What is your preference when it comes to longer clubs? Do you enjoy fairway woods and hybrids? Or are you a traditionalist who opts for long irons? Besides your preferences, it helps to understand where you stand compared to other golfers.
If your 5 iron distance is far below the average, but you hit a 5-hybrid or 11-wood further than most. It is time to toss the iron and focus on what works for you.
What Is A 5 Iron?
A 5-iron is a long iron used on approach on long par 4’s and off the tee on par 3’s. It is a club that many of us struggle to master, given its stronger lofts and compact clubhead.
What is the Loft?
Golfweek’s Sharon Penn states that the typical loft of a 5-iron is 28 degrees. However, it is becoming more common to find companies releasing these clubs with strengthened lofts between 24 to 26 degrees.
Stronger lofted 5-irons are more prevalent in the player’s distance irons category. These irons are designed to increase distance and lower spin.
What is the Average 5 Iron Distance?
In our article on golf club distances, you can see that the average 5 iron distance for a male golfer is 160 yards. Female golfers, on the other hand, gain 140 yards.
Of course, these distances vary based on weather conditions, time of day, and the type of grass you are playing on.
How Far Do The Pros Hit A 5 Iron?
GolfWeek’s M.L Rose explains that the average Pro on the PGA Tour hits a 5-iron between 195 to 205 yards. Of course, this is nothing compared to Bryson DeChambeau, who sends his 5-iron an average of 235 yards.
What Is The Fairway Wood Equivalent?
Andrew Tursky from Golf.com tested his 5-iron against an 11-wood to see how they compared. While the 11-wood had five degrees less loft, the results were close. Besides swing and ball speed where the long shaft on the fairway wood made the difference.
Performance
Even though the CG in modern long irons is positioned low and back to promote a higher launch, a sizeable portion of amateurs struggle to achieve consistent launch and carry.
A 5-iron delivers a mid to low launch compared to a fairway wood or hybrid. However, the compact design of irons makes them easier to shape shots with over other clubs.
Finally, hybrids and fairway woods help you land the ball softly and hold the green from far out. Whereas the mid to lower ball flight will see your 5-iron shots release more.
What Is The Hybrid Equivalent?
The hybrid substitute for your 5-iron would be a 24 to 27-degree option, which is also known as a 5-hybrid.
Pros
- More controlled launch
- Increased workability
- Superior ball strikers will gain more distance than with the hybrid or fairway wood equivalent
- Better shot dispersion
- Mid to low launch
Cons
- Compact profile
- Difficult to launch
- Lower ball flight doesn’t hold greens as well.
Our Favorite 5 Irons
1. Ping G425
Key Features
- Metal wood-style clubface
- Expanded perimeter weighting
- Cascading sole
- Top rail undercut
- Shorter blade than G410 irons
- Hydropeal Chrome finish
Pros
- Optimized forgiveness
- Prompts clean contact from the rough and in the wet
- Generates increased ball speed
- High launch
- Soft landing
- Clean look
- Superior feel
Cons
- The high launch and soft landing can reduce your distance
- The stronger lofted long irons may prove challenging for slow swinging players to launch
2. TaylorMade SIM2 Max
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Key Features
- Cap Back construction
- Thru Slot speed pocket
- Echo Dampening System
Pros
- Honed sweet spot
- Enhanced forgiveness
- Delivers increased distance
- Prompts faster ball speed
- Consistently long distance
- High ball flight
- Absorbs vibrations on off-center contact
Cons
- Significantly strengthened lofts do not suit slower swinging players
- High launch and a soft landing is not conducive to links courses
3. Callaway Apex 21
Key Features
- Flash Cup face designed by A.I.
- Five times more tungsten than Apex 19 irons
- Standard offset
- Moderate sole width
- 1025 carbon steel body
- Inserted urethane microspheres
Pros
- Provides faster ball speed
- Delivers exceptional distance
- Initiates a powerful launch
- Amplified forgiveness
- Buttery soft feel
- Crisp acoustics
Cons
- Moderately expensive.
- The strong loft is a challenge for slow swingers to launch.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, long irons are not built for everyone, but those of you who are superior ball strikers will enjoy enhanced workability, consistency, and control from a 5-iron.
In concluding our review on 5 iron distance, it is clear that the average male golfer hits the club 160 yards. However, the average female player gains 140 yards with it in hand.
I recommend that higher handicappers steer clear of this club. But, if you feel it will work for your game. I recommend testing the Ping G425 5 iron.
Related Articles
- The Best Irons for Beginners – Start Golfing The Right Way
- The Best Super Game Improvement Irons Available In 2021
- Best Single Length Irons in 2021
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
