What is a 5 Iron Golf Club? Length, Distance & Loft

What is a 5 Iron Golf Club?

If you have not played golf before, or are new to the game, you may be wondering what a 5 iron golf club is. Iron clubs are numbered from 1-9 and each club has a different loft or angle. The 5 iron is a great club for intermediate to advanced golfers who are looking to add more yardage to their shots.

The 5 iron is typically used for medium to long shots, anywhere from 160 yards to 190 yards. Most golfers use it to hit shots from fairways, semi-rough, or from under the hazards. The typical loft is between 27 and 28 degrees and is great for hitting high, long shots.

The club head is also smaller than that of a driver or wood, which makes it easier to control. When you don’t feel confident hitting your driver, or if the fairway is narrow, the 5 iron can be a great option. If you are just starting out, I recommend mastering your 7 iron first and then moving on to the 5 iron.

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When Should You Use 5 Iron Golf Club?

Golf Shot

The 5 Iron is ideal for longer approach shots from fairways and light rough. I also use my 5 iron on those longer par 3’s where I can’t reach the green with my 6 or 7 iron. If you are on an uphill lie, the 5 iron can also be a great option.

The advantage of 5 Iron is that it can also be used from the tee box on par 4’s and par 5’s. When the hole is reachable in two shots, I’ll often use my 5 iron off the tee to give me a little more distance. If I’m on the fairway, I’ll have a much shorter approach shot into the green.

On those days where my driver is just not working, or where there is a lot of wind, I’ll often grab my 5-iron and just try to punch the ball low and keep it in play. I’d rather have a long approach shot into the green than be in the woods or in a hazard.

What Are Some Pros and Cons of Using a 5 Iron?

The main advantage of using a 5 iron is the distance and height it can give your shots. If you are looking to add more yardage to your game, the 5 iron is a great option.

I would also say that the 5 iron is a more versatile club than the driver. It can be used for tee shots, approach shots, and even for getting out of trouble. The main disadvantage of using a 5 iron is that it can be more difficult to control than other clubs. When you miss-hit a 5 iron, it can go anywhere.

When your ball ends up in a thick rough or in a fairway bunker with a lot of sand, it can be tough to get up and down for par. If you are looking for more accuracy, you may want to consider using a 7 or 8 iron. Alternatively, 5 hybrid clubs are also available which can be easier to hit from the rough.

Length

As mentioned above, the 5 iron is a great club for intermediate to advanced golfers who are looking to add more yardage to their shots. The typical length of a 5 iron is 38 inches in steel flex and 38.5 inches in graphite. The length of the club can vary depending on the manufacturer, so be sure to try out a few different clubs before you make your purchase.

Women ‘s clubs are typically one inch shorter than men’s clubs. The standard length for steel 5 iron clubs is 37 inches and the standard length for graphite 5 iron clubs is 37.5 inches. Of course, you can always have your clubs custom fit to your specific height and swing.

Shafts

The shaft of a 5 iron is typically made from steel, but there are also graphite shafts available. The steel shafts are heavier and offer more control, while the graphite shafts are lighter and can help you add more speed to your swing.

Steel shafts are less expensive, but they are also heavier. This can make the club more difficult to swing, especially if you are a beginner or have a slow swing speed. You will also find that steel shafts tend to be more accurate than graphite shafts.

Graphite shafts are lighter and can help you generate more club head speed. This can lead to longer shots, but it can also make the club more difficult to control. If you are just starting out, I recommend using a steel-shafted club. Once you have mastered your swing, you can experiment with a graphite shaft.

The flex of the shaft is also important to consider. The flex is how much the shaft bends when you swing. If you have a slower swing speed, you will want to choose a shaft with a softer flex. This will help you generate more club head speed. If you have a faster swing speed, you will want to choose a shaft with a stiffer flex. This will help you generate more control.

Loft

The loft is the angle of the club head in relation to the ground. A higher loft will give you a higher trajectory and a lower loft will give you a lower trajectory. The 5 iron has a standard loft of 27 degrees. This is a relatively low loft, which means it will have a lower trajectory.

9 Iron and 8 Iron

Most manufacture’s sell clubs with different loft angles, so you can find a 5 iron that better suits your game. The advantage of the lower loft is that it will travel further and have less backspin. If you are looking for more distance, you may want to choose a club with a lower loft.

The disadvantage of the lower loft is that it can be more difficult to control. So if you are looking for more accuracy, you may want to choose a club with a higher loft.

The sweet spot of the 5 iron is smaller than other clubs because of the lower loft. This means that it is more important to hit the ball in the center of the club’s face in order to get the best results.

Distance

The average distance for a 5 iron is between 160 – 190 yards for men and 140 -170 yards for women. Of course, the distance will vary depending on your swing speed, the loft of the club, and the type of terrain you are playing on.

If you are hitting from the fairway, you can expect to hit your 5 iron around 160 yards. If you are hitting from the rough, you will likely lose some distance. The 5 iron is also a great club for hitting approach shots.

Of course, the Tour player can hit the ball much further than the average golfer. On average, a Tour player can hit their 5 iron between 190 – 240 yards.

What you see on television is years of practice and dedication. Do not get discouraged if you cannot hit the ball as far as the Tour players. Just keep practicing and enjoy the game!

5 Iron vs. 6 Iron

The main difference between a 5 iron and a 6 iron is the loft and distance. The 5 iron has a loft of 27-28 degrees, while the 6 iron has a loft of 30-31 degrees.

The 5 iron is also typically one inch longer than the 6 iron. The extra length gives you more distance, but it can also be more difficult to control.

The 6 iron is a great club for hitting those long, accurate shots. The club head is also slightly larger than that of a 5 iron, which makes it easier to control. The 6 iron club travels a shorter distance than the 5 iron, but it is more accurate.

5 Iron vs. 5 Hybrid

The main difference between a 5 iron and a hybrid is the loft and distance. The 5 iron has a loft of 27-28 degrees, while the hybrid has a loft of 24-27 degrees.

The hybrid is a great club for hitting those long, accurate shots. The club head is also slightly larger than that of a 5 iron, which makes it easier to control.

According to Golfweek the 5-iron and 5-hybrid ranges are 150 to 200 yards for men and 115 – 160 yards for women.

The main advantage of using a hybrid is that it can be easier to hit from the rough. If you are looking for more accuracy, you may want to consider using a hybrid.

Beginner golfers will greatly benefit from using a hybrid instead of a 5 iron. The hybrid is much easier to hit and can help you generate more club head speed.

How to Hit a 5 Iron Golf Club

The grip is the most important part of your golf swing. A good grip will help you control the club and generate more club head speed.

To hit a 5 iron, you will want to take a stance that is slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. You will also want to make sure that your weight is evenly distributed on both feet.

Once you have your grip and stance, you are ready to swing. Start the swing by turning your shoulders back and to the right. As you turn your shoulders, your arms will naturally start to move back.

Once your arms are at full extension, you will want to start your downswing by shifting your weight to your left foot and turning your hips to the left. As you turn your hips, your arms will naturally start to swing down and through the ball.

Finish your swing by following through and keeping your head down. Once you have made contact with the ball, allow your arms to continue swinging until they are in line with your shoulders.

The most important part of hitting a 5 iron is to generate club head speed. The best way to generate club head speed is by turning your shoulders and hips at the same time. This will help you create a smooth, fluid swing.

Final Thoughts

The 5 iron is a great club for hitting those long, accurate shots. The main difference between a 5 iron and a 6 iron is the loft and distance. The 5 iron has a loft of 27-28 degrees, while the 6 iron has a loft of 30-31 degrees.

The 5 iron is also typically one inch longer than the 6 iron. The extra length gives you more distance, but it can also be more difficult to control. If you are looking for more accuracy, you may want to consider using a hybrid. Hybrid clubs are easier to hit and can help you generate more club head speed.

It is important to practice with your 5 iron so that you can learn how to control the club and hit accurate shots. Remember to grip the club properly and to turn your shoulders and hips at the same time during your swing. With a little practice, you will be hitting your 5 iron like a pro in no time!

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The Golf Bandit
The Golf Bandit

Hi, I'm Jan. I love golf and I have been playing for a while now. I really enjoy trying out new golf clubs and equipment, and like to review them on my blog. I consider myself lucky as I have access to the latest clubs and gadgets, so I can get a feel for how they perform on the golf course. I also like to share my tips and tricks on how to improve your game, so if you're looking for help with that then look no further! Thanks for visiting, and I hope you find something useful here.

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