Gapping Issue: Hitting stock 4iron longer than 20 Deg Utility

[aumatt87]

Finally getting some consistent time on a simulator and trying to hone in my gapping at the top of the bag. Testing both a u505 3 iron and a Zx MK II 3 iron (both 20 degree) and hit both relatively well, topping out at ~235 carry. Neither were incredibly consistent, but I likely need to do some shaft testing (u505 plays an AD-DI utility and Srixon has the stock recoil). Currently gaming TM P790's 4-PW and in testing, was carrying the P790 ~240 with similar consistency to the utility irons only to figure out the stock P790 4iron loft is 21 degrees. 

 

Gapping at top of bag is currently, Driver (290 carry), 15 degree 3 wood (275 carry), U505 3 Iron then stock irons.  No prior experience with 5W or 7W but thinking either might be a better option to solve top of bag gapping. Anyone in a similar situation or have any advice?

[Jc0]

Why not just go to a 2 utility. They are normally 18 degrees. The distance you hit it matter more then having the numbers line up. 

Edited September 11, 2024 by Jc0

[Ben B]

I believe too many golfers here are way too concerned about achieving perfect gapping in the top end of their bag. With your distances, how often are you finding yourself on the golf course somewhere between 240 and 275 yards from the green? Maybe if you hit a bad teeball on a long par 4 audit hits a tree and bounces back in the fairway 250 yards out.....maybe 1 or 2 of the par 5s in a round? 

 

I find it more beneficial for the top end of the bag to have versatility rather than perfect gapping. Adding a 5 or 7 wood or something like a Callaway UW (utility wood) would have more versatility. You can hit them off of the tee, out of the fairway and from the rough. You can use them to punch out of trouble and even bump and runs around the green. I love my Callaway UW 19° for all of the reasons I mentioned and I feel like I have tons of control with it. 

 

Alot of the Tour guys are throwing in 5, 7 and even 9 woods in their bag for this reason. Their 4 irons go far enough to not be concerned about gapping and the woods add versatility.

 

Just my 2 cents tho. 

Edited September 11, 2024 by Ben B

[aumatt87]

13 minutes ago, Ben B said:

I believe too many golfers here are way too concerned about achieving perfect gapping in the top end of their bag. With your distances, how often are you finding yourself on the golf course somewhere between 240 and 275 yards from the green? Maybe if you hit a bad teeball on a long par 4 audit hits a tree and bounces back in the fairway 250 yards out.....maybe 1 or 2 of the par 5s in a round? 

 

I find it more beneficial for the top end of the bag to have versatility rather than perfect gapping. Adding a 5 or 7 wood or something like a Callaway UW (utility wood) would have more versatility. You can hit them off of the tee, out of the fairway and from the rough. You can use them to punch out of trouble and even bump and runs around the green. I love my Callaway UW 19° for all of the reasons I mentioned and I feel like I have tons of control with it. 

 

Alot of the Tour guys are throwing in 5, 7 and even 9 woods in their bag for this reason. Their 4 irons go far enough to not be concerned about gapping and the woods add versatility.

 

Just my 2 cents tho. 

Appreciate this. I’m leaning this direction and actually looking that the UW’s. Primarily hitting the utility iron off the tee now but thinking a 5w/UW would give me more versatility. 

[Ben B]

11 minutes ago, aumatt87 said:

Appreciate this. I’m leaning this direction and actually looking that the UW’s. Primarily hitting the utility iron off the tee now but thinking a 5w/UW would give me more versatility. 

I've always perfered long irons to fairway woods. My Mizuno Pro II 2 iron was my favorite club in my bag forever, and I hit it every chance I could. However, that was a while ago and now I hit my Mizuno MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi 4 iron nearly as far. So I got a Srixon ZX MKII 18° utility iron and a Callaway UW 19° but ultimately sold the Srixon. The Srixon was phenomenal, but I could hit the UW just as well and as far off the tee and fairway but it wasn't even a contest out of the rough. 

[Rbsiedsc]

1 hour ago, Ben B said:

I believe too many golfers here are way too concerned about achieving perfect gapping in the top end of their bag. With your distances, how often are you finding yourself on the golf course somewhere between 240 and 275 yards from the green? Maybe if you hit a bad teeball on a long par 4 audit hits a tree and bounces back in the fairway 250 yards out.....maybe 1 or 2 of the par 5s in a round? 

 

I find it more beneficial for the top end of the bag to have versatility rather than perfect gapping. Adding a 5 or 7 wood or something like a Callaway UW (utility wood) would have more versatility. You can hit them off of the tee, out of the fairway and from the rough. You can use them to punch out of trouble and even bump and runs around the green. I love my Callaway UW 19° for all of the reasons I mentioned and I feel like I have tons of control with it. 

 

Alot of the Tour guys are throwing in 5, 7 and even 9 woods in their bag for this reason. Their 4 irons go far enough to not be concerned about gapping and the woods add versatility.

 

Just my 2 cents tho. 

Agreed. I carry a 7w and an 18° utility. They to similar distances but get their different ways. That is more versatile at the top than having proper gaps. 

[Bye]

Is it an issue? 
 

240 is a decent number if the ball flight is ok.

 

Personally I think a 15 yard gap between 3 wood and driver is too small. Unless it’s a back up option for off the tee or used where a draw is required.

 

 

[Urb]

They make the P790 in a 3i.  The 790s might just have a hotter face then the other utilities.  

[Pepperturbo]

7 hours ago, aumatt87 said:

Appreciate this. I’m leaning this direction and actually looking that the UW’s. Primarily hitting the utility iron off the tee now but thinking a 5w/UW would give me more versatility. 

In my experience, woods and hybrids typically = unacceptable dispersion.   Last weekend, two, thirty-something nice guys had both; their bags looked pretty.  Though longer than me, both of them were all over the place.  My measly 250yd drives and 220yd 2i off an elevated tight tee scored better than both.

 

IME - practiced long irons have little dispersion.  I carry a 17° 2 iron @39.75" DI length, and T100 3i is 21° and the 4i at 24°, etc., never experienced a gapping issue.  Additionally, by adjusting my setup, I can hit them high enough to land and stop on greens.

 

PS - People are getting too hung up on buying one-trick pony clubs, as opposed to knowing how to make a club do what you want.

Edited September 11, 2024 by Pepperturbo

[Ben B]

2 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

In my experience, woods and hybrids typically = unacceptable dispersion.   Last weekend, two, thirty-something nice guys had both; their bags looked pretty.  Though longer than me, both of them were all over the place.  My measly 250yd drives and 220yd 2i off an elevated tight tee scored better than both.

 

IME - practiced long irons have little dispersion.  I carry a 17° 2 iron @39.75" DI length, and T100 3i is 21° and the 4i at 24°, etc., never experienced a gapping issue.  Additionally, by adjusting my setup, I can hit them high enough to land and stop on greens.

 

PS - People are getting too hung up on buying one-trick pony clubs, as opposed to knowing how to make a club do what you want.

I'd say a 5 wood, 7 wood or a UW is more versatile than a long iron or utility, certainly not a one trick pony. Playing from the fairway, I am right there with you and perfer a long iron or utility iron. But here in the South we have 3-4 inch Bermuda rough. I can take my 19° UW, open the face up a little and the ball will come out reasonably well. No way I am taking a 2 or 3 iron out of it. The UW has been a real game changer for me. It's 240-250 off of the tee, 225-230 carry off of the deck, comes out of the rough really well, and can use it to punch out of the trees when needed. I'm every bit as accurate with it as my long irons and it holds the green too. 

[goudok]

31 minutes ago, Ben B said:

I'd say a 5 wood, 7 wood or a UW is more versatile than a long iron or utility, certainly not a one trick pony. Playing from the fairway, I am right there with you and perfer a long iron or utility iron. But here in the South we have 3-4 inch Bermuda rough. I can take my 19° UW, open the face up a little and the ball will come out reasonably well. No way I am taking a 2 or 3 iron out of it. The UW has been a real game changer for me. It's 240-250 off of the tee, 225-230 carry off of the deck, comes out of the rough really well, and can use it to punch out of the trees when needed. I'm every bit as accurate with it as my long irons and it holds the green too. 

Spot on.  Before I had a 2 utility iron and then a 4hybrid, but once I learnt how to hit a 5 wood well, 2i was chucked immediately.  

[Pepperturbo]

20 hours ago, Ben B said:

I'd say a 5 wood, 7 wood or a UW is more versatile than a long iron or utility, certainly not a one trick pony. Playing from the fairway, I am right there with you and perfer a long iron or utility iron. But here in the South we have 3-4 inch Bermuda rough. I can take my 19° UW, open the face up a little and the ball will come out reasonably well. No way I am taking a 2 or 3 iron out of it. The UW has been a real game changer for me. It's 240-250 off of the tee, 225-230 carry off of the deck, comes out of the rough really well, and can use it to punch out of the trees when needed. I'm every bit as accurate with it as my long irons and it holds the green too. 

Glad you like the UW.  I don't hit the ball as far as you. 

 

I tested Callaways Apex Pro version, but it didn't displace my 17' 2 iron comfort.  Though it was longer off the tee, due to its added 41.5 playing length, it was problematic for other types of shots.  I, too, face Bermuda turf a lot.  My 3wd is 230, my 2i is 205-220.  

 

When I say one-trick pony, 5wd and 7wd lengths have more dispersion and none are surgical.  Maybe that's why more OEMs aren't making UW's.  We all have different skill levels. 

Here's one for ya, try hitting a punch shot 4' high from rough over rough, but under low-hanging 10' limbs and carrying the ball 85yds to reach an uphill fairway and run another 45yrds to the green apron.   

 

I had that shot a few weeks back.  I pulled my tee shot left 15yds into rough, short of the dog-leg left.  A stand of trees stood between my ball and the green, too close to go over.  The only obvious option was to punch out to where my playing partners were, except I'd be looking at a stroke and 150yd leave to an uphill green.   My 3 iron wouldn't run the extra length uphill at the end.  So, I did the fun, crazy shot; hooded my 2i and hit a low screaming punch.  My ball flew just under low-hanging branches, carried to the uphill fairway and ran up to the green apron; got up and down to save par.  Damn, I love this game.  You have a good day.

Edited September 12, 2024 by Pepperturbo

[aumatt87]

Appreciate all of the responses here. Ended up ordering a 19 UW and on the lookout for a 2 utility to test side by side