one iron
Noun: 1. (Golf) A type of golf club, specifically a long iron, historically characterized by having the most upright (nearly vertical) face angle among the irons, designed for hitting the ball a very long distance with a low trajectory. It is the iron with the lowest loft, typically around 14-16 degrees. (Note: The "one iron" is rarely used in modern golf, having been largely replaced by utility woods and hybrid clubs.)
The term "one iron" is used exclusively in the context of golf to refer to a specific club. It is a compound noun where "one" indicates its position as the lowest-lofted iron.
Examples: * "He pulled the one iron from his bag for the long tee shot over the water." * "Few golfers have the skill to hit a one iron consistently well." * "The one iron is often called the most difficult club to master."
- The one iron is famously associated with a quote attributed to professional golfer Lee Trevino: "If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron." This highlights the club's reputation for being extremely difficult to hit.
- In modern golf sets, the one iron is almost obsolete. Its role has been supplanted by more forgiving clubs like the 3-wood, 5-wood, or driving hybrids, which are easier to launch into the air.
- Driving Iron: A synonym sometimes used for a one iron or a low-lofted iron (e.g., 2-iron) intended primarily for use off the tee.
- Long Iron: A category of golf clubs that includes the 1, 2, 3, and sometimes 4 irons, all designed for distance with a lower ball flight.
- Utility Iron / Hybrid: Modern club types that have largely replaced the one iron and other long irons in most golfers' bags.
- Driving Iron (contextual)
- "Not even God can hit a 1-iron.": A humorous saying in golf culture emphasizing the perceived impossibility of hitting this club well. It underscores the club's legendary difficulty.
- (golf) the long iron with the most nearly vertical face