the Role of Offset in Irons?
 

I should know this, being a full time clubmaker but...I've always played blades (grew up with them in the 1960's) with little or no offset...being the iron ho that I am...got a set of Lynx NiCr Tour cb's the other day...with progressive offset...more in the long irons...my question is...does this change the release point (aiming point?)...I've had a hard time finding the right ball position to use the same type of release...weird to say the least and I KNOW :) it's not me...I'm hitting the longer irons fat...I know it would be easier just to go back to one of the 20+ sets that I Can hit but the question is still there...anybody? thanks, hardpan

Isn't offset in irons, like in drivers, an attempt (right or wrong) to help slicers?

I would think that with any club design you have to ask yourself what the design is doing to the sweet spot. Perhaps this design moves the sweet spot more backwards explaining why you're hitting them fat.:smile:

Out with the new and in with old.
 

Offset (hosel more in front of the face) in irons give the golfer a split second longer to square uop the club face. It can be slightly helpful. When used in conjuction with a closed face angle in woods, it can show measurable difference in those that seldom see the left side of the golf course.

Offset irons also move the clubs center of gravity back giving it a higher moment of inertia (less head twisting and higher ball speed on off center hits). The amount the COG can be moved back in irons is minimal compared to woods. Moving the COG back also produces a higher ball flight. Again, it has more effect on woods than irons.

What you have is a different animal in you hands: different head, shaft, grip, swingweight, total weight, lie angle....
Only through experiment and experience with the new stick can you find the right Aiming Point for you. If you have the book read 6-E-2.

My suggestion is to go with what club works best base on proper fitting technique.

I think ya'll are right...different type of club, swings a little different...the heel to toe length is longer than my other irons...not as easily 'swung'..better for hitting as they want to stay square, harder to open and close...more offset does move the cog back away from the hosel...I only have three rounds and some range time with them so I'll give them more time...

For thirty years I played a pretty big hook..worked well in windy west texas with lots of roll and not until I got into TGM have I straightened out my ball flight and am working on a little fade w/higher trajectory...much better on the harder/tighter courses here in the dallas area...which is why I wanted a 'players' cb for consistency...we'll see...thanks guys..hp

Am I the only one that uses cavity backs when I'm using a hitters stroke, and blades when I'm swinging. I feel that cavity backs with there increased offset fights the left-to-right ball flight of the angled hinge, and blades allow me to use my horizontal hinging, centrifugal, free flowing swing without worrying about over cooking my draw.

Wouldn't offset also put the sweetspot out of line with the shaft and therefore have some effect on the rate of clubface closing ,particularly with swinging?

Yes Neil. Offset does put the sweet spot out of line with the shaft but what we are really interested in is the sweet spot plane not the shaft plane. The sweet spot plane is derived from the #3 ppt to the sweet spot of the club head. Therefore you should be able to swing any club head design with a little practice. At least that is how I see it.:smile:

The Role of Offset in Irons?

I play the original Snake Eyes Smith and Wesson blades which has progressive offset ( Less so in the short irons more so in the long irons) . For me Offset = Ball starts at the target and draws left leaving longer putts. It was driving me crazy so I bought these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

which are straight faced. These start at the target and stay there.

That makes sense.Does that also explain why increased offset through the set brings consistency?I am interested in the theory promoted by manufacturers of increased offset the lower the number(of iron).But this does not apply to woods -presumably because of the ease of moving CG in woods as compared to irons?:

as has been said, the Offset moves the clubhead COG further back from the shaft, resulting in greater forward deflection of the shaft at impact, higher trajectory. the effect is far greater in woods than irons. you can debate what other changes in ball flight an increase in forward deflection may induce. maybe the golfer feels the head getting to the ball sooner and rolls their hands earlier than they otherwise would... I dunno :confused:

Offset is effectively 'built in lag'.

Well..I ended up back with my snake eye 600b's...less offset suits a little better or at least I'm more used to that type head

bingo!

It also gives you a little more time to square the face. Anyone who says offset makes them draw the ball didn't want to relearn either their aiming point or there ball position.

i can hit my low offset CB or my buddies Ping Eye 2 both dead straight. Just have to adjust for the offset.

It is also the 'hook face' that allows for a straight shot given an impact that is 'up plane' from low point, while still keeping the flying wedges in their alignments.

Offset basically forces you to hit it farther up the plane (or to compensate with a less supportive grip/PP alignment and/or ball position/aiming point).

So would that imply then, that there is an 'ideal' amount of offset for a given ball position and aiming point? ;)