How epic is it to look at Tiger Woods hit the infamous stinger shot? It’s arguably one of many biggest photographs in golf and has helped him win a ton of occasions earlier in his profession.
Sadly, 99.99% of golfers don’t have the correct membership or swing to make that shot occur regularly. Whereas an increasing number of gamers are switching to hybrids, there may be nonetheless a small group of gamers that can be dedicated to lengthy irons. Not simply 3 and 4 irons but precise driving or utility irons.
They may not produce the unbelievable Tiger stinger, but they’ll nonetheless allow you to enhance your recreation. Maintain studying to be taught extra about driving irons and discover the perfect driving irons for 2023.
Our Picks for Finest Driving Irons
- Titleist U510 – Finest Driving Iron for Higher Gamers
- Mizuno Professional Fli-Hello – Additionally Nice Driving Iron
- Ping G425 Crossover – Best Driving Iron to Hit
- Cobra King Utility Iron – Finest Know-how on a Driving Iron
What’s a Driving Iron?
A driving iron is a protracted iron that’s particularly designed for tee photographs. Whilst you can hit from the golf green, they’re meant to offer an alternative choice to hybrids, 5 wooden, and lengthy irons from the tee.
Driving irons aren’t for everybody as you sometimes have to have the next quantity of swing velocity to learn from them. Driving irons are superior for hyperlinks golf or enjoying in windy circumstances to maintain the ball low and roll out.
Alternate options for Driving Irons
Driving irons have misplaced their reputation lately because of greater lofted woods and adjustable, hybrid golf equipment. In case you’re new to the sport, I’d stick to hybrids or fairway woods.
However, should you be a skilled golfer and in search of methods to make your lengthy recreation higher, a utility iron is a superb thought. Listed here are the perfect driving irons for 2023.
7 Finest Driving Irons for 2023
1. Titleist U500 and 510 Utility Iron
I’ll be trustworthy, I used to hate hitting lengthy irons. For the longest time, I performed fairway woods and hybrids to keep away from the 3-4 iron (and nonetheless didn’t love my 5 iron most days). As a scratch golfer, I all the time felt like I used to be leaving photographs on the course on pars 5’s and even lengthy par 3’s as nicely.
Doing my publishing spherical statistics, at some point I spotted I wanted to repair this difficulty ahead of later. The one downside of enjoying woods and hybrids is that larger misses occur versus protracted iron.
Since there may be extra weight and measurement behind the ball, extra issues can go mistaken for influence. Positive, they’re simpler to hit, however, the shot dispersion tends to be a lot larger as nicely.
Lastly, I made a decision to check out the Titleist driving iron as a result I wished for smaller misses and wanted a weapon for attacking par 5’s. Trying again, I want I’d’ve made this resolution loads sooner because it’s grown to be my new secret weapon.
The Titleist U500 is likely to be my favorite membership within the bag and I usually discuss it as my “cheat code” on par 5’s and lengthy par 3’s. It’s a lot simpler to hit than a standard lengthy iron and might’t consider how good my misses are with it.
Titleist pulled out all of the stops with these golf equipment and it’s simple to see why so many golfers love them. As Titleist mentioned on their website, “Extra distance than a normal iron, much less spin than a hybrid. U•500 and U•510 are known as Utility Irons for a motive. These golf equipment are designed to broaden your shot choices on the prime finish of the bag.”
Right here’s why I like and suggest these golf equipment that will help you hit higher lengthy irons.
Titleist U510 Utility Iron
The U510 utility iron is a beautiful membership that has extra of a muscular form than a hybrid. It’s the extra forgiving of the 2 utility irons from Titleist and barely bigger than the five hundred collections. The 510s are additionally barely extra offset than the five hundred however nonetheless seem like a gamers membership.
In case you don’t love hybrids, I wager you’ll love the look of this membership at the deal. It has an excessive launch from the low CG placement and supplies loads of velocity because of the face insert. To deal with, you may see just a little bit extra of the membership than a typical lengthy iron, but nonetheless a lot lower than a hybrid.
The U510 is obtainable in 4 totally different loft choices (for each proper and left-handed golfer); 16, 18, 20, and 22 levels. I’d argue that the majority of golfers don’t want the 16 (except you may have an extremely robust three wooden to hole it correctly) and might use one of many different three irons as an alternative.
Arguably the most important perk of the U510 utility iron is the inventory shaft from Titleist. It comes inventory with a Mission X HZRDUS smoke black shaft which is generally an upcharge because it’s a really top-quality shaft. Relying on which flex you get, it’s between 79-83 grams which are ideal for longer irons.
One of many greatest causes of lengthy irons is are exhausting to hit therefore many golfers is as a result of they being too heavy. However, Titleist makes it a lot simpler to make nice contact with this superior shaft.
The shaft is made for a decreased launch and minimal spin, which is nice for superior gamers. I’ve performed this shaft in my woods for fairly a while, so utilizing it in my lengthy iron gave me an enormous confidence increase.
Since this membership is a bit larger than the U500, I’d suggest solely hitting it from a great lie within the fairway or off a tee. Because it’s so large, it’s just a little exhausting to hit from the thick stuff and ought to be handled as a driving iron, not a rescue membership.
Click on right here to order your new U510 now.
Titleist U500 Utility Iron
The second Titleist utility iron choice is the U500 mannequin which has minimal offset and a lot thinner prime line. It’s designed to decrease handicap golfers with a sooner swing velocity who don’t want fairly as excessive of a ball flight. As Titleist mentioned, “Designed for the sport you play. Extraordinarily versatile, low loft utility iron designed for superior shot-making.”
This utility iron is available in solely three lofts (in each proper and left-handed); 17, 20, and 23 levels. Since that is designed for extra superior golfers, it’s solely out there in stiff or further stiff shafts. And you continue to get the Mission X HZRDUS smoke black however solely in a barely heavier, 90-gram hybrid shaft.
As I discussed, I’ve performed this membership for some time and completely adore it. The 90-gram shaft is a superb feeling and searching on the membership, you by no means fear contact like a standard lengthy iron. Each 510 and 500 include a Golf Pleasure Tour Velvet 360 white flat cap grip too.
Since this membership is a little more compact it may be used as a rescue membership as nicely. I like hitting it from the sunshine tough, on a tee, or within the fairway. It’s a really versatile membership and simple to see why guys on the PGA Tour adore it. In case you’re mid to low-handicap golfer, I’d recommend the 510 over the five hundred (except if you want the two-iron model).
Click on right here to choose your U510 Driving Iron right this moment.
2. Mizuno Fli-Hello Driving Iron
Mizuno is understood for making high-quality golf equipment and their Fli-Hello driving iron isn’t any totally different. Aesthetically, this membership is beautiful with its all-black design and can encourage confidence from the second you see it. However, the development of this driving iron may even assist your confidence much more and make you truly wish to hit lengthy irons.
These driving irons have been designed for one factor above all else – ball velocity. Extra velocity means extra distance and better launch. They have a 21-gram Tungsten weight that’s low and deep within the membership for optimum stability plus forgiveness.
What’s distinctive about these driving irons is that they have been made for use with hybrid shafts, even supposing they’re irons. The reason is that the head size is barely longer and offset, it is smart although. Plus, they have a wider sole than the Mizuno Professional 225 irons which are additionally an awesome selection for changing your normal longer irons.
These driving irons are available in three totally different loft choices; 16.5, 19, and 21.5 levels. Sadly, they solely are available in right-handed fashions presently.
I can’t touch upon the shafts a lot as a result of Mizuno encourages you to get a customized match for any of their golf equipment. These aren’t ones you may simply purchase online and wish to purchase instantly from them or a licensed vendor. However, shafts will play a significant position in flight and distance so make sure that to do your homework and discover the correct ones on your swing.
Professionals
- Bigger than the 225 – nice for hitting off the tee.
- Nice sounding membership because of the Harmonic Affect Know-how.
- The most effective wanting utility irons available on the market – it’s exhausting to not love them all again gunmetal design.
Cons
- Solely out there in right-hand fashions. Sorry, left-handers!
- In this YouTube video, they discuss how this golf equipment is positively extra driving irons than to be used off the deck. So that you may battle to hit them off the turf or not be capable of hitting them from the sunshine tough.
It is a nice membership that will help you with launch and management in your longer irons. In case you don’t like hybrids and desire a greater launch angle, this can be a nice choice.
You possibly can order the Mizuno Professional Fli Hello driving iron right here.
3. Ping G425 Crossover
Whereas Ping affords an enormous number of hybrids and fairway woods, additionally they have “crossovers” that are primarily utility irons. These driving kinds of irons are nice for gamers who need some assistance with their lengthy irons without excessive lofted fairway woods or hybrids.
Ping affords the G425 or the G410 crossover irons. The G425 is the bigger, extra forgiving mannequin whereas the G410 is extra suited to higher gamers who don’t want as a lot of forgiveness. The G425 has an all-black design and a barely bigger head.
The G425 is nice for off-the-tee on holes with tight fairways and holes in the place it’s worthwhile to discover a fairway greater than ever. However, the excellent news is that it’s a flexible membership and you’ll hit from the deck too for photographs into lengthy par 4s and reachable par 5s.
The purpose of those golf equipment is to exchange pesky lengthy irons and make them simpler to hit. They try this with tungsten weighting (which you’ll be able to truly see the screw on the skin of the toe). This further weighting will increase the MOI by 6.5% for extra forgiveness, which is required in a lot of these golf equipment.
The membership additionally has options for the margin metal face, which can be current of their fairway woods and hybrids. This face promotes greater ball speeds which enhance launch and distance. Paired with gaping effectivity, these golf equipment are correct too.
One other large perk with these golf equipment is they provide three inventory shafts for optimum customization. You possibly can select from the:
- Ping Alta CB Slate: That is the inventory shaft Ping makes use of in all their drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids. It’s a light-weight shaft that promotes extra velocity and the next launch
- Mitsubishi Tensei CK Professional Orange: This 80-gram shaft has mid-launch, and mid-spin traits and is good for average swing speeds.
- Aldila Rogue Black. The ultimate choice is that this 95-gram shaft is far heavier than the opposite two shafts and extra intently resembles a typical lightweight metal shaft in your irons. It’s good in order for you to decrease spin and decrease launch which is nice for driving irons however may make it tougher to hit off the deck.
Professionals
- Reviewers can’t cease raving in regard to the distance.
- 2 iron lofts out there if you wish to substitute your 5 wooden ones.
- Further tungsten weighting makes these irons extra forgiving.
- Three inventory shaft choices to match them with the remainder of your Ping driver, woods, or hybrids.
Cons
- Not a lot to say right here. This membership has tons of forgiveness, tons of distance, and three inventory shaft choices to personalize it to your swing.
You possibly can decide on the G425 Crossover right here.
4. TaylorMade SIM UDI & SIM DHY
One other prime utility iron within the recreation is the newest fashions from TaylorMade. In truth, they’re trusted by a few of the prime guys on the PGA Tour and an awesome various to conventional lengthy irons or hybrids.
For 2021, TaylorMade launched the SIM DHY and SIM UDI utility irons which are a giant improvement from the previous. Additionally, they have the P790 UDI which is designed to decrease handicap or scratch golfers. Now, there’s a significantly better number of lengthy irons for the regular basis golfer that can allow you to hit it excessively and land it smoothly.
Here’s a breakdown of the three TaylorMade fashions:
TaylorMade SIM DHY Driving Iron
First up is the SIM DHY iron, which is the extra forgiving of the three irons from TaylorMade. Since it’s a bit bigger than most lengthy irons, it’s extra similar to a small hybrid or the Titleist U510 iron. However, although it’s barely bigger, it’s extremely versatile and may offer you tons of confidence.
Right here’s how TaylorMade describes this beast, “Designed for versatility and forgiveness, SIM DHY is actually a superior driving hybrid. A confidence-inspiring form and large sole provide the skill to play it off the tee, from the golf green, and from tough lies.”
With a wider sole, it’s a really useful membership that you could play from practically any lie. Due to its hole physique development and low CG, it’s extremely simple to launch excessively within the air as nicely.
However, what makes this membership so nice is the C300 metal face to ship extra easy velocity. Extra velocity means extra distance, because of its Inverted Cone Know-how. This additionally means a bigger candy spot for these off-heart hits and a straighter ball flight too.
The DHY is obtainable in 2, 3, 4, and 5 iron lofts and delivers a mid-launch to mid-low spin. Ideally, it’s suited to a 0-25 handicap golfer who needs some assistance with longer irons.
Just like the Titleist driving iron, just one shaft is obtainable. In this case, you get the Diamana Restricted hybrid shaft that weighs between 55-75g based mostly on flex (M, R, and stiff out there). That is nonetheless a lot lighter than most lengthy irons and makes it an awesome selection for the on-a-regular basis golfer.
In case you battle together with your woods and desire a fairway finder, this can be a nice membership to add to your bag.
Click on right here or right here to be taught extra in regards to the DHY driving iron from Taylormade.
TaylorMade SIM UDI Driving Iron
The second driving iron from TaylorMade is the UDI which is geared towards a greater ball striker than the DHY iron. TaylorMade recommends this membership for 0-15 handicaps because the launch is decreased and decreases spin too. In case you battle to get the ball airborne and preserve lengthy irons on the dance flooring, go for the DHY as an alternative.
This Tour-inspired form is significantly better to take a look at the deal with because it’s much more compact with a thinner vanguard. Not solely ought it encourage tons of confidence but it’s compact and sufficient to additionally work the ball each method as nicely. Plus, the Diamana Thump Hybrid shaft is a superb inventory shaft and is out there in S or X flex (92-105 grams).
The drawback to this driving iron is that it’s solely out there in a 2 or 3 iron, which isn’t nice for many golfers. I feel they need to additionally provide a 4 iron like Titleist as that’s often the longest iron that the majority of golfers carry. In any other case, a hybrid may make sense except you suppose your swing is constantly sufficient for a 2 or 3 iron.
This membership is the finest off the tee and a great fairway lies because it supplies a piercing ball flight. In case you’re within the tough, make sure to gauge the lie and guarantee you may get the membership on the ball.
Click on right here or right here to choose your SIM UDI.
5. TaylorMade P790 UDI
Lastly, let’s not overlook in regards to the P790. That is the least forgiving of the three driving irons from TaylorMade and is designed for superior golfers. It’s not ultimate from the tough and extra suited to the tee or clear fairway lie. Nevertheless, its smaller design makes it a lot simpler to form photographs however don’t anticipate the identical forgiveness as the opposite two utility irons.
This iron is just supplied in a 2-iron for right-handed gamers and designed for 0-5 handicaps. With the low launch and low spin, you may even be capable of pulling off the patented Tiger stinger with this membership.
However except you’re a really constant golfer, I’d stick to the UDI or DHY mannequin. Bear in mind, these irons are supposed to make the sport simpler, not tougher! All the time play the membership that’s proper on your recreation.
Click on right here to be taught extra about it the P790 UDI.
6. Cobra King Utility Iron
Subsequent to our record is the Cobra King Utility Iron which is making fairly a optimistic impression from golfers worldwide. Maybe the most important distinction between this membership and plenty of others on this record is that it’s adjustable.
That’s proper, you may regulate the loft with this utility iron identical to you’d with a hybrid or fairway wooden which is a large perk. Due to the “MyFly” loft settings, you may finely tune this membership into one in every of eight settings. Now you’ll by no means have to fret about gapping your lengthy irons or hybrids and woods once more.
Plus, it has:
- A clear, fashionable design without a cumbersome take look at the deal with.
- 66-gram tungsten weighting proper behind the hitting zone for easy distance.
- The cast face insert creates a bigger candy spot and extra ball velocity, plus the next launch.
Whilst you can regulate the loft inside three levels, the inventory variations are 2 iron (16 levels), 3 iron (18 levels), and 4 iron (21 levels). You can too select from a metal shaft (KBS $ Taper Lite) or a graphite shaft (Mission X Catalyst) choice. Every mannequin comes with a Cobra Lamkin Crossline with a joint black and white grip too.
The one drawback is that 2 irons and x-stiff shafts are customized choices solely which is a form of a bummer. Since excessive handicap golfers aren’t often enjoying this golf equipment, it’s bizarre that Cobra didn’t make stiff and x-stiff the norm settings right here.
However, a giant perk is that it additionally comes with Cobra Join shot monitoring expertise too. Every utility iron has an Arccos embedded grip sensor that syncs with the Arccos Caddie app. You should use this information to be taught extra about your distances and due to adjustability, tweak as wanted.
Click on right here or right here to be taught extra about it the high-tech driving iron.
Or, you can even decide to go the Bryson DeChambeau route and play it as a “one size” iron. This membership is designed to match a 7-iron size and is obtainable in a 3/4/5 iron with graphite or metal shaft. This isn’t the route I’d suggest for many golfers however being that Bryson is one of each of their prime ambassadors, it is smart to supply to most of the people as nicely.
7. Cleveland UHX Utility Irons
Cleveland has additionally joined the utility iron race with their UHX utility irons. These golf equipment are extra offset than most on this record and designed for a mid to excessive handicapper. In case you’re a scratch golfer or low handicap, these in all probability aren’t those for you.
However, should you be the correct kind of golfer, these are phenomenal golf equipment that presents tons of forgiveness. Their hole physique development makes them far more forgiving than a standard lengthy iron and the metal face is designed for elevated ball speeds.
Even should you do it on the heel or toe, you’ll nonetheless have a lot straighter shot. Plus, their V-shaped sole makes it simple to hit it off the turf as nicely.
These golf equipment can be found in 3, 4, and 5 iron (18-20-23 diploma lofts). The three iron is right-handed solely however 4 & 5 can be found for left-handed golfers too.
The one drawback to this membership is the one choice UST Recoil 95 graphite shaft. 95 grams is likely to be a bit of a lot for some greater handicap gamers.
And the most important perk about these Cleveland driving irons? The worth! These Cleveland utility irons are a fraction of the worth of larger manufacturers like TaylorMade or Titleist.
Click on right here to search out your UHX driving irons or you will discover it right here.
8. Srixon ZX Utility Iron
The ultimate membership to make our record is the Srixon ZX utility iron. Disclaimer, these aren’t for the faint of coronary heart – should you’re not a constant ball striker then discover an alternative choice. These are principally the other of the Cleveland iron and made for very low handicap golfers.
The most important distinction is that it has a lot smaller profile and mimics a protracted iron greater than a driving iron. However, should you be in search of playability and a bit extra forgiveness than regular, that is the membership for you.
The Srixon ZX utility iron is obtainable in 2, 3, and 4 iron fashions (18-20-23 levels). Like most irons on this record, they aren’t adjustable however do assist with the next launch and extra forgiveness on off-heart photographs.
Seems to be alone, this is likely to be the perfect wanting driving iron on this record. Due to its compact form and medium sole thickness, its blade-like design is nice to take a look at. That being mentioned, don’t anticipate a lot of forgiveness for mishits.
Lastly, it’s solely out there in a graphite shaft with common, stiff, or x-stiff flex. For sure, it’s positively not essentially the most forgiving on this record however arguably the perfect one to take a look at. It’s nonetheless a giant improvement from a standard, heavy shafted lengthy iron.
Click on right here to choose a ZX utility iron, or discover it right here.
Find out how to Decide Your Driving Iron
When selecting your driving iron, listed below are the most important elements to consider.
Distance
One of the many greatest elements in deciding on your new driving iron is to search out one which goes the correct distance. Normally, should you carry a driving iron, you should have a driver, 3-wood, after which 3 or 4 iron. In an ideal world, your driving iron would go additional than your 3-iron and shorter than your 3-wood.
Value
Value isn’t too dangerous with driving irons as they’re usually inexpensive than fairway woods or hybrids. It solely will get costly should you substitute 2-4 pieces of golf equipment as lengthy irons as nicely.
Playability & Workability
Discovering the correct utility iron for your recreation is essential to creating positive it stays within the bag for the long run. Check just a few out to verify it’s playable sufficiently on your recreation. Bear in mind, the extra forgiving, the much less you’re capable of working the ball (for essentially the most half).
FAQs on Driving Irons
Received extra questions on driving irons? Be sure to learn all of the FAQs under.
Is a 3 Iron a driving iron?
Sure and no. A 3-iron can definitely be used as a driving iron however it’s not particularly designed with an identical approach.
Three irons are often 20-23 levels in loft whereas driving irons have much less loft. Plus, driving irons are additionally often extra forgiving and meant to be hit off the tee. They sometimes have a bigger design that makes them look very totally different as you set as much as the golf ball.
What’s the finest 2 iron?
The perfect 2-iron is the one which works for you! There isn’t one particular model essentially however as an alternative, it’s determining the perfect golf equipment for your recreation. For 99% of golfers, a 2-irons shouldn’t even be within the golf bag.
If you’re set on having a 2-iron and have the sport for it, ensure you discover the correct shaft on your swing. Because the membership is tougher to hit than most golf equipment, you’ll doubtless wish to change to a lighter model of your iron shaft or get a brand new totally.
Do professionals use driving irons?
Fewer professionals are utilizing driving irons than ever earlier than. In truth, extra professionals are utilizing hybrids and fairway woods than driving irons. However, some gamers who have a ton of swing velocity desire the two, 3, or driving iron.
Professionals have a tendency to make use of driving irons after they’re enjoying hyperlinks golf or if it’s very windy circumstances. Or should you be Tiger Woods, you may nonetheless preserve the 2-iron stinger within the bag as nicely.
Professional Tip: Be sure to learn our article about the best way to hit lengthy irons.
Closing Ideas on Driving Irons
In case you’re seeking to convey the Tiger stinger to your recreation, hopefully, you discovered this publish usefully. Bear in mind, when selecting a driving iron, all the time make sure that it’s proper on your recreation. Don’t purchase one simply to attempt to impress your buddies. As a substitute, impress them together with your low scores, no matter what golf equipment you carry.
In case your recreation does swimsuit a driving iron, make sure to search out the correct one for your recreation. Discover one that’s much like your recreation when it comes to loft and shaft flex. When you get one, make sure to observe earlier than taking it out as there’s an enormous distinction for lots of golfers.
