TaylorMade R7 vs Cleveland HiBore Irons

Hey guys...I am new to the forum and relativity new to golf. I am 23 yrs old and really just started playing golf over the last 4 months. I am stationed on Guam and have had a ton of time to play golf and have been playing several rounds a week, going to the driving range, watching videos, etc.

In the last two days I have had my 2 best 9 hole scores, both legit 47s. I have a set of hand me downs and have been doing a ton of research on clubs but I have a major issue...the golf stores are limited here and only have the brand new clubs, which are out of my price range right now. This means I cannot try the clubs I buy. I can have adjustments made.

The two sets that have caught my eye have been the R7s and the HiBores. I know they are quite a bit different from one another. Part of me things I will want more traditional irons, while the other part of me tells me the hybrids of the HiBores will improve my scores.

Just for some additional information: I hit my irons pretty cleanly and straight for the most part. I am overcoming the initial problem I had of topping the ball and rarely do it anymore. I am 5'7'' with what I think would be a slow swing speed. I am looking for clubs that are forgiving, but ones I will be able to "grow" into as I improve. I have improved very quickly in all areas of my game. My short game has been especially good lately, and the much more experienced golfers I play with have been completely shocked at my overall game and rapid improvement.

Thanks in advance for all of your help and the other great advice (I have been lurking for weeks)!

James

If that's your true handicap...and you're just starting out, I'd say the Cleveland's might work better for you. I'm not gonna say the R7's aren't great irons, but it really is personal preference. If I were you I'd see if someone else on the island plays golf and has a set of either one to at least try for a swing or two...(my buddy was there for the AF about a year or so ago and played quite often). Either that or maybe pick up a cheap set off ebay, game it and see if you like it and if not put it right back on there to at least break even to try the other?...just a thought

Hi Bores with graphite shafts are old man clubs. (I probably should have them.) Get the R7s and buy all the hybrids you like, look at my sig.

I have the hi-bores. They are great when you 1st start out, but once you get your game up and running, you won't have a need for a hybrid 6-pw. I ditched those, kept the hybrid 3,4,and 5. And switched to the CG golds irons. So I would go with the R7's and get hybrids later when the opportunity presented itself. Best of luck.

It's nice to see another Kentuckian in here. Ok, now, if you're looking for forgiveness it would probably be a better option to go with the clevelands. I have the CG7's and the HiBore 3&4 Hybrids and absolutely love them. Although I am thinking of getting new Nike VR irons soon but that's only because I think my game has improved for my liking to move on to a newer less forgiving club. But after I got back into golf I really needed a forgiving club and went with the clevelands. They are fantastic clubs for a beginner to slightly intermediate golfer. What I loved most about them was once I worked some of the quirks out of my game these clubs were easily figured out. I kind of had a jumpstart though, I was an avid golfer for about 2 years(5-10 rounds a week) then I took a break for about 3 years to focus on Med school then returned afterward and had quite a few issues. I had those extremely frustrating things in my game once I came back, but figured them out fairly quickly. I really can't say enough about the clubs. I went with my father-in-law whose been golfing for 3 years regularly now and he has the R7 irons and kind of likes to flash them to me he quickly learned it's not the club that makes the golfer its golfer that makes the club. I can place a ball better with my 9i than he can with his PW. Either way you go you can't go wrong. But if you're just starting out I would choose the Hibores. If you're interested send me a PM and I may consider selling mine to you if you'd like. Hope these threads have been useful. Alot of guys on here really know their stuff.

Thanks for the responses.

Gioguy21: The ebay idea is a good one and I might consider that. They only problem I can think of is shipping could be potentially expensive...I will look into it.

FHopper: The idea of getting the R-7s and complimenting them with hybrids is something I had not thought about...I will explore that option, thanks.

ParPlease: Do you know of anywhere to pick up the CG Golds for a decent price. I know I saw the reds somewhere fairly cheaper, but I know those are geared for the better player.

KYGolfer: Thanks for the response. I will be shooting you a PM.

Thanks again.

--James

Oh and as far as handicap goes I am still trying to figure that out. I have been shooting in the mid to high 90s over the last two weeks. For the most part I have been playing bogey golf, but usually there is a hole or two where I double or triple. I will be keeping better track from here on out.

Ebay has a few sets starting at $100. Take a look and see if anything suits you.

if you are price driven the nike slingshots are about the same thing as the hibores and cheaper

Yeah, I have seen the Slingshots new for pretty cheap...I will keep them on the shortlist as well. Thanks!

I'd say R7 if you are a digger and Hibore if you are a sweeper.

bogey golf is perfect range for a game improvement iron--i'd say get the r7's.

Thanks for all the replies. I just discovered another option. While I was leaning towards the R-7 I found a deal that looks pretty good. It is the CG Golf 5-PW with the Hi-Bore 3&4 hybrids. It looks like these are going to be the two finalists. I am going to try to find some to hit, but I do not know if that is going to be possible.

Thanks again.