Definition: Irons are one of the three (or four, depending on who's counting) subsets within a full golf set: Woods, irons and putter. Some people consider wedges a fourth subset, but wedges are irons regardless of whether they are separated.
Irons are the clubs most likely to be used from the fairway, although they are often hit from the tee, too (especially on par-3 holes).
Irons feature thin, grooved faces of varying lofts. The most common array of irons carried in a set of golf clubs is 3-iron through pitching wedge (3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-irons and PW). Many golfers add a sand wedge to the assortment. Some also carry a 1-iron or 2-iron and a gap wedge or lob wedge.
