What does progressive offset mean?

[DDL]

I want to get a new set of irons to replace my ping eye 2's and I am wondering what progressive offset means? In reviews of cavity backs, I keep reading that progressive offset makes it harder to "work the ball". I am assuming that little or no offset is the domain of forged blades with smaller sweetspots and more 'workability'. Brings me to my next question: what is workability? Since the pros use these type of clubs, I imagine there is dome advantage to not using a large headed iron with a gigantic sweetspot.

Thanks.

 

[FanofHogan]

Proggressive offset means that as you go through the set from long irons to short irons the amount of offset in the clubs changes. More in the long irons, less in the short irons. Offset is simply the hosel (the part where the shaft enters the iron head) is set forward of the clubface. More offset helps you to get the clubface square at impact. Professionals and better amateurs do not need the help of offset to do this. By workability they mean that the irons with high workability allow the player to make the ball fade or draw as the shot dictates. Most good strikers of the ball do not like offset simply because they can get the clubface squared at impact and offset would tend to nake them move the ball too much from right to left (for a right handed player).

 

[ryantiff]

Once I was told by an AI that Hogon used to have a club, all blade and no offset, because the purpose is to hit down into the ground and you don't need those. He told me that if you are doing it (the swing, hitting down) right, no offset, cavity back etc.. is needed.

 

[matt]

quote:Originally posted by ryantiff

Once I was told by an AI that Hogon used to have a club, all blade and no offset, because the purpose is to hit down into the ground and you don't need those. He told me that if you are doing it (the swing, hitting down) right, no offset, cavity back etc.. is needed.

But most people CAN'T, therefore they need the "help" provided by an offset.

 

[DDL]

quote:Originally posted by FanofHogan

Proggressive offset means that as you go through the set from long irons to short irons the amount of offset in the clubs changes. More in the long irons, less in the short irons. Offset is simply the hosel (the part where the shaft enters the iron head) is set forward of the clubface. More offset helps you to get the clubface square at impact. Professionals and better amateurs do not need the help of offset to do this. By workability they mean that the irons with high workability allow the player to make the ball fade or draw as the shot dictates. Most good strikers of the ball do not like offset simply because they can get the clubface squared at impact and offset would tend to nake them move the ball too much from right to left (for a right handed player).

Thanks for the excellent detailed explanation.