Game Improvement, Players-Distance or Players Irons?

Confused about which type of iron you should be playing? You’re in good company.

There are three distinct iron categories: Game Improvement, Players-Distance and Players irons. Each one possesses a particular performance profile to match a specific player type. However, as iron technology advances, the lines of delineation between all three categories have blurred, especially at the intersection of Game Improvement and Players-Distance irons.

Let us explain all three iron categories so you can be better informed when you upgrade to your next iron set.

WHAT IS A GAME-IMPROVEMENT IRON?

The inherent design principle of a Game Improvement iron is to maximise forgiveness (protection from mis-hits) and distance, thus “improving your game”. Game Improvement irons do a tonne of heavy lifting by minimising the impact of bad strikes. They offer consistent distance and help golfers launch the ball higher.

They are typically aimed at players with slower swing speeds. The focus on distance, trajectory and forgiveness come at the cost of spin and control. Game improvement irons are also engineered with a large offset to help square the club face at impact, which is helpful for golfers who slice the ball.

Example: TaylorMade Qi irons.

WHAT IS A PLAYERS-DISTANCE IRON?

Players-Distance irons are a fairly recent creation but are extremely popular. Sitting between Game Improvement and Players irons, the Players-Distance iron formula offers plenty of distance and a bit of forgiveness, all wrapped up in a compact package that is the same size, or slightly larger, than a Players iron.

Players-Distance irons are designed for spin consistency but elevate ball speeds with ultra-thin and flexible faces. They provide more speed than a Players iron so will suit slow-to-moderate swing speeds. They also launch the ball higher than Players irons and the smaller head shape promotes shot shaping capabilities.

Players-Distance irons are essentially game improvement irons in a sleeker more compact package. While the overall game improvement characteristics are not at the level of a true Game Improvement iron, they look way better.

Players-Distance irons are mostly hollow-bodied irons, although there are also cavity-back models. The category is broad but some models will focus more on ball speed at the cost of control, while others will provide better spin rate consistency and control — at the expense of a little ball speed.

Example: TaylorMade P790 iron.

WHAT IS A PLAYERS IRON?

Players irons are designed for the most skilful and consistent ball strikers in the game. They are by far the least forgiving, but the payoff is they provide a pure feel out of the sweet spot and are super agile, which allows golfers to hit a variety of shot shapes and ball flights.

A players iron will produce a lower trajectory, suiting golfers with higher swing speeds who don't require assistance getting the ball in the air. They also feature minimal offset for players who hit the ball straight and can control the clubface.

They feature smaller heads, which helps golfers fade or draw their shots when they need to. The sacrifice, though, is they are less stable at impact, particularly for off-centre strikes.

Players irons are designed for consistency of spin and distance. But the drawback is that they are not as hot off the face and don’t have the technology that actively works behind the scenes to boost distance.

However, Players irons provide the purest feel. Out of the sweet spot there is no better feeling, however, it can feel downright nasty outside it. Players can get immediate feedback about strike location on the club face, which can be a good thing for golfers who want to hone perfect centre contact; this lack of forgiveness can help an aspirational golfer focus on hitting the sweet spot more regularly.

Example: TaylorMade P7MB irons.

WHICH IRON SHOULD I PLAY?

Each iron category has advantages and compromises. Be honest about where your game is at and your strengths and weaknesses. Decide which atrributes are essential to you and factor in your swing speed. Then choose your iron category and go and try them; the decision is all yours.

Handicaps are often used to interpret which type of iron you should play but in reality, it doesn’t stack up.

It usually follows that low handicaps should stick with Players irons; mid handicaps should choose Players-Distance irons; and high handicaps should trust Game Improvement irons. However, golf is not that linear.

The reality is, a single digit handicapper can own a slow swing more suited to a game improvement iron. Or an errant mid-20 handicapper could have an outrageously fast swing speed and simply gains no benefit from playing game improvement clubs which help him get the ball in the air and hit short irons prodigious distances.

Meanwhile, some players might have the swing speed to handle a Players iron but have such an inconsistent strike pattern that they'd be better off with a Players-Distance iron that offers more forgiveness for off-centre strikes.

Then again, a slow-swinging high handicapper might be best off playing a Game Improvement iron. But the sight of a chunky topline, massive head and huge offset is immensely off-putting. The logical comprommise could be a Players-Distance iron.

Conversely, you might be a mid-handicapper who just likes the confidence that comes with playing huge Game Improvement irons.

The choice is up to you. Good luck!