In this article, we are going to be revealing the secret behind why irons go so much longer than ever before! Each year the manufacturers say their new range of clubs goes even further than the previous.
In this article, I will explain why they are right but the secret reason that you might not know!
Everyone knows there have been major technological advances in golf over the last 50 years. It is almost a different sport compared with when Sir Henry Cotten graced the fairways. Progressing from the wooden shafted irons to graphite and then steel there has been some major changes in equipment.
In recent years, the advances in technology have been slower and more subtle. Despite only a little change in technology, golf clubs are traveling vastly longer distances.
So what is the reason behind this?
Reason 1. The technology
The materials used in golf clubs are pretty much the same. The weight distribution is pretty similar, but the face of the longest clubs on the market is totally different to the traditional iron with it being to a rescue hybrid than an iron. The club face is thick with a spring like reaction on impact. You will notice the club fires off the face as if you were hitting a 5 hybrid or something similar.
Reason 2. The length of shafts
One way the scientists in the R&D departments within the top golf manufacturing companies have found to add distance to irons is to add length to the shafts. By adding length to the shaft it helps create a wider swing arc and in turn more club head speed.
What this means in layman's terms is that you might be hitting a 7 iron but the length of the shaft would match up with the 6 iron from your old set. The added length will create a small amount more club head speed and in turn help you hit it further.
Reason 3. the loft on the clubs
The most obvious reason the average golfer is hitting it so much further is down to the fact golf clubs have been de-lofted. So what might have been an 8 iron is now the loft of an old 7 iron or in some cases a 6 iron! There's nothing wrong with this, it just means that you will be hitting all your clubs throughout the back that much further.
In conclusion
When you add together the club face hybrid technology that catapults the ball off the face, (even on miss-hits) the longer shafts and stronger lofts you can now see and understand how and why you are hitting it so much further!
The best news for any golfer is the fact the clubs have become more forgiving as well as longer so as a summary golf should be getting that tiny bit easier!
Here are some interesting averages from back in Ben Hogans day and Current PGA stats.
