Finishing up bag makeover

**dagolfer** · April 12, 2010

With last summer being my first summer i got real serious about the game i go a new driver (Cobra Speed LD F) and two nickent hybrids and also got a putter upgrade. Unfourtunatly i am stuck with my Acuity (Dicks Sporting Goods Brand) irons and wedges. My game has greatly improved though. At the course i play most frequently i am shoot anywhere from 38 to 43 consistently. I am looking to upgrading both irons and wedges. I am currently looking at the new 2010 AP1 irons. They conform to the groove change rule. The set would be 5 iron thru pitching wedge. To complete my set i am going to go with at 50 or 52 degree vokey and a 56 vokey. I will get the CC version of these due to the fact they also conform to the new groove rule. What do you think? Pros? Cons? Let me hear it, thanks!

**tws1098** · April 12, 2010

I liked what one of the other guys said the other day...

-Find options that are appealing to the eyes.
-If you have a budget, eliminate any from the previous group that do not fit into this range.
-You should be down to a handful of options, hit them all at a range or on the course to get the real feel and idea of how the clubs will work for you.
-Whichever felt the most comfortable and gave you the most consistent results should be your choice.

Regarding the AP1s, I have heard nothing but good things about them for a mid-low handicapper (as it sounds like you are). For better ball strikers, however, it seems like the AP2s are a more frequent choice.

**WUTiger** · April 13, 2010

You can get good prices on new or slightly used "first wave" AP1s from 2008. If you can find a set that has the shaft you need.

As others have said, you probably want to test out other similar clubs too.

four13 · April 13, 2010

Unless you are planning on playing in any PGA sanctioned events, I would not want the clubs that conform to the new PGA groove rules. Those rules were made for the pros because they have a distinct advantage by being able to control spin more. I have roughly a 1 handicap and I don't plan on buying clubs that adhere to the new rules because they don't apply to me and I'll take all the help I can get. Other than that, the AP irons look absolutely sweet, 1 and 2.

**dagolfer** · April 13, 2010

I understand that the rule change was made for professional but i do have potential to play college golf and i don't want to purchase "old" clubs and then have to purchase another set because ncaa adopts the rule. I read reviews that the AP1 grooves still spin the ball plenty.

**The Bogey Man** · April 13, 2010

I understand that the rule change was made for professional but i do have potential to play college golf and i don't want to purchase "old" clubs and then have to purchase another set because ncaa adopts the rule. I read reviews that the AP1 grooves still spin the ball plenty.

PGA and College will never adopt this rule... Totally different...

**jamo** · April 13, 2010

I would not get the C-C version of the wedges if I were you. You are giving up spin for no reason, the rule doesn't take effect for you until 2024.

As for the Ap1's: go for it. They are some great sticks. Maybe take a look at the AP2's. You might like them.

**dagolfer** · April 13, 2010

PGA and College will never adopt this rule... Totally different...

What makes you say that college and PGA will never adopt it? I think if top level college players have a chance of making the tour (Rickie Fowler) they should have to play the same equipment. And the view i have is that my crap acuity irons and wedges new probably had less spin than a spin milled wedge with the new grooves. And i'll demo the irons out some more to see if they suit my spin needs. Unlike most players i don't like alot of spin... i like it to check and then roll out. I hate playing pro v for the most part.

**Shindig** · April 14, 2010

I'd like to chime in in favor of new (now conforming) grooves for two reasons:

1. It's more likely to affect you come 2014, not 2024. You're a 20 handicap now, but I don't know how old you are. There's a very real possibility that by your third year of college, you might want to play in the U.S. Amateur or other high-profile events, and that could well be 2014, when you need the grooves. Of course, if you're playing at that level, you might be buying new clubs by then.

2. If you aren't used to last year's grooves yet, and you develop a good short game, you want to be developing it based on grooves you'll be using in the future. It would be a shame if you got used to the old grooves, and those made a difference, and then you couldn't use them anymore. Or, regardless of level, find them anymore after this December.

**spitz20** · April 14, 2010

I understand that the rule change was made for professional but i do have potential to play college golf and i don't want to purchase "old" clubs and then have to purchase another set because ncaa adopts the rule. I read reviews that the AP1 grooves still spin the ball plenty.

I play the 2008-2009 AP2's and man, i have 0 problem gettin lots of spin......i stick pretty much all mid/low iron shots with ease...and yes...they conform to the new groove rule.

four13 · April 15, 2010

Spitz........ Are they AP2s any more forgiving than the 695MBs? I might be looking for new irons in the 2 iron - 6 iron range for a little added forgiveness.

About college golf. If you are serious about playing college golf somewhere you should find a professional club fitter and have them do a complete swing analysis. He will be able to point you in the right direction and give you a few different options about woods, irons, shafts, shaft strength, angle, lie, bounce on your wedges. I feel this is where great strides can be made in the games of every golfer at any skill level. It will cost you a little bit of money to get it done right and I suggest you find a local club that offers this instead of a store that might try to just sell you something expensive.

And you say you don't like ProV1s... what you are saying makes since about them typically spinning more, but the way a ball spins (either a quick check from a low skipping bounce or incredible back spin that is fun to watch from a typically high bounce) is more dependent on shot selection and how well you strike the ball... especially right around the greens. I play the Srixon AD333 because it is cheaper and spins almost as well as the ProV. Although it isn't quite as durable as I would like, it still cuts fairly easy.

**Blades4me** · April 15, 2010

With last summer being my first summer i got real serious about the game i go a new driver (Cobra Speed LD F) and two nickent hybrids and also got a putter upgrade. Unfourtunatly i am stuck with my Acuity (Dicks Sporting Goods Brand) irons and wedges. My game has greatly improved though. At the course i play most frequently i am shoot anywhere from 38 to 43 consistently. I am looking to upgrading both irons and wedges. I am currently looking at the new 2010 AP1 irons. They conform to the groove change rule. The set would be 5 iron thru pitching wedge. To complete my set i am going to go with at 50 or 52 degree vokey and a 56 vokey. I will get the CC version of these due to the fact they also conform to the new groove rule. What do you think? Pros? Cons? Let me hear it, thanks!

I'd check out the Mizuno MP 60's cuz I bet you can get a much better price on them compared to the Titleists; and they are every bit as good as Titleist. Maybe with the money saved you could put some really good shafts in the Mizuno's. I've found both PX and KBS shafts to be a really nice match with Mizuno irons, just depends on what type of "feel" you like from your shaft. Personally I like a firm kicking shaft, so I favor PX. I thought the KBS's kick wasn't as firm; kind of like rifle shafts kick. Don't worry about the new stuff being that much better than stuff from 5 yrs ago cuz its NOT. Heck the last big change was cb's and that was something like 15 yrs ago.

As for wedges; if your pw is 45* then the 50* is a good chioce. If your pw is 48* a 52-53* is a good choice. I'd skip the 56* and just go to a 58 or 60*. The reason I say this is b/c most ppl don't know how to open up to give their sw more loft, so it is easier to just go to a more lofted club, in this case 58-60*. Don't worry about the "new groove" rule cuz it won't take affect until 2014 and by that time you'll probably be ready for new wedges anyway. I've played a lot of wedges and the Niki VR are the best I've ever played so far,,,,,,,and they are less than Volkey's and just as good if not better IMO. Good luck on your quest--anyone who is half way serious about this game has gone on the same quest, sometimes multiple times. I think you and others are worrying way toooooo much about the new groove rule. Its not that big of a deal. If you want roll out on chips, do it with dead hands. If you want spin get the hands into the swing more. I play a old set of 1978 Wilson Staff Tour blades, (with PX 5.5 non flighted shafts), and I like them more than my Mizuno's and I can stick greens with my 3i b/c I'm a high ball hitter. Last year I put my old sw in the bag with V grooves and there really wasn't thay much difference. You will be better served by learning how to limit roll out by trajectory rather than spin, but is also good to know how to put spin on the ball around the greens. Many pro's would rather not have that much spin on their balls, but with the club head speed they generate, zero or limited spin is not in the cards.

**dagolfer** · April 15, 2010

I'd check out the Mizuno MP 60's cuz I bet you can get a much better price on them compared to the Titleists; and they are every bit as good as Titleist. Maybe with the money saved you could put some really good shafts in the Mizuno's. I've found both PX and KBS shafts to be a really nice match with Mizuno irons, just depends on what type of "feel" you like from your shaft. Personally I like a firm kicking shaft, so I favor PX. I thought the KBS's kick wasn't as firm; kind of like rifle shafts kick. Don't worry about the new stuff being that much better than stuff from 5 yrs ago cuz its NOT. Heck the last big change was cb's and that was something like 15 yrs ago.

Great info! Thanks so much. The only comments i have are that i have played a 56 degree sand wedge since ive begun golfing. And according to my high school golf buddies i am "Phil Mickelson" because i am a "wedge master". I love to open up and flop just as much as hit it low and make it check hard. I agree with you that by the time 2014 i will need new wedges but isn't it better to learn how to play those grooves now and have a "leg up" on the competetion. I honestly do think buy crappy wedges new had less spin than the cc vokeys.... ha ha.

**Blades4me** · April 16, 2010

Since you are able to pull off flop shots stay with the wedge you feel the most comfortable with.

Your point is logical about play'n the v grooves, but again IMO, you are worrying way to much about a little thing. The biggest difference I've found with v grooves vs sqare or u grooves is that if you want to put spin on the ball you MUST clean out the grooves before each shot. I haven't really noticed that much difference for lies in the rough, but then again I don't have the club head speed the pro's do.

Play well.

**Zeph** · April 16, 2010

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Finishing up bag makeover

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