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The Utility Iron vs the Game Improvement Iron

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JB

JB

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Those that know me know I am not fond of the term GI or even classes of irons nowadays, but for the sake of the thread, it is necessary. You are creating the long side of your bag and hybrids are not an option, so you are exploring these. Which one are you choosing and why?

The reason for the question is I just did a pretty informal poll of about 10 different people that design a lot of these clubs, and it was rather interesting.
 
having hit the U65 and the TE HL4 2 & 3i, i'm leaning toward the TE's...they're just really easy to hit (really forgiving and long)
 
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I’ve compared my F9 4 iron to a lot of utility irons and the F9 tends to win out thanks to its forgiveness and accuracy. It may not have the beauty but the thing is awesome. GI for me until something beats it.
 
Short answer - I'm not sure.

I haven't hit a utility iron, but played a GI set for a couple of years and used to have a couple of hybrids. I was hoping to get a chance to test a UI when I was travelling last month but I ran out of time. I completely admit that the utility iron segment interests me a lot, so if pressed I'd probably put my vote there.
 
This is something I am curious to hear more about @JB I am currently exploring this very conundrum. Honestly I think I would go GI iron over utility because a) I think it would be more forgiving and b) would cost less.
 
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JB said:
Those that know me know I am not fond of the term GI or even classes of irons nowadays, but for the sake of the thread, it is necessary. You are creating the long side of your bag and hybrids are not an option, so you are exploring these. Which one are you choosing and why?

The reason for the question is I just did a pretty informal poll of about 10 different people that design a lot of these clubs, and it was rather interesting.
Click to expand...

Utility iron.

I feel they are in general a few things that even "GI" irons are not.

1. Designed for the the purpose intended and not a general iron designed to be more jack of all trades.
2. Utility irons typically employ tech that is borrowed or stolen from Hybrids.
3. Shaft options specific to the club to produce desired results.
4. look better and cleaner.

Again, these are generalities.
 
JB said:
Because far too many misnomers exist in the world of forgiveness based on size.
Click to expand...
Can you, perhaps, phrase that to be a bit more understandable to people with less experience than yourself?
Education is a good thing.
 
I'd say probably something new, shiny, and categorized as GI or better yet, SGI with a draw bias
 
I have not hit a true utility iron. But I do have a specialized "GI" iron to serve that purpose. Either my swing does not work well with hybrids and fairway woods or I have a huge mental block with them. But an iron is better for me and the current state of my golf swing.

Why did I choose a GI style over a utility....player reviews. Most of them told me that to really get the benefit from a Utility Iron you needed a lot of swing speed. I'm average at best. (~100 MPH driver). I hit my irons well, so I decided to give a souped up 4i the chance to fill out the top end of my bag. And a GI iron, in my mind, would launch easier than a Utility, so I ordered one and like the results.
 
I would be more inclined to look at a GI or SGI for the forgiveness factor if looking at a iron for the top of my bag. Of course, I could prove myself wrong in that thinking and strike a Utility Iron well. 🤔
 
I would chose the utility iron myself

Already have 1 in the bag and would add more if the bag setup changed
 
Neither for me.

I find Utility irons to favor the better player in terms of design.
Even clubs like the Ping Crossover has gotten pretty small in their latest iteratyonand caters to the better faster swinger in terms of profile.

long irons never work for me with my slower swing and launch issues.
So after a 6i it’s either hybrids or fairway woods for me.
 
Boy, I don't know. I've been wondering about this very question. I've typically gamed a UT, but have had success with both in the 4i spot. 3i or 2i I lean more toward utility.

It seems like the lines are getting blurred with clubs like SpeedZOne 4i, Epic Forged 4i, Mavrik 4i offering a ton of forgiveness, launch, and ballspeed. I'm honestly not too sure wwhich would be "better".

I've had it on my mind that I want to try a SpeedZone 4i or similar to put the GI irons up against the Utility.
 
I don’t carry anything longer than a 5i, though I’ve been toying with looking at a 3i. I think I would err on the side of forgiveness, whichever one would give me the most confidence and the least penalty on mishits.
 
I freaking love this topic. I've been having this discussion with people the last couple weeks. I would choose a UT probably, because the look of them seems to be geared more towards my taste, but that is basically the only reason. I don't really get the differences people talk about. The numbers are close enough that if you gave some UTs and GI 4-irons, and shafted and lofted them the same, I feel like the numbers would be near identical across similarly manufactured/style heads. At least for the ones I like. That's why I posted pictures of the X Forged UT and an Apex 19 4i the other night. Without looking at the back, I don't think many people would even know which is which.
 
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Very interesting question. I have never hit a utility iron, and cannot wait for the opportunity for potential to with a fitting.
Are utility irons easier to hit or in some way better than a GI iron?

Truly asking, and I'll use my bag as context. I have a couple hybrids, but taking those out, I play Mavrik irons. I have a 4 iron I'll bring occasionally, but predominately play 6 iron through GW.
The 4 iron loft (18*) and 6 iron loft (24*) are the equivalent of the 2 and 4 in the X Forged UT, respectively.
The Mavrik single irons are ~$120 per, whereas the X Forged UT are ~$250 per.
Is there benefit on the long side of the bag to do this? Importantly, is the benefit worth twice the cost?
 
Guy In Lyon said:
Can you, perhaps, phrase that to be a bit more understandable to people with less experience than yourself?
Education is a good thing.
Click to expand...

Yes, the game improvement section has evolved over the years. What started as options to assist golfers through offset, launch, etc. Is now a category based on nothing other than size.
 
NVGOLFER80 said:
Utility iron.

I feel they are in general a few things that even "GI" irons are not.

1. Designed for the the purpose intended and not a general iron designed to be more jack of all trades.
2. Utility irons typically employ tech that is borrowed or stolen from Hybrids.
3. Shaft options specific to the club to produce desired results.
4. look better and cleaner.

Again, these are generalities.
Click to expand...

What is the purpose intended?
Im also interested in #2.

Can you expand?
 
JB said:
What is the purpose intended?
Im also interested in #2.

Can you expand?
Click to expand...

Well, I guess in my mind the purpose it is more of an option off the tee or from very good fairway lies. Anything dodgy and I am picking a different club regardless of Utility or GI club. So I want a club that is more specifically designed for those purposes and not just a forgiving 3 iron as part of a set..

2. faster faces, internal weighting, higher MOI, more tech involved.
- To go a little deeper on this. I offer up a club that is a very forgiving set. the Cobra forged tech. That also offers a forged tech utility iron that has what I would consider enhanced features as a utility. Thicker sole, adjustable hosel etc.

Again, just to be clear, I am speaking in generalities and from my point of view. Since that is how I read the question.
 
JB said:
Those that know me know I am not fond of the term GI or even classes of irons nowadays, but for the sake of the thread, it is necessary. You are creating the long side of your bag and hybrids are not an option, so you are exploring these. Which one are you choosing and why?

The reason for the question is I just did a pretty informal poll of about 10 different people that design a lot of these clubs, and it was rather interesting.
Click to expand...

Great post. I am giving up on hybrids as I just hit irons better, so I'm been pondering this same topic. You gonna share the results of "pretty informal poll of about 10 different people that design a lot of these clubs"? Very curious!
 
NVGOLFER80 said:
Well, I guess in my mind the purpose it is more of an option off the tee or from very good fairway lies. Anything dodgy and I am picking a different club regardless of Utility or GI club. So I want a club that is more specifically designed for those purposes and not just a forgiving 3 iron as part of a set..

2. faster faces, internal weighting, higher MOI, more tech involved.
- To go a little deeper on this. I offer up a club that is a very forgiving set. the Cobra forged tech. That also offers a forged tech utility iron that has what I would consider enhanced features as a utility. Thicker sole, adjustable hosel etc.

Again, just to be clear, I am speaking in generalities and from my point of view. Since that is how I read the question.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I disagree with the #2, but I can see where it could be believed to be.
 
5/7 Wood?

Actual Answer:
Utility Irons usually have a closer look to the rest of my irons.
GI generally only have Iron Shaft Options. Utilities sometimes have more hybrid shaft options (brand dependent)
GI usually are oversize cavities. Utilities appear to have moved toward hollow body as a whole.
GI usually is cheaper. Utilities seem to be priced like a hybrid.

I would probably go Utility. Though looking at the success I've had with F9/SZ 4i I wouldn't be surprised if those are actually more forgiving for my game.
 
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