Senior Golfers

Some of you may be aware of the “24/38 rule.” It deals with the idea that most golfers lose consistency with an iron that is less than 24 degrees of loft and over 38 inches long. That USED TO BE a 3-iron. And I always thought even that was marginal—a 3-iron for middle/high handicap players is a questionable choice. The day is quickly coming when a standard iron set will be 5-iron through PW. Maybe even 6-iron!

Then came the “juicing era” (late 1980s, early 1990s) when manufacturers started making golf clubs with much less loft and some added length. Now, that “24/38” rule applies to 5-irons! The cavity back era gave way to some great innovations, particularly forgiveness, but it also introduced stronger lofts and added some length. For example, today’s 6-iron, on average, is 31 degrees and 37.5 inches. The point is this: Many golfers do not have sufficient speed to hit 5-irons, maybe even 6-irons, from the fairway! This goes for golf in general, but in senior golf, it is even more important to remember!

What to do? Voila! The invention of HYBRIDS! We have to understand one simple golf impact principle:  Getting the golf ball airborne from the turf requires speed. If we lack that speed, we need clubs with a different construction. The HYBRIDS are built to help launch the golf ball. Basically, it works like this: when the center of gravity is further back from the hitting area (face), it is easier to launch the golf ball. On an iron that CG is directly behind the ball. In a hybrid, it is obviously moved back, so the ball can be launched higher. There are other factors, but basically, that’s it.

My personal recommendation is as follows:

• If your driver clubhead speed is under 85 mph, your iron set might go 7-PW.
• Driver speed 85-90 mph, your iron set might be 6-PW.
• Driver speed 90-100 mph, your iron set might be 5-PW.
• Driver speed over 100, you can choose the set make-up with which you are comfortable.

* NOTE: High speed swingers may NOT benefit from Hybrids as much. The reason is simply the reverse of what I was saying above: with the CG further back, the face may produce TOO MUCH loft and occasionally can hook the ball. Many of my 110 mph students still prefer long irons to hybrids.

As this piece is largely for seniors, I’m assuming most of you are in one of the first two categories. If so, your game may be suffering from your set make-up. The most common swing issue I see in seniors is “hang back” or the inability to get weight through at impact. This is often the result of a club shaft too stiff, OR clubs too difficult to launch; Example, a 3-iron. Please DO NOT beat yourself up! Use equipment that is easier to hit and particularly easier to launch.

The question invariably arises, what about fairway woods of similar loft? They are fine if you do not mind the added length. The great thing about hybrids is they are only slightly longer than similarly lofted irons. My advice to seniors is to get with a pro, get on a launch monitor, find your speed and launch conditions and go from there. Questions?

Note: I DO NOT sell clubs of any kind. But I do know, as a teacher, that hybrids should be in most seniors’ bags.

Dennis Clark is a PGA Master Professional and a seven-time PGA award winner, including Golf Professional of the Year and Teacher of the Year. Dennis now teaches at Bobby Clampett’s Impact Zone Golf Indoor Performance Center in Naples, Florida and Eagle Lakes Golf Club. Some articles have previously appeared in Dennis’ popular column on GolfWRX.com.