Driving Iron or Utility Shaft Same or Different Than Your Irons?

[golfinbrad]

I look at adding a 3 DI or Utility to the bag for next season.  Definitely want something thinner with looks of an iron.  Curious if WRXers are choosing to use the same shafts in their utility as their irons or going with something different, maybe lighter than your irons.  I'm on the fence.  Thinking since I plan on using it more as a 3 iron, matching my irons shafts might be best.

Edited December 11, 2022 by golfinbrad

[phizzy30]

MMT 125TX in my irons and KBS hybrid proto 105x in my driving iron.  It's really up to you whether you wanna match shafts or go with something graphite and lighter.  For me, I use my driving iron off turf and the tee whether it be tight short par 4's or into par 5's. 

[Springsteennut]

Mine is the same as mine irons. We were between doing that and using a hybrid shaft. I just liked the lower ball flight with the iron shaft. 

[golfinbrad]

Thanks for the replies.  Definitely not clear cut.  Even the WITB pics they vary.  Keep the replies coming.

[iknowbagu]

Longer and lighter

[BagofToast]

I like graphite on my driving irons. Tensei white and HZRDUS are my favorites. 

[golfinbrad]

I actually have Steelfibers in my irons.  Might be why I'm on the fence.

[ChipNRun]

With arrival of MAX irons, the longer-carrying 5i squeezed 4i out of bag. So, this description deals with prior iron set.

 

Old irons were TE Exotics CB Pro Tungsten. Irons had KBS Tour 90 R-flex shafts (~95 grams trimmed). The 4i was a little iffy off the deck, so I had it reshafted with SteelFiber 780 HLS hybrid shaft (R-flex, 75 grams).

 

Worked great, both as driving iron and off the deck, especially for shots into the wind. The lighter graphite shaft, among other things, improved launch and helped smooth out my swing.

Edited December 12, 2022 by ChipNRun

[hitnfades]

UI - Tour AD DI 85x hybrid

Irons - UST Recoil ES 780 F4

 

For me, the UI is used primarily from the tee and some from the fairway. I play Tour AD shafts in various models in my longer clubs (Driver - 6x /3W & 2 UW’s - 7x).  So, I matched/blended my UI to the top of the bag.  Plus, I like hybrid shafts feel/flight characteristics for me.

[golfinbrad]

1 minute ago, hitnfades said:

UI - Tour AD DI 85x hybrid

Irons - UST Recoil ES 780 F4

 

For me, the UI is used primarily from the tee and some from the fairway. I play Tour AD shafts in various models in my longer clubs (Driver - 6x /3W & 2 UW’s - 7x).  So, I matched/blended my UI to the top of the bag.  Plus, I like hybrid shafts feel/flight characteristics for me.

That's what I'm debating.  Match my irons or go with Tensei like my woods.  My home course is unique in that it has 6 par 3s and 5 par 5s.  4 par 3s play over 200, with one maxing 230.  With and hurt I can't get the 4 iron there, so looking to use for that.  Currently have a hybrid but for some reason don't have confidence hitting it on par 3s.  Also if it is windy it can get knocked down to close to my 4 iron.  

[ChipNRun]

A couple of things to consider:

 

In old set-up I carried 4i and 4H. With new MAX irons the 5i closed gap with 4H. On hybrids, most players do better hitting them with iron set-up and swing, rather than as fairway metal.

 

Another thing: I've learned to hit a stinger with the 4H. This helps keep shot our of wind. Not sure what your longest hybrid (3H?) might be. If you have swing speed for 2H, that might be a wind solution.

 

Question: are those longer par 3 holes open in front of green, or do you have to fly ball in? 

[golfinbrad]

6 minutes ago, ChipNRun said:

A couple of things to consider:

 

In old set-up I carried 4i and 4H. With new MAX irons the 5i closed gap with 4H. On hybrids, most players do better hitting them with iron set-up and swing, rather than as fairway metal.

 

Another thing: I've learned to hit a stinger with the 4H. This helps keep shot our of wind. Not sure what your longest hybrid (3H?) might be. If you have swing speed for 2H, that might be a wind solution.

 

Question: are those longer par 3 holes open in front of green, or do you have to fly ball in? 

My driver SS is 112-115.  I have a 19* hybrid then 4i.  4i is 207-210 into a wind getting to the front is a task.  The green fronts are not open.  Well guarded with bunkers and greens are on the small side.  I have no issue holding an iron on them.  Always been a better long iron player so thinking I might be more confident with something like the Srixon ZX or TEE Ti Utility.

Edited December 12, 2022 by golfinbrad

[RainShadow]

SteelFiber fc90 f3 or i95cw reg in my irons ( different sets of course )

Riptide CB 80hy 5.5 in my hybrids. Love those.

[PoeBarrett]

I’ve dabbled with both and ended up going with a different shaft. I play PX LZ 6.5 in my irons and a Tensei Orange Pro 90tx in 3 iron. Different launch conditions and feels better off the deck

[LoopySwing13]

Play PX6.5 in my irons and a GD Tour AD IZ in my 2 iron. Feel is more “one piece” like the PX shafts. I tried PX6.5 and x100 120gr and hit it fine, just a little shorter and more spin. The IZ worked perfectly for the gap I needed.

[dsmil]

I have Dynamic Gold S300 in my irons and UST Recoil 95 in my driving iron.  I think this helps me swing the utility iron faster and it gives me better gapping.

[semarlor]

I'm about to put steelfiber i125cw in my 4-pw (718 AP2 with a T-MB for the 4.) I already have a recoil prototype 110 in my NLU-01 3i/"driving iron" that I swap around with a 7 wood. The progression is great for me, the NLU-01 is stock length which is +.25" vs Titleist standard length. I really like the feel! 

Edited December 12, 2022 by semarlor

[golfinbrad]

5 minutes ago, semarlor said:

I'm about to put steelfiber i125cw in my 4-pw (718 AP2 with a T-MB for the 4.) I already have a recoil prototype 110 in my NLU-01 3i/"driving iron" that I swap around with a 7 wood. The progression is great for me, the NLU-01 is stock length which is +.25" vs Titleist standard length. I really like the feel! 

I tested both the Steelfibers and Recoils and got almost identical numbers.  Weren't with the Steelfibers because they had them in stock.  Figure the Recoil would work like my irons.  I thought about another wood but looking for a lower flight.  This helps.

[Dan Drake]

I'd start with the question: What job am I asking this club to do the VAST majority of the time?  

 

And then work from there.  

 

I think golfers are FAR too confident in their abilities to hit many different shots with single clubs and would be much better off adopting a more "job specific" type of club selection/building strategy.  If this club is supposed to do a little bit of everything, but you're going DI over a hybrid due to swing speed and personal preference, then I would go with graphite.  But, if you are most interested in hitting lasers off the tee, flighting the ball down, etc., then I would go with the same shaft that you have in your irons.  

[semarlor]

22 minutes ago, golfinbrad said:

I tested both the Steelfibers and Recoils and got almost identical numbers.  Weren't with the Steelfibers because they had them in stock.  Figure the Recoil would work like my irons.  I thought about another wood but looking for a lower flight.  This helps.

I've played X100 soft stepped for years but I ain't getting any younger so I am going to try out the i125cw in stiff. 

[golfinbrad]

11 minutes ago, Dan Drake said:

I'd start with the question: What job am I asking this club to do the VAST majority of the time?  

 

And then work from there.  

 

I think golfers are FAR too confident in their abilities to hit many different shots with single clubs and would be much better off adopting a more "job specific" type of club selection/building strategy.  If this club is supposed to do a little bit of everything, but you're going DI over a hybrid due to swing speed and personal preference, then I would go with graphite.  But, if you are most interested in hitting lasers off the tee, flighting the ball down, etc., then I would go with the same shaft that you have in your irons.  

Hi Dan 

Here is what I posted above.  Ability isn't the issue.  More so looking for a DI to become more versatile 3 iron.

 

My driver SS is 112-115. I have a 19* hybrid then 4i. 4i is 207-210 into a wind getting to the front is a task. The green fronts are not open. Well guarded with bunkers and greens are on the small side. I have no issue holding an iron on them. Always been a better long iron player so thinking I might be more confident with something like the Srixon ZX or TEE Ti Utility.

 

Thanks

 

[golfinbrad]

10 minutes ago, semarlor said:

I've played X100 soft stepped for years but I ain't getting any younger so I am going to try out the i125cw in stiff. 

Hahaha.  Understand.  Was playing the Tour Elevates x-stiff hard stepped once, then elbow issues hit.  Doctor said graphite now to prevent surgery.  Getting old blows.

[Boricua Golf]

I play the Tour AD-DI 105x Hybrid shaft, works great for me...

[Dan Drake]

19 minutes ago, golfinbrad said:

Hi Dan 

Here is what I posted above.  Ability isn't the issue.  More so looking for a DI to become more versatile 3 iron.

 

My driver SS is 112-115. I have a 19* hybrid then 4i. 4i is 207-210 into a wind getting to the front is a task. The green fronts are not open. Well guarded with bunkers and greens are on the small side. I have no issue holding an iron on them. Always been a better long iron player so thinking I might be more confident with something like the Srixon ZX or TEE Ti Utility.

 

Thanks

 

My apologies, I read the OP, but missed that post.  If your goal is simply to have a slightly more forgiving option in the "3i" slot, then I 100% agree with the same shaft that is in your irons.  

 

Quick question, if I may.  If the 4i is a 210yd club, what is the 19* hybrid?  I'm curious if the gap you are tying to fill really has that much ROI, or if this club is supposed to replace the hybrid.  

[golfinbrad]

15 minutes ago, Dan Drake said:

My apologies, I read the OP, but missed that post.  If your goal is simply to have a slightly more forgiving option in the "3i" slot, then I 100% agree with the same shaft that is in your irons.  

 

Quick question, if I may.  If the 4i is a 210yd club, what is the 19* hybrid?  I'm curious if the gap you are tying to fill really has that much ROI, or if this club is supposed to replace the hybrid.  

No need to apologize.  Hybrid is around 225.  More so a confidence thing.  Off the tee I feel more confident with a iron, but fairway is probably hybrid.  As mentioned above, my home course has 6 pars 3 and 4 play over 200.  Thinking in wind conditions or when the ball is not carrying as far, I might do better with a 3 DI.  More a confidence thing.  Off the tee, I hit driver or 3 wood.  If I have to hit an iron, I can get a 4 iron to be a low running.  Hope this makes sense.

 

I started this thread after looking from the pros WITB.  They are not cut an dry either to DIs shafted to match their irons or something lighter.  Peaked my interest.

[LoopySwing13]

 

1 hour ago, golfinbrad said:

No need to apologize.  Hybrid is around 225.  More so a confidence thing.  Off the tee I feel more confident with a iron, but fairway is probably hybrid.  As mentioned above, my home course has 6 pars 3 and 4 play over 200.  Thinking in wind conditions or when the ball is not carrying as far, I might do better with a 3 DI.  More a confidence thing.  Off the tee, I hit driver or 3 wood.  If I have to hit an iron, I can get a 4 iron to be a low running.  Hope this makes sense.

 

I started this thread after looking from the pros WITB.  They are not cut an dry either to DIs shafted to match their irons or something lighter.  Peaked my interest.

This may be OB from your original question, but so you play any fairway woods? I tried to find the perfect 215 club for a long time and tweaked between hybrids and long irons. Ultimately landed on a 2 iron with graphite to be my hybrid, since I knew it would primarily be a tee club (to Dan’s point if a purpose driven club). I then got rid of the hybrid for a 5 wood which is my 225/230 carry club. So although there is only 5-10 yards difference, both clubs serve much different purposes. 
 

I wonder if you are cannibalising your hybrid with a driving iron. Apologies for going “OB” but I spent several hundred on driving irons and hybrids multiple times, until I accepted I wasn’t going about it the right way. Hopefully can save you some pain. 

[golfinbrad]

1 minute ago, LoopySwing13 said:

 

This may be OB from your original question, but so you play any fairway woods? I tried to find the perfect 215 club for a long time and tweaked between hybrids and long irons. Ultimately landed on a 2 iron with graphite to be my hybrid, since I knew it would primarily be a tee club (to Dan’s point if a purpose driven club). I then got rid of the hybrid for a 5 wood which is my 225/230 carry club. So although there is only 5-10 yards difference, both clubs serve much different purposes. 
 

I wonder if you are cannibalising your hybrid with a driving iron. Apologies for going “OB” but I spent several hundred on driving irons and hybrids multiple times, until I accepted I wasn’t going about it the right way. Hopefully can save you some pain. 

I play a 3 wood, then 19* hybrid.  Can't say I've play a 5 wood since high school and that was a while ago!!!!!

[mkidding]

I would treat the driving irons as more or less a "hybrid" and thus, likely graphite, lighter shafts than my irons

 

Playing KBS Tour 120 on irons, and KBS proto 105 on my 3i

[phizzy30]

Just now, golfinbrad said:

I play a 3 wood, then 19* hybrid.  Can't say I've play a 5 wood since high school and that was a while ago!!!!!

That's my setup as well.  I never got along with a 5 metal.  I've been playing hybrids ever since they were first released.  More versatile and easier to hit out of different lies versus a fairway IMO. 

Edited December 12, 2022 by phizzy30

[LoopySwing13]

29 minutes ago, golfinbrad said:

I play a 3 wood, then 19* hybrid.  Can't say I've play a 5 wood since high school and that was a while ago!!!!!

I felt the same until a year ago. Now it’s a staple, love it.