10 Iron Golf Club [What Actually Is It?]

If you’re looking for a new 10-iron for your golf bag, it’s more than likely that you’re going to struggle to find one.

Why is that? Well, it’s a fairly simple reason, golf manufacturers just don’t make them anymore.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what a 10-iron golf club actually is and whether you really need one in your golf game.

10 Iron Golf Club

What Is A 10 Iron In Golf?

A 10 iron is a type of golf iron that has a loft of around 45 degrees and is used to produce shots high in the air.

These days, a 10 iron golf club is very rarely seen as it has been replaced by the more commonly called pitching wedge.

A pitching wedge has the same loft and is the same length as a 10 iron, but golf club manufacturers chose to no longer produce the 10 iron number around the 1980s.

A standard set of golf irons includes either a 3-iron through to pitching wedge or a 4-iron through to sand wedge with a classic loft progression up from the longest iron.

A modern pitching wedge has a loft of around 45 degrees, but that can vary depending on club manufacturers and the type of irons.

The 10 iron (or pitching wedge) represents the transition from the set of numbered irons, from long irons to short irons and then into the lofted wedges. From the pitching wedge, the next in the lineup is the gap wedge which sits at around 50 degrees.

Although a 10 iron is no longer produced by most club manufacturers, Callaway featured a rare golf 10 iron in a set of cavity back irons in the early 2000s. The Callaway Big Bertha 10 iron loft was around 50 degrees, so was more similar to a gap wedge rather than a pitching wedge.

Do Pro Golfers Use A 10 Iron?

As mentioned, a 10 iron golf club is also known as a pitching wedge. It’s very common that a professional golfer will have a pitching wedge in their bag as it’s great for shorter shots and chipping from around the green.

Although you don’t tend to see a 10 iron in use these days, there are still a few cases where professional golfers have had one in their bags.

Hideto Tanihara had a Honma 10 iron in the bag during the 2018 season and more famously Charles Coody used a 10 iron to win the 1971 Masters.

Most golfers will have a pitching wedge in their bags instead of a 10 iron, but it’s always exciting to see when a rare 10 iron comes into play.

When To Hit A 10 Iron?

Although it’s not likely you’ll ever be using a 10 iron whilst out on the golf course, you will likely be using a pitching wedge. But what shots can you use a pitching wedge for?

Full Swing Short Shots

Short irons are where you can make your scores when out playing golf. Dialling in your distances from within 150 yards is one of the best ways you’re going to lower your scores.

A 10 iron or pitching wedge is the perfect club for scoring within the 110 to 140 yard distance, depending on the standard of the golfer.

Most wedges are designed for these sorts of yardages, to hit shots that can be controlled and stopped close to the flag.

Club selection for this yardage is important and so learning the correct clubs for these distances is essential to good scoring.

Chip Shots Around The Greens

A 10 iron golf club gives a golfer a great shot for chip shots from around the green.

Often golfers will go for their lob wedge, sand wedge or gap wedge, however, something with a lower loft like pitching wedges is perfect for a chip and run shot.

Tight lies on fringes or aprons are never easy to chip from. Using a pitching wedge can take reliance on a good strike through the chip out of the equation.

For the average golfer, a pitching wedge chip is a far less risky shot to play compared to a lob wedge.

Final Thoughts

A 10 iron golf club is essentially the same as a pitching wedge in golf. It’s got the same loft and same length as a pitching wedge, but it has a ’10’ instead of a ‘P’ on it.

These clubs have shorter shafts than other irons and a club head that is easier to hit than long irons such as a 4 iron or driving iron.

Although a 10 iron isn’t really included in a set of irons these days, a pitching wedge is still a very important club that you need in your golf bag.

FAQs

What degree is a 10 iron golf club?

Most of the 10 irons which are still in existence have a loft of about 45 degrees, similar to a pitching wedge.

Is there such thing as a 10 iron?

Yes, a 10 iron is a golf club that was used in golf irons sets up until the 1980s. These days, most golf club brands won’t include a 10 iron in their club lineup and focus more on a pitching wedge instead.

What loft is a 10 iron?

A 10 iron loft is usually around the 45 degree mark, but it can vary depending on the club’s manufacturer.

What is a 10 iron used for in golf?

A 10 iron is a great club for use around the green on chip shots or from within 150 yards for pitch shots into the green.

What is a 10 iron degree?

A 10 iron degree is 45, but this can vary depending on where the club is produced and by which golf brand.

Is a 10 iron a pitching wedge?

A 10 iron club is essentially the same thing as a pitching wedge, with the same length shaft and a similar loft which is around the 45 degree mark.

Is a 10 iron the same as a pitching wedge?

A 10 iron is the same as a pitching wedge and was the club more commonly used in a set of golf clubs up until the 1980s when golf club manufacturers decided to change to a pitching wedge.