"Game Improvement" irons vs "Player's" irons?

Here's my dillema...I'm 55, and a 7 handicap. I currently play Cleveland HiBore XL graphite regular shaft irons, which look like a full set of hybrids from the 3 thru SW. I know these are supposed to be EXTREME max-game improvement irons, but I've used them for 4 seasons and luv 'em. I like the way the ball gets airborne quickly, especially the 3 & 4 irons. I know as a 7 handicap the "rule" is I should NOT be using these irons. The only real knock I have is the shorter irons fly a bit too high and I think my accuracy isn't all that great.

My normal game is hitting a driver about 250 and my 7 iron 145. I'm not long, but hardly ever miss a fairway and hit the same shot all the time...straight, never "working the ball". When hitting my approach shots, I will always aim at the MIDDLE of the green and rely on at least a two-putt to get down. I'm thinking that if I switched to a better player's iron it would give me the opportunity to go "Pin Hunting". The Hibores are great for hitting the green, but I'm thinking if I want a chance to get a few more birdes in a round I need to start firing at the stick! I just nervous about loosing the ability to get the ball airborne enough to stick the greens like the Hibores do.

That's why I'm looking at the Diablo Edge or X-22 irons....any thoughts?

All I can say about it is, try some out. If you're hitting all your fairways and greens, you just need to make more putts - does Cleveland have a hibore putter?

if your at graphite reg. you probably don't want players irons, there hard to hit and they usually require faster swing speeds. i have a friend whose a 0.7 and he has to hit game improvements because he cant swing fast enough to make the blades work. but thats just my .02

This guy cant be real? Aiming for the middle of the green? Only hitting it 250? lol JK man. I would think the X-22's would be a nice option. You def have to have control over your short irons to play great golf.

Haha, trust me, I'm real. I just think I'm missing the boat when it come to accuracy from my 7 iron in?

It seems to me you have no problems. Hitting it straight and hitting greens. Seems like golf would be fun. Maybe you could rent or demo a set of irons and see what you think. I don't really consider the irons you suggested to be players irons but not the SGI type.

look at a progressive set. specifically mizuno is going a good job with this by letting you mix and match your clubs between muscles, cavities, and blades in one set

edit: if not mizuno look at some titleist ZB's because they are very accurate considering the 6,7 are split cavites and the 8-P are blades

The Diablo Edge comes in a combo set of a graphite 4 & 5 hybrid and steel 5 thru sw...I was just thinking this might make my approach shots more accurate?

What you could probably do is keep your hi-bores 3-6, then go with a more traditional iron for 7-9. you'll still be comfortable getting the ball in the right direction from 155 -out, and then have more workability for 145 - in... if you don't mind a mixed set.

that seems like a work on your putting because if you are making every GIR and play off of 7 ur putting should be worked on

Nope, not long enough to hit every green in reg, but short in the fairway to usually save a chip and a put. The idea of switching out my short irons for something more penetrating seems like a good idea though...the Hibore 3, 4, & 5 I hit well.

how far do u hit 3 wood

The X-22's are great clubs, can't go wrong there...

Adams is also notorious for having mixed sets...

I've got a Taylormade Burner 3 wood, reg graphite shaft that I had cut 1 1/2 inch shorter which really improved my accuracy with it...hit it about 215 yards.

I wish I had your "accuracy" issues...

have read the forum for many months, just signed up to post. mrbilloc we have similarities. I am 57 played for 30+ years, learned to play on players irons. 1st was Titleist Tour Models- Taylormade ICW5's than to Mizuno MP-30 all clubs that I liked and were successful with. MP-30 got lifted and bought a used set of Titleist 704cb which I never got along with. Getting older and less flexible I was having trouble with mid to long irons with consistency. This began a long journey of trying to figure out what irons to get next. Decided to go to game improvement for a number of reasons. Being a lefty (slight limitations) found a set of Mizuno MX-200's for 400$ and after an adjustment period am quite happy with my selection.

My approach varies on whether to "pin hunt" dependinding on where I stand on my round, not so much the club and distance. Your handicap being what it is makes me feel that you probably are adept in your short game and scrambling for pars from bunkers and off the green. The ability to get shots airborn quickly is something that I am enjoying with a GI club, howevershot making is something that has been reduced. If pin hunting adds a birdie or two to your round is that more satisfying than adding a bogey or two to your round when failing to get up and down. At our age should we just fire at all the pins and maybe a middle of the green when we have a very good round in progress. Hope you understand what I'm trying to say here.

If you want to stick with Cleveland Golf, why not keep your Hibore irons 3-6 and then get some GC7s with graphite shafts in the remaining irons. These should give you a slightly more penetrating ballflight. If you're looking for workable short irons, which doesn't seem to be the case based on your description, you could give the GC7 Tour a shot.