Irons - what am I paying for

ankles

Need a new set of irons, my old cobras have started giving up, lost the third one in about 9 months the weekend. "Game improvers" needed. But just asking what is the difference between say Cobras that I can get for €296 and Callaways/Taylormades for €499? I might consider paying that for better quality/technology, but seriously, am I paying for the name or what? Answers quick I have a scramble on Friday week!

elbows666

I switched from Maxlfi Revolutions which I had for about 10 years to Ping G10's about two years ago. Made a huge difference in distance and ball flight. They are also very forgiving. You should be able to pick up a set cheap enough as the G15's and K15's have since been brought out.

Webbs

I have the Cobra S9 game improvement irons and love them as they have definitely improved my game (dropped 7 shots this year). Forgiving with good distance though a lot of that is obviously from strong lofts, but they easily get the ball for me anyways on a good trajectory. I will be sticking with them for a few years yet.

derra

Webbs wrote: »

I have the Cobra S9 game improvement irons and love them as they have definitely improved my game (dropped 7 shots this year). Forgiving with good distance though a lot of that is obviously from strong lofts, but they easily get the ball for me anyways on a good trajectory. I will be sticking with them for a few years yet.

Fantastic clubs to hit, have the S9 2 model and as you say they fly high with ease due to the Nippon XH (extra high shafts).
Word of advice though, shop around the net for a set that includes the Gap wedge and 4 iron as that is very easy to hit as well. The 5 - SW had cost me €265 in McGuirks but am after buying the 4 iron and waiting on delivery of the Gap wedge which is the S9 model but same shaft which has set me back another €90 including postage from the states for the two second hand.
But definitley a club to try out.

iceman7

i would recommend taylormade 09 burners,a brilliant club,great flight and very forgiving,played these from new and brilliant results,i have sinced progressed to the taylormade r9 irons.which are even better.a word of advice go to mc guirks in kinsealy range and try out a few irons,and see what your comfortable with.good luck in your search.:cool:

GreeBo

elbows666 wrote: »

I switched from Maxlfi Revolutions which I had for about 10 years to Ping G10's about two years ago. Made a huge difference in distance and ball flight. They are also very forgiving. You should be able to pick up a set cheap enough as the G15's and K15's have since been brought out.

Probably most of that is due to the manufactures decreasing lofts on their clubs to make them go "further" than the competition.
10 year old clubs would see at least 1 club loft difference versus new clubs.

OP the technology wont be that much better, Id save my money for some other clubs rescues, LW, SW etc?
What range of clubs are you looking for? (e.g. do you have/hit a 3/4/5 iron?)

soundsham

ankles wrote: »

Need a new set of irons, my old cobras have started giving up, lost the third one in about 9 months the weekend. "Game improvers" needed. But just asking what is the difference between say Cobras that I can get for €296 and Callaways/Taylormades for €499? I might consider paying that for better quality/technology, but seriously, am I paying for the name or what? Answers quick I have a scramble on Friday week!

if your losing 3 irons every 9 months:eek: .......
you might look into any models that have some form of string that might attatch them to you or your bag
like kiddies mittens

Figo69

Got a set of Cobra S2 myeslf. Brilliant set of clubs i must say. Dropped my handicap down from 17.2 to 12.0 in less than 4 months. Easy to use, distance is great and great trajectory on them.

Love it so much!!! :):)

stretch47

ankles wrote: »

Need a new set of irons, my old cobras have started giving up, lost the third one in about 9 months the weekend. "Game improvers" needed. But just asking what is the difference between say Cobras that I can get for €296 and Callaways/Taylormades for €499? I might consider paying that for better quality/technology, but seriously, am I paying for the name or what? Answers quick I have a scramble on Friday week!

There are a few things to consider when buying irons. Make sure that you don't buy clubs that are not suitable to your playing level. For example, blades v cavities. To get the full benefit from using blade irons you need to be a skilled player. The idea behind a bladed club is manipulation of ball flight.
Cavity clubs are the other end of the scale and allow a lot more forgiveness to help improving players. They are not as punishing on miss hits as bladed irons.
Most good manufacturers i.e. Titlesist & Mizuno (who i wouldn't look past really) provide both types of irons.
Probably the best advice would be to speak to a PGA Teaching Pro and have he/she give their assessment of your skill level and recommendation. It's a lot of money to be spending, better to do it right!

Webbs

stretch47 wrote: »

There are a few things to consider when buying irons. Make sure that you don't buy clubs that are not suitable to your playing level. For example, blades v cavities. To get the full benefit from using blade irons you need to be a skilled player. The idea behind a bladed club is manipulation of ball flight.
Cavity clubs are the other end of the scale and allow a lot more forgiveness to help improving players. They are not as punishing on miss hits as bladed irons.
Most good manufacturers i.e. Titlesist & Mizuno (who i wouldn't look past really) provide both types of irons.
Probably the best advice would be to speak to a PGA Teaching Pro and have he/she give their assessment of your skill level and recommendation. It's a lot of money to be spending, better to do it right!

Out of interest why wouldnt you look past Titleist or Mizuno? Do you have a bad experience with other brands Ping, Cobra, Wilson, Taylormade, Callaway as examples? Your reply seems to indicate that you dont think any of these are good brands, which would be surprising considering their involvement in Tour golf?

stretch47

Webbs wrote: »

Out of interest why wouldnt you look past Titleist or Mizuno? Do you have a bad experience with other brands Ping, Cobra, Wilson, Taylormade, Callaway as examples? Your reply seems to indicate that you dont think any of these are good brands, which would be surprising considering their involvement in Tour golf?

No not at all. I have a Ping G15 3wood and Taylormade R9 driver.
But when it comes to irons, I believe the best iron manufacturers are Titleist and Mizuno. Craftsmanship is second to none. Not also that by iron manufacturer, i'm talking about the heads. The shafts are usually a different company along with the grips.

elbows666

GreeBo wrote: »

Probably most of that is due to the manufactures decreasing lofts on their clubs to make them go "further" than the competition.
10 year old clubs would see at least 1 club loft difference versus new clubs.


I can hit a 5 iron 190-195 yards with a higher ball flight v's 180 with a lower ball flight with the old clubs. I would point out that I got superlight shafts also which could counteract the loft differential.

Solarpitch

I just bought a set of Ping S57's and within the last 4 rounds my ball striking has been alot better. My shots a straighter and noticed a real difference to the ball flight. They say the S57's are a club shorter than most irons because of the spin they generate, but cant say I've noticed any change in distance.

Spening 800 as opposed to 200 on a set of irons.. doesnt mean your gonna play better golf.. the 200 euro ones might suit ya better than the more expensive, "technology" packed ones.

GreeBo

elbows666 wrote: »

GreeBo wrote: »

Probably most of that is due to the manufactures decreasing lofts on their clubs to make them go "further" than the competition.
10 year old clubs would see at least 1 club loft difference versus new clubs.


I can hit a 5 iron 190-195 yards with a higher ball flight v's 180 with a lower ball flight with the old clubs. I would point out that I got superlight shafts also which could counteract the loft differential.

Those are tour distances...you must have a no short game to be off 5/6.
A higher ball flight, struck correctly, will always go further, hence players looking for more hang time from their drives.

ankles

Thanks for all the input guys. Have been told that Halpenny Golf have a pro for fitting every Thursday in Swords. tbf in Grafton St they were suggesting Wilsons which were among their cheapest, so don't think they were pushing anything in particular. Anyone tried Halpenny fitting?

Stretch, which Mizunos/Titleists would I be looking at for game improvers? Cavities are definitely for me. I actually rarely hit long irons. I'm a long driver so usually either a utility on a par 5 or a short/medium iron on par 4's. tend to only hit long irons on some par 3's.

elbows666

GreeBo wrote: »

elbows666 wrote: »

Those are tour distances...you must have a no short game to be off 5/6.
A higher ball flight, struck correctly, will always go further, hence players looking for more hang time from their drives.

I rebuilt my swing about 3 years ago, only starting to feel comfortable now. Was always a good putter but lost my competitive edge. I am an awful bunker player in fairness. The irons with the superlight shafts have made a big difference. They are scary long out of the rough.

stretch47

ankles wrote: »

Thanks for all the input guys. Have been told that Halpenny Golf have a pro for fitting every Thursday in Swords. tbf in Grafton St they were suggesting Wilsons which were among their cheapest, so don't think they were pushing anything in particular. Anyone tried Halpenny fitting?

Stretch, which Mizunos/Titleists would I be looking at for game improvers? Cavities are definitely for me. I actually rarely hit long irons. I'm a long driver so usually either a utility on a par 5 or a short/medium iron on par 4's. tend to only hit long irons on some par 3's.

A word of warning about getting custom fitted in a high street golf shop. Unless its a pro shop within a golf club I'd be cautious. Hopefully i'm not offending anyone but i would be cautious about being fitted by someone who is also an amateur, which is mostly the case in high street golf shops ( ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS for those who are going to jump down my throat )
Get yourself to a PGA Pro. They teach the game for a living. They know what they're talking about. Best €30 you'll ever spend.

I'm not an expert on equipment but stick with cavities unless you play to a high level.
This is how the Mizuno range is shaping up for 2011. http://golf.mizunoeurope.com/irons/

hades

Some great advice and tips there.

I have a set of "copy" callaway x22 irons, and i'm looking at maybe getting a set of taylor made R9's.

There's also a good write up in this months Golf Digest Ireland on the differences between blade and cavity back irons, only takes 2 mins to read, so do that in your local easons

Zak Flaps

i would strongly agree with iceman 7...get yourself along to kinsealy driving range...mcguirks there have tons of demo clubs for you to try out on the range...the best way to find out what clubs you like....
Ping? Taylormade? Callaway? Titleist? Cobra? Wilson? Nike? Cleveland? Mizuno?
i myself think that no make is particularly better than another make....they all make good clubs....it's what feels good for you...
best of luck....