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When you’re in the market for new golf clubs, there are so many things to consider. You need to choose a suitable brand, whether your irons are cavity-backed or bladed, and think about things like shaft stiffness and grip.
But another thing you need to consider is whether or not your chosen clubs are classed as offset. While you might not have heard about offset clubs before, they’re a great option for players at different levels of the game.
So, to help you decide if you should add some offset golf clubs to your bag this season, we explain everything you need to know about their advantages and disadvantages in the sections that follow.
What are Offset Golf Clubs?
Offset golf clubs have been designed in a way that ensures the hosel or neck is set towards the front of the face of the clubhead. As a result, when you line the club up behind the ball, the clubface appears to be set back or offset – hence the name.
The reason that some players prefer offset golf clubs is that they help golfers launch the ball higher, and they are designed with a center of gravity that sits back in the club. While this might sound a little technical, it simply means that the clubs are more forgiving and allow you to improve your ball trajectory.
If you’ve never seen an offset golf club before, you might think that it’s actually bent and disfigured, but this is a deliberate design feature and is what makes offset golf clubs unique and easier to play for some golfers.
So, with that in mind, are offset golf clubs good? Should you use them? Let’s take a look at this design feature in more detail and ascertain whether it’s a good option for you.
What are the Main Cons of Using Offset Golf Clubs?
The main drawback to using offset golf clubs is that they provide a quick fix rather than a cure to your errant shots. Although some people turn to offset clubs to fix a slice and improve their ball flight, over time, old bad habits can resurface.
While offset golf clubs can help some players, they’re certainly not for everyone.
If you switch to offset golf clubs, there’s no motivation to correct the slice in your swing, which doesn’t actually do your golf game any favors in the long run.
One of the other main problems with offset clubs is that they can over-fix the shot that you’re trying to cure.
What we mean by this is that you can cure hooks and slices, but when you get to the stage where your game improves, and you no longer hook or slice the ball, it will be difficult to adapt your game accordingly.
So, while offset clubs are undoubtedly more forgiving and correctional in nature, you shouldn’t see them as a panacea to your swing woes!
It’s better to work on your swing with a coach and consider swapping to offset clubs if you both agree that it’s a good option for your game.
What is the Advantage of Offset Irons?
The main advantage of using offset irons is that you can easily square the ball at impact. So many recreational golfers struggle with placing the clubface square behind the ball, which is one of the primary causes of errant shots like hooks and slices.
Naturally, this is advantageous to beginner golfers and higher handicappers, as it allows you to increase your confidence out on the golf course while you seek to improve the fine margins of your game.
Another benefit of offset irons is that they enable you to achieve a higher launch angle when you hit the ball cleanly.
In other words, you can hit the ball long and straight, which guarantees a soft landing when it comes to rest further up the course.
If you consistently hit golf shots with a low trajectory, it will be difficult to control your distances, and you might end up hitting the ball further than you anticipated.
And perhaps as importantly – who doesn’t love flying a golf shot down there with a stunning trajectory?
Are Offset Golf Clubs Better?
Yes, If you struggle with hooking or slicing the ball, you can undoubtedly use offset golf clubs to your advantage. But you shouldn’t expect them to correct or completely fix your slice permanently, and you will still have to work on your swing.
The truth is that there are advantages and disadvantages to offset clubs, and it’s difficult to say whether they’re better or worse than standard clubs.
As such, it really just depends on your setup and what you’re looking to get out of your clubs.
That being said, players at all levels of the game can and do benefit from playing offset golf clubs. Before investing in a set of offset irons, we would recommend taking them out onto the range to have a hit.
This is because offset clubs require a slightly different setup from standard irons. And if you decide to make the switch, spend some time practicing on the range beforehand, as it won’t be easy to transition between the different types of clubs.
Should I Play Offset Irons?
If you’re looking for irons that play straight and improve your ball trajectory, then offset irons are a good option. With this in mind, you might be wondering why everyone doesn’t play offset irons, particularly if they can help your ball striking in such a way.
The reality is that offset irons aren’t suitable for all golfers, and your choice really depends on the dynamics of your swing.
If you hit the ball straight with conventional irons or are happy with a slight draw or fade, there’s no need to switch to offset clubs.
Also, you need to be mindful of the fact that there are different levels of offset, meaning one set of offset irons is different from another. They run on a scale from least to most offset, with the most offset theoretically being easier to hit straight.
Ultimately, the decision about whether to play offset irons is very much a personal one.
If you are looking for a way of artificially improving a slice or hook, then offset irons are likely to help you – just don’t expect them to completely fix your swing.
Are Irons with Less Offset Harder to Hit?
Irons with less offset are typically more difficult to hit than those with more offset. This is because they are designed differently, and the center of gravity isn’t as far back in the club’s face.
The result is a less desirable ball flight, although it is still likely to help you shoot straighter and more consistently. The beauty of the scale of offset is that you can choose the best clubs to suit your game.
If you’re not sure of the best offset irons for your game, you can always go for a custom fit-out before settling on the right irons for your bag.
Although it might seem a little expensive, it’s undoubtedly worth the investment if you’re serious about improving your golf game.
This is because a professional club fitter will take into account the unique dynamics of your swing and will help you choose offset irons that are best suited to your game.
Do Pro Golfers Use Offset Irons?
No, most pro golfers opt for conventional golf clubs as they can generate sufficient control with bladed irons and don’t really need offset clubs to square the club up and hit a shot with a high trajectory.
Although offset irons have traditionally been favored by high handicappers and beginner golfers, there’s no doubt that players at all levels of the game can benefit from using offset irons, and they’re becoming increasingly popular on tour.
One of the highest-profile players to use offset golf clubs in the recent past was John Daly – a trendsetter in more ways than one!
So, although you won’t see them commonly on the PGA Tour, there’s no doubt that players at the elite level of the game can use these clubs to improve their consistency.
Conclusion
Offset golf clubs are an excellent option for beginner players and high handicappers, as they make a huge difference as far as ball striking is concerned.
But as we’ve explained in our disadvantages of offset golf clubs guide, these golf clubs won’t be suitable for everyone, and you shouldn’t opt for them as a way of trying to correct a slice or hook, as they won’t help you in the long run.
So, if you’re planning to add some offset golf clubs to your bag this season, you now have all the information you need to make an informed decision that will help improve your game.