18 H'cap - looking to invest in game improvement irons

BenEadir

Hi all,

My target this year is to go from an 18 handicap to 14. I play 2-3 times a week mostly competitions so I'll have plenty of opportunities to score. My driving is ok as is my short game. The area I feel needs improving most is my mid to long iron play.

I currently use a 10 year old set of Callaway Big Bertha's - http://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/big-bertha-irons-2002/irons-bb-02,default,pd.html#view-4 which I know are "shovels".

I'm thinking of investing in a new set of game improvement irons and would appreciate some input from my fellow Boardies golf nuts.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the following which are listed in order of preference based on my research to date:-

1. Wilson Staff FG Tour V2 Irons - http://www.independentgolfreviews.com/wilson-staff-fg-tour-v2-irons.html
- Forged
- Longer shaft
- Hybrid cavity/blade
- Excellent KBS shaft and grip as standard
- Slightly larger club head
- €399

2. Nike Golf VR Pro Combo Irons
- Forged
- €699

3. Mizuno JPX 825's - Mid to high handicap 10-25 - €699

4. Mizuno JPX 825 Pro's - Low to mid handicap 6 - 18 - €759

5. TaylorMade R11's - €439

Decisions decisions :rolleyes:

Ben

Nozebleed

http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/nike-vr-pro-cavity-irons/nikc0309pd.html

this caught my eye during the week..good value. i would buy mizuno mp53 before the jpx range. similar price,but different clubs altogether.

opinionated3

A friend of mine just recently purchased the Nike vr combo set mentioned above. I can't get over the improvement in his ball striking. He is a sixteen handicapper but I can see him getting lower than that this summer. Important to remember that he was custom fitted (irons are quarter inch shorter than off the shelf) but that is your choice. I play off sixteen too and I would recommend the callaway razr x. Easy to hit and quite forgiving. Again though, give yourself that extra benefit of custom fitting( I had to get mine 3 degrees flat).

Dr_Colossus

Why do you feel you need to change from your existing Callaway "shovels"? They're a good club and well capable of getting you to single figures provided the shafts and lie are remotely suitable. What sort of shafts are in the clubs and how would you rate your swing speed and tempo?

I was in your situation with 15 year old Lynx irons and used by handicap target as an incentive where upon reaching my goal I then rewarded myself with the new irons. I think it worked well and would advise spending a fraction of the proposed cost of the new irons towards lessons instead.

New irons are nice but they won't hit the ball for you, they'll only do what they're instructed so you can't go wrong with lessons and practice.

Rikand

Have you thought about getting a few lessons in order to improve your mid-long iron play ?

mike12

Go to somewhere like the grange in Kinsealy and get a custom fit off one of the Pro's u can then shop around on line if you are standard length and lie. I have hit the KBS shafts and hate them they balloon everything so even though they maybe a great shaft they may not be for you.
My Mate got the JPX and they are a really nice iron he went for the Hybrid from 6 down so plenty of forgiveness. You could even go with a set like JPX hybrid 4-6 JPX 7,8,9 and JPX pro pw,GW. Last years model of the JPX are around 450 now.

Mike.

For Paws

Can't picture being 'Driving & Short Game ok, but Mid irons poor'

Usually the opposite with higher handicapped players
ie; Hit less than 35% of fairways & similarly unreliable short game.

Try recording your Numbers of Fairways Hit, GIR, Chips,Sand saves & Putts for at least a dozen rounds. You might be surprised where your strengths lie.

Then your best plan is to get custom fitted. If you're lucky you'll be reckoned to fit standard Lie & Loft and have the widest choice of club sets.

And Finally....

Buy Mizuno irons (MX 23 an excellent set for mid handicapper)

FixdePitchmark

BenThere wrote: »

Hi all,

My target this year is to go from an 18 handicap to 14. I play 2-3 times a week mostly competitions so I'll have plenty of opportunities to score. My driving is ok as is my short game. The area I feel needs improving most is my mid to long iron play.

I currently use a 10 year old set of Callaway Big Bertha's - http://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/big-bertha-irons-2002/irons-bb-02,default,pd.html#view-4 which I know are "shovels".

I'm thinking of investing in a new set of game improvement irons and would appreciate some input from my fellow Boardies golf nuts.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the following which are listed in order of preference based on my research to date:-

1. Wilson Staff FG Tour V2 Irons - http://www.independentgolfreviews.com/wilson-staff-fg-tour-v2-irons.html
- Forged
- Longer shaft
- Hybrid cavity/blade
- Excellent KBS shaft and grip as standard
- Slightly larger club head
- €399

2. Nike Golf VR Pro Combo Irons
- Forged
- €699

3. Mizuno JPX 825's - Mid to high handicap 10-25 - €699

4. Mizuno JPX 825 Pro's - Low to mid handicap 6 - 18 - €759

5. TaylorMade R11's - €439

Decisions decisions :rolleyes:

Ben

You could try get the old JPX 800 on the cheap (same club as jpx 825 many say). A great set for somebody in 10 to 18 range.

I would agree that if you are going sub 10, they would not shape the ball - very hard to get any sort of shape on higher lofted clubs. I'm off 11 and think I may have reached the end of the road with them.

In fairness have not played too many irons and going to Mizuno was a big step up.

You must go to a range and hit all above. Only way.

NapoleonInRags

Nozebleed wrote: »

http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/nike-vr-pro-cavity-irons/nikc0309pd.html

this caught my eye during the week..good value. i would buy mizuno mp53 before the jpx range. similar price,but different clubs altogether.

I play a set of those nike pro cavity irons and I couldn't recommend them highly enough. Excellent irons, lots of distance. My iron play has improved beyond recognition. i play off 15 and i would recommend them for 12-20 hcps

Rodrigo

I have a set of those Wilsons, mine are the original older design(older as in about 6 or 8 months or so) but basically the same club. Yes they are everything and more that ALL the reviews say, fantastic clubs and great lookers too. I played with a beginners Spalding set for a couple of years then a a couple of years with MD superstrong set of irons, which are a good set of clubs but the Wilson FG forged are a different level altogether. It was like driving a reasonably well kept 10 year old Toyota Corolla then jumping in to a brand new 3 litre BMW. The feel is immediate compared to budget priced irons even though there not expensive in comparison to other big name brands.They are a really good set of irons.

dines08

One bucket and you'll know

Gin77

I started last year after a long break. So I bought a new set of JPX800 the clubs were ok but there was no feel and the lie angle can't be adjusted as there cast.
So I traded them for a set of Taylormade MC's Tour prefered. I did try out a few before hand, the AP2's and MP59's, there are nice clubs I prefered the feel of the TM's.
I would encourage to try forged irons if your a good ball striker, don't go by the "oh there for the low to mid Handicap". I'm off 19 and I play the TM mc's and there the best part of my game.
You should think of the future if you get to 14hc you'll be thinking of forged irons anyway. There are also good budget irons out there but beware of cast irons if your on the way down in your HC.

Sean Quagmire

Nozebleed wrote: »

http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/nike-vr-pro-cavity-irons/nikc0309pd.html

this caught my eye during the week..good value. i would buy mizuno mp53 before the jpx range. similar price,but different clubs altogether.

Good deal.

OP look into the Cobra S3 max irons.

GreeBo

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Why do you feel you need to change from your existing Callaway "shovels"? They're a good club and well capable of getting you to single figures provided the shafts and lie are remotely suitable. What sort of shafts are in the clubs and how would you rate your swing speed and tempo?

I was in your situation with 15 year old Lynx irons and used by handicap target as an incentive where upon reaching my goal I then rewarded myself with the new irons. I think it worked well and would advise spending a fraction of the proposed cost of the new irons towards lessons instead.

New irons are nice but they won't hit the ball for you, they'll only do what they're instructed so you can't go wrong with lessons and practice.

Exactly what I did, new clubs were a prize to myself for getting better, they didnt make me any better at all.

I've said it before on here, but I reckon I could play just as well using my mothers clubs.

onlyfinewine

GreeBo wrote: »

Exactly what I did, new clubs were a prize to myself for getting better, they didnt make me any better at all.

I've said it before on here, but I reckon I could play just as well using my mothers clubs.

You said it, but that's all you did. Can you back it up? You didn't last time.
I dispute your theory and so would anyone who had experience of club-fitting. A whole selection of Tour Pro's can't be wrong! and they are paid for performing.

TheGolfer01

onlyfinewine wrote: »

You said it, but that's all you did. Can you back it up? You didn't last time.
I dispute your theory and so would anyone who had experience of club-fitting. A whole selection of Tour Pro's can't be wrong! and they are paid for performing.

Yea but maybe those pros don't have mothers like Greenbos, same physic and ability.

Felloffmebike

To get from 18 to 14 or lower get yourself a couple of good wedges and spend your time practicing from 100 yards in. That's where you'll improve your scoring. I know you say your short game is good but I bet if you analyse it properly there will be room for improvement. Not too many 18 handicappers with real good short games..

TheGolfer01

OP whatever you do, don't do the sensible thing and get lessons and practice to improve, as everybody knows that buying new clubs is is the quickest, best and most painless way to improve.

useurename

Those shovels have got me from 18 to 13 in the last two years.I really like them.

FixdePitchmark

GreeBo wrote: »

Exactly what I did, new clubs were a prize to myself for getting better, they didnt make me any better at all.

I've said it before on here, but I reckon I could play just as well using my mothers clubs.

For the laugh - you should go out with them and post your score.

onlyfinewine

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

For the laugh - you should go out with them and post your score.

Is that a challenge you are up for?

It certainly covers what you said you could do.

If you prove yourself right I will concede your point.

If you can't you will have to admit you were wrong?

As a gentleman, you will play strict rules of golf.

PARlance

Golf gloves at the ready.... There's some dueling a foot

GreeBo

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

For the laugh - you should go out with them and post your score.

I'd be better off with her scuba gear these days

FixdePitchmark

onlyfinewine wrote: »

Is that a challenge you are up for?

It certainly covers what you said you could do.

If you prove yourself right I will concede your point.

If you can't you will have to admit you were wrong?

As a gentleman, you will play strict rules of golf.

Jaysus . I guess you are talking about Greebo.

Would be a laugh. I'd do it. It could make me swing slower, as the only way I have swung slower is injury.

Without knowing Greebo, he has the discipline. He has such a good game plan. He could swing slow and hit fairway. Then I think from 100 in. Your ok.

I had awfull equipment - Dunlop for years as a kid and got to 12 . I had a howson driver with a very flexible shaft. The ball could go anywhere . But very far.

An 85 with clubs you never played with, is a great score. I've done it abroad, but good equipment. Ladies would be a good experiment. Jesus lads I getting bored with no golf.

GreeBo

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Jaysus . I guess you are talking about Greebo.

Would be a laugh. I'd do it. It could make me swing slower, as the only way I have swung slower is injury.

Without knowing Greebo, he has the discipline. He has such a good game plan. He could swing slow and hit fairway. Then I think from 100 in. Your ok.

I had awfull equipment - Dunlop for years as a kid and got to 12 . I had a howson driver with a very flexible shaft. The ball could go anywhere . But very far.

An 85 with clubs you never played with, is a great score. I've done it abroad, but good equipment. Ladies would be a good experiment. Jesus lads I getting bored with no golf.

Hmm it seems someone hasnt realised that I dont see any of their posts :rolleyes:

If I ever get out again some weekend i will grab most of her irons and see what happens.
No point in taking her driver as its 14* and she doesnt even own a LW so would need my own there.

FixdePitchmark

GreeBo wrote: »

Hmm it seems someone hasnt realised that I dont see any of their posts :rolleyes:

If I ever get out again some weekend i will grab most of her irons and see what happens.
No point in taking her driver as its 14* and she doesnt even own a LW so would need my own there.

Sorry Greebo. That me you've ignored. I'm a bit slow last few years ?

There is great irony in that question.

FixdePitchmark

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Sorry Greebo. That me you've ignored. I'm a bit slow last few years ?

There is great irony in that question.

Jaysus.

Things are tricky enough following everything without ignore in the equation. Me head is too slow and dumb for this.


Had a read back. Thegolfer01- not sure someone's mother should come into it. The last time I heard that I was about 14. The bloke who said it , said it to the wrong person. Got his head taken off. True story.

TheGolfer01

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Jaysus.

Things are tricky enough following everything without ignore in the equation. Me head is too slow and dumb for this.


Had a read back. Thegolfer01- not sure someone's mother should come into it. The last time I heard that I was about 14. The bloke who said it , said it to the wrong person. Got his head taken off. True story.

Lol ok I'll put it another way, if I was Greenbo I wouldn't be bragging too loudly about having the same ability/physic as his mother, is he trying to say his mother plays like a man or he plays like a woman?.

FixdePitchmark

TheGolfer01 wrote: »

Lol ok I'll put it another way, if I was Greenbo I wouldn't be bragging too loudly about having the same ability/physic as his mother, is he trying to say his mother plays like a man or he plays like a woman?.

Jaysus - never expected a real Portmarnock member on here. Look he is ignoring you , so no point in insults . But I could find plenty of women who could hand you your head on a plate too. You should go for a pint in the blacker in coolock and talk like that.

TheGolfer01

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Jaysus - never expected a real Portmarnock member on here. Look he is ignoring you , so no point in insults . But I could find plenty of women who could hand you your head on a plate too. You should go for a pint in the blacker in coolock and talk like that.

Maybe they wouldn't be so uptight and have a sense of humour, then again I'll never know because thankfully I don't frequent such sh1teholes.

staker

Each to their own and all that but that kinda talk belongs elsewhere. If you feel your "style" of humor isn't being fully acknowledged you may need to look at it again.

FixdePitchmark

staker wrote: »

Each to their own and all that but that kinda talk belongs elsewhere. If you feel your "style" of humor isn't being fully acknowledged you may need to look at it again.

Lol

G Unit

I would recommend you try the Mizuno Mp69's !

BenEadir

TheGolfer01 wrote: »

OP whatever you do, don't do the sensible thing and get lessons and practice to improve, as everybody knows that buying new clubs is is the quickest, best and most painless way to improve.

Funny fella :rolleyes:

I do practice and I have taken lessons so I'm not naive enough to think new clubs automatically equals better scores but I do know my iron play, relative to my driving and chipping/putting is weak. I have two Callaway jaws wedges (54 & 58 degrees) which are forged and I love the feel and control I get from them. I simply don't have that with the Big Bertha irons and that is what I'm looking for. Rightly or wrongly I feel if I had irons which had more feel I would get more enjoyment from playing and my scores would improve.

It's a bit late now anyway. I went for the custom fitting and long story short is the Wilsons gave me the best results on the computer analysis compared to my existing irons, R11's and the Nike combo's. For whatever reason my swing speed with the Wilsons was consistently 5mph higher than with the Big Bertha's and the Wilsons were not only 18m longer on average but more accurate also. I just loved the smaller lighter head, stiffer shaft and overall feel of the irons. I think the smaller head makes me focus on striking the ball more than with the bigger headed Big Bertha's. With the marking tape on the Wilson 8 iron I was consistently striking the ball in the middle of the club. I got similar scores with the R11's but not as good as with the Wilsons and they didn't feel as good as the Wilsons so I went with the Wilsons and will be collecting them once the lie is adjusted

The weird thing is I went out on Saturday and had 23 points on the front 9 using my old clubs. :rolleyes:

Ben

ABitofsense

Where did you get fitting done? I'm looking at those Wilson irons too at the moment

BenEadir

ABitofsense wrote: »

Where did you get fitting done? I'm looking at those Wilson irons too at the moment

Halpenny Golf Carrickmines.

For Paws

Will have to test those Wilsons.

Have a mate who plays the 2011 version (V1'S ?) and he swears they're more playable than his old Mizunos, which tbh surprised me.

Notice that both the 2011 versions and the V2s are available through Golfbidder.

Big diff in price on the 2012 (V2) sets though.

Anyway, well wear & enjoy getting to 14 !

BenEadir

For Paws wrote: »

Will have to test those Wilsons.

Have a mate who plays the 2011 version (V1'S ?) and he swears they're more playable than his old Mizunos, which tbh surprised me.

This detailed review really says it all http://www.mygolfspy.com/wilson-fg-tour-v2-irons-review and they are reduced from €599 to €399 at the moment in Halpenny's!

Ben

charlieIRL

TheGolfer01 wrote: »

...... I'll never know because thankfully I don't frequent such sh1teholes.

Listen, if you have nothing positive to contribute to a topic I'd rather you didn't post anything at all. I'm getting fed up with these silly childish comments

BenEadir

charlieIRL wrote: »

Listen, if you have nothing positive to contribute to a topic I'd rather you didn't post anything at all. I'm getting fed up with these silly childish comments

Well said Charlie.

For Paws

BenThere wrote: »

This detailed review really says it all http://www.mygolfspy.com/wilson-fg-tour-v2-irons-review and they are reduced from €599 to €399 at the moment in Halpenny's!

Ben

Yep, at that price I can see what the attraction is.
Mizuno-like quality at half the Mizuno price.

Can anyone confirm that Paul Lawrie is playing these V2s.
I'm a big fan of his swing.

Wombatman

I can't see why a high handicapper would spend on getting custom fit high end irons unless they are 6ft+ or less than 5.7.

Your results with the irons are a function of many things you control including posture, grip, choking up and down, swing mechanics, temppo and speed, thought process and attempted shot type (draw, fade, punch etc).

As a high handicapper progress will inevitably bring changes in your 'swing'. The testing you have done to help select your new clubs is relative to your current swing only.

Let's look at the lie of the club for example. Your lie as measured in the shop can be a result of bad posture or grip which you may alter in the future rendering the club adjustments outdated. I think it would be more logical for a high handicapper to be able to adjust physically the setup a club with a neutral lie without have to have special club adjustments to do this.

You say you have got lessons. Did any of your instructors suggest new irons? You proved the last day you can shoot low with the existing irons. Just rinse and repeat.

Sorry if I'm a bit late with this btw.

BenEadir

Hi Wombatman,

All good points. The pro I go to for lessons certainly hasn't said "get new irons". I've been working on the elements of my swing which were causing issues and I've been practising and playing a lot to get a good consistent swing. Most of the issues I had with my swing manifested themselves in poor driving. My high handicap was mainly due to not getting my drives away. I've improved that no end so expect the handicap to start dropping once the new season gets going.

The issue ref the new irons is that I don't get much feel or control from the 2002 Big Bertha's and was looking to upgrade primarily for that reason. Maybe its psychological, maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to replace my old irons I don't know but what I do know, based on hitting the Wilson irons for almost an hour and measuring their performance Vs my old irons and other models is that a) I enjoy the feel of them way more than anything else and b) the performance I was getting from them in terms of length and accuracy was way ahead of what I'm getting from my Big Bertha's.

I may not have 'needed' new irons and may well have been able to improve my handicap using the old Big Bertha's but hopefully with the Wilson FG's the end will justify the means

Ben

brendan_donegal

Just wondering how you got on, how did it all work out? Did you reduce your handicap with the new irons?
I'm in the exact same position this year just reaching the 18 mark and looking to push on with new irons next year!

BenEadir

brendan_donegal wrote: »

Just wondering how you got on, how did it all work out? Did you reduce your handicap with the new irons?
I'm in the exact same position this year just reaching the 18 mark and looking to push on with new irons next year!

Hi Brendan,

Had a great summer of golf. Got the new Irons at just the right time and have dropped 3 shots from May when "proper" rules were restored after the wet Spring. Playing a lot over the summer certainly helped (averaging 3 times a week) but so too have the irons. I feel much more comfortable and confident playing with them and I still have a lot of improvement I feel I can make playing with them i.e. I'm not getting the best out of them yet, particularly the 5 and 4 irons but that's down to me and my swing.

I'm very happy with them and very glad I got them.

Ben

GreeBo

BenThere wrote: »

Hi Brendan,

Had a great summer of golf. Got the new Irons at just the right time and have dropped 3 shots from May when "proper" rules were restored after the wet Spring. Playing a lot over the summer certainly helped (averaging 3 times a week) but so too have the irons. I feel much more comfortable and confident playing with them and I still have a lot of improvement I feel I can make playing with them i.e. I'm not getting the best out of them yet, particularly the 5 and 4 irons but that's down to me and my swing.

I'm very happy with them and very glad I got them.

Ben

Well done on the cuts.
Out of interest, have you tried using the old clubs at all since?

BenEadir

GreeBo wrote: »

Well done on the cuts.
Out of interest, have you tried using the old clubs at all since?

No, the thought never even crossed my mind to be honest.

Might give them a hit during the winter for old times sake!

Ben