In our forums, our members have been discussing the validity of playing a 1-iron instead of a driver. WRXer ‘steel09’ has picked up some Miura MB-101 long irons and is toying with the idea of putting his 1-iron in the bag – and our members have been having their say on the subject in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

• DFS PFD: “If you want to give up all forgiveness the driver offers, and distance, then sure. 1 or 2 iron over 3 wood is realistic, over driver, not as much.”
• Pepperturbo: “I played a 15* 1 iron for many years until 17* 2 iron came into vogue. It never replaces driver though. Every now and again I put my 16* Mizuno MB 1 iron in the bag to remind myself of the importance of a good swing. One “1” iron requires a much better swing than my T-MB 2 iron. One “1” iron can replace a stock 16.5* 4wd distance-wise, except my 4wd is not stock at 15*, plus 1 iron trajectory is much lower. Sometimes because of banshee like run out, I can get my 17* 2 iron out further than 4wd, especially hitting into breeze. What’s gained? IMO depends on a person’s game. I am an iron player that likes all sorts of shots and control. Driver and 4wd are good for big Par 4’s and 5’s but when facing target golf or wind 17* 2i and 3i are used a great deal more than driver or 4wd. I’ve played many rounds never touching driver or 4wd and can still get into the barn with a mid-70’s score.”
• Buzzkill: “Years ago when I hit my 1 iron 260 yards, I’d often play with no woods just for the fun of it!”
• Nessism: “I didn’t carry a driver for a number of years and only rarely missed it. Instead, I used an old Spaulding persimmon 3 wood that I loved and a Palmer Peerless 1 iron that for some reason I just killed. I could hit that 1 iron 230 pretty consistently off the tee, and even used it off the fairway sometimes. ‘The good old days’ for sure!”
• MattyO1984: “That 1 iron looks beautiful, but I think that you would be mad to consider using that over a modern driver.”

Entire Thread: “1-iron over a driver?”