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Understanding Golf Clubs: Irons By Brent Kelley Irons are so-called because their clubheads are made of metal. Of course, "woods" are now also made of metal, but that's a relatively recent development. Irons have featured metal clubheads (steel, these days) for centuries. Irons feature thin clubheads and grooved faces. Accomplished players might choose a " muscleback " or "blade" style of iron, whereas beginners and most recreational players will want a " cavity back " style. The difference is that a blade-style features a full back on the rear of the clubhead, whereas a cavity back is exactly that: the rear of the clubhead is, to a certain degree, hollowed out. This creates an effect known as " perimeter weighting ," which is helpful to less-accomplished players. A typical, off-the-shelf set of irons will include a 3-iron through pitching wedge (advertised as "3-PW"), 8 clubs total. The clubs are identified by a numb...