2 Iron Golf Club

Many golfers across the world rarely use the 2 iron golf club since it is one of the most difficult sticks in the bag to hit.

The club can be utilized in many different ways and if you’re able to strike the ball clean, it can lead to more accurate tee shots and straighter shots from the fairway.

This article will explain when you should hit it and the details regarding the club.

What Is A 2 Iron Golf Club And What Is It Used For?

The 2 iron is the second longest iron behind the 1 iron.

It is very low-lofted and can be used instead of a wood or low-lofted hybrid. A 2 iron can be used for many things such as from the tee box, on the fairway, from the rough and doing punch shots underneath trees.

Using the club to punch the ball out of trouble can be extremely useful. Since it is such a low loft, the ball will have a low ball flight and travel for a long time with a super long roll out.

Most golf club sets and iron sets come with a 3 iron or a 4 iron as the longest iron. It is rare to find a 2 iron in a set. It might be easier to purchase one online or at your local golf shop.

2 Iron Golf Club Distance

The standard yardage of a 2 iron will be between 200 to 250 yards depending on how long the person is and how strongly lofted the club is.

The average 2 iron distance will be about 225 yards for a medium-length hitter.

Hitting the ball off the tee will usually result in a further shot rather than off the ground. It is often difficult for beginners to hit a 2-iron at its maximum distance because making contact is hard due to its tiny sweet spot.

2 Iron Loft

Depending on what manufacturer makes the club, most 2 irons are between 17 to 20 degrees.

Most club makers make the two iron around 18 degrees.

What Is The Lie Angle For A 2 Iron Golf Club?

Many 2 irons have a lie angle of 60 degrees.

A lie angle is the angle between the floor and the shaft when the iron is measured at a normal position if it were to be hit. The middle of the sole will touch the floor line.

This helps make sure golfers make proper contact with the sweet spot and not on the toe or heel.

How Long Is A 2 Iron Shaft?

An average 2 iron length can be around 39 to 40 inches depending on if it has a steel or graphite shaft.

A steel shaft will have about half an inch less versus the longer graphite shaft. For example, the TaylorMade P790 UDI mentioned lower in this article has a 39.25 inch steel shaft and a 40 inch graphite shaft.

A men’s 2 iron will usually be an inch longer than a women’s version.

Should You Use A 2 Iron As A Beginner?

For people who are just starting their golf journeys, it would be wise to not throw a 2 iron in the bag. Similar to many long irons, the 2 iron has a very long shaft, low loft and a low launch angle.

With its tiny sweet spot it is very hard to hit consistently. It will be very easy to hit it thin or fat. Many golfers also hook their long irons.

A lot of beginners struggle hitting a 4 iron and 3 iron so going to an even lower loft will be even more difficult.

Hitting a 3 wood off the deck can be cumbersome, a 2 iron is even worse for high-handicap players.

What Club Replaces A 2 Iron?

A good club that can replace a 2 iron and is much more forgiving, is the 5 wood.

Since a 2 iron is lofted between 17-20 degrees and many 5 woods are made with the same loft, it is an ideal swap.

Five woods are easier to hit off the ground and the tee. They have much larger sweet spots and can be hit consistently more often.

A 3 hybrid is another club that can replace a 2 iron. There will be a drop off in distance but it will be easier to make good contact.

Is A 2-Iron A Driving Iron?

There is no clear answer if a 2-iron is considered a driving iron or not because some manufacturers and golf minds consider a 2-iron a driving iron and others consider a driving iron to be a thicker iron.

The thicker version is a crossover between a hybrid and an iron. Appearance wise, the clubhead looks like an iron. It is thin but has an extra layer on the back similarly to a hybrid. This helps increase forgiveness.

Many low-handicap golfers consider a standard 2 iron to be a “driving iron” because of its distance off the tee.

Golfers with a high swing speed and who can easily make contact with the ball are ideal candidates for a driving iron.

If facing tight fairways, a driving iron will be ideal because it will go straighter. Slightly more open fairways will be better for a 3-wood or 5-wood.

A lie on the fairway will be better for a wood versus the rough which is better for a 2 iron since it can cut through easier.

2 Iron vs 3 Wood

Opting for a 2 iron or 3 wood is down to preference. Some golfers are able to make better swings with each club. Below are some points regarding each club.

• If you’re good at striking the small sweet spot and want straighter shots, reach for the 2 iron.
• If you have trouble hitting long irons and want a more forgiving club, reach for the 3 wood.
• A 3 wood will give you more distance than a 2 iron since it is lower lofted. This can be 20-40 yards in some cases depending on the loft.
• If you can consistently hit your 3 iron it is probably a good idea to buy a 2 iron instead of a 3 wood.

2 Iron vs 3 Hybrid

Below are some bullet points with some of the differences and situations with a 2 iron versus a 3 hybrid.

• Since 3 hybrids have less loft than 2 irons, they will give a golfer less distance.
• If you’re looking for forgiveness and are okay with sacrificing yards, opt for a 3 hybrid.
• In situations where you need to clear water or hit over a tree, a 3-hybrid will come more in handy.
• A 2-iron will have more rollout than a 3-hybrid so if you want a softer landing and more spin on the green go with a 3-hybrid.
• If you like punching the ball low under trees to get out of trouble and want to maximize distance, a 2 iron will be more useful.
• Tighter fairways will provide less room for error with a 3-hybrid. A 2 iron will go straighter more often if hit properly.
• A 2 iron can pierce through the wind better than a 3-hybrid.

Do Pro Golfers Use A 2 Iron?

Despite being the best players on the planet, most PGA Tour players don’t use 2 irons. They opt for woods and hybrids. Many do use 3- and 4-irons.

Tiger Woods is one of the professionals that has consistently used 2 irons throughout his career. During his amateur career, Woods actually carried a 1- and 2-iron.

Attached is a list of the 2 irons that the big cat has used over the years.

Aaron Wise, Lanto Griffin and Matt Jones all use 2 irons that are 17 and 18 degrees. All three are winners on the PGA Tour. 

How To Hit A 2 Iron

Hitting the 2 iron can be very frustrating. Golf Magazine Top 100 instructor Tom Stickney explains in the video below how to properly swing it.

What Is The Easiest 2 Iron To Hit?

Taylormade P790 UDI Utility Club

The TaylorMade P790 UDI Utility Club was our selection for the easiest 2 iron to hit.

TaylorMade took feedback from PGA professionals when designing this club.

It has a small offset and straighter topline than previous models.

The club features speed foam technology which is a super light urethane foam that was inserted into the clubhead to help with feel and increase face speed.

There is a low tungsten weight added that helps create a low center of gravity and increase the trajectory of the ball with a high launch in the air.

A thin forged hollow body with a 4140 forged face and soft carbon steel help make the club forgiving and adds distance to shots.

A speed pocket was added and dubbed by TaylorMade as the brand’s “most flexible speed pocket.” This increases ball speed and helps shots that come off the low part of the face still be desirable.

The head is mostly chrome silver with some black lines and accents. It is available in a graphite or steel shaft.

The stock grip on the club is a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. It can be purchased with a stiff or extra stiff flex shaft.

Best 2 Iron Overall

Cobra Golf King Utility 2 Iron

Golfible’s pick for the best overall 2 iron is the Cobra Golf King Utility.

The club allows golfers to easily shape shots and work their way around the course with confidence. An adjustable hosel for the face angle and loft angle allows players to create different kinds of shots.

Cobra installed a powershell face by putting a forged face insert surrounding the sole which increases the size of the sweet spot and helps promote higher ball speeds off the majority of the face.

A hollow body for the clubhead helps the ball spring off the face and helps with flex so distance, control and playability are easier to achieve.

The weight positions in the head just behind the sweet spot are 66 grams of tungsten. This helps increase speed and allows the ball to pierce through wind.

It comes in a satin chrome look. The club can come with a graphite or steel shaft and is available in regular or stiff flex. Both right and left handed options are available as well.

Loft selections are at 17.5, 19.5 degrees or 22.5 degrees. The stock grip is a Lamkin Ace Crossline Connect Black.

Conclusion

The 2 iron isn’t always the easiest club to hit, but when struck well it can be extremely rewarding. Its versatility allows for it to be employed anywhere on the links. Don’t be afraid to purchase an old 3 iron or 2 iron and practice with it. A 2 iron offers different attributes than the common 3 wood or 5 wood. Be sure to comment your experiences in the queries.

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