Are new irons worth it now I have got to 18 handicap?

I started golf three years ago on 32 handicap and have used my trusty Wilson Staff Di7s to  get myself down to 18. Am now wondering if I should upgrade to something better? I hear good things about Mizuno JPX and even Wilson Staff Ci9 series. i am no Luke Donald or Sergio Garcia when it comes to ball striking but who knows???

To be honest with you, if you're hitting the Di7's well, they're a pretty good iron and I would see no reason to upgrade yet because you more than likely won't see a difference in your game.  Maybe throw some new grips on them and now that your swing is semi-repeatable get a fitting to make sure they're right for your swing.

But if you want new irons, buy them.  Just don't expect a brand new set of irons to instantly improve your game.

Ah, shit, that's EXACTLY what I expect them to do.

Di7s are fairly new irons.  IMO, as long as they are fitted to you I dont think you would see much of a change with brand new irons.

* Are your current irons holding back your game? If so, in what way?

* What performance features do you want from new irons?

Caution: New irons won't help your game much if you have an unstable swing. A pro can tell you if you have any major swing flaws - you already be aware of some. New clubs won't help much if you don't overcome major flaws.

Also, improving short game and hitting more fairways from tee will get you under 90 quicker than a good iron game will. Plus, you'll have a better iron game if you get more drives at least into the first cut of rough.

You might pay $50 for an irons fitting: Hit some baseline shots with your Di7 set, and then compare other iron/shaft combinations. Do other irons and shafts give you better trajectory, distance, and spin? Even if you don't buy this year, you could keep the launch monitor print-outs as a reference for future iron choices.

I was where you are a few years ago, so here was my experience and a few thoughts you may want to consider.

I would echo WUTiger and ask "are your clubs holding you back"?

Another question I would ask is:  What is the weakest part of your game?  Are you losing stokes off the tee, from 3-putts, from your short game (100 and in)?

Something else to think about is... if you're going from game improvement clubs to another set of game improvement clubs, what's the difference.  But if you go from game improvement clubs to players clubs, you could notice a drop in your game.  A few years back I switched from game improvement clubs to Mizuno Mp-33s (blades) and my game fell apart for a few months.  Once I fixed my swing, my game was back to normal but didn't improve and was inconsistent at times.  From there I went to the MP-52s which are in between the two, and from there I dropped several strokes off of my game.

I learned that clubs can make a difference, but only the right clubs and the most important factor was fixing my swing and focusing on improving the weaker areas of my game.

Hope this helps a little, and good luck taking it to the next level!

Thanks everyone, it all helps in the decision making.

My driving is "good" ie 220 yds and hit say 9/14. My woods are "ok" ie 190 yds with 5w, 180 with 19o hybrid. And my short game is (i think) quite good.

The irons are my down fall (ie second and third shots) hence possible change.

I like the Di7s but they were not fitted  - just seemed ok. I am of the opinion that new clubs, properly fitted, might help.

My choice will be between Ci9s and Mizuno something such as JPX or MP line. Going to a Mizuno Demo day this coming Friday.

Keep you posted.

Do not fix what ain't broke.....

I know countless people who have upgraded to higher quality irons and seen tremendous improvements almost immediately.

As long as the irons fit you I'd stay with them... if they don't either get them adjusted or get a set fit to you.

I did the demo day and what emerged was that with my "modest" swing speed a graphite shaft would be the real benefit ilo steel.

Then its a question of 55 or 65 weight. My lie angle should be changed and possibly longer shaft too.

Still lots of questions - mainly whether the club head design is more critical than the shaft. If not then maybe best to just change the shaft.

I upgraded my driver shaft some time ago and now getting 20 extra yards.

The benefit is a combination of lie, length and shaft.  If the lie was off and the shaft could be improved it might be worth a change.

You might want to make sure you have taken some lessons and your swing is not going to change radically.

I followed a similar path and bought new irons and driver and am very happy with the change.  From what you have said you changed driver shafts and are now hitting it 230-240?  If you are still hitting it 220 that does not line up with your 5 iron distance.

I am also confused by your hybrid 5 iron distances, the hybrid should go further.

my driver goes 240, 3 wood 210, 5wood 190, 19* hybrid 180, 21* hybrid 170, 4iron 160, 5i 150, 6i 140,7i 130, 8i 120, 9i 110

as you can see I struggle to reach longish par 4s in 2

which is ok as I am not the most natural golfer

If you are getting 240 from the driver I find your iron distances short.  My driver is 240 and my 5 iron is 180.  Your current irons are good, I might question the shaft on them.

I would take the money you want to spend on clubs and get a few lessons.  I bet you have power robbing swing flaws.  Do you have a really high ball flight?

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Currently using Titleist 822OS (2001-2002) that I inherited and now down to an 18 handicap, I want to upgrade.

These are the irons I'm considering:

- Titleist AP1
- Titleist AP2
- Ping G25
- Ping G20
- Mizuno JPX 825
- Mizuno JPX EZ
- Mizuno JPX Pro

Should I be considering the AP2 and JPX Pro Irons at my level? I'm aware they're more aimed at the lower handicaps, but was thinking it would be good to 'grow' into a set so I don't have to change if I get to single handicap figures.

Be good to get some feedback!

Interesting development. I have bought a set of Ci11 Wilson Staffs fitted with graphite shaft.

Now my distances are 4i/180yds, 5i/170, 6/160, 7/150, 8/140, 9/130, P/120 which is much better than before.

Problem is these irons are slightly offset which has thrown my direction off-line. Tending to pull/hook rather than slice.

Anyone with ideas on how to deal with this ?