How Often Do you Replace your Irons & Why?

spacecoyote

I suppose as an extension of the "What Irons do you play..." I just wanted to get an idea around how often people change their irons.

So I'm currently playing Mizuno Mx-200 irons, got fitted for them a little over 3 years ago, when I was playing off 22. Have come down to 12 since then and without a doubt I'm not swinging a club the same way I did when I took up golf. But I'm wondering, if the clubs have taken me this far, is there any reason to say that they can't take me further.

I've been contemplating changing my irons this year, maybe for something with a neater head, more a muscle back style club. Figure I'll see out the Summit season then start looking at a change late in the year, so I've some time playing non-qualifying golf to adjust to the new clubs.

Do you believe that technology moves fast enough in the space of a few years to merit changing clubs on a relatively regular basis? I know they say that Driver technology moves faster relative to irons.

Any opinions & input welcome!!!

saintastic

Have the AP2 710s. The current range is 712s but the 714s are due out at the end of this year so I'll change then. So every 3-4 years is my answer.

My main reason is that my clubs are very worn looking from lots of play and practice.

mike12

I have had the same shaft in the last 2 sets of clubs, Project X 6.0, if you look at he MX 300 and the JPX Pro they are basically the same club. Very little has changes in 4/5 years.

Mike

Dr_Colossus

Bought new irons just before Christmas this year, old set were over 15 years old (in storage for nearly 10 years of that while away from the game) and bought second hand at the time with as it transpired unsuitable shafts. Don't believe the technology to change significantly so once the shaft is suitable don't envisage changing my existing set of irons for at least 5+ years.

Rikand

>12 years

Cost and the adjustment to new irons takes time. If I was changing every 3-4 years, I'd never get used to a new set

Arsenium

saintastic wrote: »

Have the AP2 710s. The current range is 712s but the 714s are due out at the end of this year so I'll change then. So every 3-4 years is my answer.

My main reason is that my clubs are very worn looking from lots of play and practice.

Really? Jeeze are Titlest becoming like TM? Do they upgrade their irons every two years?

mike12

Arsenium wrote: »

Really? Jeeze are Titlest becoming like TM? Do they upgrade their irons every two years?

Every year not every 2 years they bring a new model out.

Arsenium

mike12 wrote: »

Every year not every 2 years they bring a new model out.

To answer the original post, I changed mine about 2 years ago to the AP2 710s and cant see myself changing anytime soon. Before that I hadnt changed in about 12 years....mainly because of an absence from the game similar to another post above.

I have to say though when I go into a golf shop to buy, for example, a bag of tees, I could end up spending 30 mins just annoying myself looking at the latest and greatest irons and wishing I could have them all :-))

Russman

spacecoyote wrote: »

But I'm wondering, if the clubs have taken me this far, is there any reason to say that they can't take me further.

Absolutely none at all. The MX200 are/were a superb iron, not sure there's anything out there any better, for what they do, at the moment. Even Mizuno have moved their current version the JPX from forged to cast, so it could be argued the 200s are superior to the 825s. I know the JPX Pro are forged, but, from my own point of view, they don't make them in lefty !! Ba$tards !!:(

Iron technology isn't like driver technology, there's only so much you can do with a piece of steel - its a blade or its a cavity.

DuckSlice

i have my irons about 12 years now, wilson deep red fat shafts, with the stiff shaft! i am thinking about changing them to cobra amp irons, mcguirks have them on offer at 400 at the moment and i can get them one inch longer off the shelf which is what i need! whats holding me back from buying them is i dont think they are going to make a massive difference unless i get custom fitted! i get relatively good distance from my current set up, 150mtrs from my seven iron.

i think when people buy irons every couple of years or even 4/5 years its a case of want not need! but if i wasnt tight for cash i probably would have the cobras bought by now

spacecoyote

Russman wrote: »

Absolutely none at all. The MX200 are/were a superb iron, not sure there's anything out there any better, for what they do, at the moment. Even Mizuno have moved their current version the JPX from forged to cast, so it could be argued the 200s are superior to the 825s. I know the JPX Pro are forged, but, from my own point of view, they don't make them in lefty !! Ba$tards !!:(

Iron technology isn't like driver technology, there's only so much you can do with a piece of steel - its a blade or its a cavity.

Was considering the JPX Pro as one potential option alright as they're a good looking club.

I guess I'm a little bit like some of the posters mentioned, in that the clubs are maybe a want rather than a need, but new stuff looks so nice!!!

realgolfgeek

saintastic wrote: »

Have the AP2 710s. The current range is 712s but the 714s are due out at the end of this year so I'll change then. So every 3-4 years is my answer.

My main reason is that my clubs are very worn looking from lots of play and practice.

Have you seen any pics of the 714s ? Did a google with no success.

GreeBo

Ive been playing 20 odd years and am on my 2nd set of irons (TM RAC MB) which I have had for about 7 years.
Previous set were an unnamed brand, both sets were second hand.

slave1

I went for 5-8 years as I keep my irons in good nick, the only time I'd seriously push for change is if the grooves or condition of the face was reaching a poor level, I avoid this with groove sharpener every month or so.
Grips would be every 3/4 years or sooner if slipping.

Russman

spacecoyote wrote: »

I guess I'm a little bit like some of the posters mentioned, in that the clubs are maybe a want rather than a need, but new stuff looks so nice!!!

Ohh there's nothing wrong with that at all !! We're all in that boat

I was browsing through some "whats in the bag" videos on youtube recently and you'd be surprised at the amount of older clubs the guys are carrying. Not all of them obviously, but almost everyone had a favourite "old" club, maybe a 5 wood or rescue or something that they can't find anything better than. Some of them had 2 or 3 year old sets of irons even. Just goes to show that the new stuff isn't always better. The prevailing view was "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Almaviva

5-8 years. Because I can is the simple explanation.
But an unnecessary purchase in truth.

BOB81

had four sets of irons since I started playing golf 17 years or so ago, kept my last set of Wilson ci7 irons for 4 yrs before changing to mizuno 825pros earlier this year. there is definitely a magpie element to my other golf purchases, can't resist something shiny and new! I'd generally buy one new golf item each year (wedge/hybrid etc) but manage to justify it by selling off old stuff on adverts. then occasionally I think what if I'd just spent the money on lessons... Having said all that if you ever read any of the equipment forums on golfwrx, it's a whole different world some of those guys live in, in terms of the amount of gear they buy

mike12

BOB81 wrote: »

had four sets of irons since I started playing golf 17 years or so ago, kept my last set of Wilson ci7 irons for 4 yrs before changing to mizuno 825pros earlier this year. there is definitely a magpie element to my other golf purchases, can't resist something shiny and new! I'd generally buy one new golf item each year (wedge/hybrid etc) but manage to justify it by selling off old stuff on adverts. then occasionally I think what if I'd just spent the money on lessons... Having said all that if you ever read any of the equipment forums on golfwrx, it's a whole different world some of those guys live in, in terms of the amount of gear they buy

Some of the guys on golfwrx are crazy they seem to change Iron/Driver every time a new model comes out plus a lot of the time they seem to keep the old one. I suppose they are the reason why they bring out new models every year. It must be an American thing. plus they all seem to have a min of 6 putters.

Mike

markie4

mike12 wrote: »

Some of the guys on golfwrx are crazy they seem to change Iron/Driver every time a new model comes out plus a lot of the time they seem to keep the old one. I suppose they are the reason why they bring out new models every year. It must be an American thing. plus they all seem to have a min of 6 putters.

Mike

Isn't it normal to have at least 6 putters?:o

Anatom

>12 years.

I have just bought a set of "new", pre-loved irons from a fellow Boards member and am loving them (you know who you are!!). They are a lot better than my old Spaldings.

However, I cannot in any way justify spending the money on a brand new set, probably ever - unless my circumstances change significantly and I get to play a lot more than I currently do and therefore improve to a single figure handicap. I don't think a 19 handicapper like me should be concentrating on keeping up with the iron fashion stakes. He should be trying to iron out (*ahem*) the mistakes he makes on the course with what he has, rather than look for excuses in his equipment.

I agree with a couple of the above posts that technology in irons doesn't seem to have moved on significantly - or at least significantly enough - to warrant people changing so much. I think its down to taste and want, more than anything. Irons don't wear out or suffer the same abuse as much as a driver does, so I often think its a desire to have the "latest thing" (I sound like my granny!!) that makes people change more often than every couple of years.

Its down to how much you play, and whether your ability justifies it as well, I suppose...

Keano

Had my first set since I started nearly 3 years ago but changed when when another boardsie pointed out a good deal on MX23s on adverts. Will not be changing until I can fix my swing, prefer to spend the cash on lessons than constantly changing my clubs.

Senna

I'll find an iron I like and keep it for 4/5 years, but when I change I could go through 3/4 set in a couple of months until I find what works. Current irons where bought about a year ago and I have no plans to change for a couple of years.
I got rid of my last set (actually still have them) because they needed new shafts and I fancied moving from forged to cast (all my previous sets were forged).
I've a mate who has probably had 10 different sets in the last year, I think he enjoys changing clubs more than playing with them:D.

Benny Cake

Have my current set about 3 years. Taylor made burners which I got fitted for at fore golf, really like how im hitting them so can't see myself changing for a while...

I was wondering recently if people ever consider getting their irons checked for loft and lie after a few years of use?

DuckSlice

All this talk about new irons!!! I'm getting an urge!! Please delete this post!!! :P

charlieIRL

etxp wrote: »

All this talk about new irons!!! I'm getting an urge!! Please delete this post!!! :P

same here!!!:D

alxmorgan

mike12 wrote: »

Some of the guys on golfwrx are crazy they seem to change Iron/Driver every time a new model comes out plus a lot of the time they seem to keep the old one. I suppose they are the reason why they bring out new models every year. It must be an American thing. plus they all seem to have a min of 6 putters.

Mike

+1...they are unreal gear whores over there.
Look up a shaft review and you'll get guys on there who have "gamed" every shaft under the sun, tipped , untipped, different shaft/head combos...mad stuff

cson

alxmorgan wrote: »

+1...they are unreal gear whores over there.
Look up a shaft review and you'll get guys on there who have "gamed" every shaft under the sun, tipped , untipped, different shaft/head combos...mad stuff

That level of detail would really only make any difference to a Pro or Scratch to Plus handicap imo. And even then, it'd be very small. Slightly lower ball flight etc etc.

For your typical golfer, once you get a set that has the correct shafts, correct lie and suits your swing then you should be laughing for years.

That being said the OP does raise a good question; he's obviously on the verge of becoming a single figure player and maybe a change would take him there; I remember having it said to me as a junior that the real game improver irons are the musclebacks or blades. I'd tend to agree with that having used MP32s for nigh on 8 years at this stage. They really forced me to improve my ball striking and you just can't beat the look and feel of them when you catch one perfectly.

Osgoodisgood

I have had 4 sets of irons in 30 years and my current set is 2 years old. They'll be with me for a good while yet I think! The wedges wear out every couple of years but everything else just gets a lot of TLC.

(I have at least 15 putters in the shed however. They require regular replacement as they quickly become lazy and complacent when left in the bag for too long)

alxmorgan

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

I have had 4 sets of irons in 30 years and my current set is 2 years old. They'll be with me for a good while yet I think! The wedges wear out every couple of years but everything else just gets a lot of TLC.

(I have at least 15 putters in the shed however. They require regular replacement as they quickly become lazy and complacent when left in the bag for too long)

So that's what my putting has gone to the dogs....lazy putter

Wichita Lineman

Would probably change more regularly if I was rich!

Dtoffee

Just changed to R11s after 2.5 years with Nike. I tend to change every 3 years or so ... mainly as I get bored and like shiny new things :P

TheDoc

I think I look for a change if

A) I feel the irons I have are a problem
Technology has kicked on making it worthwhile
C) come into some unexpected money

My first set of clubs was McGregor irons that were hand me downs. First irons I ever bought myself were TM RAC's ( miss them so much). When I got down a low handicapp I was advised to move to semi blades, so moved to Mizuno Mp30's ( I think).

Came back last year, and decided to ditch them as I never got comfy with them, and now have my TM Burners 2.0

I'm playing golf 15-16 years now.

I'd say the next set will be a set of Titleist. Although I won't lie, my current irons have REgular shafts and I don't think they are right. It is cheaper to buy a new set of irons then replace the shafts, so I might make a change sooner rather then later.

El festino

I have got back into golf this year, well seriously for the first time really. I am prob playing to the low 20's but I have joined a club, taken lessons and I will playing 1-2 times every week. I have old irons and i need to upgrade. I have read up a bit on new irons etc and man, its information overload! I want to narrow down my club selection so i can try some out before buying.

Is there much different between the game improvement and the max game improvement? Once i have tried out some clubs, I am thinking I will buy second hand. Currently, I am looking Callaway RAZR X, Ping G15 or G20 or TaylorMade Rocketbladez/Rocketballz or Burners.

Do you think to bring down my handicap I should aim for Max Improvement Irons or just ignore the jargon and just try out a variety of different clubs and categories and see what feels best..currently aiming for the latter anyway.

Almaviva

TheDoc wrote: »

I think I look for a change if
Technology has kicked on making it worthwhile

Thats a rare event.

- Steel shafts in the 30s.
- Full length parallel grooves (rather than spots, notches, etc) during the 40s
- Peripheral wighting (to the mass market, 1982 with the Ping Eye 2). (Non conforming grooves aside, they are still as good as any club today.)
- we are waiting for the next jump for over 30 years.
- marketing has filled the void....

So once, maybe twice in your golfing lifetime. Unless we have reached the end of the road...

TheDoc

Almaviva wrote: »

Thats a rare event.

- Steel shafts in the 30s.
- Full length parallel grooves (rather than spots, notches, etc) during the 40s
- Peripheral wighting (to the mass market, 1982 with the Ping Eye 2). (Non conforming grooves aside, they are still as good as any club today.)
- we are waiting for the next jump for over 30 years.
- marketing has filled the void....

So once, maybe twice in your golfing lifetime. Unless we have reached the end of the road...

Well I had sat out the game for almost five years. There was significant technology changes in my opinion. Granted not mind blowing new equipment that changed everything.

But when I came back to golf last year I was hitting this



I was straight and long using it for years. When I came back it was the same, but noticed my Da, his friends, and others out driving me where it would never happen before. That summer went to a Titleist fitting day to see what the fuss was about with what I would consider, the latest tech in driving.

Adjustable weights to customise the trajectory I want, coupled with what is significant distance improvements is down to technology and build advancement in my opinion.

Just last week, I moved my driver from being a C3 ( Which is a high draw) to a like B1 which is more of a fade, to combat the swing changes I put in place last year. I was getting a bit of a slingshot draw, now its back to a mild draw. That's a significant technology change for me. To be able to tweak a club rather then my swing. (The slingshot happens on he driver, my irons are fine)

Then with my irons. The latest ranges of irons are DEFINITELY more forgiving and are definitly longer. Granted I've obviously grown a bit stronger over the years, where I would normally hit a 7 iron with my old clubs, I'm now hitting at 8, in some cases 9's. Thats a pretty big change for me.

Also there has been more acceptance and commonplace for Hybrids. I always carried a five wood, always. And a 3 iron. About two months ago went out for a practice during the week and took a Demo hybrid out from the pro shop ( matching my driver) to see what the fuss was about. End of my round I was driving home a bit " that was unreal" and pulled into McGuirks on the way home and picked it up. Hybrids were really only in their infancy when I stopped playing, and five woods and 3 irons were still the go to clubs for low handicappers. Hybrids were being coined as "assistance for the high handicapper" to **** with that now. So Id consider that a technology shift aswell, replacing essentially five woods and 3 irons.

While maybe someone playing year to year, there has been some gradual if not innocuous changes to equipment, I can assure you that after 5 years with not a whimper of golf, there was some pretty massive things changed in equipement from when I stopped

ArielAtom

I have been playing Mizuno MP32's since 2006 and before that Mizuno Pro II from 1999/2000 to 2006. Don't see myself changing anytime soon.

If I do I will look at AP2's, played with a set recently and they were excellent.