angle combined with an ultra low center of gravity that work hand in hand for low, consistent carry. The mid to high trajectory ensures that your ball won’t be launched too far up at its highest elevation, letting you avoid overhanging hazards and poor weather conditions overhead. But more than that, this specific driving iron touts the brand’s intuitive Flight Control Technology. Incorporating an adjustable Loft Sleeve, the GAPR MID can be adapted to the right lie, loft, and trajectory to match your unique situation.
Injected with what the brand calls Speedfoam, the TaylorMade GAPR improves ball speed by increasing the coefficient of restitution (COR) and thus enhancing energy transfer from club to ball. This is further supported by the club’s ultra thin face that provides soft, satisfying feel without sacrificing resonant feedback.
The PowerShell Face Technology used on the Cobra King Utility Iron gives it a strong L-CUP face and sole structure that ultimately enlarges the iron’s sweet spot to minimize the most common reason why people often find it so hard to use an iron in the first place. This maximum strike zone size allows not only greater confidence, but also a reduced chance of mishits for faster, straighter, more consistent flight.
Using tungsten weighting, the Cobra King Utility Iron lowers the center of gravity deep within the head to improve COR and launch your ball farther distances compared to the typical iron. And because the entire head is designed to be hollow, the Cobra King Utility Iron provides excellent, satisfying feel for full swing shots, giving you crystal clear feedback so you can learn to fine-tune your skill as you play.
Often considered the best driving iron for high handicappers. The LAZARUS Premium Driving Iron is also one of the cheapest, boasting an affordable price that makes it a reasonable choice for golfers in search of a driving iron they can use every now and again. These irons were designed mainly for weekend warriors and everyday golfers who want an easy club they can hit off the tee for maximum distance with minimal height.
The premium milled face on the LAZARUS Driving Iron also works to extend its function. Allowing the club to produce impressive spin especially on shorter range shots or for working out of the rough. Lightweight, easy to handle, and perfectly weighted, these irons work consistently off the tee and provide excellent feel for satisfying use anywhere on the course.
Sleek and sophisticated, the TaylorMade P790 UDI Individual Iron is a professional grade design that showcases tungsten weighting that maintains its center of gravity low and deep. Together with its intuitively milled face, its COG works to grasp your ball and lift it up and out of the turf during impact. For players who have difficulty getting their ball airborne all together, this combination of features can help rectify the lack of height.
With a loft angle of just 17 degrees, the P790 uses its 1.75mm face combined with a mini Inverted Cone to produce impressive carry to launch your ball straight from the tee towards the greenside. In the right hands, the P790 could produce enough distance to reach towards the pin, albeit with some aggressive rolling power.
Willing to spend a little extra? The Mizuno brand is a premium Japanese golf club manufacturer that delivers impressive quality through their expertly engineered and carefully forged clubs. The Mizuno MP-18 Golf Iron is a premier example of the kind of clubs these guys put out, showcasing sublime performance encased in beautiful aesthetics.
Incredibly stable and consistent, the MP-18 from Mizuno touts forgiving anatomy that uses multiple materials for satisfying feel. Adapted for a range of types of players, this club combines lightweight titanium with heavy tungsten. It optimizes weight distribution and create a smooth swing for easier use and more stable performance even in the hands of a mid to high handicapper.
Sure, your buddies might not be packing a driving iron, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t either. Designed for impressive distance performance for specific game conditions, the driving iron might just be the club that saves you from strong winds and overhanging hazards. And while there are a bunch of great driving irons out there, our research has revealed that the TaylorMade GAPR MID Golf Club comes out as the best driving iron out there, showcasing ease of use, impressive distance, and consistent performance for those windy days on the course.
