Using game improvement irons can help many golfers hit straighter and more consistent shots onto the fairway. They are great for beginners and high-handicappers that want to shave some strokes off of their mid-game play. However as you start to improve, you may not need them anymore. So, how do you know when you should start to move away from using game improvement irons? Is there even a time when you should stop using them? I’ve done the research, below is what I’ve found.
There are actually a few signs that could indicate you are ready to switch from your game improvement irons to something a bit less forgiving, but more challenging and rewarding. Below are the signs that may indicate you are ready to move on.
When Should You Switch From Game Improvement Irons? There are 3 signs that you are ready to move away from your game improvement irons and onto other, more challenging irons:
- You want to start hitting more draws or fades
- You want to get more control over the spin of the ball
- You want more feedback from the club so you can tweak your shot at a more granular level
Generally speaking, if you have a desire for any of the above reasons, then you are going to have to switch away from your game improvement irons, and onto a set of irons that will more easily allow you to improve on these endeavors.
Switching Away From Game Improvement Irons: Draws & Fades
One of the main benefits to the game improvement irons is that they are designed to help you hit straight shots down the fairway. Hitting straight shots with your irons is great, but if you want to start to get creative with your shots by incorporating draws and fades, it is going to be very difficult with game improvement irons.
As you progress in becoming a better golfer, you will hit a point where you want to be creative with your shots and shake your game up a bit. Moving away from the typical straight shot is a great way to do that. But as mentioned above, by design, game improvement irons are difficult to manipulate in that way.
If you find yourself looking to hit more draws and fades, it is time you switch away from your game improvement irons.
Switching Away From Game Improvement Irons: Ball Spin
Similar to the reason above, game improvement irons also make it difficult to add spin to the ball. As mentioned before, trying to manipulate your shots with game improvement irons is a bit difficult, and ball spin is no different. While not every golfer may want to start intentionally adding spin to their shots, there are clear benefits to doing it. Unfortunately, the benefits that come along with adding ball spin can not be achieved with game improvement irons.
So if including ball spin into your shots is something you are looking to dive into, you too fall into the category of golfers who should switch away from using game improvement irons.
Switching Away From Game Improvement Irons: Club Feedback
As mentioned many times in this article, game improvement irons are very forgiving due to their large sweet spot and high MOI. While these two factors make it easier to hit consistent shots, you are not able to get as much feedback from the club, thus inhibiting your ability to further improve and learn your swing.
In other words, it is much harder to tell which way the club face is turning on impact with a game improvement iron. So, it makes it a lot harder to know what to correct with your shot. If you are interested in being able to become more granular with learning from your shots by using club feedback, it is best that you begin to move away from the game improvement irons.
Should Low Handicappers Use Game Improvement Irons?
It is totally fine for low handicappers to use game improvement irons. As long as you, as a low handicap golfer, know of the drawbacks that these clubs have, then more power to you. In other words, if you don’t mind a limited ability in being able to control the ball with your shots, then it is totally acceptable for low handicappers to use them.
Are Game Improvement Irons Legal?
As I’ve mentioned in this article there are many benefits to game improvement irons. However, some golfers do get suspicious that these clubs aren’t legal as they assist the player too much with their shots. I decided to check out the USGA and R&A’s equipment rules to see if game improvement irons are legal or not.
According to the USGA and R&A, game improvement irons are totally legal to use in any casual, high-level amateur, and professional rounds and tournaments.
While each brand of game improvement irons are different, there are no rules against clubs that offer this kind of assistance. However, it is best to double check your club specs to see if they match up with the equipment regulations.
Final Thoughts: Switching Away From Game Improvement Irons
So if you are on the fence on whether or not you should switch away from your game improvement irons, these reasons should help you decide if you are ready. It is good to understand where you are at in your golf game before you make the leap over to another set of irons.
It should also be noted that after making this switch you may find yourself having difficulty using a different set of irons, but with time it should get a bit easier. Like any other concept in golf, consistency over time will yield the best results for you.
Most people say that moving away from your game improvement irons is like taking the training wheels off of your bike. It is scary, and you are likely going to struggle in the beginning, but there is so much more opportunity to become a better golfer once you advance past using these clubs.