Do I need any Irons at all?

[Barrister03]

I have been told time and time again to just forget about using my short irons (i.e. Irons 4,5, and 6), but when do I really need to use my 7,8, and 9 Irons.

I seem to have more success with simply using a 5,7, and 9 fairway woods along with a 60 degree wedge to chip it onto the green. Should I just buckle down and learn how to hit the 7,8, 9 Irons? Am I doing myself a diservice by avoiding my Irons altogether.... ?

[xix]

Re: Do I need any Irons at all?

Am I doing myself a diservice by avoiding my Irons altogether.... ?

In a word....no!

Use whatever you feel most comfortable with and get's you round in as few shots as possible.

[LowPost42]

Re: Do I need any Irons at all?

Well, unless you master choking down on your current clubs, I'd say you need some irons, yes. The point of having so many clubs is so that you can hit varying distances.

Lets say you're an average golfer. You hit your 5w off the tee 200 yards. Now you're ~ 300 yards out on a par 5, and anywhere from 200 to 250 yards out on a par 4.

So with the same 5w, you take a relatively less accurate shot at the green. And if you miss on the short side of the green, then you've gotta take a risky bump and run.

Now, that said, if you're having success with just your fairway woods, carry on. It's often been suggested going out with a 7i, 9i, and PW, and seeing how you score. This is only slightly different (going out with FW's rather than short irons).