Strong Lofts (Iron Loft Creep)
Also known as: strong lofts, strong lofted irons, loft creep, loft jacking, modern iron lofts, 7 iron loft, why does my new 7 iron go so far
Strong lofts mean modern irons have less loft than older irons with the same number. A typical 7-iron around 2000 had about 35 to 37 degrees. Some 7-irons today have about 30 or less. That is why a new 7-iron can fly as far as an old 5- or 6-iron.
Makers lowered lofts as they learned to place weight low and deep in the head. A lower center of gravity launches the ball higher. A stronger loft can then still get the ball airborne. Game-improvement irons have moved the most. Players irons have stayed closer to traditional lofts. Pitching wedges have changed too, from about 47 or 48 degrees in older sets to as low as 40 in some sets today.
The number on the club is only a label. Distance comes from loft, length, ball speed and launch. Comparing your 7-iron with a friend's tells you little unless you know both lofts. Very strong lofts can also lower spin and the angle the ball comes down at. Shots then roll out more and are harder to stop on firm greens.
The biggest knock-on effect is at the bottom of the bag. A strong pitching wedge next to a standard sand wedge can leave a large yardage gap between them. Many golfers add a gap wedge, or two, to fill it. Check the loft of each club on the maker's spec sheet and build your wedges from there.
Tips by skill level
Look up the loft of each club in your set on the maker's website. Note your pitching wedge loft before you buy any wedges.
Check descent angle and peak height on a launch monitor, not just carry. If your long irons land flat and roll, more loft or a hybrid often holds greens better.
Example
A golfer replaces his 15-year-old irons and finds his new 7-iron flies as far as his old 6-iron. The spec sheet shows the new 7-iron has about four degrees less loft.
Why it matters
Strong lofts explain surprise distance gains and the wedge gaps that come with them. Knowing your real lofts lets you build even distance steps through the bag.
Common mistakes
- Comparing 7-iron distances without comparing lofts
- Leaving a big yardage gap between a strong pitching wedge and the sand wedge
- Buying irons for distance and losing the ability to stop the ball on greens
- Assuming every brand's 7-iron has the same loft
Frequently asked questions
Why does my new 7 iron go so far?
Modern irons usually have stronger lofts than older ones. Some new 7-irons have about the loft an older 5- or 6-iron had, plus head designs that help them launch high.
What is the loft of a 7 iron?
It depends on the set. Around 2000 a typical 7-iron had about 35 to 37 degrees. Some modern game-improvement 7-irons are about 30 degrees or less, and players irons stay closer to the older figures.
Do I need a gap wedge with strong lofted irons?
Often yes. A strong pitching wedge can leave a big gap to the sand wedge. A gap wedge, or two, keeps your short-shot distances evenly spaced.
Sources
Related terms
- Loft GappingLoft gapping checks that neighboring clubs, especially wedges, are spaced in even loft and yardage steps, with no big distance gaps or overlaps.
- Gap WedgeThe gap wedge, usually 50° to 52° of loft, fills the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. Some brands call it an approach wedge, or A-wedge.
- Game-Improvement IronsGame-improvement irons use wide soles and hollow or perimeter-weighted heads to maximize forgiveness and launch. They are recommended for most everyday golfers.
- Players IronsPlayers irons use compact heads and thin top lines to favor shot-shaping control over maximum forgiveness. They suit golfers with reliably centered contact.
- Golf Club DistancesThere is no single right distance for each club, since it depends mostly on your swing speed and how solidly you strike the ball. In USGA Best Tees research, the average male golfer hit a 7-iron about 138 yards and the average female golfer about 100 yards. Measure your own carry with each club and plan from those numbers, not from a chart.
- Yardage GapsYardage gaps are the distance differences between consecutive clubs in your bag. Even gaps between clubs leave fewer distances that no club covers.
Related guides & benchmarks
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