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USA Today
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
Should you play a driving iron? Here's who they're best for — and who should pass
Driving irons offer precision and control, but not every golfer should use one. Here's who benefits — and who's better off with a hybrid? Every year at about this time, golf equipment makers roll out new driving irons and utility irons, and if you follow golf equipment news, you saw it happen again this season. TaylorMade and Titleist both released new offerings over the last few weeks to go along with clubs that were already available to pros and recreational golfers. But who needs a driving iron or utility iron, and what makes them a good option for some golfers? Let's be clear: these clubs are not one-size-fits-all solutions. Driving irons fill a particular niche, and if you're thinking about adding one, it's important to know what they're really designed to do — and what kind of golfer can actually benefit from them. What's the purpose of a driving iron? At its core, a driving iron is designed to be used off the tee and create a lower, more penetrating flight than a hybrid or high-lofted fairway wood. It's the club players reach for when they need to keep the ball down in windy conditions, and because driving irons and utility irons have a flat face instead of a curved face that is found on hybrids and fairway woods, it is easy to hit draws and fades with a driving iron for extra control. The head of a driving iron is typically smaller than a hybrid's, but the blade length is often longer than a standard iron. Companies usually opt for a hollow-body construction to allow the face to flex more effectively at the moment of impact and generate more ball speed. Driving irons also tend to have internal weighting that helps them be more stable, and in many cases, there are internal foams, polymers or other materials inside the heads that enhance sound and feel. Who Should Be Playing a Driving Iron? Generally, driving irons fit players with faster swing speeds — think 95 mph and above with a 6-iron — who can generate enough velocity and lift to get the ball airborne with a lower-lofted club. Accomplished players who prefer to flight the ball lower or who want more control in the wind often favor them, especially on firm, fast courses where keeping the ball under the breeze is a priority. This is the reason why brands often release new driving irons and utility irons in late June or early July: Links-style courses that are home to the Scottish Open and the British Open are ideal settings for driving irons. These clubs also popular with skilled players who tend to sweep the ball rather than hit down aggressively. A shallow angle of attack combined with high speed can make a driving iron a go-to club off the tee or even the fairway. If you're a confident ball striker who already plays a blade or players' cavity-back, and you like the idea of a stinger or piercing trajectory, a driving iron could be a great fit. Who should probably skip it If your swing speed is moderate — or if your miss tends to be thin — driving irons can be punishing. You need to generate enough speed and have a reasonably consistent strike to get the most out of the low-loft technology. Otherwise, you're likely to see shots that come out low, knuckly, and short. Hybrids or higher-lofted fairway woods are usually better suited for players who need more launch and carry. Their designs — featuring wider soles, deeper faces, and more rear weighting — help get the ball up in the air more easily, even on slight mishits. Plus, hybrids tend to be easier to hit from the rough, thanks to their wide soles and wider bodies. Driving irons, with their thinner soles and sharper leading edges, are less forgiving when the lie isn't perfect and can dig in soft turf or the rough. The bottom line There's a reason so many brands release updated driving irons and utility clubs each summer — they serve a distinct purpose that comes in handy for pros on links courses. But they're not meant to replace hybrids or fairway woods for every golfer. If you've got the speed, consistency, and desire to hit low-flying bullets off the tee, you'll likely love what a driving iron can offer. If you're more interested in maximizing forgiveness, height, and versatility from different lies — as most golfers are — a hybrid or higher-lofted fairway wood will likely serve you better. Before a new driving iron, try a few side-by-side against similarly lofted hybrids and fairway woods and learn the performance differences you can expect. Launch monitor data (especially carry distance, peak height, and descent angle) will quickly reveal which option could truly be best for your game. Here are some solid driving iron and utility iron options you might want to consider: Callaway Apex UT Price: $275 What you should know: This forged, hollow-body utility iron features a 455 face cup with internal urethane microspheres to deliver both more ball speed and a soft, iron-like feel. The pre-worn leading-edge and trailing‑edge relief, enhancing turf interaction, should be appreciated by low-handicap golfers. It's more compact and launches higher than its predecessor, blending seamlessly with Callaway's Apex irons. Available in 18-, 20-, and 23-degree lofts. Cobra King TEC Utility Iron (2023) Price: $229 (steel shaft), $249 (graphite shaft)What you should know: The latest version of the King TEC Utility Iron features a hollow body with a forged PWRSHELL face designed to enhance flexibility and ball speed, especially low on the face. Cobra uses 61 grams of tungsten weighting to lower the center of gravity, promoting higher launch and improved stability. A foam filling inside the head dampens vibrations for a softer feel. Offered in 17, 19, 22, and 25 degrees, the King TEC Utility is built for golfers seeking a long-iron replacement that delivers distance with a penetrating, controllable ball flight. Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi Price: $225 per clubWhat you should know: The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi brings a traditional look with modern engineering. Its multi-material build combines a 17-4 stainless steel body, a MAS1C maraging steel face, and an internal tungsten weight to increase launch. Designed to blend seamlessly into Mizuno's Pro Series irons, the Fli-Hi delivers a high launch and soft landing while still looking and feeling like a true iron. It's ideal for players who want forgiveness and height in a long iron replacement without switching to a hybrid. Ping iDi Price: $275 per clubWhat you should know: Designed with input from Ping's tour staff, the iDi blends a forged C300 maraging steel face with a hollow-body construction and an 'Air' polymer insert to improve feel and ball speed. Compact shaping and minimal offset give it a classic look suited to better players who want a lower, penetrating ball flight. Available in 2-, 3- and 4-iron models, the iDi is aimed squarely at fast swingers seeking an iron alternative off the tee without sacrificing shot control or precision. PXG 0317 X Price: $179.99What you should know: The PXG 0317 X is a forged, tour-inspired driving iron designed to produce low launch and low spin. Made from 8620 soft carbon steel and robotically polishing, it has an ultra-thin face, hollow-body design and polymer core to maximize ball speed and enhance feel. Internal precision weighting enhances MOI and stability, resulting in tighter dispersion. With 18 degrees of loft, it's designed for stronger swingers who prefer a penetrating flight. TaylorMade P•UDI Bomber Price: $349 per clubWhat you should know: TaylorMade's P•UDI Bomber is engineered for pure distance, with a hollow-body design, internal tungsten weighting, and a forged C300 face. Compared to the standard P•UDI, the Bomber version has a larger head, a deeper center of gravity, and is optimized for higher ball speeds and a towering launch. It's still more compact than a hybrid but designed for golfers who want an iron shape with hybrid-like distance potential, especially off the tee. Titleist T250•U and U•505 Utility Irons Price: $279 (T250•U), $279 (U•505 with steel shaft), $399 (U•505 with premium graphite shaft)What you should know: The T250•U and U•505 are Titleist's latest takes on the utility iron, built to fill different player needs. The T250•U is a hollow-body design based on the T250 irons, ideal for players seeking added launch and distance with precision. The U•505 returns with a sleeker shape, improved sound, and progressive tungsten weighting for better forgiveness. Both options cater to players wanting an iron profile with help getting the ball airborne and stopping quickly on greens. Wilson Staff Model RB Utility Iron Price: $250 per clubWhat you should know: The Staff Model RB (short for 'raw bore') features a hollow-body, forged 8620 carbon steel head with a high-strength Carpenter Custom 455 face. A noticeable bore-through port filled with a vibration-dampening polymer enhances feel. Wilson designed this for players who want an iron-like alternative with added forgiveness and a neutral, workable ball flight. The classic shape and reduced offset will appeal to confident ball strikers looking for distance and control in a utility iron. Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Titleist adds T250•U utility iron, upgrades U505 to complete 2025 T-Series lineup
Titleist's 2025 utilities include the all-new T250•U and a redesigned U505, offering distinct long-iron replacements for better flight and control. Gear: Titleist T250•U and U•505 utility irons (2025) Price: $279 with stock Project X HZRDUS Black shaft, $399 with premium graphite shaft Specs: Hollow-body steel construction, forged L-Face insert, Max Impact technology, split tungsten weighting, progressive shaping (U•505) Available: Aug. 21 (in stores) Who it's for: Golfers seeking a long-iron replacement that launches high with consistent speed, whether in a compact, precision-oriented profile or a larger, more forgiving design What you should know: The 2025 Titleist utility iron lineup includes the brand-new T250•U and an updated U•505, giving players distinct options depending on how much help — and height — they need at the top of the bag. The deep dive: Driving irons are unique clubs because while they need to enhance distance and provide more forgiveness than a standard long iron, they still need to hit the ball to a specific distance and flight shots through a player's desired window. For that reason, one size or shape often doesn't work for everyone, so Titleist is giving golfers two very different utility irons in 2025 with the new T250•U and next-gen U•505. True, both clubs are designed to launch the ball high, deliver fast ball speeds and provide stability on off-center hits, but they differ in shape, size and overall playing profile. The T250•U is a first for Titleist — a dedicated utility version of the player's-distance T250 irons (the new iron that has replaced the T200). Available in 2-, 3- and 4-iron options, the T250•U carries the same compact shaping, sole width and offset as the standard T250 irons, but in a standalone offering designed specifically for the top end of the set. This model is designed for skilled players seeking a long-iron replacement that seamlessly integrates into a combo set, particularly when paired with T100, T150 or T250 in the lower irons. On the other end of the spectrum, the U•505 returns with a progressive makeover. While the 2023 version of U•505 was well-regarded for its forgiveness and easy launch, Titleist has reworked the shaping for the new version. The lower-lofted U•505 irons, like the 1- and 2-iron, retain the wider sole and shallower face, giving golfers help where they need it most. But the 3- and 4-iron U•505s are now more compact, taller in the face, and have a narrower sole that was inspired by a T350 prototype 3-iron that caught the eye of tour players. Both the T250•U and the U•505 share some core performance technologies: When it comes to launch characteristics, U•505 is the higher-launching of the two, making it ideal for players who need to get the ball up and flying on a steeper trajectory. In contrast, the T250•U is designed for more controlled, penetrating flight, offering an option for players who prefer a traditional iron profile with slightly increased ball speed and added help. T250•U vs. U•505 If you're wondering which of these utilities fits your game, here's the breakdown: Both clubs offer parallel tip construction, allowing fitters to install hybrid shafts for players who prefer that feel and profile. The Project X HZRDUS Black shaft is stock, but players can opt for premium options like the Graphite Design Tour AD DI for higher launch or the Tour AD VF for a lower, more penetrating flight. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Winner's Bag: Scottie Scheffler, 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush
A complete list of the golf equipment Scottie Scheffler used to win the 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush: DRIVER: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft Save $150 on Scottie Scheffler's driver FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Black 8X shaft, TaylorMade Qi35 (21 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Black 9X shaft. - SAVE $50 at PGA TOUR Superstore. IRONS: Srixon ZU85 (4), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shaft, TaylorMade P-7TW (5-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts. WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (50, 56), SM9 (60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts - SAVE 17% at PGA TOUR Superstore. PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck Shop Scottie Scheffler's putter BALL: Titleist Pro V1 - Shop at PGA TOUR Superstore GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet (full swing) / Golf Pride Pistol (putter) This article originally appeared on Golfweek: British Open 2025: Scottie Scheffler golf equipment at Royal Portrush
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
British Open: Rory McIlroy produces the most bizarre shot of his life at Royal Portrush
So, this was weird: Rory McIlroy, playing his second shot from the rough on the 11th at Royal Portrush in Round 3 of the British Open, somehow managed to unearth another ball in mid-swing. The second ball was apparently embedded in the ground a few inches ahead of McIlroy's ball, and popped into the air as McIlroy's shot flew greenward. 'That is one of the most weird, ridiculous things I've ever seen," McIlroy said of the shot after his round, where he finished at 8-under. "So strange.' McIlroy tossed the extra ball aside. For the record, it was a Titleist 4, and it ended up in the hands of a lucky fan: Alas, because McIlroy didn't replace the ball in its original spot, the R&A hit Shane Lowry with a two-shot penalty. (Kidding. Maybe.) McIlroy would go on to bogey the hole. After a hot three-birdies-in-four-holes start, McIlroy cooled off slightly, parring the next six holes before the weirdest bogey at 11. He did, however, follow that up with a monster putt for eagle at No. 12 to move closer to the top of the leaderboard.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
British Open: Rory McIlroy produces the most bizarre shot of his life at Royal Portrush
So, this was weird: Rory McIlroy, playing his second shot from the rough on the 11th at Royal Portrush in Round 3 of the British Open, somehow managed to unearth another ball in mid-swing. Seriously, look at this: Here's another look: The second ball was apparently embedded in the ground a few inches ahead of McIlroy's ball, and popped into the air as McIlroy's shot flew greenward. 'That is one of the most weird, ridiculous things I've ever seen," McIlroy said of the shot after his round, where he finished at 8-under. "So strange.' McIlroy tossed the extra ball aside. For the record, it was a Titleist 4, and it ended up in the hands of a lucky fan: Alas, because McIlroy didn't replace the ball in its original spot, the R&A hit Shane Lowry with a two-shot penalty. (Kidding. Maybe.) McIlroy would go on to bogey the hole. After a hot three-birdies-in-four-holes start, McIlroy cooled off slightly, parring the next six holes before the weirdest bogey at 11. He did, however, follow that up with a monster putt for eagle at No. 12 to move closer to the top of the leaderboard.
