Irons
Iron set makeup by handicap and swing speed
ELDRICK starts your iron head type from handicap: Blade at 0-4, Players at 5-9, Players Distance at 10-15, Game Improvement at 16-24 and Super Game Improvement at 25+, and never fits Players or Blade irons above a 9. For the set itself, it suggests hybrids for the 4-iron and longer when your driver speed is under 90 mph.
| Handicap | ELDRICK starting category | Most common in ELDRICK fittings |
|---|---|---|
| Scratch or better | Blade | Players Iron (57%) |
| 1-4 | Blade | Players Iron (59% of 1-5) |
| 5-9 | Players | Players Distance (43% of 6-10) |
| 10-15 | Players Distance | Game Improvement (40% of 11-15) |
| 16-24 | Game Improvement | Game Improvement (46% of 16-20) |
| 25+ | Super Game Improvement | Game Improvement (43%) |
A Game Improvement fit with a high or mid-high launch profile becomes Game Improvement High Launch. Unknown handicap starts at Game Improvement.
Iron heads ELDRICK fitted, by handicap
- Blade
- Players Iron
- Players Distance
- Game Improvement
- GI High Launch
- Super Game Improvement
Ball flight and the golfer's own choice move the starting category, which is why fewer low handicaps end up in blades.
Handicap picks the head, speed picks the shaft
In irons, ELDRICK uses handicap for one thing: the starting head type. Shaft flex, weight and material come from 7-iron speed, so two 12-handicaps can end up with very different builds. See shaft weight by swing speed.
There's a hard ceiling, too. Above a 9 handicap, no Players or Blade irons. A 10-15 tops out at Players Distance, unless you choose it yourself.
Which irons to carry
ELDRICK's bag guidance swaps the 4-iron and anything longer for hybrids when your driver speed is under 90 mph, or when a long iron carries about the same as the club next to it. Between irons it looks for 7 to 20 yards of carry at a 90 mph driver speed, scaled with speed.
At the bottom of the set, a strong pitching wedge changes how many wedges you need: wedge gapping. The Rules of Golf cap you at 14 clubs (Rule 4.1b).
Frequently asked questions
What irons should a 15 handicap play?
ELDRICK starts a 10-15 handicap in Players Distance irons and never higher. In ELDRICK fittings, 11-15 handicaps most often landed in Game Improvement.
Can a 20 handicap play players irons?
Not in an ELDRICK fitting. ELDRICK never fits Players or Blade irons above a 9 handicap.
Should I drop my 4-iron for a hybrid?
If your driver speed is under 90 mph, ELDRICK suggests it. Above that, it suggests a hybrid only when the 4-iron carries about the same as the next club.
Who should play blades?
ELDRICK's starting point for blades is a 0-4 handicap. Even then, most scratch golfers in ELDRICK fittings ended up in Players irons.