Iron Selection

I am new to this site so just thought I would post this thread and see how this works. I am about a 15-16 handicap. I have been playing for a little over 3 years with no lessons. I currently play a JPX-800 set of irons and I am looking at either the Nike VR Pro Combo or Nike VR Pro Blades. Has any played this and what do you think for someone with a handicap of mine. Thanks for any advice.

I just recently picked up the VR Pro Combo's, and I love them.  I tried hitting both them and the blades, and the blades were a definite no go, at least for me.  Very unforgiving, like most all blades are.  The Pro Combo though is phenomenal.  The forgiveness of the Long irons is great, the mid irons play close to blades in shot shaping, but still have the forgiveness, and the low iron blades are killer, especially 160 yards and in for me.  It's crazy because I switch back and forth between Nike PD Soft balls and Titleist Pro V1x balls, and with my last set of irons on the PD's I could never get them to check on the green, and the Pro V would check some.  With the Pro Combo blades I get the PD to now check in 1 bounce, and the Pro V to hit the green and immediately spin back.  Blades are nice looking and all, but the forgiveness you get with the long and mid irons is sweet with the Pro Combo.  I say go Pro Combo.

Did you hit the VR S Forged Irons as well? I hear those are good also. I am currently on deployment out in the ocean so just trying to get feedback. I am a huge Nike fan so that is why I am switching.

Have not tried those, but I'm sure they're sweet. The only irons that I would say are killer this year are the TaylorMade irons, the tour preferred or R11 irons. I hit those maybe a bit better off the shelf, but couldn't find a deal on any of them like my Nike's.

If you don't mind me asking....whats your handicap?

Ive hit the forged vrs and the velocity reds. blades are tough if you have a high handicap because its got such a small sweet. spot on the other hand, if you get something like what i have which is the Razr X Blacks. the cavity gives it a little forgiveness on mishits. keep in mind it does mask how fundamentaly bad your swing is though. so make sure you are still keeping an eye on that to get better, while getting some extra distance with a set of irons that has a decent size cavity but not so big that you dig the club like the RBZ irons.

Isnt the VRS Forged irons somewhat of a cavity back?

The VRS forged are game improvement irons through and through. They're forged, but have plenty of cavity and strong lofts.

The VR Pro blades are blades, the VR Pro Combo are a blade/half cavity/pocket cavity combo set, and the VR Pro Cavity is last year's model aimed at the same market as the VRS Forged, JPX825 Pro, etc.

The Pro Combo is a nice set, but it takes some ability to hit and the long irons aren't that forgiving. You probably won't be happy with the Blades unless you're willing to work a bit. I suggest the VRS Forged Or VR Cavity, possibly the combos if you want to reach. But the JPX800 you're playing aren't even in the same universe as blades. They're shovels and launch a lot higher, do yourself a favor and don't go straight to blades. At least hit them before you spend the money.

Thank you for your advice....I was never going to go straight to blades lol. I was thinking the VR Pro CB or VRS Forged.

What are you hoping to change/improve by switching from the JPX800's?

What do you like about your current irons? What do you wish was better?

Here's a review I did on the VR.S Forged.

http://thesandtrap.com/products/nike-vr-s-forged-iron-set-4-thru-pw-aw-right-4-thru-pw-aw-nippon-n-s-pro-950gh-ht-steel-regular

I liked these irons. If you have decent clubhead speed, however, I would avoid the HT (high trajectory) shafts.

But, as RustyRedCab asked, what are you looking for in new irons?

Working the ball... IF you know how a golf swing works, you can hit a basic fade and draw with almost any iron. And, the JPX-800s is considered a Game Improvement iron, and with proper shaft would work well with a 15 HDCP.

More of a muscleback would help you mainly with keeping the ball lower when you wanted, provided you can regularly pull off the shot. And, as always, shaft also influences ball flight.

To improve your game, how many fairways a round do you hit? How often do you get up-and-down from near the green?

If you can afford to buy another set of irons - and want to - go for it. But, I doubt switching irons will help your game at its current stage.

Another reason I was looking at these is because I am looking at switching to Nike...what Nike irons would be comparable to the JPX-800?