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Is buying new irons worth it?


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Hi guys,

I know there are a lot of posts like this, sorry about that, but I want some personal answers specifically for me This summer I plan on getting very serious with golf.  I've played for 5-6 years at this point and I want to see what I can do with hard work.  My dad gave me his TaylorMade r7 TPs 4 years ago and I'm still using them.

Basically my question is, would buying new irons improve my game at all right now? Has technology improved enough since the r7 TPs that I would benefit?

AND If you feel like going a step further and recommending irons specifically for my game, that would be awesome!  My driver swing speed is 110-115ish and I averaged around 75 in tournaments last summer.  I currently play Driver, 3W, 2H, 3i-PW, 52*, 58*.  I really like the look of the Titleist AP2s and what I've heard about them, but I have yet to actually hit them.

Thank you!

srixon.png.c29104d99ab6ca6ecb927e9dd97b26f1.png    Z785 Driver 10.5° Tour AD BB 7x    |    F65 4W Tour AD TP 7x    |    Z765 4-PW Dynamic Gold X100 AMT    |     Z-Star Ball

TM.png.36c3c24d72a4ac809b0def631452f3ba.png    M3 4H HZRDUS Black    |    Spider Tour Putter

titleist.png.c92d01bf6404c1675a5e518a7447f2c6.png  Vokey SM7 50° 55° 60° Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue Black

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Iron technology hasn't progressed too much since your r7 TP's came out but that isn't to say that you can't benefit from new sticks, especially if said sticks are fitted for you.

Tristan Hilton

My Equipment: 
PXG 0211 Driver (Diamana S+ 60; 10.5°) · PXG 0211 FWs (Diamana S+ 60; 15° and 21°) · PXG 0211 Hybrids (MMT 80; 22°, 25°, and 28°) · PXG 0311P Gen 2 Irons (SteelFiber i95; 7-PW) · Edel Wedges (KBS Hi-Rev; 50°, 55°, 60°) · Edel Classic Blade Putter (32") · Vice Pro or Maxfli Tour · Pinned Prism Rangefinder · Star Grips · Flightscope Mevo · TRUE Linkswear Shoes · Sun Mountain C130S Bag

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I have been playing golf for about two years now. I shoot in the low 80s and my irons are 14 year old Callaway Big Bertha Golds. I have visited a number of golf stores and talked about upgrading, all the salespeople tell me that there are no clubs that much better than mine worth buying unless I want to spend a bunch of money for forged irons. Now, if a set of Harry Potter clubs hits the market I might consider changing.

In my  bag:

Driver, Callaway Diablo Edge Tour 9.5 stiff

3, 5 woods: Callaway Diablo Edge Tour 15,18 degrees Stiff

2 hybrid: Callaway Diable Edge Tour 18 degrees R (out when the 5 wood is in)

3,6 hybrids: Callaway Diablo Edge 21 S and 30 degrees R

4,5 hybrids: Callaway Razr X HL 24 and 27 degrees Stiff

7-AW irons: Callaway Razr HL graphite R shafts 

SW 54 Callaway X Series Jaws CC Slate Fujikura Graphite Stiff

Putter: Odessey White Ice 1 Blade Putter. 

Ball...looking for any ball that hates water, sand, long grass, and getting lost in the woods. 

I can't find any, so forced to use ones that seem to love all the above. 

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I'm trying to justify spending $1000 on new irons because.... Well... I want them. But I guess I should probably just get my r7s fitted. If it really won't make much difference, and I'm already used to these irons.

srixon.png.c29104d99ab6ca6ecb927e9dd97b26f1.png    Z785 Driver 10.5° Tour AD BB 7x    |    F65 4W Tour AD TP 7x    |    Z765 4-PW Dynamic Gold X100 AMT    |     Z-Star Ball

TM.png.36c3c24d72a4ac809b0def631452f3ba.png    M3 4H HZRDUS Black    |    Spider Tour Putter

titleist.png.c92d01bf6404c1675a5e518a7447f2c6.png  Vokey SM7 50° 55° 60° Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue Black

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Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

I'm trying to justify spending $1000 on new irons because.... Well... I want them. But I guess I should probably just get my r7s fitted. If it really won't make much difference, and I'm already used to these irons.

Part of becoming a good golfer is to have patience and wisdom. I think you have both.

In my  bag:

Driver, Callaway Diablo Edge Tour 9.5 stiff

3, 5 woods: Callaway Diablo Edge Tour 15,18 degrees Stiff

2 hybrid: Callaway Diable Edge Tour 18 degrees R (out when the 5 wood is in)

3,6 hybrids: Callaway Diablo Edge 21 S and 30 degrees R

4,5 hybrids: Callaway Razr X HL 24 and 27 degrees Stiff

7-AW irons: Callaway Razr HL graphite R shafts 

SW 54 Callaway X Series Jaws CC Slate Fujikura Graphite Stiff

Putter: Odessey White Ice 1 Blade Putter. 

Ball...looking for any ball that hates water, sand, long grass, and getting lost in the woods. 

I can't find any, so forced to use ones that seem to love all the above. 

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Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

I'm trying to justify spending $1000 on new irons because.... Well... I want them. But I guess I should probably just get my r7s fitted. If it really won't make much difference, and I'm already used to these irons.

If you want to justify it, the R7 TP irons are not the softest feeling irons made ... They were harsh to me. My son played and liked them, but he was a high speed player.

Iron development has evolved to thinner, springier faces and have moved the cog back and lower.  You see more multi-materials - cast heads with forged faces, for example. There are more GI "players" clubs now than previously. Clubs with forgiveness but not too much offset or a thick topline. Heck, they even have slotted irons now - and probably more in the future.

So yes, irons are better now and you can justify it.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Are you working with a golf pro, or are you self-taught?

I would suggest you track your game for a few rounds in the spring and find out things such as:

  • GIR
  • Fairways hit.
  • GIR from fairway
  • Scrambling percentage (getting a par or better when you miss the fairway)
  • Percentage of sand saves
  • Consistency of rounds. If over 10 rounds, your range from a 68 to a 78, your performance portfolio is different from someone who ranges from 69 to 73.

Then, do Pareto analysis: Find your biggest source of error, fix it, look for second-biggest, fix it, etc.

As an 0.2 HDCP, you should know if your irons are holding you back.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

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@WUtiger: I haven't taken any lessons in well over a year. I've taken probably 5-10 lessons from legitimate pros in my life. My dad has taught me 95% of what I know, at least. I would like to look into finding a pro to consistently take lessons from because I think it could help me take my game to the next level, but it always seems like they don't have much to say. Which can be frustrating considering how much it costs. I live in Indiana, so I can't exactly go out and track stats from my rounds right now, but, like you said, I will certainly do that in the spring. If I think back on this last summer, no, in general I don't honestly think my irons were the main factor holding me back (obviously that isn't to say there is no room for improvement there, I just think other parts could use more work.) I think it is mainly putting that is my problem. In my final tournament in the summer I shot a fantastic 68, with 3 three putts. I do that kind of thing all the time, not necessarily the -4 part, but shooting low 70s with multiple 3 putts. While we are on the topic of putting, I know equipment doesn't play a large role with putting specifically, its all feel, but do you think the added confidence of a new putter would help at all? I've had my irons and putter (Odyssey White Hot #1) for the same amount of time. I just can't get myself to fork out that much cash when I don't think it will make much difference. But at the same time, I would love new equipment. @Mr. Desmond: Do you have any you would suggest specifically for me to try? @Derrick Parker: Thank you :) I was not given a chance to try to play for my university, so now I'm determined to make the coach wish he had let me try out.

srixon.png.c29104d99ab6ca6ecb927e9dd97b26f1.png    Z785 Driver 10.5° Tour AD BB 7x    |    F65 4W Tour AD TP 7x    |    Z765 4-PW Dynamic Gold X100 AMT    |     Z-Star Ball

TM.png.36c3c24d72a4ac809b0def631452f3ba.png    M3 4H HZRDUS Black    |    Spider Tour Putter

titleist.png.c92d01bf6404c1675a5e518a7447f2c6.png  Vokey SM7 50° 55° 60° Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue Black

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Friendly opinion - it doesn't sound like you need a new set of irons, you're simply in the want, which is fine, that's why we're all equipment junkies.  My only recommendation, and take this with a grain of salt (I'm a +14), is to stick with your current iron manufacturer.  If you're hitting to a +0.2, then you've obviously become accustomed to the sound, feel, look, trajectory, and distance control of your current set.  Going to a shiny new forged or cavity back set will calm your inner equipment demons, but it may play havoc on your game.  Good luck.

Driver: Callaway RAZR Fit - 9.5* Stiff

Woods: TaylorMade R11S - 3W Stiff, TaylorMade R11 Ti - 5W Stiff

Irons: Callaway X-12 - 3-PW Uniflex

Wedges: TaylorMade Rocketballz 50* AW - Cleveland 588 RTG 56* SW

Putter: Odyssey Sabertooth 2

 

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Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

I don't honestly think my irons were the main factor holding me back (obviously that isn't to say there is no room for improvement there, I just think other parts could use more work.) I think it is mainly putting that is my problem. In my final tournament in the summer I shot a fantastic 68, with 3 three putts. I do that kind of thing all the time, not necessarily the -4 part, but shooting low 70s with multiple 3 putts. While we are on the topic of putting, I know equipment doesn't play a large role with putting specifically, its all feel, but do you think the added confidence of a new putter would help at all?

But at the same time, I would love new equipment.

@Mr. Desmond: Do you have any you would suggest specifically for me to try?

After reading the above, I suggest you prioritize.

1. Get an Edel Putter Fitting and Aimpoint Lesson

Indiana is not far from Erie PA. I know it's all relative, but I live in Texas, and we think nothing of driving 240 mi to get somewhere good.

See Erik - get fit for an Edel and get an Aimpoint Lesson from him. That will do you the most good for your game.

Heck, while you're at it, have him fit you for some Edel Wedges - you may not buy them, but they'll be next on your list.

2. That may leave you enough money to fit your current irons. The problem with buying new irons in stock form is the stock setup and inconsistent build for superior players like yourself. If you're playing competitively, though, I'd think you'd want conforming irons - and the R7 TPs are not conforming.

Tell us what you like and don't like about your irons. If your irons are not holding you back, but your short game is the weakness, attack it first, and get irons later. That's your best revenge.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Who is Erik, and what is an Aimpoint lesson? I have heard of Aimpoint before, but I don't really know what it is. I looked up Edel putter fitting and I didn't see anything in Erie, PA? I probably should've mentioned that 68 came with 16 greens and two of them were under GIR, and I believe I ended up with 32 or 33 putts, so it wasn't awful, but could've been better.

srixon.png.c29104d99ab6ca6ecb927e9dd97b26f1.png    Z785 Driver 10.5° Tour AD BB 7x    |    F65 4W Tour AD TP 7x    |    Z765 4-PW Dynamic Gold X100 AMT    |     Z-Star Ball

TM.png.36c3c24d72a4ac809b0def631452f3ba.png    M3 4H HZRDUS Black    |    Spider Tour Putter

titleist.png.c92d01bf6404c1675a5e518a7447f2c6.png  Vokey SM7 50° 55° 60° Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue Black

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Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

Who is Erik, and what is an Aimpoint lesson? I have heard of Aimpoint before, but I don't really know what it is. I looked up Edel putter fitting and I didn't see anything in Erie, PA?

I probably should've mentioned that 68 came with 16 greens and two of them were under GIR, and I believe I ended up with 32 or 33 putts, so it wasn't awful, but could've been better.

Try one of the admins -

http://thesandtrap.com/t/63941/seriously-could-you-have-made-it-to-the-tour#post_795229

the guy in post 4 - iacas

Aimpoint is about reading greens scientifically

Search around the site and you should see plenty - or go to http://www.aimpointgolf.com

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

Who is Erik, and what is an Aimpoint lesson? I have heard of Aimpoint before, but I don't really know what it is. I looked up Edel putter fitting and I didn't see anything in Erie, PA?

Hi. :)

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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Hi :P

Apparently I'm blind because I swear that wasn't there when I looked, haha.

So..  see Erik and get a putter fit to me and an Aimpoint lesson.     I'll think about it.

srixon.png.c29104d99ab6ca6ecb927e9dd97b26f1.png    Z785 Driver 10.5° Tour AD BB 7x    |    F65 4W Tour AD TP 7x    |    Z765 4-PW Dynamic Gold X100 AMT    |     Z-Star Ball

TM.png.36c3c24d72a4ac809b0def631452f3ba.png    M3 4H HZRDUS Black    |    Spider Tour Putter

titleist.png.c92d01bf6404c1675a5e518a7447f2c6.png  Vokey SM7 50° 55° 60° Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue Black

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Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

Hi :P

Apparently I'm blind because I swear that wasn't there when I looked, haha.

So..  see Erik and get a putter fit to me and an Aimpoint lesson.     I'll think about it.

If you're going for priorities - putting is what you indicated.

If you're going to purchase irons and want a softer feel and more precision, I'd suggest a combo set with cavities in the long to mid irons and blades in 7-PW if your ballstriking works - you might try Titleist, Nike, Mizuno, or Miura for a combo set or a made up combo set.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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If I were shooting in the high 60s low 70s I would be VERY careful what I changed, even my "old" irons There is a lot of eye candy out there but given your expertice in golf you probably know that already.

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