4 Iron Vs. 9 Iron Comparison Overview
With so many clubs at your disposal, it can be very hard narrowing down your arsenal to 14 of them. However, if you want to improve your game, you will need to know the benefits, drawbacks and when to use as many clubs as possible.
In the following comparison overview we will be taking a look at a 4 and 9 iron and explaining how they are used and what kind of player would benefit the most from each.
4 Iron Overview
The 4 iron is the last of what are known as the long irons (irons 2, 3 and 4). They are typically used by expert level players and low handicappers.
That’s because they are notoriously difficult to hit. You will have to make very consistent contact with the ball on full swings to get any kind of use from the 4 iron because it is meant to play long. In fact the 4 iron produces about 170 yards of distance on average.
For better players, this means that they can be used on short par 5’s from the tee. In fact, many advanced players do this because a 4 iron will also provide you with more control than a driver, wood or hybrid.
The 4 iron is excellent for landing on the fairway from the tee because of this keen degree of control. However, low handicap players are the ones that will benefit the most from using one.
9 Iron Overview
The 9 iron is in the middle of the short irons (8, 9 and pitching wedge). Eventually, everyone will have to learn how to use this club.
That’s because your short game will depend on it. The 9 iron is a short iron so it will invariably have a lot of loft – on average, between 41 and 43 degrees. It is a bit difficult at first because it’s so short but it will certainly be easier to learn than a 4 iron.
At any rate, a 9 iron is useful for approaches from about 120 yards out. You would also pull out the 9 iron on shorter approaches that need a ton of loft.
You can get away with replacing a 4 iron with a hybrid or wood if you aren’t comfortable with it. However, it will be much harder to avoid using a 9 iron and lower your score.
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.
4 Iron Overview & First Impressions
The 4 iron is an impressive mid to long range club with a slender compact head, aimed at precision and accuracy.
The longer irons have come under attack from hybrids in recent years and this has caused the irons to up their game too.
The 4 iron hits on average of about 170 yards making it ideal for hitting the green in two on a par 4 and also for hitting the green off the tee on a par 3.
The 4 iron is high flying, with more spin and it also has a shorter shaft offering more control and precision with the club.
While the Hybrid maybe longer and more consistently straight, it lacks the workability of the 4 iron.
Since the lofts of irons keep getting stronger over the years, there are plenty of sets that now start with the 4 iron, excluding the 3.
4 Irons come in many variations from game improvement irons, to blades to distance irons, all catered to different levels.
It’s loft and excellent turf interaction make the club effective from the mid to heavy rough but a clean strike from the fairway is the ideal position to use it from.
One Club Up – 3 Iron
The 3 iron has a stronger loft than the 4 iron @ 21 Degrees and it hits the ball generally about 10 yards further than the 4 iron. It has less launch, less spin and less precision than the 4 Iron.
One Club Down – 5 Iron
The 5 iron has more loft than the 4 iron, it hits the ball a shorter distance, has more spin, control and workability and it hits the ball about 10 yards less.
9 Iron Selling Points
- Good control
- Good feedback
- Good for hilly courses
- Very precise
- Good from rough or bunker
- Promotes accuracy
4 Iron Selling Points
- Precision Club With Plenty Of Accuracy
- Different Iron Styles To Suit All Levels
- Great For Pin Hunting
- Higher Spin Rates And More Workable Than 3 Iron
- Works Well From The Rough
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 4 Irons For?
The 4 Iron is a club you can find it any level of golfers bag.
There is a necessity to cover that 170 yard distance and if you aren’t going to be using a hybrid, you will most likely be using a 4 iron.
While the Hybrid might be straighter and more consistent, the 4 Iron is going to be a lot more workable for better players who want more control over the ball.
Our Favorite 4 Iron – The Taylormade Sim Max
If you are looking for a club set that has some of the very best technology and packs in forgiveness alongside distance and accuracy, the Taylormade Sim Max is a serious option.
While the Sim is measured at mid handicappers, the Sim Max offers more in the way of forgiveness with a huge sweet spot expanded by a speed pocket and ICT technology and with a speed bridge giving an excellent feel, you really can’t go too far wrong with a Sim Max 4 iron.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 95/100
Forgiveness: 95/100
Feel and Control: 92/100
Overall Score: 95/100
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