Can't figure out a game-improvement iron

**SwinginCaveman** · March 4, 2009

I'm trying to rebuild my bag this year as I'm going to buckle down and get some time in on the course. I have a set of Tommy Armour blades but they aren't consistent enough for my swing yet.

Companies like Mizuno and Ping offer different types of game improvement irons, from an "ultra game improvement" to a simple "game improvement" and everything in between. I would prefer not to go with the ultra game improvement because I will grow out of those very quickly but there's a lot of choices in the game improvement department. Some of the choices I've been looking at:

Mizuno MX-200
Ping G5
Titleist AP1
Cobra S9
Callaway Burner

Not really sure which way to go. Thoughts? Suggestions?

I know it would be best to go out and try them all but I'm left handed and finding a store that has even 2 of these in stock at any given time is a long shot.

**DavidFehertysBike** · March 4, 2009

I dunno. I started learning the game with old blades. When i did try to get something more forgiving like a GI iron, i couldnt hit the things at all and the huge offsets just confused me. I ended up playing taylormades rac os irons before moving on to titliest forged clubs a few months afterward. They're pretty good irons and theyre not obnoxiously big. You can probably get a mint set pretty cheap, too!

**TinCupTampa** · March 4, 2009

When I started playing a few years back I had a set of one of the original Adam's tight lies irons... smaller heads, thinner top line, no offset... but still considered a GI iron. Last year when i started playing a lot I bought the CG Golds and I figured out quickly that I couldnt hit GI irons to save my life. The offest, thickness, everything about them screwed me up.

At a 15 handicap... maybe a players iron would be better suited purely because it is hard to take a step back if your older blades are what your eye is used to.

JTexido · March 4, 2009

I was looking at the Mizuno MX-200's when i was in the market for new clubs. So I went to a golf expo and saw the MX-25s which were replaced by the MX-200s. They are great irons. Not hard to hit at all. I got them brand new for $400 instead of paying $700 for the MX-200s.

**PiKapp23** · March 4, 2009

If you do not want an 'ultra game improvement iron' (UGI) then you should look at Mizuno MX-200 as a good choice (or the predecessors MX-25 or MX-23). The clubs are all forgiving, but are not the type of irons you are going to quickly outgrow. There are high handicappers and low handicappers playing these models. Mizuno irons feel great and are very adjustable because they are forged. Since your options as a lefty are limited on demo-ing these irons, I think the safest bet is one of these sets of irons.

Any of the sets you mention would be fine (except Callaway Burner, since this doesn't exist - you probably meant Taylor Made Burner and/or Callaway X-22 or Big Bertha). The G5 is a little closer to UGI than the others you list. I own a set of S9's and think they are a great club as well. Not too bulky and they have a great feel. The Cobra FP might also be worth considering (it's a little smaller than S9, but only slightly less forgiving).

**kevntri** · March 4, 2009

I just did the same thing. I bought X18 pro's from Callaway preowned for a good price......
May want to look there.
The X18 pro. x20 tours, or X22 tours will fit the bill

**ChiChiIsMe** · March 4, 2009

I switched from Wilson Tour blades last year to Cobra FP's. Perfect for me as a 15 @ the time. I had been been working on my swing before the new clubs, and even more since. I do miss the butter of the blades hit well, and think by next year at time time I may upgrade the FP's, not sure to what just yet, but that's where I'm at.

**ted dibiase** · March 4, 2009

As a beginner I started out swinging Nike clubs but I don't remember the model. After a year I switched to slingshot OSS irons. I know they look kind of goofy and I haven't really played any other clubs, but my handicap went from 21.x last year to 9.4. I think the lessons improved my game more than anything, but the irons are very confidence inspiring. I will probably try to switch to some form of a combo set later this year after I dial my game in a little further, but I have no plans of ever selling the slingshots. They are just too easy to hit.

**tjy355** · March 4, 2009

I like Ping's marketing catch phrase. They make "Game Enjoyment" clubs.

**cocky_watchman** · March 4, 2009

mx-200

But I'd get the mx-25-it's predecessor

If cash is tight get the one before that mx-23-I have them and am a goodish ball striking 14 handicap. Great clubs-anyone from 5-25 handicap could use them. Plus they are forged, the mx-200, mx-25 and mx-23 are all forged. So nice clubs at a nice price!

**SwinginCaveman** · March 4, 2009

I know what you guys are saying about it being difficult to go from a blade to a GI. I used a set of Tommy Armour blades for the last year and a half and tried going back to my Nike CCi's without much success. I figured it was more the club not fitting me rather than the type of club it was.

The way my game works, and it's the reason my handicap is now probably around 16 or 17, is consistency. It's hit or miss with me. Either I hit a really good shot right at the green or I miss badly and waste a shot playing from the rough 40 yards away.

That said, when my game is on, it's on. When it's off, there is no club that can save me. My hopes were with a GI iron that I can find a happy medium between the good shots and bad shots.

Maybe it would just be better to stay with something like an MX-25 and get some lessons?

**cocky_watchman** · March 4, 2009

That's exactly why you need a club like mx-25-so much more forgiving. Even your poorer shots (assuming its not a hossel or thin/fat etc) will be fairly decent results. I find the mx-23 very easy clubs to play with. I'd recommend getting rid of the 3 and 4 iron and getting hybrids for those-thats what I did. Makes it even easier. Oh I just noticed you've got one. Well Id get another. I even considered replaceing 3-5 iron with hybrids-but thought that was one too many for me in the end. I can hiy a 5 iron straight-normally!

**SwinginCaveman** · March 4, 2009

That's exactly why you need a club like mx-25-so much more forgiving. Even your poorer shots (assuming its not a hossel or thin/fat etc) will be fairly decent results. I find the mx-23 very easy clubs to play with. I'd recommend getting rid of the 3 and 4 iron and getting hybrids for those-thats what I did. Makes it even easier. Oh I just noticed you've got one. Well Id get another. I even considered replaceing 3-5 iron with hybrids-but thought that was one too many for me in the end. I can hiy a 5 iron straight-normally!

When I talk about my poor shots I mean they are absolutely hopeless. I usually hit it thin and it never gets above my head and ends up 20 yards short and left of the green. Those I can chalk up to poor concentration and being lazy, which is why I'm stuck in the hole I'm in. A GI iron MAY help me avoid doing that but if I can eliminate those shots then a forged set would be perfect.

**cocky_watchman** · March 4, 2009

Yeah, no club will help absolute hacks. If you are the standard that does that often or even occasionaly (which is most of us) well then you definitely need a game improvement club. Many pros use clubs that are essentialy 'game improvement' to a certain extent. mx-23/mx-25/mx-200 would be spot on for you. personally I was less keen on the newer mx-200 than the mx-23/mx-25, thats why I haven't upgraded. Every club in my bag is new-driver, 3 wood, hybrids, putter, shoes, water proofs....But my irons I haven't even considered changing I'm that happy with mx-23 (also cant afford it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but still if I could afford it I would probably stick with em.

**cfmgolf** · March 5, 2009

Being a lefty myself I feel your pain! I see that you are in Cleveland. If you want to take a little road trip, Carl's Golf Land in the metro Detroit area typically has a tremendous LH section. They have 2 stores and both have outdoord ranges which is really nice. You can try all the different ones you want, and then as you narrow it down, they will take you into a launch monitor room and do a more customized fitting. I purchased 2 sets from them in the past few years and had a very good experience with all purchases. If you have your mind set on 4 or 5 specific sets, call ahead to check their LH status. I have absolutely no affiliation with them, just a satisfied customer. good luck

**MI Rob** · March 5, 2009

I would also try the MX-25. Im in the process of getting them now as my game improvement irons. They are very forgiving, forged, and you can find great deals on them lately since the MX-200's game out. Good luck

**TinCupTampa** · March 5, 2009

I like Ping's marketing catch phrase. They make "Game Enjoyment" clubs.

I like Scratch's "The relentless pursuit of the tap in"

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