New iron advice...

Was just doing some research on getting new irons, and stumbled upon this forum.  I have never got a brand new set of clubs, so my knowledge on fitting process's and such is limited.  Im an 11-12 handicapper,  I really got into golf about three years ago, so i think i have the ability to improve a fair amount more.  Ive been playing an old set of blades that i really like ( tour prefferred T-D ), but figured I could benefit from a set thats not 20yrs old.  haha

Anyway's my question is, should i be looking at game improvement or players irons?  I havnt gone to hit anything yet.  Beings I am playing blades now and have gotten used ot the small heads my irons have, i dont feel comfortable with the over-sized heads (they just feel awkward).  I have had my eye on the new taylormades, the MC not the MB's.  My swing is more steep than sweep i guess.  What are some of your insights out there, so i have an idea of what im getting into at least.

recomendations? things to consider? etc?

Thanks, JAG19

P.S.  Sorry that was kinda long winded.

If you don't like super size iron but you are mid handicapper, I think you wanna check out Titleist AP1.   Try them, see if you like them.

Also it's important to have custom fitting for your irons.   Get your Shaft models and Lie Angle checked.

How do you hit these blades - consistent, inconsistently?

Where do you get inconsistent? Below the 7i, 5i?

It's tough to help unless we know what you're doing with your current set ... and the ballflight. How are those shafts? What are those shafts?

Look at the Ping i15's. Forgiving but smaller head compared to their more forgiving G15 and other game improvement irons.

I agree with looking into Ping i15s, the smaller head won't be such a change when you play it the first time, yet it will be considerably more forgiving than a blade. Other options would include most companies "tour" model and Mizuno's MP line. You may also like a progressive/combo set such as the new Nike combo set or the old Pro Combo Tours (can be had for ~125 on ebay). As Mr. Desmond said, it will also depend on what you are doing well with your current set.

Give us a few more details and I am sure someone can help you out.

Since you're already playing with blades and have gotten down to an 11 and feel that you can improve past that I'd say go with a good players cavity.  They'll give you more forgiveness than the blades but won't look huge at address either.  They will be a set that you can continue to grow into and as you progress be able to work the ball.

TristanHilton85 -  This was kinda what my thoughts were as well.  I dont want to spend alot of money on a set of clubs i could be out of in a year.  But i also want the clubs that are gonna make my game as good as possible now.

TWS1098 -  What other info would be most helpful?

I never have bought new clubs these were given to me by a buddy's dad.  Im fairly certain they are to long for me.  I guess some mroe info on my game and swing would be.  I hit the ball with a somewhat low trajectory, but generate quite abit of spin so i can still stop my mid irons (6,5) in a hop or two.  Like i said earlier, im kind of a digger. Last year spent some time on the range, tuning my swing.  I had very rarely hit range balls, and seemed to change the gettin diggy pretty easily, sometime when i need to really get into one i tend to get to steep still.  I feel my ball striking is decent, while my short game is where i give away the most strokes.  but again i started practicing alittle bit last year instead of just always playing, it was amazing how much that helped my game all around, i actually like going to the range now.  I'm not sure what long is, but i wouldnt say im short i guess.  a couple average distances are 9 - 150ish, 7 - 165-170,  6 - 175-180.  This is with older clubs so maybe i can get a little more out of the newer irons.  I wonder with the irons actually fittign if i may lose some distance because the ones im playing now are a longer shaft than what is going to fitted im sure. anyways tahts neitehr here nor there.  Im not sure if this is the info you guys need, any other questions please ask.

Thanks, JAG19

I wouldn't call those distances short at all, especially with blades. Some of the info I was looking for, in addition to what you have given, is how do you usually miss? Fat, Thin, Toe, Heel, Push, Pull, Slice, Hook? And which irons give you the biggest problems (typically long irons)?

As far as the length of your new irons, you may not be fitted to a shorter shaft at all. There could be a lie angle change only.  Also, if the new irons are custom fit for you any length cut off the shaft will be negligible when it comes to distance because you are getting 1. newer club head technology AND 2. new shafts that should have a little more life to them

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If you got to 11 HDCP with older clubs, I'd say it's time to get a club fitting on a launch monitor. A good fitter will let you hit some shots with your current irons, to get a baseline on your shots, see if you Lie Angle is OK. Then, try several different club models to see what's out there.

Launch monitor will give information useful in selection of club model, and the best shafts for your swing. Don't feel pressured to buy a set right away. It might take you several weeks to really explore what all is out there.

As far as club playability rating systems, two are in use. The original is the Maltby Playability Factor, which has six categories of clubs. See link:

http://www.ralphmaltby.com/90

More commonly used is the Golf Digest three-way system: Players (combines lowest three MPF categories), Game Improvement, and Super Game Improvement (two highest MPF categories).

Lots of pros play clubs in the GD "game improvement" category. These clubs are easier to hit than the Players. As far as working the ball, you can do that with most clubs if you understand the golf swing. Player's and GI clubs allow you to work the ball more precisely.

So, check what's out there, enjoy yourself, and take notes!

You don't need game improvement irons if your handicap is accurate. You need irons that fit. Some of us are lucky that we seem to fit the standard loft / lie model for certain manufacturers. When I pick up a set of players irons with DG S300 shafts (a very common stock iron shaft) it feels like they were made just for me. Some people need something else. Slight variations in shaft stiffness can be overcome with slight tempo changes - seriously, if you're really an 11, with those yardages, you can probably make decent contact with any iron a long as it doesn't have an A or L shaft in it. BUT, if your lie angles are off, the odds of hitting the ball directly at the intended target go way down. I'd start there.

well I guess on occasion i do all of those things.  I almost never slice my irons, i do get a push or a fade sometimes.  my irons miss would have to be a pull, and often times i catch alot of turf.  Im not fibbing my distances, I think part of the reason they are long is because i knock down the angle of the club in my swing ( why i was working on getting less steep) and hence the lower trajectory, what can i say im a wind player whether its blowing or not haha.  The shafts are a tru temper, im not sure of the flex or model.  they are at my grandpas in storage right now, i wish i coudl check.  Im in north dakota and golf weather is still a few months away.  But wheni get back to the northwest hopefully ill be able to play some, im goign nuts up here.

The guy i got the clubs from was a very good golfer, and i think he hit the ball pretty far, so i would guess a stiff shaft but im just guessing.  Ill call him tonight and see if he remembers what the flex was.  Also has anyone had trouble getting used to a new set of fitted clubs?  I guess what im asking is they are fitted mroe toward yoru swing than to your body size and type?

Thanks again for all the info and input fellas, I feel a bit like a pestering little brother! haha

It may feel weird at first just because they will be new and fitted for you, but if they are matched to you correctly that time period should be relatively short.  You will be enjoying the way the new irons feel in no time. I have rarely heard of anyone complain about clubs they had fitted by a professional.

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The OP sounds like a perfect candidate for the new Nike Pro Combo iron set…

Before you buy hit some Mizuno's I tried them and loved them. JPX 800 or the MX 200 are great. Very quality golf club.

+1 for Mizuno.  I would check out the MP-53s.  Just a beautiful iron.

Yeah from what I am getting here, I would suggest trying the following in NO order:

Mizuno MP 53

Titleist AP2 or Titleist CB

Nike VR Split Cavity (they are still around some places) or the newer Nike VR Pro Combo

Callaway X Forged 09 or Razr Forged

Taylormade CB or MC

All those clubs will give really nice feel coupled with a shaft for your swing speed and your trajectory and you have a very nice iron set. All are forged so the feel is good when you are compressing the ball, some of these will feel like blades and you'll get the workability of blades as well but a little forgiveness on mis-hits compared to blades and the topline of these clubs are all pretty comparable.

I am playing the VR Split Cavity and love the workability and the feel is unmatched to me at least when comparing other irons. A split cavity or cavity back iron is going to be your best bet IMHO..