A modern 7 iron has 27-33 degrees of loft, and a modern pitching wedge has 41-45 degrees. Game-improvement sets sit at the strong (lower) end of those ranges and players irons at the weaker end. Traditional sets from the 1990s were 4-6 degrees weaker at every number, with a 35 degree 7 iron and a 47 degree pitching wedge.
| Club | Traditional (1990s) | Modern Game-Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Iron | 21 degrees | Rarely sold (replaced by a hybrid) |
| 4 Iron | 24 degrees | 19 degrees |
| 5 Iron | 27 degrees | 21-22 degrees |
| 6 Iron | 31 degrees | 24-26 degrees |
| 7 Iron | 35 degrees | 27-29 degrees |
| 8 Iron | 39 degrees | 31-33 degrees |
| 9 Iron | 43 degrees | 36-37 degrees |
| Pitching Wedge | 47 degrees | 41-43 degrees |
Modern game-improvement lofts above come from current manufacturer spec sheets (Ping G440, Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal, Cobra DS-Adapt, Callaway Elyte). Players irons sit in between, with a 7 iron around 32-33 degrees and a pitching wedge around 44-45.
Iron Lofts by Brand
The quickest way to compare sets is the 7 iron and pitching wedge. Two sets with the same number on the club can be 5-6 degrees apart, which is about one full club of distance.
| Iron Set | Category | 7 Iron | Pitching Wedge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callaway Elyte | Game improvement | 29 degrees | 42 degrees |
| Callaway Elyte X | Super game improvement | 28 degrees | 41 degrees |
| Callaway Apex Ai200 | Players distance | 30 degrees | 43 degrees |
| TaylorMade Qi Max | Super game improvement | 28 degrees | 42.5 degrees |
| TaylorMade P790 | Players distance | 30 degrees | 44 degrees |
| Titleist T100 | Players | 33 degrees | 45 degrees |
| Titleist T150 | Players | 32 degrees | 44 degrees |
| Titleist T250 | Players distance | 30.5 degrees | 43 degrees |
| Titleist T350 | Game improvement | 29 degrees | 43 degrees |
| Ping G440 | Game improvement | 29 degrees | 42 degrees |
| Ping i240 | Players | 33 degrees | 45 degrees |
| Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal | Game improvement | 28 degrees | 42 degrees |
| Mizuno Pro 243 | Players | 32 degrees | 44 degrees |
| Cobra DS-Adapt | Game improvement | 27 degrees | 42 degrees |
| Srixon ZXi5 | Players distance | 31 degrees | 44 degrees |
Why Modern Iron Lofts Are Stronger
Manufacturers have steadily lowered lofts to make irons go farther. Moving the center of gravity low and back in cavity-back and hollow heads keeps the launch high enough that a lower loft still gets the ball in the air, so the ball still launches high enough to hold greens while flying farther.
The catch is at the bottom of the set. When a pitching wedge drops to 41-43 degrees, the jump to a 54-56 degree sand wedge becomes too big. That is why most current sets include a matching approach wedge at 46-50 degrees. Our wedge loft and distance chart shows how to fill that gap.
How Much Distance Each Degree of Loft Is Worth
Irons in a set are usually 3-5 degrees apart, which works out to roughly 10-15 yards between clubs for an average swing speed. Distance gaps shrink at the long end of the bag, because many players cannot launch low-lofted irons high enough to carry them farther. That is why many players swap their 4 and 5 irons for hybrids. See our hybrid loft chart for matching lofts and our guide to distance gaps between irons for how to check yours.
How to Check the Lofts on Your Irons
Look up your set on the manufacturer's spec sheet first. The model name and year are usually stamped on the head or printed on the shaft label. Lofts can drift over time, especially on forged irons that are softer and bend more easily, so if your gapping feels off, a club fitter or repair shop can measure and adjust each iron on a loft and lie machine, usually for a small fee.