According to True Spec Golf, players with fast swing speeds are built to swing clubs with a stiff flex shaft. A golfer producing a slower swing speed should consider a senior or ladies’ design; when the average swingers perform the best with a regular flex shaft.

In this post, I assess stiff vs extra stiff iron shafts. I’ll evaluate the pros and cons of each design to see which construction suits your game.

In addition, I have provided a rundown of the performance features of each shaft. This helps you determine which option is better aligned with your desired launch, spin, and distance goals.

A Quick Overview of Iron Shaft Stiffness and Why They Matter

Shaft flex plays a role in the outcome of every strike. The right shaft flex is essential in achieving your desired launch, shot shape, distance and spin.

If you are a slower swinger and play with extra stiff shafts you may be struggling to generate the required clubhead speed for an enhanced coefficient of restitution (COR). As a result, you do not produce the necessary ball speed to achieve a high launching, long shot. Therefore, your golf ball flies low, and you lose distance.

In addition to the distance loss, a stiff design challenges your accuracy. A stiff flex shaft raises the challenge of squaring your face up through impact. The stiffer, heavier shaft delivers less torque. Therefore, it produces less whip from the club on your downswing to bring it into position.

This is why the average golfer tends to leave the club face open through contact and slice their ball. That means your dispersion will reflect shots consistently to the right of your target.

Pros of Stiff Shafts

Low Spin

The first advantage that a stiff shaft produces is low spin. This is ideal for longer iron shots, as it delivers a piercing flight to encourage maximum distance.

The stiffer a golf club shaft is, the less spring it provides the clubface through impact. This causes you to strike the ball with less loft, leading to a lower launch with less spin. Therefore, you enjoy increased forward roll upon landing for added distance in your long game.

Low Launch

I mentioned that a stiff shaft produces lower spin thanks to a sturdy lofted club face at contact. That causes a low launch and reduces the apex of your ball flight, which is welcomed in windy conditions.

In addition, the low launching nature of these shots prevents faster swinging golfers from ballooning their shots. This ensures increased control on approach shots for optimal distance control through the bag.

When fast swinging golfers play a lighter shaft, the added spin and high launch cause them to lose, carry, and total distance.

Built For Fast Swing Speeds

Stiff shafts are best suited to golfers with fast swing speeds. Golfers fitting into this category typically swing a 6-iron between 84 to 91 mph. Stiff iron shafts help fast-swinging golfers produce their desired launch, ball speed, and spin levels for satisfactory results.

Low handicap players typically fall into this category. While the rest of the amateur golf fraternity produces slow or average swing speeds.

Cons of Stiff Shafts

Reduced Spin

The reduced spin is a blessing for fast swing speed golfers seeking a consistent launch for optimal distance control. But, the situation is different for slower swinging amateurs.

The lack of spin causes the ball to fly low, and if you do not produce sufficient ball speed, it will hit the ground sooner than intended and lead to a loss of distance. Although spin is the enemy in the wind and hampers your yardage, you need some to get off the ball airborne.

Furthermore, the lack of spin can cause your ball to roll off the green on approach. As a result, you will need a precise short game to consistently get up and down.

Loss of Carry Distance

A stiffer shaft construction restricts the bend of the clubhead into the ball at impact. Therefore, your clubface strikes the ball with a sturdy lofted face and sends your golf ball along a low trajectory.

Failure to generate sufficient ball velocity will cause the ionomer to drop out of the sky sooner than planned, causing a loss of carry distance. This messes with your distance control and is dangerous when trying to clear a water hazard or a bunker.

Sliced Shots

If your grip, wrist angles, and angle of attack are on point, but you still slice your shots, your club shafts may be at fault. Stiffer golf shafts provide little assistance on your downswing. As a result, your rotation, rhythm, and tempo must be on point for a clean strike.

Failure to execute a clean transition from the backswing to the downswing can leave your clubface open at impact. This position generates left to right sidespin, which causes a slice. In this scenario, you might consider switching to a regular shaft.

Pros of Extra Stiff Shafts

Lowest Spin

I touched on the beauty of low spin in my review on stiff shafts. However, an extra-stiff design takes it to the next level. You will not find a shaft that produces less spin rpm than an extra-stiff construction.

Golfers who generate excess spin with a stiff shaft should contemplate an extra-stiff setup. This may help limit spin for a more controlled ball flight.

Lowest Launch

The result of the lowest spinning shaft is the lowest launching shot. This suits golfers looking for piercing flight to achieve consistency in their distance and accuracy. Plus, it prevents very fast swingers from ballooning their shots and losing yards.

Built For Super Fast Swing Speeds

Extra stiff shafts are reserved for the fastest swingers in our game. These are golfers producing more than 92 mph of velocity on the downswing. An aspiring professional and PGA Tour Pros are the most likely golfers to fill this bracket.

I suggest that these individuals test steel iron shafts and see how they go. If you launch your shots too low, think about a graphite shaft with the same flex.

Cons of Extra Stiff Shafts

Limited Spin

Extra stiff shafts provided limited spin assistance. This means you are required to do all the work, and failure to generate sufficient spin will lead to a low-flying golf shot. This reduces your carry distance and, at times, causes the ball to roll further than intended.

Erratic Dispersion

When your shaft is too stiff for your swing, it leads to erratic dispersion. The lack of clubface spring through impact makes it difficult to square the grooves up through contact. This results in a wayward shot caused by an open clubface that prompts shots to the right of your target.

How to Determine Which Type of Iron Shafts Better Suit You

Swing Speed

Swing speed provides a guideline for golfers who have no idea how to find the best iron shaft constructions for their game. Those who swing a 6-iron between 75 and 83 mph have an average swing speed. Therefore, regular flex designs are considered best for your game.

Moreover, a 6-iron swing speed below 75 mph is set up for a seniors shaft. A ladies’ shaft is also worth testing if that is still too stiff for your game.

Launch

The next factor to analyze is launch. Are you producing your desired launch and ball flight to maximize distance control and accuracy in your iron game? If you are launching the ball consistently low, your shaft may be too stiff for your swing. Therefore, you need to consider a more flexible design.

Conversely, players who frequently balloon their shots may opt for a stiffer flex that takes out an additional clubface spring through impact.

Spin

Spin is necessary to get your ball airborne and landing softly on the green. However, excessive spin can cause you to sky your shot and lose considerable carry distance. Conversely, inadequate spin can send your ball flying low and hitting the ground earlier than intended.

Ultimately think about a lighter and more flexible shaft if you demand a higher launching shot. However, lower ball flight seekers should stick to stiffer shaft constructions.

Dispersion

Several factors can prompt an erratic shot wide of your target. This starts with a bad grip, followed by a lack of rotation, then by a wrong angle of attack. These factors produce an open or closed clubface sending the ball left or right of the landing zone.

If your coach is satisfied that your swing mechanics are optimized and your grip is secure, your shafts may prove the issue. Typically, extra stiff shafts cause slower swinging golfers to leave their clubface open at impact, causing a slice.

On the other hand, a light, flexible golf shaft can prompt a player to close its clubface through contact and hook their ball.

Therefore, if you are consistently slicing your shots and have your swing and grip in order, contemplate a more flexible shaft. Conversely, golfers frequently hooking their shots should consider a stiff shaft design.

Our Top Picks for Each Category

If you’ve decided to go with stiff shafts, here’s one of my favorites:

But if you’re swinging hard and want to go with some extra stiff shafts, I recommend these steel shafts:

Related Reading: If this post made you realize you need to switch out your golf shafts , read our post on how much it costs to reshaft irons. The process is far more straightforward than you may think.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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My colleague, Johnny Wunder, recently joined Jake Knapp at Scottsdale National to hit every iron in the PXG lineup, and they came away with some really cool findings about ball speed. This is a wonderful metric for every golfer to look at when they’re picking out new irons, and I want to talk about how to use ball speed when choosing what irons you want to put in your bag.

What’s the “target” ball speed?

The PGA Tour average for a 7-iron is right around 123 mph of ball speed. The “average” golfer is closer to 115 mph if they’re swinging between 75-80 mph. Tour players, like Knapp, obviously swing faster but also are aided by single-piece irons, whereas most amatuers use an iron that provides a little bit more help.

The truth is, there really is no “standard” speed that fitters try to achieve for every golfer. Instead, we try to match up speed, peak, height and spin to dial a player in. Remember, though, speed creates spin and height. Regardless of loft, which is where most golfers get tripped up, having something with a lower CG that produces a higher ball speed will inherently spin the ball a touch more and launch the ball higher.

An important metric to think about here is smash factor or efficiency. You typically want your irons to live in the 1.35 realm. Even up to 1.40 is completely usable. Many golfers may think that trying to get a set of irons close to the legal limit of 1.51 would be the most useful, but you’ll start to run into playability issues.

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PXG 0311T GEN8 Custom Irons

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What we want to try to find is a set of irons that still have a usable level of control built into them. That’s where having a “baseline” speed to target in a fitting can actually help.

The best example I can provide is a good ball-striker who’s losing speed. I know plenty of senior-aged golfers that still strike the ball out of the middle, but their 7-iron has lost 15 to 20 yards over the years, and they want to bring back their “old distances.” This is where the difference between a PXG CB and a PXG Gen8 T can be useful — but going to something like a P or an XP could be too much.

Good ball-strikers still want control with their clubs. They want to be able to shape shots, change windows and feel like a shot-maker. The faster ball speeds we produce, with less spin and more height, the more control gets lost. So for a player who can still hit the ball out of the middle but may be on the lower end of swing speed, something like the T would be a perfect compromise. Even a combo set of CB in the bottom and T in the top could make these players feel very comfortable.

Speed throughout the set

Speaking of combo sets, with PXG’s Gen8 lineup being very combo set-friendly, we need to discuss the concept of ball speed gapping in a set of irons, and why a combo set could be necessary.

Typically we’re looking for about 5 mph of ball speed in between irons. If you notice in the video with Johnny and Knapp, he hit each 7-iron iron with about a 5 mph gap in speed, while hitting the ball higher with each progressive model getting more forgiving. He started with about 135 mph in his ST irons, as a super-high-speed player, and up to 154+ in the better-player XP irons toward the end.

This speaks to loft and CG packages, but it’s also a great way to look at your entire set. If you find a really comfortable 7-iron at 115 mph of ball speed for example, you’d want your 5-iron to live around 125 mph. If you go to hit the same iron model in the 5-iron and you find yourself being a couple miles an hour short, that’s when it’s logical to move up into the next model.

PXG 0311P GEN8 Custom Irons

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My favorite combo sets are actually for higher-handicap players at lower speeds. Something like the Gen8 P and the Gen8 XP would be a great option for players who can still strike the ball well, and who don’t want to jump into hybrids or fairway woods too soon.

By playing a set of P in the bottom of the set and maybe switching over to the XP at the 6- or 5-iron could be a great way to ensure consistent speed gaps through the set. This will usually result in about 10-12-yard carry gaps between irons, but the beauty of focusing on speed is that the speed wont change with loft. So if you need to bend the irons 1º weak or strong for the sake of height and carry, you’ll still be getting everything out of those irons that you’re looking for.

If you’re looking to get fit for a new set of PXG irons and see what ball speed you’re comfortable living at, head over to our friends at True Spec or find a PXG fitting center near you.

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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., – Building on the momentum of their global rebrand, Srixon is unveiling a new campaign “The Iron Standard.” Rooted in precision and guided by an uncompromising pursuit of performance, the campaign highlights the people and process that define Srixon’s craftsmanship, discipline, and engineering philosophy behind their acclaimed irons.

At the center of The Iron Standard is master craftsman Yuki Shimahara, whose workbench serves as the starting point for innovation. The campaign offers rare access to Shimahara’s process, from raw steel to the moment it reaches a golfer’s hands.

“With every new iron model, we build on the core strengths we’ve developed over time while also responding to trends we’re seeing,” said Yuki Shimahara, Engineering Manager and Principal Tour Engineer at Srixon. “As an R&D team, we focus on refining everything we touch, down to the smallest details, even those that aren’t always easy to highlight like more visible technologies. On ZXi, for example, we slightly adjusted the scoreline placement from the previous generation, softened the edge radius around the face, and refined the hosel shaping. These are subtle changes and difficult to quantify, but from multiple perspectives they help improve consistency, feel, and overall performance.”

Collaboration is built directly into Srixon’s R&D process, where Shimahara works alongside fellow engineers and designers to refine every iron. Craftsmanship, player feedback, and performance data are considered together, with each prototype shaped, tested, and evaluated as a team. Insights from testing help guide subtle adjustments, creating a disciplined, interactive workflow where design and engineering evolve side by side.

This relentless approach reflects the philosophy behind Srixon Irons: progress demands tenacity – quiet, determined, exacting. The Iron Standard builds on the spirit introduced in Obsessed With It, extending that same dedication into a deeper, more transparent look at how Srixon Irons come to life.

“Design is always a collaboration. We work together to balance shaping, CG placement, and turf interaction with measured performance,” Shimahara continued. “We review prototypes as a group, discuss what we’re seeing in testing, and refine the details step by step. That back-and-forth is what allows us to push performance while maintaining the precision players expect.”

Rather than focusing solely on outcomes, The Iron Standard emphasizes the work behind them. It showcases the measurable performance gains, player-driven insights, and unwavering attention to detail that shape every iron.

The campaign will roll out across digital, social, and global media channels, giving regional teams a clear foundation to extend storytelling through product education, player validation, and behind-the-scenes access. Through this lens, Srixon reinforces its commitment to purposeful innovation, elevating performance while maintaining the restraint and confidence that define the brand.

At Srixon, the standard isn’t set at impact. It’s set long before and refined until it becomes The Iron Standard.

To explore Srixon’s Iron lineup, visit us.dunlopsports.com/srixon.

ABOUT Dunlop Sports Americas:

Based in Huntington Beach, CA and Greenville, SC, Dunlop Sports Americas (DSA) is the North American subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. We manufacture and sell premium golf and racket sports equipment to players of all skill levels under a portfolio of brands: Dunlop, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, and XXIO. DSA is also a licensed exclusive distributor of ASICS golf footwear. Our unique global sales network and infrastructure in R&D, manufacturing, and material science elevates our brands onto a global stage where we encourage players from around the world to experience our incredible products. For more information, please contact Noelle Zavaleta at noellezavaleta@srixon.com.

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Bryson DeChambeau 3D printed his own 5-iron and plans to use it at Augusta National during the 2026 Masters.

Ben Hogan started a golf equipment company as his playing career was winding down. Now it seems that fellow Texan Bryson DeChambeau has similar aspirations.

The distance you hit your 9 iron will depend greatly on your clubhead speed and the quality of the contact you have with the ball. As your golf game changes, you will notice that distances are also impacted.

Beginner

Beginner golfers are the most inconsistent, and therefore distance is not something you can calculate quite as easily. Some beginners have very high clubhead speeds, while others are slow.

However, most beginners can get about 115 yards of distance from their 9 iron. You may start slow with this club and notice only about 100 yards, which is entirely acceptable.

Once you start making contact with the center of the clubface, you can expect to reach 115 yards more consistently from each of your swings with a 9 iron.

High Handicap

Higher handicap golfers have some of the same issues that beginners have. They may hit a 9 iron shot that travels 120 yards and then another that travels 110. Most average swing speed high handicappers will try to get the 9 iron to fly between 115 and 120 yards.

The key for golfers in this handicap range is to ensure that they are getting more consistent distance and slightly higher clubhead speed.

Mid Handicap

Mid-handicap players will consider the 9 iron to be a 125-yard club. Some mid-handicappers start to develop a lot of clubhead speed, and you could end up seeing a 130-yard shot from this group.

However, the mid handicappers will still want to ensure they are getting a higher trajectory, plenty of spin, and control with the total distance of the 9 iron.

Mid-handicappers often start to pay more attention to things like carry distance and total distance. Although your total distance for your 9 iron may be 125 yards, the carry distance may only be 120 yards. Keep that in mind when going over a hazard.

Low Handicap

Low handicap players often get about 130-140 yards of distance from the 9 iron. Most lower handicap golfers have more consistency in their swing, and they can get the ball to make contact with the center of the clubface quite often.

Low handicap players with higher speeds can see distances up to 150 yards with their 9 iron.

It’s important to remember that lower handicappers playing with power lofted clubs will see more distance than lower handicappers playing with blade style golf irons. The golf club you are playing with certainly comes into play when determining total distances.

Here’s a summary of what we covered above:

PGA Players

PGA Players have tremendously high clubhead speeds. Although it’s not a requirement to be a professional, it’s nearly impossible to compete on the PGA Tour unless you have high clubhead speed.

The PGA Tour Players will hit a 9 iron anywhere from 150 to 190 yards. A golfer like Bryson DeChambeau can get up to 190 yards of distance with his 9 iron because of his incredibly high clubhead speeds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YevOs-c5nlE

At some point, I think PGA Tour players are more concerned with their accuracy than their total distance. If you think about it, when your 9 iron can travel nearly 200 yards, what will be your 100-yard club?

The point is only a certain amount of distance is beneficial. At some point, it makes sense just to have control and spin and a distance you can trust.

Tips for Hitting Your 9 Iron Further

If you feel like you’re not currently maxing out on distance with your 9 iron, there are a few ways that you may be able to increase it.

Recently, I had trouble with distance and determined that it was actually the golf ball I was using that was causing the problems for me. So let’s start there…

Check Your Golf Ball

Some golf balls are distance golf balls, and others are built for spin and control. If your swing speed is not entirely high and you are using a four or five-piece golf ball, you may not be maximizing your distance potential.

I encourage you to have a good idea of your swing speed and the compression of the golf ball you are playing with. For slower swing speed golfers, the lower compression golf ball is a better fit.

Ensure Full Rotation

The 9 iron is a shorter club than your long irons or driver. Sometimes when golfers have this shorter club in their bag, they rotate a little less and struggle to get that full turn in their swing.

I like to think about my left shoulder turning underneath my chin. If my left shoulder makes it to that position, the club will be in the right place at the top. This full rotation gets your club to parallel and allows for a bit more extension and speed.

Work on Accuracy

Speed is often the ultimate factor in increasing distance in your golf shots. Speed is essential, but so is the accuracy of the strike.

In fact, if you have a ton of speed and you apply it to the clubhead and miss the sweet spot, don’t expect impressive results.

The closer you strike the ball to the center of the clubface, the easier it is to get the distance. It’s as simple as that.

Clubhead sweet spots have gotten bigger, but the golfer still has to do quite a bit of the work.

Practice Smart Strength and Conditioning

Golfers that spend some time in the gym almost always have higher clubhead speeds than those that don’t. When you work out and spend time increasing your speeds, you will see more distance from your 9 iron.

I highly recommend sticking with golf-specific exercises. If you take things too far with muscle building, it can result in a lack of mobility. Speaking with a trainer and letting them know you want to gain distance in your game is also a smart idea.

Proper Ball Position

I like to play the ball in the middle of my stance. When I do that with the 9 iron, I seem to have the best chance for solid turf interaction, a good divot, and improved total distance.

When the ball is too far forward, the shots are thinner and don’t have as much total distance. Hitting the ball from too far back in the stance can cause issues with the clubface angle.

Hit Down and Through

We need the 9 iron to go up high when we hit shots, but to get this ball flight. It is essential to hit down and through the golf ball. For golfers that are still trying to lift the ball up in the air, long distance becomes an issue.

If you need some help learning how to hit down and through and compress a ball, simply lean a little on your left side and take some half swing shots. This should give you the feeling of compressing the ball to get a higher and longer final result.

Hitting down and through the ball is a challenging concept at first, but all great players will need to learn it.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1

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The distance you hit your 4 iron will vary depending on your ability to hit the center of the clubface, your clubhead speed, and the club you’re playing. Some 4 irons are designed for distance, while others are designed for higher ball flight and forgiveness.

The numbers below are reflective of the skill level and have the most to do with a golfer’s ability to strike the ball solidly. If your swing speed is high or low, expect to see some differences in total distance.

Beginner

Beginner golfers typically have slightly slower swing speeds, as they often try to learn and perfect the different positions of the swing. Most beginner golfers will hit a 4 iron around 155 yards.

Of course, there will be times that a beginner will get distances closer to the 160 or even 165 yard mark. But this is often rare.

Many beginners like the 4 iron because it has a lower, more penetrating ball flight, and it increases the total roll that you get. This seems like a positive when you first learn the game, but eventually the golf ball needs to go up in the air if you want to improve.

High Handicap

High handicap golfers tend to struggle with many of the same inconsistency issues that beginners struggle with. Expect to see the 4 iron anywhere in the 165 range for higher handicappers.

If you start to strike the center of the clubface, and you are playing with a more game improvement golf club set, the distances could be closer to the 170 yard range.

Again, it’s important to remember that not all higher handicappers have slower swing speeds. If you go after the ball and have high swing speeds, these numbers will be a little higher.

Mid Handicap

Mid-handicap golfers often consider their modern 4 iron as the 170 yard club. As a general reference, if you use your 7 iron for a 140 to 145-yard shot, your 4 iron should be about 170 yards.

If you notice that your 4 iron is traveling the same distance as your 5 iron, it may make sense to consider using a 4 hybrid instead. When we see distances max out, it often has to do with the golfer’s swing speed and ability to make consistent contact with the ball.

Low Handicap

Low handicap golfers hit a 4 iron around 180 yards. Some will hit it closer to 190 or even 200, but this is typically when they have higher clubhead speeds. Low-handicap players can benefit from hitting the center of the clubface often.

When you strike the center of the face, expect a higher launch, better overall spin rates, and more control of the shots as well.

Low handicap players are typically not just looking for distance from their iron shots but also some accuracy and workability.

PGA Players

A PGA Player can have an average distance on their 4 iron anywhere from 200 to 250 yards. Even though nearly all PGA Tour players are considered faster swinging golfers, they don’t all have the same distance capabilities.

Most PGA Tour players are looking for a launch angle and spin rate that matches what they’re trying to do on the golf course. Most players are using the 4 iron for accuracy on a longer par 3 or an approach on a par 4.

These golfers want to ensure they can get the ball to stop close to the pin.

Many PGA Tour players tend to avoid hybrids, as they don’t have the same workability. You’re more likely to find a 4 utility club in the bag of a PGA player than a 4 hybrid.

Tips for Hitting Your 4 Iron Further

Now that you have a better idea as to how far a 4 iron is supposed to go, let’s take a more in-depth look into how you can hit your 4 iron further.

Distance on a 4 iron can be a little misleading. You are going to want to focus on how long you can keep the ball in the air and how long it carries, not just how long the ball rolls.

Adjust Your Stance

Many golfers take a wider stance with their 4 iron to try and create a more stable base of support. This can be a good idea, but it can also slow your swing. If you feel as though you are having a hard time getting to your left side in the golf swing, narrow the stance a bit.

You will know that it’s too narrow if you lose your balance or feel as though you are getting stuck when you get closer to the ball. Overall, I’ve found that a slightly narrow stance has helped me gain a lot of distance.

Move The Ball Up In Your Setup

When the golf ball is a little further up in your stance, it can be easier to make clean contact with the 4 iron. Golfers will find that this ball position encourages better rotation and makes it so golfers have to accelerate through the ball.

The 4 iron is a longer club and it takes a little more effort to hit it cleanly at impact, so don’t be afraid to go after it a bit.

Complete The Backswing

The 4 iron can cause golfers some anxiety (I know it always did for me). The longer length of the iron combined with the lower loft makes it a tough choice for those that are struggling to make solid contact.

One of the first mistakes golfers make when struggling with a club is to shorten their backswing. When the backswing gets quick, we don’t have time to transition weight or positions in our swing, and the result is a shot that does not fly very far.

If you want to get more distance out of your 4 iron, make sure you bring the club to parallel with the ground on the backswing.

When the club gets to this parallel position, you can get more distance, a higher flight, and the performance that justifies keeping this club in the bag.

Get Fitted For The Right 4 Iron

Did you know that some golfers will have steel shafts in all of their golf irons, but they put graphite in their 4 iron?

This is not uncommon.

The 4 iron can be heavier than the other clubs in the bag simply because it is longer. In addition, the extra length can make it harder to generate the clubhead speed you want. If you can put a graphite shaft in the 4 iron, the overall results should improve.

Work On Increasing Overall Clubhead Speed

Finally, if you work on increasing your overall clubhead speed, you will hit your 4 iron further. To increase your clubhead speed, make sure that you are working on upper body strength as well as stability in your lower body.

Many golfers find that working out in a gym can help, and so can cross-training by playing other sports.

There are also weighted golf clubs and other devices that will help you gain some extra distance. If your club instantly feels lighter because you have increased your strength, you should be able to swing it faster.

Are There Any Hybrids That Replace a 4 Iron?

The 22-degree hybrid is intended to replace the 4 iron. However, this does not mean that all 4 irons will have 22 degrees of loft.

If your 4 iron and your 4 hybrid are both 22 degrees, you may still hit the 4 hybrids further. The 4 hybrid has a higher launch, graphite shaft, and plenty of ball speed. In addition, with the way the clubhead of the 4 hybrid is designed, it is much more forgiving out of the rough.

If distance is your main concern, look into a hybrid, as it will often be easier to get the numbers you need. In addition, ball flight can be higher, making it easier to stop a golf ball on the green.

I’ll be honest – I’ve enjoyed switching to a 4 hybrid and can’t really see myself making the change back anytime soon.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1

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Wilson Golf has officially unveiled the new DYNAPWR Forged iron, a players-distance model created using advanced AI technology and aimed at golfers seeking a blend of distance, control and premium forged feel.

Part of the revitalised DYNAPWR franchise, the new iron is designed to appeal to aspirational and competitive players who want modern ball speed and forgiveness without sacrificing the compact looks and feedback traditionally associated with forged irons.

AI-driven face technology delivers speed and consistency

At the heart of the DYNAPWR Forged iron is Wilson’s AI-generated Variable Face Technology, paired with the brand’s PKR-CUP face design. Crafted from Forged 8620 Carbon Steel, the face wraps onto the sole to create a thinner, more responsive hinge area, particularly effective on low-face strikes.

According to Wilson, this construction boosts ball speed and launch while also improving consistency across the hitting area.

By moving the weld line away from the strike zone, engineers were able to fine-tune face performance, reduce manufacturing variation and enhance forgiveness throughout the set.

Refined feel and acoustics through forged construction

Wilson has removed the power holes seen in the previous generation and instead optimised face thickness using AI simulation to improve flex and energy transfer at impact.

The result is increased distance without compromising the control and precision demanded by better players.

The cavity back design is filled with TE-031 Urethane in irons 3 through 9, helping to dampen vibrations and produce a smoother, more refined sound and feel.

This internal damping is designed to deliver a softer response while maintaining ball speed and stability.

Premium looks with modern playability

Visually, the DYNAPWR Forged iron features a compact, player-inspired profile with a polished mirror finish at address.

Despite its sleek appearance, Wilson says the iron benefits from a high-MOI construction and a strategically lowered centre of gravity to promote higher launch, improved forgiveness and reliable stopping power on the greens.

“The new iron is a statement of Wilson’s dedication to innovation and tradition,” said Ben Hanser, CAD Engineer at Wilson Golf.

“By combining forged precision with AI-driven design, we’ve created an iron that delivers distance, control and feel in perfect harmony.”

The DYNAPWR Forged iron joins the wider DYNAPWR range, which also includes the DYNAPWR Max – the longest and most forgiving model in the family – aimed at golfers prioritising maximum confidence and consistency.

Availability and pricing

The Wilson DYNAPWR Forged irons are available this month. Stock shaft options include KBS Tour Lite steel (R 95g, S 100g) and UST Recoil DART HDC graphite (R 65g, S 70g), paired with a Wilson Lamkin Crossline 360 grip.

Both right- and left-handed options are available, with a 3-iron and gap wedge offered through custom fitting, alongside additional shaft choices.

For more information, visit wilson.com.

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Carlsbad, CA  – Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts Inc., exclusive distributor of Graphite Design premium golf shafts, announces that they will be showcasing the brand new Graphite Design Tour AD FI “Flight Intelligence” Wood and Tour AD VF Utility Driving Iron shafts as well as all the other popular Graphite Design shafts at the 2026 PGA Merchandise Show being held January 21st through January 23rd at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.  The company will also be participating in the outdoor Demo Day on January 20th at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, FL.

Pro’s Choice will display the complete line of Graphite Design premium shafts at the Equipment Test Center in Hitting Bay # ETC 17 in the Orange County Convention Center and on Tee Box #1 during the Demo Day event.  Attendees at both events can test on a launch monitor all the Tour-proven Graphite Design Wood, Hybrid, and Iron shafts, including the new Tour AD FI Wood and Tour AD VF Utility Driving Iron shafts in the latest OEM golf club heads.

About Pro’s Choice:

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts is the exclusive distributor of Graphite Design golf shafts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, UAE, South Africa, South America, and Australia.  Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts distributes all of the current Graphite Design shafts, including the new 2026 Graphite Design Tour AD FI wood shaft model, as well as the Anti-Gravity aG33-3, Tour AD GC, Tour AD VF, Tour AD CQ, Tour AD UB, Tour AD XC, Tour AD IZ, and Tour AD DI models of shafts.  The company is located in Carlsbad, California, with a distribution warehouse located in Southern California. 

About Graphite Design:

Located in the city of Chichibu, Japan, Graphite Design has over 36 years of experience designing and manufacturing premium graphite composite golf shafts.  Numerous Graphite Design shafts can be seen in play by the best professional players on all tours worldwide.  Validating the company’s “Tour AD” logo, all of Graphite Design’s Tour-proven shafts specifically promote “Accuracy and Distance”.  On Tour, Graphite Design shafts recorded 44 Global tournament victories in 2025 and have helped numerous golf professionals earn well over 580 tour victories and multi-millions of dollars in prize money since inception. 

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PXG’s GEN8 irons rethink iron design with perimeter-based weighting, forged construction and three models built for distinct player types.

Gear: PXG GEN8 T, P, XP irons