Driving and UT Irons vs Player Distance iron

[Yankees18]

I'm interested to get feedback from people who have experimented with UT/Driving irons vs a 2 or 3 iron Players distance iron. For example, the Mizuno 245 or JPX HM come in ~16 and ~19 degree heads for their 2 and 3/4 iron.  Obviously, they offer the Fli-hi which has very different shaping in the same lofts

 

I currently game a Callaway UT 18* head that is great off the tee, but I don't think I would ever feel comfortable hitting off the deck.   I also can tolerate the look but really don't like the chunkiness to all the UT, driving irons from the OEMs with Callaway and Titleist T200U looking least horrific to my eye

 

I'm interested in those that have tested both, what were the main differences noticed

 

thanks

 

 

Edited May 9 by Yankees18

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

I've used both, but my experience is mostly with something around 22-24* (4 iron).  Biggest thing for me is turf interaction.  The PD irons tend to be thinner soled and get in and out of the turf easier than the chunky utilities.  Just easier for me to make a good strike.  Not that the utilities are impossible to hit off the deck, but the PDs get the edge there.  The utilities might also be easier to launch high (especially off a tee vs the PD), but the point of these, for me, isn't necessarily to send them to the moon...

 

Have played the Srixon ZX Utility 4 iron, the Mizuno MP-Fli Hi Cut Muscles in 3 and 4, contrasting with the JPX 923 Forged and the Nike Vapor Fly Pro, both at 24*.  The Nike has been my favorite - it's about the size of the JPX Forged, but it is hollow-bodied and I was able to hotmelt it to get the SW where I want it.

 

I use them off the turf and off the tee, so I've opted for the PD irons over the chunky utilities.  YMMV.

[Frank Newport]

I have an MP 225 4i in the bag that I absolutely love when I'm swinging well and absolutely hate when I'm not. I'm in the process of replacing it so I've been testing a lot of utility irons in the 18-22 degree range and found the forgiveness and turf interaction to be a huge improvement over the MP 225 4i. One thing I noticed when testing utility irons is how important it is to find the right shaft and how difficult it is to find a fitter who carries a lot of utility shafts. While I found the U505 and APEX UT to be the most consistent performers in the category neither of them could compete with today's hybrids. Hybrids today, especially Ping and Titleist, are so forgiving and adjustable that you/'re seeing tour pros carrying them. Its also way easier to find the right hybrid compared to a utility iron with a bonded hosel. 

 

If you're dead set on finding a utility iron, I found the AD DI HY 95 and HZRDUS Black 90HY shafts to be good fits, but I wouldn't recommend looking for a utility without doing an exhaustive search for hybrid first. Also, some utility irons come with hybrid shafts and some come with iron shafts and they don't play the same.

[Pepperturbo]

I was a 2, now 5ish and older.  My irons are T100 3i-6i T100 Fujikura Pro 95i Tour Spec Stiff (parallel) shafts, and 620 MB 7i-PW with PX.  Currently, have a 2023 Titleist T200 17' with a Fujikura Pro 95i Tour Spec Stiff (parallel) shaft cut to 39.75; prior shaft was Tensei AV Raw White Hybrid 90-S shaft at 39.75.  My other 2 iron is a Titleist 718 T-MB 17' with a Tensei AV White Am2 90-Stiff, it's a set 2i shaft, only cut to 39.75 DI length.  

 

Learned golf using a 15' 1 iron, and always had either 1 or 2 iron in the bag.  I use both of the above irons off tees and the deck without issue. 

 

Also, the only difference between a set 2i, 3i, 4i and DI version is maybe lie, the type of shaft (set standard vs hybrid) and stock length 2i is 39.5, while driving or utility is 39.75-41" playing length.  Outside of those, it's just different labels.

[LoopySwing13]

I have tried multiples of both and find a good Chunky DI best. Although, I find some of the originals to be still better than the newer ones. Put the TM UDI RSI back in recently and love it. 

[cardoustie]

It’s how you deliver the club, I don’t do well myself with super chunky bottoms 

[Yankees18]

Thanks for the feedback this is all super helpful to me

 

to address some of the comments above.  I've tried hybrids and never got along with them.  I also don't like the look of super open club face.

 

I'm looking for primarily a club off the tee to keep it under the wind or when driver is acting up or playing more narrow courses.  I still want ability to play it off the turf with more consistency but don't need to drop and stop this club on a green.

 

I did a fitting earlier this year and wound up in what was a pretty good combo between total distance and lateral dispersion / consistency with the UT 18. 

 

Seems like I should try and experiment with some of these ~16-19 degree PD heads in either the same iron shaft, or maybe a slightly lighter weight graphite shaft.  Will report back with anything new, although prob take a while to piece together some of the PD head and shaft combos

 

 

 

 

[Boognish]

I recently went through this after switching to HMP distance irons. The "5 iron" is 22 degrees and goes as far as my trusty 22 hybrid. I felt maybe my hybrid and 5wood were a bit redundant.

 

I tested the set 4 iron and the flihi utility iron, both 19 degrees. Walked out with the FliHi, the feel and effortlessness with the graphite shaft carried the day over the hmp 4iron. The $100 price difference was justified. Trajectory and distance were pretty similar. I can't comment on relative versatility on course. 

 

I'm still in the testing phase, but I was blown away by the feel of the FliHi, it's addictive. I just need to figure out how to best utilize it on the course. I've never had a hybrid iron, always been a 20-22 hybrid man.

[minhjn]

I liked the T350 4 iron (20*) over both the U505 and the T200 utility when I was looking for a driving iron. I’m not sure why exactly, but the numbers didn’t lie 

[Green Valley]

I know swing speeds are different but what is a good shaft for a driving iron? I am strongly considering a driving iron and wanted to put a nice after market shaft in it. 

[Streuner]

@Green Valley
You will get so much different answers, and every Single answer is correct - for the one that the answer gave you. A fitting would help…

 

some players like the same shaft in their UT like they Play in the Iron Set, to have the closest possible feeling. Or maybe the nearly same shaft but one step less in weight. 
if graphite is an Option, Fujikura Axiom is a very good Point to start. Cheaper than Most hybrid offerings and available in various weight and flex categories. Same as the Mitsubishi MMT or the UST Recoil. MMT offers a UT shaft special.

Edited June 1 by Streuner