Are my draw irons hurting my game?

Here's what the problem could be:  suppose you wanted to hit your irons reasonably straight.  What changes would you have to introduce to your swing, and what would that do to your longer clubs?  You're right, this is a habit you don't want to start.

When I got my current irons, I was hitting my previous (offset, SGI) irons reasonably straight with a slight draw.  That was part fo what convinced me to get the ones I have now.  If there were game improvement irons with tour-level offset (or whatever we call the offset in players' irons), I'd consider them myself.

As for your next irons... if you're capable of shooting in the low 80s and can draw the ball, there are plenty of players' irons you can get, some of which are very forgiving.

I agree with Shindig; a move toward a more neutral iron will likely improve your playing and reduce the need for the compensations in your swing due to a draw-bias club.

The good news is that there are tons of options for you, and quite a few excellent older sets of irons that can be had for cheap.  If you are shooting mid-low 80's, something like a Ping i-series, Titleist DCI 962/762, Callaway 'tour' series irons, etc.

These were some of my favorite irons.  I've had them for 10 years and still play them in the winter.  The set can be found for around $100 on eBay:

Quote:

Originally Posted by delav 

I agree with Shindig; a move toward a more neutral iron will likely improve your playing and reduce the need for the compensations in your swing due to a draw-bias club.

 

The good news is that there are tons of options for you, and quite a few excellent older sets of irons that can be had for cheap.  If you are shooting mid-low 80's, something like a Ping i-series, Titleist DCI 962/762, Callaway 'tour' series irons, etc.

 

These were some of my favorite irons.  I've had them for 10 years and still play them in the winter.  The set can be found for around $100 on eBay:

 

 

 

I have to agree with delav and Shindig, about going to a neutral iron.  Those DCIs are a blast from the past and would serve you well.  I played many years with the 845s and again, this was a neutral club, smaller face, was workeable, but had some forgiveness.  This is the type of iron you need as you are ready to take the training wheels off, so to speak.  The draw biased irons are a temporary fix, not a solution for going forward. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomboy 

So, if I understood you correctly you would recommend switching to players irons?

I'm suggesting switching to a club with less offset.  Most of these are players' irons, but there are some very forgiving ones;  check out Ralph Maltby's MPF ratings to see the distinction between marketing (PI, GI, SGI) and playability (6 categories).  The Ping S56 and Titleist AP2 fit the requirements I laid out above and are very forgiving (Maltby lists the former as a Game Improvement iron).  Callaway's Razr X Tour also fits this category.  

I feel that using game improvement irons like the draw irons will help you to a certain point. I feel that they will only let you improve to a certain extent as well. once you can hit them straight, that is about it. at least, that's my experience from using game improvement irons. once I went to a players iron, I was able to have make many different shots that I was restricted by the game improvement irons.

game improvement irons are named so because they are just that. to help improve iron play. and help you as much as possible, you being any amateur golfer who needs help hitting the ball straight as much as possible. because, most people slice, the draw technology helps bring that club head around. once you switch irons, you may be slicing again for a while just cause you are not used to maybe bring that club head around at contact. so, if you switch, just practice and you will get it down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomboy 

Thanks for the input everyone, I spent my day today going around shop to shop trying different sets and comparing them to my current irons and the Cleveland CG16 Tour clubs took my large draw into a little 5-10 yard draw without having to try to force it left. And with birthday money coming in hopefully they'll be in my bag soon! 

sweet, have fun with the new irons. and happy early birthday.