What is Offset on a Golf Club?

Whether you're a serious golfer or a casual player, understanding the structure of a golf club is a great benefit to your game and selecting the best golf club for you. Especially if you're trying to decide on a golf club to purchase, understanding the different factors that go into that is essential to making an informed decision.

One of the most significant factors that come up during the process of selecting a golf club has to do with offset. This is a feature of a golf club in which there is a distance between the hosel's leading edge and the face's leading edge. 

This distance, referred to as offset, is a feature thought to improve play. The amount of offset can vary and is sometimes very minimal. We will cover the reasons this feature is beneficial and some drawbacks. 

Advantages of an Offset

This design in a golf club is an excellent way to improve your ball flight. It is designed to aid in smoothing out kinks in your swing and improve your shots. Below, we'll review some of the biggest reasons a golfer might benefit from a club with this design.

Squares the Face of the Club at Impact

An offset driver aids in reducing a slice. Thanks to the shape of the club, your hands pass the ball during the swing before the club, providing an opportunity for you to square the face of the club. This results in a reduction of sidespin.

Most iron sets designed for game improvement feature a progressive offset, meaning that the longer the iron, the greater the offset. This design provides the greatest forgiveness in your swing when using harder-to-hit clubs.

It Allows You To Hit Higher Launch Angles

These days, manufacturers of clubs and golf balls have prioritized higher ball flights in product design. With a club with a low center of gravity that promotes higher flight, you can make shots that quickly go up and softly land. If your club has an offset, the design will have an adjusted center of gravity to compensate for the reduced loft resulting from the offset.

How much a golf club is offset will vary between manufacturers, so we recommend testing the club to make an informed purchase and swing decision.

Straighter Ball Flights

Professional and expert golfers don't typically benefit from the offset. However, for casual golfers or beginners, the necessity of keeping the ball straight while playing makes offset helpful. This assistance results in straighter ball flights.

Less Risk of a Slice

Decreasing the risk of a slice is one of the most significant advantages of an offset golf club. Thanks to the square face, there is a greater chance of the ball's starting line being to the left of your target. This reduces your chances of a slice while playing. 

Disadvantages of an Offset

While this golf club design is becoming increasingly popular, it has disadvantages. Let's take a look into why you may not want to opt for an offset golf club below:

More of a Crutch Than a Cure

While offset golf clubs can help correct some play factors, they won't fix the source of the problem. Acting like a bandaid, they may not solve the swing issue that's causing the problem. 

We recommend making concerted efforts to remedy issues with your swing while utilizing an offset golf club. This way, you can benefit from gaining more confidence in your swing and making strides toward improving the underlying problem. 

Increased Hook Risk

As mentioned, offset clubs decrease the risk of a slice. However, they also increase the chances of hitting a hook. 

Over Compensating

If you're using an offset golf club to try and fix your shots, you may unintentionally worsen an existing issue. While the offset provides an opportunity to correct a slice, some golfers may find that this backfires and exaggerates the faults in their swing. 

Differences Between Offset vs. Non-Offset Golf Clubs

Now that you know the pros and cons of an offset golf club, let's discuss their differences to help you decide what suits you best! 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to golf clubs. Consider your level of dedication, skill, and preferences when choosing a club that suits your needs.

When it comes to offset vs. non-offset golf clubs, keep in mind that there are several differences in the functionality and design of each option. Here are some differences to consider. 

As we covered, offset clubs decrease the risk of a slice. To contrast, non-offset golf clubs rely on the player's skill to prevent slices. Some prefer to practice correct swing techniques rather than rely on the club's design to avoid slices and utilize a non-offset club. 

Another factor to consider is appearance. The offset club's design is not visually appealing to some players. Some prefer the straight shaft of the non-offset design, which is more striking and attractive to many traditional golfers.

More experienced players or professionals tend to select non-offset clubs in most cases. Beginners, casual golfers, those struggling with a slice, or players with similar considerations may benefit from using an offset club. 

Should You Use Offset Golf Clubs?

With all this information in mind, you might wonder if an offset golf club is right for you. We've covered what this type of club is designed to accomplish and how it can impact your game. 

Deciding whether or not this type of golf club is right for you comes down to your personal play preference. These clubs certainly improve different flaws in a player's shot. If you struggle with those aspects of your game, you may opt for an offset golf club. On the other hand, if your goal is to sharpen your skills, you may choose a non-offset golf club and try lessons or practice techniques to remedy your shots. 

Remember that if you are accustomed to using an offset golf club and switch to a non-offset design, you may initially find that your shots suffer as you adjust to the loss of a feature you relied on. However, you can overcome this and adapt to the change with practice and determination. 

FAQ

Do Any Pros Use Offset Irons?

As a general rule, most professionals either use non-offset golf clubs or those with minimal offset. If looking for a more forgiving club, the most talented golfers might opt for a cavity back head or utilize different shafts or clubs in long irons, increasing their reliability. 

Can Offset Cause a Pull? 

Yes, having too much of an offset can result in a pull. To avoid this, take care when bringing the club head down. If the descent of the club head is too steep and you hit down on the ball, this can also happen. Proper alignment will improve your game regardless of your golf equipment type - and offset clubs are no exception. 

Why Are Offset Irons Easier To Hit? 

As a result of the location of the hosel compared to where the shaft is, an offset golf club makes it easier for a player to square the face at impact with the ball. 

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