New Irons...

Arddon

thinking of treating myself to a new set of irons...
currently playing of 12 and the goal is to get to single figure by end of year, which is fair target...and if i get out enough (other committments) i believe i will accomplish it
have been getting some lessons, so i'm not backing on the irons to be a quick fix, but as i said, thinking about treating myself...

Any recommendations?

like the look of a few sets, but need to try some out...like the ping s56's and a couple of other "players" irons (AP2's, Taylor Made CB's) , and this is where I'm in a bit of a pickle...will i be able to play with them?

are these type of irons for a lower handicap?
am i shooting myself in the foot, not enough forgiveness etc...

be interested to hear some views on it...if its going to cost a few quid I want to get it right!

Rippeditup

I have AP2's and I love them.. Really forgiving while still giving you the playability factor.

HB2002

I'd say don't go with a particular brand in mind.... go to a good golf store and get custom fitted.... they'll use a few different brands and you'll find one that suits... or one will find you!.

The usually don't charge for the fitting if you buy the clubs there.

Getting custom fitted is without doubt the main thing to focus on imo.

BillyBoy

HB2002 wrote: »

I'd say don't go with a particular brand in mind.... go to a good golf store and get custom fitted.... they'll use a few different brands and you'll find one that suits... or one will find you!.

The usually don't charge for the fitting if you buy the clubs there.

Getting custom fitted is without doubt the main thing to focus on imo.

+1 on this. I was getting new irons last year and went to McGuirks with my mind set on getting a lovely set of blade type irons because I felt I hit the ball well enough for them. Went on the machine they have there and hit a few sets that I had picked out. When I hit them well they were beautiful, but my mis-hits lost a lot of distance. The guy who was fitting me gave me a set of Mizuno JPX 825 Pros to try. They were chunkier looking than what I was looking at so wasn't too happy to try them but got up and hit a few anyway. Watching them sail off into the virtual distance on the machine made me forget all of my reservations. They felt amazing, went long and straight.

I ended up getting them. I suppose I am trying to point out that I would not have picked them off the shelf compared to others but hitting them told me they were the correct irons for me.

I know some people will say that the custom fitting in these stores aren't as good as Foregolf etc, and that may very well be the case, but I am still very happy with my purchase.

Russman

Strictly IMO, I think the old adage of "get the biggest, chunkiest clubs you can bear to look down at" is pretty good advice (within reason). Pretty blades will look great but unless you hit the sweetspot regularly, more forgiveness is the way to go, and custom fitting. Pretty is as pretty does. Don't buy into the "blades will force me to swing correctly" crap, we're all human and need any help we can get.

And this from a guy who grew up with TP9s - how times have changed !:D

sky6

the motto of try before you buy is crucial in selecting golf clubs more than most things. Get properly fitted and then ask to try them out for a round or two. Most good Golf stores will provide this service even for a small Fee usually taken off any purchase.
That way you will have satisfied your self that there the set for you.

If your hoping to drop three shots this year that's lot. But the best place to achieve it is on and around the Greens.

spacecoyote

Yeah, I recently bought the Cleveland 588 TT irons. I looked at the MT too, but they were just too chunky.

The TT are a lot neater, but still give some forgiveness with an undercut cavity in the back. I like the look of them at address. Am not at 100% with them yet, but have only played 2 full rounds with them.

To be honest, I'd say playing a blade or players iron is moreso a vanity for a lot of golfers. The technology is there to help, so why not take advantage of it, and you can get irons that offer help to a player but look a lot neater these days.

If you look at Mark Crossfield, who does a lot of youtube videos, he has switched to playing the Mizuno JPZ EZ forged irons. He's a working pro & scratch golfer and says himself that he didn't think he'd switch to a so called improvement iron, except when he saw the results of hitting them. Its really around the off-centre hits that you'er going to find the biggest benefit.

As people have said, I think you need to enter with an open mind. I wouldn't have thought I buy a set of cleveland irons. They weren't even on my radar. But the results were what mattered so I'm happy with my choice. Plus they didn't completely break the bank either

The_Kew_Tour

Can I ask peoples opinions on Custom fitting.

Where is best place in your opinion? Or where been best places from your experience?

HB2002

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Can I ask peoples opinions on Custom fitting.

Where is best place in your opinion? Or where been best places from your experience?

I got fitted for my clubs in Mahers , Penrose Wharf in Cork.
they actually brought me back a second time cos he wasn't happy he'd got exactly the right clubs for me..... really couldn't fault them... great deal on the clubs too.

josie19

Game improvement Irons - cavity back is the way to go IMO. Tour players e.g. Garcia uses them so why go for blades that have little forgiveness. Take all the help you can get.

burnhardlanger

I think there are two options really when it comes to iron selection.

If you play intermittently and socially or are a beginner then you'll be better off with maximum forgiveness and using a 'players' iron in this scenario is a recipe for frustration!

If you want to improve (and who doesn't) then you shoud look at forged irons as the feedback from them will help you hone your swing.

I have a 10 year old set of Big Bertha that are so easy to hit consistently but give me no idea how well I'm hitting the ball. I have a set of Mizuno MP-62 and the feedback from them at the range is superb and I simply have to swing better to hit them consistently. Best of both world's.

The_Kew_Tour

josie19 wrote: »

Game improvement Irons - cavity back is the way to go IMO. Tour players e.g. Garcia uses them so why go for blades that have little forgiveness. Take all the help you can get.

Im be in agreement with this. My set are 7 years old , but like get knew ones and can afford the little bit extra now too. My brother has set and on cheap side and when hit them I seem to be able to hit them crisper, straighter and bit longer. and like I said they were at cheaper end.

Russman

burnhardlanger wrote: »

I think there are two options really when it comes to iron selection.

If you play intermittently and socially or are a beginner then you'll be better off with maximum forgiveness and using a 'players' iron in this scenario is a recipe for frustration!

If you want to improve (and who doesn't) then you shoud look at forged irons as the feedback from them will help you hone your swing.

I have a 10 year old set of Big Bertha that are so easy to hit consistently but give me no idea how well I'm hitting the ball. I have a set of Mizuno MP-62 and the feedback from them at the range is superb and I simply have to swing better to hit them consistently. Best of both world's.

Would you not rather the ball on the green from a slight mis-hit ?
No room on the card for pictures.

dan_ep82

I changed recently to a set of 2008 AP2's. I'm far more confident with them over my R11's I had. Being a 23 handicap the clubs aren't really marketed for me.

My score hasn't improved dramatically, but id say the confidence they gave me I saved at most a stroke or two due to chunking or topping. Haven't scored any worse. The bad shots don't go as far but I can live with that.

At the end of the day its only a game, play what makes you feel happy, whether its blades you have to strike really well and (imo) the best looking, muscle backs that give some forgiveness but give up some aesthetics or a cavity back GI irons that sacrifice's a thin top line and the smaller face for the most forgiveness available.

m r c

One thing no one has really mentioned yet is that it could take you a right while to get used to your new ones which ever ones you pick.
I changed my irons in oct/nov 12 and tbh it was probably August/September 13 before I was happy again even though I was fitted and they suited etc

Maybe that's just me(no Rory jokes) but that's not bs'ing you either if you were like that and are after a cut it's worth thinking about.

burnhardlanger

Russman wrote: »

Would you not rather the ball on the green from a slight mis-hit ?
No room on the card for pictures.

True enough. Have an old 6 iron Titleist blade that I bring to the range on occasion. Picked it up in a golf shop bargain bin.

I call it the equalizer. If I can hit it in any way acceptable then I'm happy.

However I have never and would never use it on the course. Merely a practice aid.

Ciaranra

I send back my burner 2.0 last year because head came of the 6 iron.
I seen this as a opportunity to try a set callaway forged irons with project x 6.0 shafts played some nice shots with this set,
But the burners went back in the bag nothing like hitting a bad shot and getting a good result,
What's ever most forgiving goes in the bag

who_ru

I have a set of Wilson staff Di9 irons, 5 years old soon and was also thinking of changing. But in reality I know that if I can improve my putting and chipping that will do more to get my handicap down (20) than a set of new irons. So I'm going to get lessons instead.

But the prospect of a new set is nice and if most folks approached golf purchases logically then far fewer clubs would be sold. I was thinking of a set of Ping G25s.

yettie1701

This will make you laugh. I had a set of mizuno mx 20s that I bought off the buy and sell before the Internet days. I played with them for a few years and got down to twelve. Then I decided I was too good for them and needed new irons. I went to Dwyers in Kilkenny and got fitted for new ping i15 s. now when I say I couldn't hit them is an understatement. Kept them for about a year ( male pride and all) before I bit the bullet. Put them up on done deal and I guy rang me and asked if I would be I trusted in a swap. He had Mizuno mp 57s. I would have swapped for shovels. Did the swap anyway and to say I've never looked back would be putting it lightly. They are gorgeous clubs. I'd really reccomend mizunos but that's just me. It's a personal thing and some of the other posts about an open mind are spot on. I think custom fitting is over rated as you can imagine. Go with what you feel and like the look of is what I'd say. It's never really the club it's the man or lady that's swinging them.

spacecoyote

re custom fit, I'd say it's hard to know. If you're very tall or very short it's prob worth a look alright.

But if you're average height & build then the main variable will be swing speed & most shops will have launch monitors & other tools that will can recommend a shaft type without having to rely on a custom fit.

My current irons were bought off the shelf. The guy in the shop took a measure of my height & the drop from my hands to the ground & everything said standard length. Also hit on an impact plate (or whatever they call it) & was hitting out of the centre so no need to get them set upright. After that it was just swing speed. I tried the same club's in reg & stiff shafts & bought the ones that gave the best numbers from their launch monitor & that mizuno 3 swing tool.

The guy selling was about 6ft5 and said his club's were only 1/4 inch longer to give you an idea on club length.

Think o would go for a custom fit for driver alright, but not necessarily for irons

NorfolkEnchants

Bump.

I've been offered a chance to buy the Mizuno JPX EZ Forged irons at a bit of a knockdown price of about €400. Second hand but have been used less than 5 times by someone I know takes good care of his clubs. He is selling due to being out for a while with an injury.

Anyone here tried them? I need a new set so am tempted, currently without a handicap but play to roughly 15 to 18.

Also, there's an imposter on the golf forum with a very similar username to mine....

pinkdoubleeagle

Changed recently to the AP2's which I had to hand back after a month. Just never got to grips with the look of them. Found them to be too chunky and was struggling to keep the ball flight down.

Switched to the Callaway Apex Pro Irons and love them. Have always played a blade type iron and am hitting them very well. Now to sort out a driver.

alxmorgan

NorfolkEnchants wrote: »

Bump.

I've been offered a chance to buy the Mizuno JPX EZ Forged irons at a bit of a knockdown price of about €400. Second hand but have been used less than 5 times by someone I know takes good care of his clubs. He is selling due to being out for a while with an injury.

Anyone here tried them? I need a new set so am tempted, currently without a handicap but play to roughly 15 to 18.

Also, there's an imposter on the golf forum with a very similar username to mine....

Mark Crossfield uses them and thinks very highly of them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSqgJ1WgCo0

sheroman01

Can I chime in here? I'm a 25 handicap and looking to buy new irons. Any recommendations? Looking to spend 200-400e. Thanks.

galwaylad14

Well if Lee Westwood doesn't feel the need to use blades then I can't figure out why any amateur would feel the need to use them

Rippeditup

galwaylad14 wrote: »

Well if Lee Westwood doesn't feel the need to use blades then I can't figure out why any amateur would feel the need to use them

Some people prefer them it's that simple. While playing to my lowest handicap as a junior I had a set of old Titleist blades that I got refurbished and fit for me and I loved them. The 1 iron was smaller than a ball but it was my most trusted club when playing in the wind/links (which allot of the boys and youths tended to be played on). I loved the playability of the clubs.

couldn't do it now though as I don't have the time to be hitting balls for 4+ hours a day so my clubs have got larger as is my handicap.

Montgolfier

I like to compromise between a cavity back and a muscle back. I (19hcp) play Taylormade MC's (2012)beautiful club with feel and forgiveness.
My only issue with cast clubs are some can have hotspots on the face, that can make the ball fly a little further when you don't expect it. Happened to me the odd time when I had JPX800 irons. I liked Mizuno EZ forged but didn't see much difference with my current set

Russman

Montgolfier wrote: »

I like to compromise between a cavity back and a muscle back. I (19hcp) play Taylormade MC's (2012)beautiful club with feel and forgiveness.
My only issue with cast clubs are some can have hotspots on the face, that can make the ball fly a little further when you don't expect it. Happened to me the odd time when I had JPX800 irons. I liked Mizuno EZ forged but didn't see much difference with my current set

IMHO and with all due respect, this is totally untrue. If it was, you wouldn't have many, many pros over the years using cast clubs (eg Ping).
The shot that goes far is because you've hit the sweetspot, not any hotspot.

Montgolfier

Not a great example, Ping are pure class, they are making cast clubs a very long time, maybe thats the difference.

Senna

I love a classic looking iron, started playing with Slanzanger blades from the 70's, tough to hit, but looked great. I move onto small cavity head over the years but always stayed away from anything "Game Improving", my last set were Cleveland CG16 Pros.
But I just got a set of the JPX 825 (non-pro's), largest club heads I've ever played with and I love them, got my handicap down to 12 last year but felt I was faltering at that stage and just didn't have the time to practice and perfect iron play. The JPX's are very forgiving and I don't need workability, if I can hit the ball straight, what more could I want.
Think I have a good shot at getting down to single figures this year.

TrapperChamonix

Senna wrote: »

I love a classic looking iron, started playing with Slanzanger blades from the 70's, tough to hit, but looked great. I move onto small cavity head over the years but always stayed away from anything "Game Improving", my last set were Cleveland CG16 Pros.
But I just got a set of the JPX 825 (non-pro's), largest club heads I've ever played with and I love them, got my handicap down to 12 last year but felt I was faltering at that stage and just didn't have the time to practice and perfect iron play. The JPX's are very forgiving and I don't need workability, if I can hit the ball straight, what more could I want.
Think I have a good shot at getting down to single figures this year.

Its like looking in a mirror (except I'm a 14HC).

Ciaranra

All those years wasted playing with the wrong irons tut tut

sheroman01

My head is melted...there are so many irons to choose from that range between 300-400euro. I'm a 20-25 handicap, can't decide on which ones to choose. Does anyone have any recommendations?

dan_ep82

sheroman01 wrote: »

My head is melted...there are so many irons to choose from that range between 300-400euro. I'm a 20-25 handicap, can't decide on which ones to choose. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I do, as I'm sure others do but it really depends on how well you hit the recommended club, not how I hit it.

If you go to McGuirks you'll get a free fitting on irons if you buy them (let you hit them on a launch monitor or one of their stores has a range IIRC) and they'll tell you which clubs will help your game the most. If you don't buy them I think its a €40 fee (I've gotten a free fitting in Airside for irons and a free driver fit in Halpenny's in Drogheda) but you could save over €100 if you buy second hand.

The one thing I'd say is don't be afraid to hit irons that aren't marketed for your handicap, sometimes they suit and sometimes they don't but I don't but at least you'll know.

Trekker09

It's really about personal choice and what suits. I prefer smaller heads as it makes me focus more and I like to know if I play a bad shot. I once had a set of Big Berthas and they just weren't for me. Loved the AP2s, stunning, but my Nike VR Pro Combos are equally as good. I'm really surprised at the quality of Nike gear.

sheroman01

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I do, as I'm sure others do but it really depends on how well you hit the recommended club, not how I hit it.

If you go to McGuirks you'll get a free fitting on irons if you buy them (let you hit them on a launch monitor or one of their stores has a range IIRC) and they'll tell you which clubs will help your game the most. If you don't buy them I think its a €40 fee (I've gotten a free fitting in Airside for irons and a free driver fit in Halpenny's in Drogheda) but you could save over €100 if you buy second hand.

The one thing I'd say is don't be afraid to hit irons that aren't marketed for your handicap, sometimes they suit and sometimes they don't but I don't but at least you'll know.

Thanks for the answer, very helpful! When you say "don't be afraid to hit irons that aren't marketed for your handicap" do you mean try irons that are for a lower handicap?

Also, what is the general consensus with discounts, is it rude to ask them to knock a bit of the price? If not, how much of a discount should you expect? Thanks

Russman

sheroman01 wrote: »

Thanks for the answer, very helpful! When you say "don't be afraid to hit irons that aren't marketed for your handicap" do you mean try irons that are for a lower handicap?

Also, what is the general consensus with discounts, is it rude to ask them to knock a bit of the price? If not, how much of a discount should you expect? Thanks

With regard to discounts, all they can say is "no", so ask away would be my advice.

With regard to clubs, loads to choose from, but I think there's more than a degree of truth in the saying "get the biggest irons you can bear to look at".
You just might get a set of 2011/2012 Callaway x-hot irons within your budget, they've been replaced with the x2 hot, so the older models are being sold off. Couldn't really go wrong with those.

Danny dyers double

Picked up a 2nd hand set of TM Burner plus irons . Iv only used them twice on a grass driving range but I'm in love with them . I'm a high handicap player but I find these so easy to hit . Can't wait to get on course the weekend with them.