Offsets on irons

It seems that many of the irons that claim better playability, also have a large offset.

I read that offset allows you more time to close the face. But really, can this be true? Why would a clubface that lags behind be better? (Excuse me, but being an engineer, I want to know why! )

I would think that your eye will adjust your swing to compensate for the position of the face. And what difference would 1/4" or so make anyway?

At least one iron manufacturer, F2, is moving the hosel further back - less chance of shanking and supposedly better contact (they originally just made wedges, but now have full sets)

Drivers with offset were being promoted for slicers, but I don't see many of these now. Same is true of hybrids - the newer ones have the bottom edge of the face in front of the hosel My Hogan 3-wood is the same.

I am looking for a set of irons with large sweet spot, low CG but with minimum offset. So far, I have not found anything that looks right.

Any ideas welcomed.

To answer in reverse order:

For your irons, you're looking for Wishon 560's.

Offset allows more time to close the face (as the face is now behind the hands). It also moves the COG back from the hosel centerline (increasing trajectory).