Club upgrade

IrishStew

I've been playing golf on and off for about 15 years, in the last 18 months I've finally been able to dedicate more time, playing 2 or 3 times each month and regularly going to the range. I am still hacking my way round to some extent, averaging about 108 for the par 72 course I play, last weekend I shot 106. I am seeing progress but I want to push on to break 100 and beyond.
I have upgraded my drivers and fairway woods recently, I also invested in a new Odysey putter which has already improved my confidence on short putts and given excellent results. My irons are the same ones I bought 15 years ago, they were a cheap brand but have served me well however I'd like to upgrade.
So what should I buy, what should I look for, where should I buy?
I've been looking for a month or so and of course the choice is huge. My budget is €500 for a set 4-PW, that said will my game benefit enough to justify the expense or would I be better looking to spend less or even not spending at all?
I realise there is no substitute for practice and lessons, both of which I'm addressing however I do want to make sure the equipment I use is right for me.
I'd appreciate any input, anyone who has recently purchased new irons let me know what you bought, how did you choose?
Should I stay away from graphite and stick with steel shafts? My swing tends to be quick although I'm working hard to slow it down.
I'm in the Drogheda area, so if anyone knows a good Pro for lessons let me know.

Thanks in advance
I-S

stockdam

Hi and welcome.

New clubs aren't the way to success but then again everyone needs a little help.

The best advice is to go a good pro shop and he/she will help you to choose. You will get better value on 2nd hand clubs though these are often hard to find.

I haven't checked the prices but I'd look at the following makes......

Ping, Cobra, Callaway, Mizuno, Wilson, Taylormade, Titleist, Nike


I've a set of Ping G5s which are a couple of years old but they are a good set of irons.

Some of the Wilson sets are good value.

Get the clubs that suit you.......don't listen to anybody else who says set X are the best.

richardw001

The best advice that I would give you is to spend as much as you can - however look at either a very good deal on new irons or a second hand set equal to the same price.
You don't mention whether what your old irons are - i.e. blades etc. ? - however if I were you I would probably be looking at something like a set of wilson fatshaft irons.
That said - probably the best advice you could get would be from the pro that you are going to go to. - He/She can give you good advice - based on your first lesson. I would say get your first lesson - and get your new clubs based on that.

Brewster

Irish Stew, I was in a similar position to you in the summer and I went for the Taylor Made tour burner irons. There is a new 2009 version out which are slightly more forgiving than my set. I think theyd be a great buy for someone in your circumstances. Can be bought in McGuirks for bang on 500 euro. I think you need to determine whether you need a regular or stiff flex. A good tour pro could help here. Just a suggestion!

IrishStew

Thanks for your all your good advice.
I omitted to say that my current irons are Regal with oversized heads and 15 years old.....
The TaylorMade Tour Burner irons have caught my eye already, a friend has the Wilson Deep Red Fat Shafts which I've also considered.
Stockdam - your comment about new clubs not being the way to success makes sense, that said my Odyssey putter has reaped instant rewards, my confidence has improved immeasureably since I got it which has resulted in fewer 3 putts - however I'm mindful that much of the improvement is perhaps down to the fact that it's shiny and new (and expensive)....meaning I've wanted it to be better than the Mizuno it replaced.
Hence my caution, blowing a load of unnecessary money on new irons may make me think I'm a better golfer but.......

I-S

stockdam

I'd still suggest you go ahead.

For years I always wanted a set of Pings. They were always too expensive for me to justify. Then I got the G5s at a good price and I'm delighted.

Buying isn't always logical. Get what you want and if they work then they are worth it.

A good pro will help you to get what works for you and that's the best advice. If you can hit some different ones at the range then you can see what makes you happiest.

Go for it.

spurscormac

Recently bought a new set of Wilson ci-6 from e-bay. Delivered for €170 from the US, and not caught with import duty.

They got great reviews when they came out in 2006, and I have found them good so far on the range - I think it could partly be due to confidence, but hey, that helps too. Only got out for 9 holes yet, and managed to shoot 50, and I'm around your level, ~110, hoping to go sub 100.

Be careful if buying online, usual checks when buying anything.
Also have a look at some of the links to online lessons here, there's some good stuff on youtube which addressed my problems pretty well.


Good luck with whatever you choose.

The Rooster

IrishStew wrote: »

I've been playing golf on and off for about 15 years, in the last 18 months I've finally been able to dedicate more time, playing 2 or 3 times each month and regularly going to the range. I am still hacking my way round to some extent, averaging about 108 for the par 72 course I play, last weekend I shot 106. I am seeing progress but I want to push on to break 100 and beyond.
I have upgraded my drivers and fairway woods recently, I also invested in a new Odysey putter which has already improved my confidence on short putts and given excellent results. My irons are the same ones I bought 15 years ago, they were a cheap brand but have served me well however I'd like to upgrade.
So what should I buy, what should I look for, where should I buy?
I've been looking for a month or so and of course the choice is huge. My budget is €500 for a set 4-PW, that said will my game benefit enough to justify the expense or would I be better looking to spend less or even not spending at all?
I realise there is no substitute for practice and lessons, both of which I'm addressing however I do want to make sure the equipment I use is right for me.
I'd appreciate any input, anyone who has recently purchased new irons let me know what you bought, how did you choose?
Should I stay away from graphite and stick with steel shafts? My swing tends to be quick although I'm working hard to slow it down.
I'm in the Drogheda area, so if anyone knows a good Pro for lessons let me know.

Thanks in advance
I-S

My story is near identical to yours, just I was 6 months earlier.

I did plenty of research and came down to two I couldnt decide between - the TaylorMade Tour Burner and Cleveland CG-Gold. While I was still deciding between the two, one of my mates bought a set of the TM, so not wanting the exact same I plumped for Clevelands. Very happy with them, and my mate is very happy with the TMs.

I can't remember whether they cost €450 or €500, but I do remember that Halpenny Golf in Swords offered me a better deal than McGuirks in Howth.

IrishStew

Thanks everyone for the continued info.
The TM Burners are my favourite so far as they appear to be forgiving on the miss-hit or off centre shot....something that I am conistently doing.
That said I'll take a look at the Clevelands.....
It's good to hear that your choices have been good.
On a completely different tack, if any you shooting around 110 fancy getting together for a round let me know, I'm always keen to play regardless of the weather and keen to try new courses. I generally play Mount Temple , lovely course, well drained but a good test none the less.

I-S

Brewster

Irish Stew, as I say there are Tour burner plus irons out for 2009. You can compare them with the 2008 tour burner irons on tayloremadegolf.com. The 2009 are more forgiving than the 2008 version according to their site as they are oversized irons compared with midsize 2008 version. Obviously given the choice, id possibly have gone for the 2009 version had I known they were coming out! In saying that, im very happy with my progress with 2008 version.

IrishStew

Thanks Brewster
I guess there will always be a newer version about to launch.
Perhaps I'll be able to get a deal on an 08 set.
I'm glad you are making good progress
Thanks for your input

I-S

ShriekingSheet

I use the Taylor Made Tour Burners. Great club for pretty much any level.

It should be noted that the '09 Burner Plus irons are a different model all together. Some of the above suggests they are a newer version of the Tour Burner model which isn't the case.

The Burner Plus irons are bigger and more offset. They will look quite different to the Tour Burners.

As you said, they caught your eye. There as good as anything on the market and better than most and you should get a decent price.

They come with a very good steel shaft as standard called Project X. The sales guy will recommend a flex, most likely 5.0 or 5.5 which would be standard issue for most golfers shooting your kind of scores.

Best of luck!

kagni

I recently got a set of Cobra S9 irons.
Tried a few sets - Taylor Made, Callaway and both the Cobra S9 and FP.
For me the S9 were the best of the bunch, very forgiving and my shots flew much straighter than the others.
The Taylor Mades were slightly longer but not as consistsently straight as the S9's.
If you get a chance you should give these a try.

stockdam

I agree that the Cobra's are a good club....probably overlooked by a lot of people.

Don't go by how far you hit any make as you need to know what the lofts are.......a 7 iron isn't always a "7" iron.

If you hit the irons straight and a nice trajectory then that's more important than length.

IrishStew

Good info on the Cobra's - thx
Well I'm not a big hitter anyway although my swing resembles someone trying to knock the bejesus out of the thing.....
Planning a trip to a couple of shops this weekend...will report back if I have stumped up the cash.

I-S