Game Improvement Irons

lemeister

I’m looking for peoples experiences / recommendations for game improvement irons. I’ve been looking specifically at the Callaway 2004 Big Bertha irons and I’m wondering if they are worth the money (€550) or if there are better clubs out there in terms of quality and/or value?

copacetic

the big bertha are one of the most forgiving sets you can buy, 550 seems a good price too, they are being phased out from what I understand but couldn't go wrong with them.

Only issue I would see with them is that they may be 'too' chunky and forgiving but if you like the look of them at address you are golden.

lemeister

Well for me, they would quite honestly couldn't be too be forgiving! I'd really put them to the test!!

I've looked them over a few times in the shop and they feel good and look well. I just hope I'm not having tunnel vision and overlook clubs that might really improve my game rather than having a set that just looking good in the bag

merlinsmerryman

I bought a set of Nike Slingshot Irons about 8 weeks ago and have played twice weekly since and have taken about 6-8 shots of my score was hitting 82-85 now in the region of 75-78 so I would recommend them. Great shaft nice grips and a fabulous head, well worth the €650 I gave for them and a nike bag valued at €130. Got them in the American Discount Store in Tallaght, staff couldn't be more helpful area to hit balls,put tape on the club face and you can see where you are hitting the ball and they are willing to spend time with you watch you hit a few and give some great advice. Went back and got the new Ram Fx9 driver 3 and 5 woods which use the same True Temper Grafalloy shafts as Harrington's Wilson woods valued at about €150
(the shafts alone each) last week and am dying to get out and use them.

http://images.pgatour.com/practicetee/equipment/photos/img6825742.jpg

http://www.harbourleisure.co.uk/acatalog/FX9%20DRIVER.jpg

css

Irons will go so far, but to really improve you need to work on your swing more so i think.. Also putting will knock a good few shots off your game, have you ever counted the number of putts you make in a round? Try it next time..

lemeister

My putting is actually ok and I generally only ever 2 putt at worst. My short game is not bad either from 100yds and less My real problem is with approach/2nd shots were I'd normally use a mid iron. I find I either scuff these shots or they are completely off target and I lose a ball. I can hit a fairway wood better than a mid iron and so instead of hitting a full iron shot, I'm hitting a half fairway wood which is not right.

Spudmonkey

Hey man,

I really think if you are looking to really improve get a set of musclebacks or even blades, I bought a set of old macgregor blades and I haven't looked back since, these clubs are about 30-40 years old and they only cost me about 90e. If you just practise and get your strike consistant then the real improvement irons are blades.

swingking

Spudmonkey wrote:

Hey man,

I really think if you are looking to really improve get a set of musclebacks or even blades, I bought a set of old macgregor blades and I haven't looked back since, these clubs are about 30-40 years old and they only cost me about 90e. If you just practise and get your strike consistant then the real improvement irons are blades.

That is actually a great idea, but only to practice with at the driving range. What will happen is that you will find the ball striking very difficul on the driving range and when you finally get to the course, it will be so much easier to make good contact. My advice is pick an old secon-hand single bladed iron and practice with it

It is like the way Ronnie O'Sullivan hits into pockets that are half the size.

GOAT_Ali

I suppose better clubs will only be really appreciated by a player who is quite good in the first place. So wasting money on drivers and putters when you can't break the 100 barrier seems ridiculous. I rarely break this barrier, and to be honest no new clubs are going to make a blind bit of difference. I have used bigger driver faced clubs. That would be one suggestion, I suppose it stands to reason...bigger faced club means more chance of a better connection.....

TheDoc

Reading above saying get blades, how long have you been giving your great advice?

If your looking to improve your game and are no on single figures shooting the 70's every game dont touch blades. I'm deadly serious. Blades are for low handicapp golfers end of story. I dont care who come son saying "I play of 16 and have blades" A good set of proper blades can only be used effectivly by people off low figures. Blades are nice for the low players because they can shape a ball as they see fit and control the ball perfectly.

If you are not off id say7 or below, stay clear of blades till you are. Get a nice set of irons like maybe the RAC oversize or some of the other sets here. But the main thing to improve is improve your swing, cause equipment wont do it alone.

But for gods sake people get out of your head that you must have blades. They are for low handicappers, the amount of people i see with them thinking they are swiss cheese then just bone them all the time. Look into blades when you can go out and shoot 70 every week, and sure if you are, why change your clubs anyways in the first place.

swingking

[DM]-TheDOC- wrote:

Reading above saying get blades, how long have you been giving your great advice?

If your looking to improve your game and are no on single figures shooting the 70's every game dont touch blades. I'm deadly serious. Blades are for low handicapp golfers end of story. I dont care who come son saying "I play of 16 and have blades" A good set of proper blades can only be used effectivly by people off low figures. Blades are nice for the low players because they can shape a ball as they see fit and control the ball perfectly.

If you are not off id say7 or below, stay clear of blades till you are. Get a nice set of irons like maybe the RAC oversize or some of the other sets here. But the main thing to improve is improve your swing, cause equipment wont do it alone.

But for gods sake people get out of your head that you must have blades. They are for low handicappers, the amount of people i see with them thinking they are swiss cheese then just bone them all the time. Look into blades when you can go out and shoot 70 every week, and sure if you are, why change your clubs anyways in the first place.

WTF did people play with before cavity backs 20 years ago; exactly, blades. Tiger Woods started with a set of blades.

I think it is a good idea to have a single blade iron to hit with on the range, nothing matters if you hit a bad shot and it teaches you to hit the sentre of the clubface and feel what a good shot feels like.

I play blades myself and as a 5 handicapper, I can strike them purely.

css

[DM]-TheDOC- wrote:

Reading above saying get blades, how long have you been giving your great advice?

If your looking to improve your game and are no on single figures shooting the 70's every game dont touch blades. I'm deadly serious. Blades are for low handicapp golfers end of story. I dont care who come son saying "I play of 16 and have blades" A good set of proper blades can only be used effectivly by people off low figures. Blades are nice for the low players because they can shape a ball as they see fit and control the ball perfectly.

If you are not off id say7 or below, stay clear of blades till you are. Get a nice set of irons like maybe the RAC oversize or some of the other sets here. But the main thing to improve is improve your swing, cause equipment wont do it alone.

But for gods sake people get out of your head that you must have blades. They are for low handicappers, the amount of people i see with them thinking they are swiss cheese then just bone them all the time. Look into blades when you can go out and shoot 70 every week, and sure if you are, why change your clubs anyways in the first place.

I couldn't disagree more. I've just bought a set of Titleist 704's which are blades, albeit forged blades. I play of 12, and I know that my game will be off single figures in the near future because of these irons. Having said that I started with blades years ago too. I found that the oversize clubs I had before these lacked the control I was after. I hit the blades the same distances, the ballstrike is if anything better. And the control I have on the ball and ball flight is much better. One of my regular playing partners used to play off 13, got blades and is now off 10, going down too.

But on the other hand, if you struggle to break 100. It's not the clubs, you need to work on your swing and setup. Get a few lessons, and get loads of practice. Always practice with something in mind, not mindless ball bashing, always try to hit the ball at a target too.

copacetic

css wrote:

I couldn't disagree more. I've just bought a set of Titleist 704's which are blades, albeit forged blades. I play of 12, and I know that my game will be off single figures in the near future because of these irons. Having said that I started with blades years ago too. I found that the oversize clubs I had before these lacked the control I was after. I hit the blades the same distances, the ballstrike is if anything better. And the control I have on the ball and ball flight is much better. One of my regular playing partners used to play off 13, got blades and is now off 10, going down too.

But on the other hand, if you struggle to break 100. It's not the clubs, you need to work on your swing and setup. Get a few lessons, and get loads of practice. Always practice with something in mind, not mindless ball bashing, always try to hit the ball at a target too.

titleist 704s aren't blades!! They are nothing like blades. They are actually called 704.CB where the CB stands for Cavity Back. From the Titleist site:
"Midsize, cavity back iron with the ideal balance of forgiveness and workability"
Had a set myself, nice clubs but about 10 times easier to hit than blades.

css

daveym wrote:

titleist 704s aren't blades!! They are nothing like blades. They are actually called 704.CB where the CB stands for Cavity Back. From the Titleist site:
"Midsize, cavity back iron with the ideal balance of forgiveness and workability"
Had a set myself, nice clubs but about 10 times easier to hit than blades.

If Titleist say they are blades that's good enough for me!! Like I said they are forged blades, and like most young lads i started with hand-me-downs from my dad, the 704cb's are different, and easier to hit, it's all good!

copacetic

css wrote:

If Titleist say they are blades that's good enough for me!! Like I said they are forged blades, and like most young lads i started with hand-me-downs from my dad, the 704cb's are different, and easier to hit, it's all good!

The quote above is from Titleist. They don't say they are blades they say:
""Midsize, cavity back iron with the ideal balance of forgiveness and workability"

Spudmonkey

I'm not saying splash out and get a new set, you can get an old blade for nothing and whats wrong with practising with it. If you can improve your striking with a blade. Rather than go off pay 800 odd euro for a set that you can't use. Like Swingking said, Ronnie does practise by making the pockets smaller.

css

daveym wrote:

The quote above is from Titleist. They don't say they are blades they say:
""Midsize, cavity back iron with the ideal balance of forgiveness and workability"

Right so you want me to show you where they say they are blades:

The new Forged 704.CB iron is a high performance blade with contemporary design features and forged construction technology.

From: http://www.titleist.com/golfclubs/irons/704cb.asp

copacetic

css wrote:

Right so you want me to show you where they say they are blades:

The new Forged 704.CB iron is a high performance blade with contemporary design features and forged construction technology.

From: http://www.titleist.com/golfclubs/irons/704cb.asp

what's this now? where did your post go where you didn't want to make a big deal of it or that it didn't matter?? The page you are linking is the same one that says they are a cavity back, I mean ffs it is in their name, CB stands for cavity back.

you don't play blades, face it, ask anyone with a clue.

css

Technology moves on Daveym even if your mindset doesn't.. I never said they were traditional blades.. I said all along they were forged blades.. A slight difference. But anyhow I accept your climbdown, you can't dispute my quote from that web page, as it is there

TheDoc

CSS you are not hitting blades. They are definatly not blades, they are mid sized clubs. The term blade is thrown around alot rcently even notice in my own club but those sets are not blades cause i just held them in my hand there two days agoand struck a few shots, nice irons but not blades =D

TheDoc

Yes they are forged but that doesnt make them blades. There are rare sets of oversize forged clubs, totally stupid idea but there you go. But yeah after inspection your irons are defo not blades in the true sense, tho still a lovely iron that you can play like a blade.

copacetic

css wrote:

Technology moves on Daveym even if your mindset doesn't.. I never said they were traditional blades.. I said all along they were forged blades.. A slight difference. But anyhow I accept your climbdown, you can't dispute my quote from that web page, as it is there

keep fooling yourself, you are fooling no-one else.

swingking

I hate the word 'blade' when referring to golf clubs. Someone goes and mentions the word blade when referring to their clubs and immediately everyone either thinks wow or else 'they're not real blades'

A real bladed iron is an iron that has NO cavity whatsoever; these are commonly referred to as muscleback irons eg. Titleist 690mb, Mizuno mp37.

I paly mp 37 myself and I hate the way people come over and say ' You must be mad to play with those clubs' or else they say that I must play off scratch or something.

If css wants to believe that his clubs are blades, then let him. The truth is blades are not much different from a regular midsize cavity back

copacetic

swingking wrote:

I hate the word 'blade' when referring to golf clubs. Someone goes and mentions the word blade when referring to their clubs and immediately everyone either thinks wow or else 'they're not real blades'

A real bladed iron is an iron that has NO cavity whatsoever; these are commonly referred to as muscleback irons eg. Titleist 690mb, Mizuno mp37.

I paly mp 37 myself and I hate the way people come over and say ' You must be mad to play with those clubs' or else they say that I must play off scratch or something.

If css wants to believe that his clubs are blades, then let him. The truth is blades are not much different from a regular midsize cavity back

agree, purely disagreeing with css because he was giving advice on using blades based on calling his clubs blades when the clearly aren't. Making his advice useless.

your definition is bang on, played mp-33 myself for a while and loved them except out of the rough..

RuggieBear

css & daveym, keep it civil...

i'm learning stuff here;)

I play with an old set of "paul azinger" blades. i play off 18 and tbh, if i had the money i 'd buy myself a decent set of cavity back irons with a bigger sweetspot. My local pro reckons my clubs have a "great feel".....wish i could say the same. lol

css

Ok so we'll agree to disagree davey. I know they are not REAL blades but titleist describe them as blades, so they gotta be some kind of feicin blade! Also compared to my old oversized Cobra's that are defintely not anywhere near blades. They are a good bit less forgiving, but produce a hell of a lot more spin, which was my reason for changing.

My first set of clubs were hand made 40 year old jobbies, and they were lovely, but when the shafts started a breaking, i got a present of a set of Mizunos.

Back to the original question though, if the poster is a higher handicap i think blades would be a bad move personally, as higher handicappers are after forgiveness rather than the control you'll get from blades.. Fair enough practicing with a blade might help you improve, but only if good fundamentals are there, yer blade will only exaggerate any hook/slice..

okden

titleist are really confusing people by calling all their irons blades even the 804.os which is really an oversize cavityback and i think the arguing here explains why, .......people want to say they play blades.
true blades havent been made for decades, all we have now are musclebacks or cavitybacks,
if the weight at the back is in centre like a baseball bat its muscleback,
if its around the outside like a tennis racket its a cavity back,
true blades were like table tennis bats, weight was distributed evenly around the whole face.

then weight started to be added to the bottom of these true blades so we had musclebacks but didnt have a new name for them yet so they still called them blades, as they still looked like blades at address you couldnt see the muscle at the back.
then we had cavitybacks which mainly came about because they started to cast irons from moulds instead of beating hot metal with a hammer so new designs were possible which were easier to hit, or to be more accurate harder to miss-hit. so we had cavitybacks and blades.
recently the muscle at the back of blades got bigger so they gave it a name :musclebacks, we had blades, musclebacks and cavitybacks, but really we had musclebacks, bigger-musclebacks and cavitybacks. at this stage blades ment not-cavityback and a thin topline so at address it still looked like a blade.

titleist are now taking it one step further as you cant see the cavity at the back of there irons they're all blades, i cant see the front of my car from the steering wheel but its not a ferrari and if titleist convince me it is a ferrari it doesnt mean im schumacer. i dont think other manufacturers will follow and be as liberal in their use of the word blades, titleist have always claimed to be making serious clubs for serious golfers, as if you have to graduate to a certain level of play to use them. callaway are the opposite they have always claimed to make easy to hit irons. if you want to know what irons you have look at the back dont read the blurb, we can all agree on what the back of an iron looks like at a time when manufacturers cant agree on standard names.

TheDoc

The only real set of "blades" Titleist have are the set Sergio Garcia and Tiger Used before they changed, cant remember the name, but they are not mainstream, if you want a good set of blades look to Mizuno cause imo they do the best.

lemeister

Thanks for all the advice given. I think I'll stay away from blades for the moment though and try and get something that will let me hit long and straight every time. I'm actually now thinking of picking up the Wilson Fat Shafts which feel very nice in hand. I might also pick up a hybrid instead of using a 3 iron as these seem to be getting great reviews from everyone these days. At this late stage of the year though, I might wait till the January sales before buying anything.

delboy159

I would back up the Wilson Fat Shafts (Deep Red 2), as I purchased a set myself on ebay. I have found them more forgiving of my poorer shots and I have gained yards with them also. A friend I play with was always 1 club ahead of me (he used a 9, me an 8 etc.) However, when I got the Wilsons I found myself matching him.

I did find the first 2 or 3 full rounds annoying as the club heads were a little heavier than I was used to (only slightly) - which caused me to get a bit "army", but I learned to let the club do the work and have seen the benefits.

Best of luck with whatever you get.

GreeBo

css wrote:

I said all along they were forged blades.. A slight difference.

All blades are forged.
Most Cavity backs are cast.
Saying its forged has nothing to do with it being a differnt type of blade, forged vs cast is how they are constructed, not the style.

i.e Acrylic vs watercolour
You cant say a picture of a mountain is a Self Portrait and when someone tells you its not say that "but its an *Acrylic* Self Portrait."

Learn the lingo or keep it to yourself-o.

:cool: