Jump to content
IGNORED

Looking to "downgrade" my irons to something more forgiving for $400 or less - help?


Note: This thread is 3968 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Title says it all. I started playing in 2008 with a $110 or so set of Wilson clubs. I upgraded to TaylorMade RAC LTs after a couple years, and they're just not right for me.

I've looked at some of the following online (in the right price range). I'm going to be driving down by a few big golf stores in the next couple weeks and plan on trying to hit something, but I wanted to be able to narrow down what I was looking for before doing that.

Do you guys have some recommendations on a set of relatively forgiving irons that might fit for me? I'm a relatively short hitter with a typically low shot trajectory (impacted by the current set of irons also). I shoot in the mid 90s on the courses around here (low 6k yard range). If there's anything else that's helpful, just ask.

Thanks in advance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


The LT's are good clubs, very suitable for mid handicaps. I had good success with them. But, yes, there are many more forgiving irons available. In my hoing experience, the best were Top Flite Tour 2003 and Cleveland Quadpro. Both have minimal offset, fairly thin top line, and larger face. If you can find them, they are bargains for less than $200.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


If you are looking for $400 or less your options are pretty much confined to used irons. Anything in the Ping G-series will be a high launching, forgiving iron. Check out ping.com for a static fitting and to determine which color code iron you should get, and head over to ebay to check out your options. That's what I would do anyway.

Also, if you hit the ball low, think about getting regular shafts or graphite shafts rather than stiff steel (not sure if applicable, but I have made this mistake in the past).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

If you are interested in sticking with TaylorMade, you can probably find a set of RBZ irons (last years model) for about $400-450. They are on clearance just about everywhere now that the RocketBladez are the hot seller.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Didn't see how to edit my post, so here's a double.

The G15s are used on ebay for a very reasonable price. Strongly considering those, due to the cheaper price from being (what I assume anyway) a year older.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by gsu_paintballer

...Do you guys have some recommendations on a set of relatively forgiving irons that might fit for me? I'm a relatively short hitter with a typically low shot trajectory (impacted by the current set of irons also). I shoot in the mid 90s on the courses around here (low 6k yard range). If there's anything else that's helpful, just ask. ...

RAC LT irons have a rating as a Game Improvement iron (using the three Golf Diges t categories), definitely not Super Game Improvement. What shaft do your RACs have? What is your clubhead speed? Getting the right shafts for your swing is just as important as getting the right head design.

Also, have you had any lessons? Is your swing fairly stable? You might have a pro check out your swing, make sure you don't have any "wobbles" you could clean up easily.

If you could go up a little in price, you could get fitted for irons. The fitting should be free if you get new irons (no one has owned them before - doesn't have to be new 2013 model). If you buy used irons, a golf shop may or may not charge for the fitting - you'd just have to ask around.

Otherwise, you may spend $400 for another set of irons that doesn't work.

Ask your friends who does good fittings in your area. Let us know what you find.

Also, SGI irons are not a downgrade if they help you hit the ball better and start breaking 90.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Well, I think you can find XHot or XHot Pros in the stock shaft in 5-PW for around $450. 6-PW is less and you can add a 5i later Call discountsdansgolf for a quote

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Originally Posted by WUTiger

RAC LT irons have a rating as a Game Improvement iron (using the three Golf Digest categories), definitely not Super Game Improvement. What shaft do your RACs have? What is your clubhead speed? Getting the right shafts for your swing is just as important as getting the right head design.

Also, have you had any lessons? Is your swing fairly stable? You might have a pro check out your swing, make sure you don't have any "wobbles" you could clean up easily.

If you could go up a little in price, you could get fitted for irons. The fitting should be free if you get new irons (no one has owned them before - doesn't have to be new 2013 model). If you buy used irons, a golf shop may or may not charge for the fitting - you'd just have to ask around.

Otherwise, you may spend $400 for another set of irons that doesn't work.

Ask your friends who does good fittings in your area. Let us know what you find.

Also, SGI irons are not a downgrade if they help you hit the ball better and start breaking 90.

Shafts on the irons are Dynamic Gold S300.

I took a golf class in college that was completely worthless. It was basically just hitting range balls with some basic instruction each day. In other words - I drilled my bad swing into my head over the course of that semester. I've actually been meaning to ask around about who I can go to here for lessons that would be reasonable.

As for the "downgrade" comment, that's why I put it in quotes. I guess in terms of price it's a downgrade, but if it's better for me I certainly don't consider it one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


FWIW......if you play better with them, it's not a downgrade no matter what anyone says! :-)

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Originally Posted by gsu_paintballer

Shafts on the irons are Dynamic Gold S300.

These are moderately stiff shafts, and fairly heavy (about 125 grams each). Both of these factors would contribute to lower swing speed, and not getting enough shaft spring to get the ball up.

But, you don't know for sure until you get a lesson, and some launch monitor data on what shaft you need. Most golf shops have fitting carts from the club manufacturers. The fitter can put different types of shafts into the same test heads to see which clubheads + shafts will work for you.

There's also a possibility the RACs + S300 might work OK if you had a swing glitch you could clear up.

Again, try lesson + launch monitor to get a better idea.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Golfsmith is selling TM Burner Plus iron sets, 4-PW+GW for $299, TM Burner 2.0 HP (eg shiny) 4-PW+GW for $349. I'd say you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal on on some pretty well liked easy-to-hit clubs than that. Price is right, Golfsmith is reliable, etc

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 3968 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...