Go to any golf shop and on the rack you will probably see a set
made up of a 3 – PW set of irons and #1-3-5 metal woods.
By Don DeLorenzo
Go to any golf shop and on the rack you will probably see a set made up of a 3 – PW set of irons and #1-3-5 metal woods.
This set make-up has been the standard of golf for many years. Just because the manufacturers market sets in this make-up doesn’t mean that it’s right for you.
I have seen people that have seven or eight metal woods in their bag and only three or four irons. I have seen people with a driver only and the rest irons. Remember, you want to carry the clubs that you have success with and that you are comfortable hitting.
For years, most ladies were strapped into the same set make-up as the men. No disrespect meant, but most ladies have no business trying to hit a 3- or even 4-iron. Most women don’t possess a high enough swing speed to have any success with these clubs. The same rule actually goes for seniors as well.
Rule of thumb is the slower the swing speed the more loft you want on your clubs. The higher the swing speed the less loft. Strong golfers can benefit from an 8- or 9-degree driver whereas golfers with slower swing speeds would struggle to get that club in the air.
So the first step is to assess your set. What club do you never or rarely hit? That club could probably be replaced with a club that fits your game better.
On a personal note, I recently added a hybrid to my bag. A hybrid is a cross between an iron and a fairway wood. It often replaces a long iron. I can tell you it’s like legal cheating. This club is so much easier to hit than a long iron I wonder why they weren’t developed years ago.
Evaluate your set and see where you need help. It will make you a much better golfer without tinkering with your swing.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
