Few topics get golfers fired up quite like loft jacking. Iron lofts have become stronger over the years, leading to plenty of comments about a modern 7-iron really being a 6-iron. But is looking at the number on the bottom of the club really that simple?
In Episode 9 of Splitting Fairways, Hawk and Jeremy tackle the loft-jacking debate and why stronger lofts aren’t necessarily good or bad.
Why Have Iron Lofts Become Stronger?
Modern iron construction has changed dramatically. Hollow-body designs, thinner faces, lower centers of gravity, and improved materials have allowed manufacturers to create irons that produce more ball speed while still launching the ball high enough to be playable.
For Hawk, that combination of added distance and forgiveness can be a major benefit. If a stronger-lofted 7-iron launches high, carries farther, and still has enough stopping power to hold a green, does it really matter what loft is stamped on the spec sheet?
Jeremy looks at things a little differently. As a golfer who already generates plenty of speed, chasing additional distance with an iron can create more problems than it solves. Spin, peak height, distance control, descent angle, and proper gapping throughout the set may be far more important than simply hitting a 7-iron farther.
Does Loft Jacking Really Matter?
Of course, stronger lofts can create other issues. The race to build the longest 7-iron can lead to larger gaps at the bottom of the bag and the need for additional wedges. At the same time, many of these distance-focused irons also provide forgiveness that can make the game easier for a wide range of golfers.
Maybe the loft-jacking debate doesn’t need a winner. Instead of worrying about whether your 7-iron has the loft of an old 6-iron, the better question might be whether it produces the launch, spin, height, forgiveness, consistency, and distance your game actually needs.
The loft-jacking debate is officially over. Well, at least until the comments open.
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