Contrary to the chummy chunkiness of the driver or woods and the slim, elegant finisher that is the putter, the irons are always the coolest clubs in a golfer's bag. Perhaps it is the surgical precision of their build and the fact that they are similar to their near neighbour but at the same time slightly different in terms of performance and function. Certainly the rookie can be forgiven for mistaking one for another, but taking the time to familiarise yourself with the strength and relative weaknesses of each can pay big dividends as the learning curve on the course steepens.

Ascending Order

A good starting point for understanding the differences between irons is to take them out and examine them. From the two to the nine iron, in ascending order, the individual club length decreases by half an inch and the degree of loft, i.e. the angle of the club face, increases by four. So, for example, the length of a two-iron shaft is 38.5 inches and the loft 18 degrees, whereas its nearest companion, the three iron, is 38 inches with a loft of 22 degrees. This holds true consistently up the scale to the nine iron (35 inches in length with a loft of 46 degrees).

The Further You Want to Hit the Ball

Confused? Well, you wouldn't be the first rookie to think, "I'll never get the hang of this." The good news is that you will; it's all just a matter of experience. And it is precisely with experience that a player comes to understand why a particular shot requires, say, a four iron, not a five. Starting with the basics, the further you want to hit the ball, the lower the iron you should choose. So if you are looking to hit around 200 yards, then it's the two iron that should be in the palm of your hand. This club possesses the least angle of loft among the iron family, so while you can expect to hit your ball longer than with any other club of this type, you can also expect that it will fly at a low trajectory.

Ideal for Skipping Over Bunkers

In terms of distance, the iron family turns from long- to mid-range ability around the five, with the accompanying increase in terms of trajectory proving ideal for skipping over those fairway bunkers with a degree of ease. For delicate approach shots from around the green, it is the eight or nine iron that you should be choosing, although the closer the ball is, you may decide that a pitching wedge may be more suited to getting the ball as close to the pin as possible.

Contact between club face and ball will be impaired A final important point about irons concerns housekeeping. The ridges on the face of each club are there to ensure optimum performance so be sure to carry a towel to wipe away any dirt or turf that becomes caught in the ridges, otherwise contact between club face and ball will be impaired and your shot will suffer accordingly. So dealing with irons is very much a case of trial and error. But instead of becoming frustrated when poor club choice sees your ball sailing over the back of the green or pulling up well short, or in the sand, remember that next time you'll know better. After all, practice does make perfect.