Hybrid and utility irons have changed what the typical golf set makeup looks like. Not too long ago, the 2-iron was a go-to club for hitting stingers off the tee or chasing one onto the green in two on a par-5. But with launch monitors and modern fitting data, it turns out the 2-iron golf club might be a little tougher to hit than most golfers realized. Has the 2-iron become obsolete and been replaced by more forgiving and versatile options? Does anyone still carry a 2-iron? If not, what’s taken its place?
The longest iron in the bag: Handicap breakdown
Shot Scope helped us with some data on the club choices of players based on their handicaps. Most scratch golfers don’t have the same set makeup that higher handicap players have. What we found is that even golfers with handicaps lower than 10 do not carry a 2-iron or even a 3-iron.
Shot Scope’s data on golfers across handicaps reveals interesting trends about the longest irons in players’ bags:
| Handicap | Longest Iron in the Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3-iron or 3-hybrid | Some carry both and drop the lob wedge. 50/50 split between 3-iron and 3-hybrid. |
| 5 | 4-iron | 3-iron swapped for a 3-hybrid for added forgiveness. |
| 10 | 5-iron | 4-iron is swapped for a 4-hybrid, two hybrids in the bag |
| 15 | 5-iron | Longer irons replaced by hybrids/woods. |
| 20 | 5-iron | Preference shifts to more hybrids and woods. |
| 25 | 5-iron | Same set makeup as the 20-handicap golfer |
This data shows that, as the handicap increases, players are more likely to keep 2-, 3- and 4-iron clubs out of the golf bag. You’ll notice that even scratch golfers opt for the hybrid over the long iron 50 percent of the time.
What replaces the 2-iron?
If golfers no longer carry the 2-iron golf club, what are they doing to fill that yardage gap? There are three options to replace a 2-iron which typically has an 18- to 20-degree loft.
5-wood
The 5 wood generally has around 19 degrees of loft. It offers a higher launch and more forgiveness than a traditional 2-iron. In addition, if your lie is less than ideal, the 5-wood can help you escape a bit easier than the 2-iron.
At one point, it was reported that Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas tested 2-irons but ultimately added 5-woods to their bags. McIlroy now carries a TaylorMade Qi10 5-wood (18 degrees) while Thomas uses a Titleist 915 Fd.
3-hybrid
The 3-hybrid is easier to hit than a long iron. It’s also a versatile club that works from various lies and conditions. In fact, some players find it easier to use from the rough than a 5-wood and certainly easier than a 2-iron.
The 3-hybrid is a natural addition to the setup for players who strike their irons well.
Utility irons
The utility iron is likely the most direct replacement for the 2-iron golf club. It will have the same loft and look similar to the 2-iron.
The difference between most utility irons/driving irons and the 2-iron golf club is that they have wider soles to help increase forgiveness.
Do manufacturers still make 2-irons?
Several manufacturers make 2-iron utility or driving iron clubs but very few still make a traditional 2-iron. The Mizuno Pro 245 2-iron has 16.5 degrees of loft. Most manufacturers produce a 3-iron in the player’s and player’s distance iron sets. It’s common to see the 4-iron or 5-iron as the longest in game-improvement and super game-improvement sets.
Why carry a 2-iron?
If you are still holding on to a 2-iron from years ago, you may want to test it on a launch monitor and be sure you are getting the consistency, accuracy and distance you think you are getting. The 2-iron is not as popular as it once was simply because of the forgiveness it lacks.
The 2-iron golf club leaves very little room for error. That’s why you see golfers like Tiger Woods playing one. When you strike a 2-iron well, it’s great for tee shots on narrow fairways and creating a low, penetrating ball flight in the wind.
The problem is the lack of consistency the club offers for mid- to high-handicap players. Test hybrids, fairway woods and modern utility irons to see if their performance is a better fit.
Final thoughts
Golfers who prefer traditional setups or situational shot requirements often keep the 2-iron in the bag. For most players, however, hybrids, 5-woods and utility irons offer a better blend of forgiveness, distance and versatility.
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