I think the biggest progression (at least in the last 3 years) has been in the marketing.

So I'm going to buy a 3H tonight. Would that replace my 4I or just be between a 4I and 3W.

I think the latter.

Agree with Shark- my hybrids actually go a little longer than their equivalent irons, so it definitely wouldn't replace a 4I for me.

I hit 3 iron 210ish, hit my 3H 225ish. I hit 4 iron 195ish, hit 4 hybrid 210ish.

A 3 hybrid replaces a 3 iron in theory. In reality things could be different depending on shaft length, club loft, club design, etc.

BO

Curious as to why you think this exactly? Not trying to start a war here but it is not a secret that the loft of a 3h tends to be 2* stronger and the club is a bit longer as stock

I think all bo is saying is a 3h should replace a 3i because that is what the club says. If it goes longer it is more like a 2i. Nothing more than terminology. Like if I gave you an 8 iron with a 9 stamped on it. Is that a 9 iron or an 8 simply because of what it says? I have personally carried 2 three hybrids at one time before because they went the distances I wanted them to.

So to answer the original question I think the answer is who knows until you hit them.

Funny because you just described alot of Taylormade's clubs lol

Exactly. Absolutely genius what they and the other manufacturers did years back to make the amateur happy.

Are the pros using similarly named irons too? Like when we see someone hit a 170 yard 9 iron are they hitting what would have been an 8 or 7 20 years ago?

more than likely, but not a guarantee

http://www.leaderboard.com/LOFTINFO.htm

'The need for a Gap Wedge today results from a marketing ploy used by club manufacturers. Here's the story: '

'But now, not only are the manufacturers "guilty" of forcing two unwanted clubs down your throat. But they also expect you to separately purchase the Gap Wedge, which is the important Pitching Wedge of 35 years ago.'

etc...

That is a pretty silly explanation.

"Damn those club manufacturers for narrowing the gaps between our clubs and making us have to buy extra clubs so we can get better at this game"

The new TM speedbladz or whatever they are call take it even farther, I think the 3 iron is something like 18 degrees

Please explain how the average golfer benefits from tighter gapping in the long irons and bigger gaps between the scoring clubs?

Where did I say this? That would be a pretty silly way to make up your bag.

Well,
That is exactly what is happening with current releases and you said bying more clubs to solve this makes us better golfers.

No, they just have so much lag they can really massacre short irons.

Is KJ Choi the only PGA tour player playing miuras? After playing with my miuras for a year, they really are the best irons I've ever hit... not really close.

I dont think KJ ever has the same set in his bag week to week lol. Thought I read somewhere that he has already been through 26 sets of irons this year. It was either this year or last. Dude is a head case. Always wanted to try Miuras though but never really pulled the trigger on a set.

I'm 32, but below average height and these are pretty much my lengths exactly (actually a little longer with 4-iron, when I can hit it). If lofts have changed, I guess that puts me below average.

Actually, the article's discussion on "longer is better" is pretty interesting, and as a short hitter it took me a long time (too long) to realize how much my scoring was being adversely affected by me mentally thinking I should hit clubs further than I do. While it's an issue on longer courses (alleviated somewhat by hybrids), ignoring what others might be hitting and hitting what YOU hit has improved my game tremendously.

I've also found that if the thought "maybe I should club up" crosses my mind, clubbing up is RARELY the wrong decision.

Moving it forward in your stance is going to make you hit it higher. I would move it back a touch. This will help you get your ball flight down.

Eh, not necessarily. If he moves it back and because of such starts to hit down on the ball instead of up he would actually hit it higher and shorter.

BO

Fair enough. What would you suggest he try?

I can't make sense of this. Why would hitting down on the ball make it go higher?