There are several different ways to measure golf club iron length, but what’s the best one? We’ll explore the differences and help you decide which one is right for you.
Table of Contents
Overall Length
This is the classic way of measuring golf club iron length. Simply hold the handle of the club with the measuring device in your hand and make a note of how long the entire club is. Most often, you’ll find this measurement written on the club itself, as well as on the packaging.
If you’re looking to buy a set of golf clubs for your home, you can measure the length of each one to get an idea of which one will be best suited for your game. Overall length is typically written in inches or centimeters on the packaging to avoid any mix-ups when ordering.
Wrist-to-Shaft Length
This measurement is taken from the end of the handle opposite the club face and goes all the way to the end of the shaft. It’s a shorter length than overall length and is best used for drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids. If you order your clubs from online stores, you can usually find this measurement written on the bill or in the comments section.
Groove-to-Shaft Length
This measurement is similar to the previous one but is taken along the outside of the shaft. It is typically longer than wrist-to-shaft length and can be found on putters and irons. If you’re curious, the average distance a golf ball travels when struck with a four iron is 246 feet, which means the grooves on the clubhead add about 4 inches to the overall length of the club.
Shaft Width
This measurement is taken at the widest point of the shaft and goes across the top. Most golf clubs have a measurement written on them in hundredths of an inch, but you can also look it up on the internet if you don’t have a digital measuring device. If you order your club from an online store, you can usually find this measurement on the bill or in the comments section.
Ball Size
Golf balls come in many different sizes, but the two most popular ball sizes for golfers are 1.68 inches and 1.72 inches in diameter. The first number (1.68) represents the diameter of the ball’s outer layer and the second number (1.72) represents the inner diameter. You can also use these numbers to determine the circumference of the ball:
- 1.68 = 0.08 x (2 x $10) = $16.80
- 1.72 = 0.04 x (2 x $10) = $8.40
If you’re looking to purchase a ball for use in a competition where exactness is needed, then you can use these measurements to find the right size. However, if you’re aiming for a more leisurely game, then use the 1.68 or 1.72 inch diameter.
Clubhead Size
This measurement is taken at the widest point of the clubhead, as discussed in the previous paragraph. It goes across the top of the clubhead and is best used for irons. If you order your club from an online store, you can usually find this measurement on the bill or in the comments section.
Overall Depth
This measurement is taken from the end of the handle opposite the club face to the tip of the nose and goes all the way to the back. You’ll typically find this measurement on putters and wedges. Overall depth can also be found on the packaging to ensure there are no mix-ups when ordering.
How Do I Tell If My Iron Is Right For My Game?
If you know the difference between the different measurements discussed above, then you can easily discern the right golf club for your game based on the distance you hit the ball. For example, if you know your ball travels a median distance of 250 feet, then you can assume your game is somewhere between an 8 and 9 iron.
For most golfers, an 8 iron is the perfect distance weapon. It is neither too long nor short and allows you to reach just about any part of the golf course. If you believe the same thing, then you can easily locate the right 8 iron for your game based on the measurements discussed above.
What Are The Different Sizes For My Iron?
There are several different sizes of iron available to golfers, but the two most popular are 8, 9, and 10 iron. The first number (8) represents the loft of the club head and the second number (9 or 10) represents the length of the club. The longer the club, the lower the loft and the more loft the number indicates. For example, a 9.8 iron has the same loft as a 9 iron but is longer by 0.8 inches. If you’re not familiar with lofts, they measure the rise and fall of the clubhead when the club is swung away from and then toward the target.
It’s important to note that not all longer irons are created equal as some golfers prefer their irons longer than others. To truly know which type of iron is best for your game, you have to consider a number of factors including the distance your ball travels, the type of shot you want to make, and the size of the course you’re playing on.
To help you choose the right iron for your game, we have compiled a list of the top ten things to consider before buying. Read on to find out what they are.
1. Clubhead Speed
The clubhead speed is measured in miles per hour (mph) and indicates the pace at which the club is swung. If you want to hit the ball quickly, look for a club with a higher speed rating. The higher the speed rating, the quicker the ball will come back. This is important for golfers who want to get the ball into the air quickly or for drivers who want to make powerful swings to the right. Higher speeds also make the ball fly farther according to the scientists at http://www.golfstatsguru.com/.
2. Metal Weight
The metal weight indicates how much the metal of the clubhead weighs relative to the entire iron. The more weight the metal has, the more balanced and reliable the club will be. The less weight there is, the more vibrations will be perceived by the player. This is important for golfers who play the same distance from all parts of the course and for those who want to experiment with different types of shots. For example, if you want to hit the ball lower, look for a club with less weight. The more weight the metal has, the longer the ball will travel before it begins to descend. Inversely, if you want to hit the ball higher, look for a club with more weight. The more weight the metal has, the quicker the ball will rise. Vibrations are also less with more metal weight because the more mass there is, the less the vibrations will be perceived by the human ear. You’ll feel the difference immediately if you’ve ever tried to listen to music while playing golf.
3. Clubhead Volume
This measurement is taken at the widest point of the clubhead and goes across the top. It represents the volume of the clubhead measured in cubic inches (ci). For most golfers, a ci of 15 to 20 is the perfect volume for an iron. Larger ci values mean the clubhead is larger, which in turn, makes it more suitable for collision with the ball. If you want to smash home the ball, then look for a club with larger ci volume. Conversely, if you’d like to keep the ball in the air longer, look for a smaller ci volume. When the clubface is opened up and the volume is measured, it is typically written as “XL” followed by the ci value in numerals.
4. Club Head Size
This measurement is taken at the widest point of the clubhead and goes across the top. It represents the clubhead size in inches (in) and is good for irons. If you order your club from an online store, you can usually find this measurement on the bill or in the comments section. Larger values indicate the clubhead is larger, which in turn, makes it more suitable for collisions with the ball. The smaller the value, the more loft the clubhead will have. Varying clubhead sizes are also important for golfers who play with different swing speeds. For example, if you want to hit the ball shorter, then look for a clubhead that’s smaller in size.