Buying guide for Best women’s irons
Golfers know the importance of using the right clubs when it comes to success on the course. The clubs need to fit the player using them for the proper swing path and to avoid mishits. For female players who may not generate the same head speed as male players, using clubs that take this into account is key. Golf club manufacturers make every kind of club for female players, including irons.
Players use irons for approach shots to the green, which require more accuracy than shots off the tee. That means golfers need irons that fit their swing and skill level. Using the wrong iron can cause inconsistent hits and off-center swings that lead to missed greens and rising scores.
The best women’s irons are easier to find than you may think. Golf club manufacturers don’t make as many models of irons for women as they do for men, but there are plenty available. Before purchasing irons, it’s important to understand how these clubs work. We explain some of the key features of women’s golf irons in our buying guide and point you to a few of the irons we like best.
Key considerations
When shopping for irons, start by determining which clubs best fit your game. Manufacturers designate different irons by the number printed on the club. Lower numbers are long irons that generate more distance. Higher numbers are short irons that generate more loft, resulting in greater accuracy over short distances.
There are three types of irons: short irons, mid-irons, and long irons. Having at least one of each type in your golf bag should deliver good results for beginners. Typically, players want to carry two or three of each type of iron.
Short irons
Most players consider the 8- and 9-irons to be short irons. Some players also consider a pitching wedge (usually marked with a P) to be a short iron. For average players, short irons are far easier to hit successfully than mid-irons or long irons. The average female amateur player should hit the 8- and 9-irons 65 to 85 yards. The loft on these clubs is in the range of 37° to 41°, which generates a lot of height on the shot.
Mid-irons
These are 5-, 6-, and 7-irons, which generate between 80 and 120 yards for the average female player. These clubs have loft angles in the range of 28° to 35°. Some players struggle to hit these irons successfully.
Long irons
The 3- and 4-irons are the long irons. These generate distances of about 115 to 140 yards for the average female player, with loft angles in the range of 20° to 26°. These irons are extremely difficult for inexperienced players to hit accurately.
Did You Know?
Female golfers playing in tournaments are usually limited to carrying 14 clubs in the bag. Keep this in mind when deciding which irons you want to purchase.
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Features
Club head
Players can choose between cavity back and muscle back club heads on irons.
Cavity back: This club head works better for female players and for less experienced players because the design is easier to hit accurately. Its slightly hollowed-out back is more forgiving of mishits.
Muscle back: These irons are challenging to hit accurately, but they give advanced players more control over the ball’s flight than the cavity back irons. Advanced female players can use these clubs successfully.
Club shaft
Pay attention to the length flex of the club shaft.
Length: For female players, the shaft length for irons should be an inch or two shorter than that on the corresponding men’s irons. Shorter women might want to use irons that are a few inches shorter than men’s irons.
Flex: This is a measurement of the way the shaft bends slightly upon impact with the ball. Greater flex increases the speed of the swing, which can generate more distance on the ball. Females typically need a greater level of flex to create more speed, but shafts with more flex are harder to control than clubs with less flex.
Did You Know?
Although wedges are similar in design and shape to irons, many golfers don’t consider them to be traditional irons. Other than a pitching wedge, other wedges are rarely included in sets of irons.
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Accessories
Women’s golf club set: Wilson Women’s Complete Golf Set
Rather than purchasing irons individually, some players prefer to buy all their clubs in a set from one manufacturer. These graphite clubs from Wilson fit the average female player, and the set includes woods, irons, putter, and bag.
Women’s hybrid golf club: Callaway Steelhead XR Hybrid Club
Rather than long irons, some female players prefer hybrid clubs. They’re shaped more like woods and are easier to hit than long irons for less experienced players. This Callaway hybrid club is forgiving of slight mishits, helping players be more successful.
Women’s golf shoes: Adidas Golf Tech Response Golf Shoes
Wearing golf shoes helps players maintain their footing during the swing, avoid slips, and generate better power. The pattern of the spikes on these Adidas shoes delivers the desired power from the lower half of the body. They are also extremely comfortable for those golfers who like to walk the course.
Women’s golf glove: Callaway Dawn Patrol Golf Glove
One way to ensure a good grip on the iron is by wearing a golf glove. Right-handed players typically wear a glove on the left hand, and left-handed players wear a glove on the right hand. This Callaway glove is made of durable leather with holes for breathability.
Did You Know?
Most golfers swing right-handed, but there are left-handed irons available for women too. You might have to search a bit to find them, though.
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Pricing
If you purchase irons as part of a set, you can expect to receive a discount of 10% to 30% per club versus buying them individually, but you could end up purchasing some irons that you don’t use, so your discount may not be as great as it sounds.
Inexpensive: These women’s golf irons cost roughly $20 to $40 per club. These clubs are for beginners and don’t offer any special features for ball control.
Mid-range: These women’s irons cost $40 to $60 per club. They may have a few advanced features that help to generate more club speed for extra distance. They also might be more forgiving of mishits to keep the ball on target.
Expensive: The most expensive women’s irons cost $60 to $100 per club. These irons are for experienced players, allowing precise control, including the ability to spin the ball to stop it on the green as close to the hole as possible. Players can choose a specific type of shaft design and club head design with these expensive irons.
Tips
- Keep the clubs dry. Moisture on irons can cause issues over time. Dry your irons with a towel before storing them.
- Clean mud and grass off your clubs right away. Swinging an iron often leaves mud and grass on the club face. Wipe off the club face after every shot.
- Put covers on your irons. Invest in some sleeves or covers that fit over the club heads of the irons. These keep them from banging into each other when you carry the bag.
- Clean your clubs thoroughly periodically. You can use warm water with a bit of gentle dish soap on the club heads every month or two. Make sure the clubs are completely dry before you store them.
FAQ
Q. Do I have to use irons?
A. Nearly all golfers want to use irons at some point. Woods provide distance, but they’re hard to control. Irons are great for approach shots to the green because they provide loft as well as control. It’s almost impossible to play the game of golf without using irons, though some players use hybrid clubs as a substitute for mid-irons and long irons.
Q. Is it better to purchase a set of irons or buy irons separately?
A. Having a set of irons is beneficial because all of them have the same design and feel, making it easier to swing them consistently. However, when you purchase a set, you can end up with irons you don’t want or need. Buying individual irons ensures that you get exactly the irons you want. If you decide to purchase individual irons, try to stick to one manufacturer and model for a consistent feel from club to club.
Q. Can I play using men’s irons instead of women’s irons?
A. Nothing in the golf rules says that women must play with women’s clubs. They can play with men’s clubs if those clubs fit them better. Men’s clubs are typically longer than women’s clubs, so tall women can have success using men’s clubs.
Q. Will new irons really help my game all that much?
A. Golf club manufacturers are constantly improving the designs of their clubs for both men and women. Newer irons tend to have a larger sweet spot on the face, ensuring better distance and accuracy even on slight mishits. If your irons are five years old or more, new irons will almost certainly help your game, but taking lessons and practicing regularly will probably help more than new golf clubs.
