Is There a 0 Iron in Golf?

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

While the highest numbered iron found in a traditional golf set is a 9-iron, the lowest is often considered the 1-iron or driving iron. However, an extremely rare and difficult-to-hit zero iron has existed, most famously wielded by pro golfer John Daly.

Quick Summary

This article explores the truth behind the mythical 0 iron, detailing its historical rarity and the specific instances of its creation for professional golfers. It explains why this ultra-low-lofted club is essentially obsolete in modern golf, replaced by more forgiving hybrids and fairway woods, and contrasts it with the more common and equally challenging 1 iron.

Key Points

The 0 iron is not a standard club: The lowest iron in a typical set is usually a 3 or 4 iron, with a 1 iron being a specialty club.
John Daly famously had a custom 0 iron: The club was created by Wilson for the long-hitting pro, though it actually had a very low loft (around 10-12 degrees), not zero.
Low-numbered irons are incredibly difficult to hit: The minimal loft and small face make clubs like the 1 and 0 iron highly demanding, requiring exceptional skill and swing speed.
Modern technology has replaced low irons: Forgiveness-focused hybrids and fairway woods have made the challenging long irons, especially the 0 and 1 iron, obsolete for most players.
Modern alternatives offer superior forgiveness and height: Hybrids make it easier to get the ball airborne from various lies, providing more consistent and predictable results.
A 'true' zero-degree lofted iron is unplayable: The ball cannot be launched with a club that has zero loft, making the custom '0 iron' label a bit misleading.
The 0 iron remains a novelty: Aside from extreme custom builds, this club is not part of the game today and is seen as a relic of golf equipment history.

The Mythical Zero Iron: A Rarity in Golf History

For most amateur golfers, the idea of a 0 iron is as mythical as a hole-in-one on a par 5. The standard iron set, for those who even carry a full complement of long irons, typically starts at a 3 or 4 iron. The notorious 1 iron is difficult enough for professionals to master, earning it the nickname "butter knife" for its incredibly low profile and demanding nature. So, the existence of an even more extreme club, the zero iron, seems almost impossible. However, records show that at least one version of this legendarily difficult club was created for a very specific—and notorious—purpose.

The John Daly Zero Iron

Long-hitting professional golfer John Daly was known for his unconventional style and powerful swing. To help him improve accuracy off the tee on certain holes, club manufacturer Wilson created a 0 iron specifically for him over a decade ago. While Daly’s club was indeed labeled a “0 iron,” it is important to note that it likely did not have literally zero degrees of loft. Sources indicate it had a very low loft, possibly in the range of 10-12 degrees, comparable to a modern strong driver or fairway wood. Daly's club was a highly specialized tool designed for a player with extraordinary clubhead speed and skill, and it was never intended for mass market production.

Modern Zero Irons and Custom Clubs

While John Daly's 0 iron is the most famous example, others have attempted to create similar ultra-low-lofted irons. Japanese clubmaker Falcon Mastubara, for instance, created the JCM-01, a bladed 0 iron with 12 degrees of loft for testing. These modern experiments reaffirm the club's brutal difficulty. Unlike forgiving modern hybrids or even other long irons, these bladed clubs offer zero offset and an exceptionally thin topline, demanding perfect ball-striking. Hitting such a club off the deck is nearly impossible for even highly skilled ball strikers, with any contact other than a perfect strike resulting in a low, unforgiving trajectory. These custom creations exist as novelty items or as extreme challenges for top players, not as a practical club for a standard golf bag.

Why the Zero Iron Became Obsolete

The zero iron, and even the more common 1 and 2 irons, have largely been replaced by modern hybrid clubs and stronger-lofted fairway woods. This shift is due to several key factors that benefit the average golfer:

Forgiveness: Hybrids, with their wider soles and larger heads, offer significantly more forgiveness on off-center strikes. The perimeter weighting in hybrids makes them far easier to get airborne and achieve consistent distance.
Versatility: Hybrids excel in a variety of situations, including tight lies, out of the rough, and even from bunkers. They offer a versatile tool that can replace multiple long irons in a player's bag.
Technology: Modern club design and material advancements, such as lighter graphite shafts, have made it possible to increase ball speed and launch with clubs that are much easier to hit than their traditional long-iron counterparts.

Comparison Table: 0 Iron vs. Modern Alternatives


Feature	0 Iron (Vintage/Custom)	Driving Iron (Modern 1/2 Iron)	Hybrid Club (Modern Alternative)
Loft	~8-12 degrees	~14-19 degrees	~18-24 degrees (varies)
Forgiveness	Extremely low	Low	Very high
Launch Angle	Very low	Low	High
Ease of Use	Nearly impossible	Very difficult	Easy to moderate
Player Type	Tour-level specialist	Elite ball striker	All skill levels
Availability	Extremely rare/custom	Limited to specific models	Widely available

Why a Zero Iron is Not a Good Idea for Most Golfers

Even if a golfer could find or commission a zero iron, using it would be an exercise in frustration. The extremely low loft requires a massive swing speed and a perfect, downward strike to launch the ball properly. The margin for error is effectively zero. For nearly all golfers, a hybrid club of similar loft will provide much better results, with a higher, softer landing trajectory and far more consistent distance. The novelty of owning such a rare club simply does not translate into practical performance on the course. Players who still prefer the feel of an iron can find modern driving irons that offer a slightly more forgiving, if still challenging, experience than the old-school low-numbered irons. Ultimately, golf club technology has evolved to make the game easier and more enjoyable, rendering the zero iron a relic of a bygone era for all but a select few specialists.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the average golfer might never encounter one, the legendary 0 iron did, in fact, exist in a rare, custom-made form for a player of exceptional skill like John Daly. However, its minimal loft and unforgiving nature make it utterly impractical for modern golf. The evolution of club design has seen the zero iron replaced by much more forgiving and versatile hybrids and fairway woods, which offer superior performance for the vast majority of players. Today, the legend of the zero iron serves as a testament to both the specialized equipment of the past and the remarkable progress of golf technology.

Wilson staff midsize RM zero iron

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a club with a true zero-degree loft could not launch a ball effectively. The custom clubs labeled '0 iron,' such as the one made for John Daly, had a very low loft, often between 8 and 12 degrees.

The most famous instance of a zero iron was a custom-made club for professional golfer John Daly. The club was created by Wilson for Daly to help him with accuracy off the tee.

Low-numbered irons (1, 2, 3) are no longer common because they are notoriously difficult to hit. Modern hybrid clubs and stronger-lofted fairway woods offer similar distance with significantly more forgiveness and a higher launch.

Historically, the 1 iron was widely considered the most difficult club to hit, famously dubbed the 'butter knife'. The rare and ultra-low-lofted custom 0 iron is even more challenging, requiring perfect contact.

In modern golf, players typically replace their long irons (2, 3, and 4 irons) with more forgiving hybrid clubs. Hybrids are easier to hit from a variety of lies and provide a higher trajectory.

The number on an iron corresponds to its loft, or the angle of the clubface. The lower the number, the lower the loft, which results in a lower, longer shot. The higher the number, the higher the loft, leading to a higher, shorter shot.

Finding a 0 iron is extremely difficult, as they were made as custom or rare novelty clubs. Some clubmakers might create a modern, bladed zero iron as a special project, but they are not available from major manufacturers.