The Purpose of the Nine-Iron on Golf Courses
Most golfers have a nine-iron in their golf bag, but perhaps many golfers do not know exactly what its intended used is. This is, probably, even more true for beginner golfers who are still trying to figure the use of every golf iron in their bag.
The nine-iron is not to be used if the ball is farther than 130 yards from the green. If it the ball is any further back, he or she would want to choose a seven-iron or eight-iron. Although the nine-iron does have a highly angled club head, for a regular golf iron, it simply does not get the loft you would get from a lofting, pitching, chipping or sand wedge. However, the nine-iron does offer more distance than the wedge clubs. This came in handy during my tour of the golf courses of La Manga , Spain.
At this point, those new to playing golf may ask why the nine-iron is even included in the golf bag. It is heavy enough as it is. The nine-iron does serve a purpose, though. It is a good short-range utility club that provides good elevation from the fairway and back to the green. It can also be used to chip with and also works well as a sand wedge in the event a sand wedge is needed but not available.
There are times when a nine-iron can be used as a substitute for the seven-iron or eight-iron. If the golfer finds him or herself 180 from the hole, a nine-iron can be used but with some extra thought. The golfer may want to consider intentionally blading the golf ball to gain some additional distance, though this would sacrifice some elevation. Such shots are sometimes required during a game since a seven-iron or eight-iron might be too much club for the distance. Of course, golf courses vary resulting in much depending on that course and the obstacles the golfer may be facing for the shot in question.
For chipping within 100 yards, the nine-iron is one of the better clubs to choose. The golfer can get more elevation with the ball, yet cut the distance, if the ball is placed in back of his or her stance. Keeping his or her feet closer together makes it difficult for the golfer to strike the ball as hard which will result in the ball not flying the green (when a ball carries over the green when hit).
Additionally, the nine-iron is a good club if the golfer is playing a short par 3 hole which are as short as 100 yards on some golf courses. In fact, using anything more than a nine-iron will be too much. Stance is important here as well since the golfer does not want to drive the ball too far. A closed stance in this case will help him or her limit the distance the ball travels, and placing the ball further back in his or her stance will cause the ball to get loft faster. If struck correctly, the ball should fly perfectly onto the green, hopefully rolling into the cup or at least close to it.
As you see, the nine-iron serves a good purpose and is, certainly, a club to have in your bag!
Besides the seven-iron, every golfer must have the five iron. The five iron club is versatile for use in a variety of situations as well as an easy club to use. No, it may be not be as versatile as...
Playing Golf With the Proper Golf WedgeThere are several golf wedges from which golfers can choose. In fact, you will probably find several in your golf bag. Although there is plenty of golf equipment on the market to discuss, this article will be limited to the...
Your Personal Primer Course on Golf ClubsGolf clubs are usually considered a set consisting of a driver, fairway woods, irons and putters. The advanced golfer would have at least a driver, metal fairway woods, irons and a putter in their golf bag. The trend lately has...
Playing Good Golf: Is it About the Balls?All golfers have one thing in common. They cannot play without golf balls. Skill level or experience has nothing to do with this one no-brainer. However, it is not about whether or not one needs golf balls it is a...
Take Strokes off of Your Golf ScoreThere are plenty of golfers out there, from the beginner to the professional playing worldwide weekend events. They all have something in common, they all want to shave one or two strokes off their golf game, practicing for hours at...