This is the *real* reason why you’re hitting your irons longer

The technology in your irons is better than ever. Golf companies invest millions in their Research and Development departments, expertly designing clubheads that squeeze every last yard out of their designs.

But there’s also a simpler reason you’re hitting your new irons longer than ever before: they don’t have as much loft.

Take, for example, two TaylorMade irons: A RocketBladez model from 2013, a set of which is currently on sale for $328, and a new set of P790 TIs, which you can pre-order on TaylorMade’s website.

There’s all sorts of things that differentiate the two irons, but one of the more subtle difference is the sheer loft of the two irons. As you can see below: If you compare the loft of the two six-irons, you’ll see the P790 TI irons have half a degree less of loft.

That may not sound like a lot, but it is. Less loft means more yards, basically, and half a degree matters.

And that’s not by accident.

Half a degree of loft difference between similar sets of irons that were released nearly six years apart may not be eye-catching, but it’s actual just a small slice of a trend that has been going on for years. As the seasons roll on, each new batch of irons features less and less loft, to the point where one of TaylorMade’s modern day 6-iron resembles what would’ve been more like a four-iron back in the day.

Just check out this chart our GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jonathan Yarwood shared recently:

But this isn’t some trick from the equipment companies. It’s a very good thing, happening for very good reasons.

Iron technology simply didn’t used to be as good as it currently is. Irons were hard to hit, and golfers needed help getting the ball into the air. Loft helped them do that — it was a matter of necessity.

But technology keeps getting better. Engineers are constantly figuring out new and interesting ways to push the weight farther back in the clubhead. The clubhead is working harder to get the ball into the air. Golfers simply don’t need as much loft as they used to, because the designs are so much better.

So the next time you’re on the course, enjoy those extra few yards.