Golf irons come in a variety of weights, and the weight of an iron can have a significant impact on your game. In general, heavier irons will give you more power and distance, and can help with control.
Lighter irons are sometimes more difficult to control because the swing speed increases. They don’t generate as much power, but because of the increased swing speed, the ball can travel to long distances.
In this blog post, we will take a look at how golf iron weight affects your game, and we will provide some tips on how to choose the right weight for you.
Table of Contents
How much does a golf iron weigh?
Golf irons weigh anywhere from 0.88 pounds to 0.97 pounds. The total weight of the iron includes the head, shaft and grip. The following table shows the different sets of irons and their corresponding weight:
| Iron type | Club head weight in pounds | Grip weight in pounds | Shaft weight in pounds | Total Weight of iron in pounds |
| 9-iron | 0.60 | 0.11 | 0.26 | 0.97 |
| 8-iron | 0.58 | 0.11 | 0.26 | 0.95 |
| 7-iron | 0.57 | 0.11 | 0.26 | 0.94 |
| 6-iron | 0.55 | 0.11 | 0.26 | 0.92 |
| 5-iron | 0.54 | 0.11 | 0.26 | 0.91 |
| 4-iron | 0.52 | 0.11 | 0.26 | 0.89 |
| 3-iron | 0.51 | 0.11 | 0.26 | 0.88 |
As you can see, the weight of the shaft and grip does not change among the varying irons. The difference lies in the weight of the clubhead and the length of the shaft.
Does A Heavier Club Hit The Ball Farther?
It’s logical to say that the heavier the clubhead is the more force applied to the golf ball, resulting in a greater distance than a lighter clubhead.
However, not everything is black and white. If the clubhead is too heavy, it can cause the golfer to cast or throw the club too early in their swing trying to get the club around. As the clubhead gets heavier and heavier, the rate at which you swing your club starts to decrease. Therefore, the lower the swing speed, the less distance the golf ball travels.
This is why it’s important to find balance in the weight of your clubhead. If you find that your swing speed and golf ball distance is decreasing when you strike your irons, then it’s probably time to find a lighter clubhead.
Now, the distance the golf ball travel is not only dependent on the weight of the clubhead. The main contributing factor that affect distance is the length of the shaft. The longer the shaft is the farther the ball will travel, whereas the shorter the shaft the less distance the ball will travel. This is why a long 3-iron club will hit farther than a short 9-iron club, despite the clubhead weighing less.
Are Golf Irons Heavy To Carry Around?
Golf irons are not particularly heavy to carry around, but they can add quite a bit of weight to your golf bag. The average iron weighs about one pound, so a full set of irons (3-iron to 9-iron) would weigh around 7 pounds. That’s not an insignificant amount of weight, but it’s still manageable for most people.
If you’re worried about the weight of your golf bag, you can always opt for a lighter set of irons. Some manufacturers make irons that weigh as little as half a pound each.
Of course, these irons are usually more expensive, so it’s up to you whether the weight savings is worth the extra cost.
Ultimately, it’s not the weight of the irons that matters most, but how well they perform on the course. So, if you’re happy with your current set of irons, there’s no need to replace them.
What Affects The Weight Of The Clubhead
The material of the clubhead is what affect it’s weight. Stainless steel is the material most often used to make golf irons apart from aluminum. Stainless steel is heavier and has a lower strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum.
Stainless steel is durable and provides a good balance of feel and forgiveness. It is also relatively inexpensive, making it a good choice for budget-minded golfers.
There are also irons made from other materials, such as forged carbon steel and titanium. Forged irons are typically more expensive than stainless steel irons, but they offer a softer feel and more precise control. Titanium irons are even more expensive, but they are also very lightweight, which can help increase clubhead speed and distance.
Light Vs Heavy Golf Irons
There are a few things to consider when trying to decide whether a lighter or heavier golf iron is better for your game.
The first is your personal swing speed. If you have a slower swing speed, then you will likely benefit from using a lighter golf iron.
This is because the lighter weight can help you generate more speed and power behind your shots as there isn’t much weight dragging you down.
However, if you have a faster swing speed, then you might want to consider using a heavier golf iron. This is because the heavier weight can help you maintain control of your shots and prevent them from going too far off course. (Fast swing speed will benefit from a heavier shaft to provide more control without losing distance)
The second thing to consider is the type of terrain you will be playing on. If you are going to be playing on a course with lots of hills and inclines, then a lighter golf iron can be beneficial.
This is because it can help you keep your shots from going too far off course. However, if you are going to be playing on a course that is mostly flat, then a heavier golf iron can help you hit the ball further.
The last thing to consider is your own personal preferences. Some golfers prefer the feel of a lighter golf iron, while others prefer the feel of a heavier golf iron. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which is better for your game. Try out different weights and see which one you feel most comfortable with.
Why Are Women’s Golf Irons Lighter?
There are a few reasons why women golf clubs are typically lighter than men’s clubs. One reason is that women tend to have less upper body strength than men, so they need clubs that are easier to swing. Another reason is that lighter clubs can help women generate more clubhead speed, which can lead to longer, straighter shots.
Finally, lighter clubs are often more forgiving than heavier clubs, meaning they’re less likely to produce errant shots when struck improperly.
Ultimately, whether or not a woman should use lighter golf clubs comes down to her individual swing and strength level. If she’s having trouble generating clubhead speed or is struggling to hit the ball squarely, lighter clubs may be a good option.
However, if she’s comfortable with her current clubs and is happy with her performance, there’s no need to switch to lighter clubs. Golfers of all levels can benefit from using lighter clubs, but it’s important to find the right clubs for your individual swing and strength level.
If you’re not sure which clubs are right for you, ask a golf pro or club fitter for help. They’ll be able to recommend the right clubs based on your swing and strength level.
Do professional golfers use heavier or lighter irons?
There is no definitive answer to this question as different golfers have different preferences. Some professional golfers may prefer to use heavier irons for more control, while others may prefer lighter irons for more speed. Ultimately, it is up to the individual golfer to decide what works best for them.
Here are some suggested irons for different types of payers:
-For control: Heavier irons such as the Callaway X Forged or Titleist 714 AP2
-For speed: Lighter irons such as the TaylorMade RocketBladez or Titleist 913 D2
Conclusion
Golf irons come in a variety of weights, so it is important to choose the right weight for your game. If you have a slower swing speed, then you will likely benefit from using a lighter golf iron.
This is one of the reasons why women’s clubs are designed with a lighter shaft and clubhead weight when compared to men. Simply put, men have a greater swing speed than women due to their natural physical strength. Women’s clubs are thus tailored to suit the skills and strength of the player.
However, if you have a faster swing speed, then you might want to consider using a heavier golf iron. This is because the heavier weight can help you maintain control of your shots and prevent them from going too far off course.
All in all, it is important to experiment with different weights until you find the right one for your game. There is no “ideal” weight for all golfers, so find what works best for you and stick with it. Thanks for reading! We hope this article was helpful.
