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Just an Average Golfer giving unbiased opinions on all things golf, product tests, Golf travel vlogs and golf news!

[@johnatchley9754]

Great advice. Your just a youngster, Andy, so you can still hit a 5 iron. I turned 83 on June 17. About three years ago I sold my Mizuno MP-33 2 iron and 3 iron, both of which I could barely carry 150-160 yards, to a young guy who hated his utility club for going left too often. He was playing his father’s MP-5s and seeking long irons. Let him try mine. First hit with the 3 iron, bang, a gorgeous trajectory like they were designed to fly, 220 yards. Then the 2 iron. Bang, like a jet taking off, 240 carry. Let him take them to a competition. Sold when he got back. It was sad in a way to see them go, but wonderful to see them in hands that could use them properly. So in the next couple of years I have replaced my 3, 4 and 5irons with a 21 degree 7 wood and 24 degree 9 wood. Don’t like hybrids, always feel stiffer and heavy in the head. And this month I just acquired a 27 degree 11 wood that will replace my 6 iron. I get longer carry, steeper descent angles, and thus a better chance to stop on the green. The gaps between the three woods are about 15 yards, about what you would want from irons. And not only better for landing on greens, but also easier than irons to get the ball out of the rough if I miss a fairway. So I totally agree with you. Just expanded the concept in keeping with a couple of extra decades of age.

[@Marktrax17]

John - happy belated, we share the same birthday (1987 here)

[@kieranocallaghan8197]

Hi John. Likewise I don't like hybrids, I still carry a 5 iron in my bag and will use on par 3's and on certain fairway shots on my local links in Tralee where I get good run out. Being 67 yrs old now I can't get that 5 iron to fly as far as before so I put my ego to one side and got a Ping430 7 wood last X'mas. Best golf decision ever, so easy to hit and to launch the ball high and long. I can see a 9 wood on the horizon.

[@13noman1]

I'm with you. I'm "only" 68, came to golf later in life (40's) and shifted to fairway woods and hybrids more than 10 years ago in lieu of 3,4 irons etc. The switch has contributed to fun on the course (about a 9 handicap now). I won't win tournaments but I have fun!

[@John-p6c4c]

My longest iron is a 7 iron.. I can’t use 3,4,5 or 6 irons so have hybrids in their place. A 3 wood is a waste of a club in my bag so generally carry, driver, 5 wood and 7 wood. Depending on the course I am playing , depends whether I put the 3 and 4 hybrids in and drop the 7 wood and probably the 7 iron.

[@kevinpayne9475]

Haven’t used a 4 or 3 iron since I was in my 30’s. As a now over 60 golfer I use a 4 hybrid and 7 wood. 😊

[@michaelstockley7897]

Agree the logic here Andy. My only counter is you need a lowish loft iron for playing low shots from under trees or bump and runs from the rough. Hybrids are high launch and dont don't do the job as well. That said a 5 iron can do this job and I do go from there to 4H then 7 wood but for me I would not have a 6 iron as the longest iron. I rarely use the 5 iron other than as a rescue, but when you need it you need it...

[@paulmcgee1867]

True but maybe better to carry an extra wedge or wood

[@kieranocallaghan8197]

Why not just hood a 7/8 iron and punch from further back in stance ?

[@timdench2583]

Good video Andy. Recently the longest iron I carry is a 6 iron. I also carry 4, 5 and 6 hybrids. This seems to cover the distances I need before I get to my 5 wood.

[@mikepugh2806]

My longest iron is a 5 too. Next are 4 and 3-hybrids, a 5 wood, a 14* mini driver and a 12* driver. The mini is new for my 65th birthday and I like it so far. Today, I didn’t hit the big driver until the back 9 when I was all warmed up.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Nice set up and makes sense

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Happy birthday 🥳

[@mikebarker9910]

Interesting video - in the studio I found that my 5 wood and 7 wood delivered exactly the same distance - ditching the 7 wood meant that my existing 5 hybrid gave me the right gapping from 5 wood to 5 hybrid.

[@bobsmith7726]

I took the 3,4 and 5 iron out years ago. Replaced with 3hybrid 7 wood and 9 wood. Huge difference in my scoring.

[@davidbell2649]

I got fitted for Qi irons and as mentioned before, the stronger lofts made the 4 iron redundant. I got the 4 hybrid at 22 degs. It may sound strange that the 5 iron has a loft of 21 degs, but i hit the hybrid further due to mass behind the ball. Fitter covered this when i raised the issue of gapping and he has been proved right. 5 iron carry for me is around 170 and 4 hybrid 180 to 185.

[@johntinkler6718]

You're right Andy. Found myself "plateau-ing" my long irons and now stop at a 5 iron. Brings its own problems though, as I now hit 5 hybrid & 5 wood similar distances. Some sorting out going on at present!!

[@carpykeith]

I’ve just turned 65, two years ago I finally took the one iron out my bag, a version of which, I’ve carried since I was 16! This last one was a Ping Eye 2+. I could still hit it well but I wasn’t happy with the flight and it WAS becoming harder to launch! It was a “certain” course” club! No big deal! Haven’t carried a 4 iron for a while but changed to a Callaway AI Smoke 4 hybrid and I love it but in the same spirit, I built a 7 wood that I can swap it with for certain courses/ weather conditions when I want that steeper land angle for a softer landing!

[@garethmorgan7474]

I love my 4 iron I don’t like hybrids at all to be honest but everybody is different

[@TheAverageGolfer]

I like mine but it doesn’t go further than my 5

[@cdmurray23]

@@TheAverageGolfer have you verified the loft is correct on both the 5 and 4? just curious

[@TheAverageGolfer]

@@cdmurray23 I’ve done the same video on multiple occasions and tbh it’s fairly well known which most decent fitters will tell you 👍

[@chrissinclair4442]

Haven't played golf in fifteen years, so grain of salt. Problem with most the hybrids was they ballooned to much. Then golf companies decided everything needed to hit higher and spin more and variety of trajectory started going away anyway. The Ben Hogan hybrid was nice for a boring shot, and I like the TaylorMade to get it up but most didn't. I would bet with groves that neither from then are legal.

[@ronchappell216]

This shows so well what happens with me too. In fact, I don't use my 5 iron either. Just started back playing a few months ago and didn't really like the hybrid idea. But that's changed for me. So often I'm surprised at how easy they are to hit and how well the ball flies. Thanks for another good video!

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Makes sense to me Ron and glad it worked out

[@Mdrnsamurai]

a solution might also be changing the shaft in your 4i... a lighter shaft or even graphite will increase your swing speed...

[@petekenny3774]

Possible mate also you can add loft to the 4 iron ..... I have both hybrid and 4 iron and use them for different shots low shots windy days 4 iron it's not about distance for me the 4 iron can bullet under the wind and run it out 👍

[@DonAl9114]

Hello Andy. I have gone through this already. Myself I can hit an iron better and more precise than a hybrid. So I have taken the hybrid out of my bag and kept 4 & 5 in my bag. On top I added the P DHY as 4 iron from TaylorMade. Maybe , getting a bit older , I have to reverse my decision. 😊😊😊

[@gunner9010]

I added a 2h(185) ,3h (170) ,4h(150) , to my bag and took out my 4,5,6 irons. I did keep my Cobra driving 2 iron in at 180 yards for longer par 3's ,windy days, or smacking it under a tree.

[@EagleJim62]

You're preaching to the choir for me. I play a 4 and 5 hybrid and I'm happy with both. I sometimes swap out the 5 hybrid for the 5 iron, depending on the course.

[@scott48]

Good video and spot on as usual. I ditched my 3-4 irons years ago and replaced w hybrids. My 5-6 are 0311p, 7 0317T and 8-pm 0137 cb. Amazing set up for me works Words of advice, look at what the lpga pros play. 👍🏻

[@boojiboy2275]

It would be nice to know what lofts we are talking about. In my last set had a 4 iron at 24° which i hit about 170m or 10m more than my 27° 5 iron and about 10m less than my 21° hybrid. Now i have a new set with stronger lofts and i hit my 24° 5 iron the same distance as my old 4 iron and the same relative distances to my 27° 6 iron and my 21° hybrid. I'm guessing your 4 iron is 20-21° so it probably makes sense to replace it with a hybrid as you can't achieve optimal launch conditions with your swing speed. But if you had a more traditional lofted 4 iron at 24° it would still have a place in your bag. The old 24-38 rule applies for the average golfer. Edit just looked up the specs and the 4 iron is 22.5° and the 5 iron is 25°.

[@davidrichards4261]

Big difference in our abilities but I can relate to this. I got the Caley 01T's which is 4-PW. I don't carry the 4i in my bag. I got the 3 and 4 hybrid set from Caley in a sale. Lovely clubs. A set with the 4hy and 5 to PW would suit more golfers. Or 5 to GW as the strong lofts need an extra wedge. I alternate between 19 deg wood (5 wood?) and 3 hybrid. Can't get it right.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Yep I would agree it applies to so many golfers and they don’t realise

[@markhilton4920]

Only go down to a 5 in my bag then 7wood, 5 wood, 3wood , mini driver and driver 😁 When I was a lot younger there was a noticeable difference down to my old 3 iron but age and body won’t allow me to go under a 5 iron with any consistency

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Yep sounds good to me

[@leonardblush2557]

Andy, have you ever considered looking at the Cleveland HyWood? I believe the current model comes in at 17° and 20 or 21°. I have the 2021 18° model and it's a bag favorite. Depending on the golfer and chosen loft, it might replace 3 hybrid or 5 and/or 7 woods. For me, it's more reliable than 3h or 5w.

[@andrewburge2805]

HI Andy, long time watcher first time commenter. I was fitted a few years ago and have 4 and 5i in the bag. Carry distance - 4i is 10m longer than 5i. My speed is a little higher than yours (88mph with the 4i) so maybe thats helping me get more value out of these? We have par 3s at my club right in this distance range too, so its important for me!

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Swing speed is key and likely to be a major difference 👍 thanks for watching and now commenting

[@robertpugh4057]

Spooky to see this today. I currently have a 4H and 4 & 5 irons. Can’t remember when I last hit the 4 iron, but love the 4H. The 5 iron I really only use when I want a low “punch” shot (from under a tree, say). So earlier this week, I decided to ditch the 2 irons, stick to the 4H and I’m going to try a 5H too. And then I see your video. Brilliant.

[@wrenchfury_OG]

Great job, as I can carry my 4 iron 20% of the time, but I fully agree with you as I can hit the 5 constantly 100% of the time. I do carry a 4 hybrid and can hit it & different yards like 215 or 235 depending what I want. 👍🏻👍🏻. Now I can truly just remove & use another wedge or a 5 wood, as my 3 wood goes 245. Options are great to have 👍🏻

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Yep I agree options are good

[@kennethbnorris]

I think hybrids are also good for those with an inconsistent strike. I just started playing again last summer after a 25+ year break from golf. I’m obviously older now and carry a few ailments that make consistency difficult. When I struck my 4 & 5 iron well, they went a mile, but many shots weren’t struck well at all. When I switched to a 4 & 5 hybrid, my bad strikes were much better, and my good ones were even longer. On a side note, my strike consistency has improved a lot over this past year, and I tried the i230 irons today. I love the feel and spin I’m getting from them relative to the G430s I currently use. If I switch, I may put a 5-iron into the bag for those as they aren’t lofted as strongly. Gonna give it a few more months to make sure my game continues to trend positively. Enjoyed the video Andy!

[@arboogey8285]

I got fitted for the i230’s.. of course I hit only the 7 iron but they have a high soft flight. What’s your opinion on switching from game improvement irons to player irons?

[@kennethbnorris]

@@arboogey8285 personally, I think if you’re a player who needs more distance and/or have difficulty finding the middle, game improvement irons are not a bad way to go. I still struggle with getting the middle, but sometimes I get one “hot off the face” with the g430s where my 7-iron will carry 185+ (normally my 165-170 yd carry club), and it really starts to mess with my head about which club I should hit when there’s trouble long. Plus, it’s hard to get a read from your playing partners who aren’t using game improvement irons, because the lofts are just so much stronger. Today, my playing partner hit 8-iron on a par 3 and I hit PW. I was 10 ft short of the pin and he was pin high, right. I don’t necessarily need the extra distance (I generally play from the tees that make the course around 6400 yds), but not sure I’m quite there on strike consistency. Toe balls and low groovers are the thorns in my side. I’m hoping to get there before next spring though. Bonus is the i230s would look so much prettier in the bag compared to the g430s 😂

[@nickd986]

I’m currently in this situation I just got the ai smoke 4 hybrid to replace an old 3 hybrid but I know my 4 iron is pointless other than the odd shot every other round. I think I have kept it purely because it’s a set 4-pw. I’ve got a 4/5 wood (18degree) coming this week so I think I’m finally dropping the 4 iron when it arrives.

[@gerrymcintosh4477]

Great video as usual and great advice to get rid of redundant clubs in the bag. 🇨🇦💝🙏👍

[@kennymchardy]

I would say a lot of slower swingers could get rid of 5 and 6 as well as the 4 and replace them with hybrids or higher lofted fairway woods. I know many though who are put off with hybrids as they don’t like the offset and how it looks at address

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Perhaps it really does depend on swing speed

[@stevemccoy8489]

The new 6 is the old 4 ?

[@davebutler3269]

I changed my steel shaft for a graphite in my 4 iron and got hybrid results

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Interesting move

[@davidmbarr9255]

Andy, ....next video 5i vs 6i. Where does the consistent and usable difference begin to occur. At our swing speed, I suspect it may be at a point further up our bag than we think or than our egos will allow.

[@adrianscott6005]

Hi Andy, always love your videos. It would be great to know your carry distances to understand what your gaping is and therefore what you’re trying to achieve but, quite obvious that the 4i is defunct. Out of interest, how far would you hit 7w and 9w. Would these be clubs you’d put in the bag as well (I’m looking myself at a 7w and already use a 4hb but it doesn’t go as far as yours 😂)

[@TheAverageGolfer]

I will look to do a comparison video shortly with 4H, 7 wood, 9W

[@edge21str]

More forgiving clubs at the top end of the bag are always welcome. You can even see it among tour players. A lot of people with driving irons, hybrids and even 7 woods now.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

It’s very true

[@leemzgoogle917]

Last year I finished the season as a 2 handicap at age 66. I don't carry an iron longer than a 7 (which I can comfortably carry 175). From there, it's a 6h, 5h, 4h, 3h, 3w and driver. I do have a 6 iron but I just find the 6 hybrid far more versatile, especially out of the rough, and just generally easier to hit. As for swing speed, I rarely hit 100mph with my driver. I do on occasion but I can't get there consistently, nor do I try to. I'm generally around 96 on average. Check your ego and your machismo. Drop the long irons. Get yourself some hybrids.

[@TheChismillionaire]

Now do a 9 wood.

[@robertakerson7186]

Mr. Average- This testing makes me wonder if the "loft jacking" phenomenon of modern irons is making the difference between 5 and 4 irons too small to make much difference in hitting results. ? Bob

[@TheAverageGolfer]

This two irons are pretty ‘traditional’ tbf, the barometer that most golfers can reference, the 7 iron from this set is 33*

[@neilross6227]

very interesting, but what if the probably is the 5 & 8 with similar figures and dispersion?

[@markyoung2981]

Quite interesting, thank you for sharing this information.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Thanks for watching

[@Fintona2010]

Great advice Andy

[@HorseRacingLegends]

Don’t forget Hybrids are built differently to suit your angle of attack and you could easily pick the wrong one.

[@briantreadwell2206]

I have the Titleist U505 4i and i love it, out will cone my TSR2 4 hybrid when the new GT hybrid comers out i i will get a 3H - like them both

[@LonePelican]

7-wood for the win.

[@rhinomite5203]

Intresting grounds keepers there. So are you saying that my 20 club bag is too much?

[@thomashoffman5745]

Not sure how your clubs are lofted but my 4 iron is consistently 10 yards longer than my 5 iron.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

I’ve done this test with every brand of iron and found similar results, it’s not based on my irons 👍

[@davidhudson4653]

I will never carry a hybrid wood type! I do carry a 4 hybrid driving iron type! The hybrid for me is a no no I don’t know where they are going left / Right all over the place hate the f-ing horrible things. I do carry a 7 wood and wouldn’t be without it!! But never a hybrid wood

[@johnnewman7605]

7 wood Andy

[@paulmcgee1867]

Definitely can’t hit these well

[@epicragegaming2016]

my 4 iron is 2 degree stronger than the 5. its useless to me.

[@StJohnAgnew]

Why are there sheep grazing on the Green?!

[@petekenny3774]

They are the greenkeepers sheep mate he uses them to trim the grass

[@harrste11]

👍👍

[@stevehenson3325]

I can’t take anyone seriously who games pxg

[@marksakowski9272]

What shafts do you have in your irons now - they are definitely not steel. They look to like steelfiber! Why and when? How do they IMPROVED your game?

[@TheAverageGolfer]

For the past 5 years 😂