Short iron is a term used in golf to refer to irons with shorter shafts, typically used for approach shots to the green. The spelling of "short iron" is fairly straightforward, with each word being pronounced as it appears. In IPA phonetic transcription, "short" is transcribed as /ʃɔrt/ and "iron" as /aɪrən/. The emphasis is on the first syllable of "short" and the second syllable of "iron". Overall, the pronunciation of "short iron" is /ʃɔrt/ /aɪrən/.
Short iron refers to a type of golf club used for making short and accurate shots onto the green. It is a subset of the iron family of golf clubs, which are generally known for their smaller, more compact heads and shorter shafts compared to woods. The short iron typically includes clubs numbered from 7 to 9, and occasionally also includes the pitching wedge and sand wedge.
With a shorter shaft length, the short iron allows golfers to have more control and accuracy in their shots, making it suitable for shots from distances between 130 to 150 yards away from the green, although this can vary depending on a golfer's skill level. Typically, the higher the number on the club, the shorter the shot it is intended for. For instance, a 9-iron is designed for shorter distances than a 7-iron.
Short irons have a higher loft angle compared to longer irons, meaning the face of the club is angled more vertically. This loft helps the ball get more height and adds backspin, allowing the golfer to stop the ball on the green more easily.
Professional golfers, as well as amateur golfers, utilize short irons to make controlled approach shots onto the green. The versatility and precision of short irons make them vital tools for golfers aiming to land their shots accurately close to the hole for a potential birdie or par.
The term "short iron" originates from the game of golf. In golf, the sport is divided into various clubs, each designed for different types of shots. The "short iron" refers to a specific type of golf club known for its relatively short shaft length and steep loft angle, resulting in a higher trajectory of the ball. The word "iron" in this context comes from the early days of golf when clubs were typically made of iron. Over time, clubs started to be made with different materials, but the names persisted, including "short iron". Therefore, the etymology of "short iron" can be traced back to the golfing terminology.