9 Iron Vs. 3 Iron Comparison Overview
There are a lot of club options available but regulations only allow for 14 clubs in the bag. A lot of golfers don’t realize how many club options there really are until it comes time to put a set together. If you are in this situation you may have some questions about certain clubs.
If you can’t get fitted for all the clubs you are interested in, don’t worry, we have the next best thing. Today we are continuing our comparison series with a look at the 3 iron vs. the 9 iron.
3 Iron Overview
You may see some pros whacking the ball from the tee up to 230 yards with a 3 iron. Just know that this distance isn’t typical for amateur or casual players.
Not only do you need a great swing speed to squeeze this kind of distance out of a 3 iron; you will need incredible accuracy too. 3 irons are notoriously hard to work with than say a 3 hybrid or even a 7 wood.
That’s because they are long with the average shaft length being 44 inches. The heads are smaller than comparable woods and hybrids as well. While they provide great spin control and feel from the tee or deck, you have to be a really good player to get any kind of use from this club.
9 Iron Overview
Don’t get the wrong impression. A 9 iron will also be tricky for high handicappers to master but overall, they are the more useful club.
A 9 iron is best for attacking short approaches with a lot of loft. The average loft of a 9 iron is between 41 and 43 degrees. If you don’t want to worry about smashing the ball well beyond the green, the 9 iron will help you out.
9 irons are also very useful if you are facing down a particularly problematic green. Slopes, fast turf and hazards can all be nimbly negated if you know how to work a 9 iron. You may have trouble with this iron at first; but there is really no replacing the feel and control with a hybrid club.
9 irons and 3 irons have pretty narrow usage windows; but one is more useful in general than the other. 3 irons require a lot of skill and accuracy so they are less of a viable option for the average player.
9 Iron Overview & First Impressions
When we tested a 9 iron against a 7 iron we were disoriented because we tested the 7 first. The shorter shaft and altered stance takes some getting used to.
When you need a higher loft than a 7 or 8 iron and on approaches within 120 yards, the 9 iron is an excellent.
If you’ve tried a 9 iron before without much success, it may have been a forged, players irons but don’t worry, the 9 iron also comes in a game improvement form which is focused on allowing beginners and high handicappers more forgiveness and consistency.
It’s also not surprising to see a pros ball land on the green and then spin off in a different direction as the better player has been able to add considerable spin to the ball thanks to the generous loft.
Because the 9 iron has a sharper leading edge, it can cut through the rough easily and is excellent if you do find yourself in trouble.
However, if you want easier putts, you will need to get familiar with the 9 iron. It offers robust spin control – just get used to the typically heavier head.
One Iron Down – 8 Iron
An 8 iron will cover an average of 130 yards and might not get used too often depending on what your swing speed is like.
One Iron Down – Pitching Wedge
The pitching wedge is even more generously lofted, workable and is used for distances just around the ground. Better players will be able to send the ball straight up into the sky.
3 Iron Overview & First Impressions
3 Irons have long slender heads and come in various styles from players irons, game improvement irons to distance irons.
A 3 iron is usually favoured by players looking for precision or else to work the ball with a draw or a fade.
It can often be used on par 3’s, shots from the fairway and light to mid rough along with shots looking for the green from a distance of about 180 yards.
Since the 3 irons flight path is low and quite far, it can be a great option in windy conditions to ensure the ball doesn’t get carried away.
The 3 iron is slightly less popular these days with many beginners and pros alike starting to favor hybrids.
A 3 iron can also be used in a driving iron format when looking for precision off the tee or in bad weather.
When the ball is sitting up perfectly in the fairway and light rough, it can be a pleasure to launch the ball towards the green with precision
One Club Up – 3 Hybrid
The three hybrid is a combination of a wood and hybrid with a thicker head and it results is a higher and slightly longer flight path too. Since it has a sharper leading edge, it can also be used very effectively from the rough.
One Club Down – 4 Iron
A common club that we see nowadays one down from the 5 is the three hybrid. Great for accuracy and distance from fairway and rough, it has a sharp leading edge for hitting from the rough, earning it’s name as the rescue club.
9 Iron Selling Points
- Good control
- Good feedback
- Good for hilly courses
- Very precise
- Good from rough or bunker
- Promotes accuracy
3 Iron Selling Points
- Excellent Precision
- Low Ball Flight, Good Distance
- Great In Windy Conditions
- Can Add A Draw Or A Fade
- Great Off The Tee On Par’s
Who Are 9 Irons For?
Speaking objectively, 9 irons will be more useful to advanced players who can cover most of the fairway in one or two strokes on shorter par 5’s.
They are most helpful on short approaches and can really help out when you’re facing down a hilly or particularly fast green
Again though, no matter what your skill set as a golfer currently is, this is a club you will need to learn.
A 9 Iron to Check Out – Taylormade SIM2
We really liked the forgiveness of this 9 iron. It has a lot of pop too which is really what you want from your 9 iron.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 96/100
Feel & Control: 95/100
Forgiveness: 92/100
Overall Score: 96/100
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Who Are 3 Irons For?
Being honest, you wouldn’t be surprised to see a 3 iron in any golfers bag for it’s versatility and usefulness.
With beginners it can be a go to club or a club to use as a driving iron off the tee, while some beginners will prefer to use a 3 or 4 hybrid. It comes down to a matter of personal preference.
Better players are going to get more use out of a 3 iron as they are able to work the ball more for left to right.
They can also use a 3 iron to target precise locations on the course.
It’s long, low ball flight makes it ideal in windy conditions or as a lay up on a dog leg.
If’ you aren’t carrying a replacement hybrid, everybody should have a 3 iron in their bag.
Our Favorite 3 Iron – Callaway Mavrik
Callaway are a mammoth when it comes to high performing golfing irons and the Mavrik is one of the more forgiving clubs they have made, available in a max forgiveness, normal and pro version to suit all players.
You are going to get tons of distance with this alongside forgiveness and you can also work the irons quite a bit.
If you are in the market for solid 3 iron as a high to mid handicapper, we recommend the Mavrik.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 94/100
Forgiveness: 93/100
Feel and Control: 92/100
Overall Score: 94/100
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