Deciding on New Irons

I'm sure this type if question gets asked a lot but I'm hoping you all can help me out. I'm about a bogey golfer (20 handicap) and I'm looking for some new irons. The set I have now are ten year old Big Berthas and they are pretty much falling apart. The issues with my game don't really come from ball striking/iron play too much (the occasional errant shot but everyone has those). Most of my problems come from the tee and inside 50 yards. As a result, I'm looking to get less of a GI iron than I'm currently playing with. I still need an iron with decent forgiveness but I'm looking for one that has a much smaller profile than the BBs (not hard to do). I typically play a fairly long ball and really only need 5-PW; I don't think I've ever played a 3 or 4 iron in a round. This year I purchased a membership and will be playing a lot for the first time since high school (played more rounds last week than in the previous two years) so I'm hoping to improve quite a bit and to get playing with the new irons ASAP. The other big concern is cost. I'll most likely be buying used online so sets that are readily available used at good prices would be a huge bonus. There is nowhere around where I live to demo any clubs so that's unfortunately not an option. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

First of all, let's take a look at the clubs you now have. The Big Bertha irons were a Super Game Improvement iron with a high-launch shaft. I tried out some BBs circa 2008 (before they went to sleep), and it just lofted the ball too high. Another Callaway iron of the time was the X20 - also SGI - but with a mid-launch Uniflex shaft that fit my swing better. I played the X20 for 2 years.

In your case, you probably want a GI - game improvement -  iron. These fall between SGI and Player's irons. But, if you have a membership and are playing more, buying online can be hit and miss. First, you don't get to hit the clubs ahead of time. If you don't like them, there's the return hassle.

And, if you do like them, chances are you will have to get them tweaked so they really fit your swing.

If you go through two or three sets of irons - and still have go get the "almost" set tweaked, you really haven't saved much money. Plus, you can waste a couple of seasons searching for irons hit and miss, rather than learning how to play with a set which fits.

By the way, where do you live that you can't demo clubs? Could  you contact a golf shop in a nearby city, and make an appointment to test out some irons? If you could find used clubs that fit, it might be worth the time and $$.

Just something to think about.

If you must buy online, consider Callaway PreOwned. They have a 90-day return policy on used clubs, if they don't work out for you.

I live in middle of nowhere Wyoming. The closest place to demo clubs is probably four or five hours from here.

Check out Mizuno JPX irons. Several to choose from- JPX 850, JPX Forged, JPX EZ, JPX EZ Forged. Am I missing any others?

They are the best game improvement irons on the market. Should be perfect for a 20 handicapper.

I realize it's a long trip for you but getting fit for irons will be beneficial and provide you with information you could use to make future purchase decisions unless your swing changes significantly from where it is today.

Mizuno and Ping offer some online capabilities to help fit you for clubs but you would need to have a pretty good idea of what your swing speed is to determine what shaft stiffness would be best.   You'd also want to try different shafts with the irons as they will impact the trajectory and dispersion of your shots.

Should one that is struggling with his game take a few lessons and spend time at the range before going for a fitting for new irons?

If I am mechanically wrong, will I continue to be mechanically screwed up with new irons, resulting in frustration and dissatisfaction with a new purchase, as well as losing confidence in the individual/place that did the fitting?  Just asking because I really need some help with this?

I am 66, playing with same clubs and shafts for last 10 years.  I know I have lost some speed and tempo so probably do not need Stiff Shafts any longer.   I can shoot 24 on first 4 holes, rattle off a couple of pars, then back to the bogey, double bogey train in an instant.

I guess I am searching for the steps in the process of moving to new irons.  I don't have any desire to shoot in the 70's because it is probably not realistic, but would like to be around 90 on a consistent basis....

The golf gurus say that at age 53, male golfers should reassess their irons and shaft flex. (It was in two different golf mags, so it must be true! )

I was where you are at by age 58. I was losing distance, and trying to press for extra yardage was messing up my swing tempo. I was getting over-the-top moves as I tried to reach for extra yardage.

Anyway, going back to regular flex shafts helped my yardage and my tempo. (My HDCP is the fault of my long clubs - twice last summer I hit all four par 3s in regulation, parred them, and couldn't break 90).

Also, shaft flex and shaft weight are in dynamic tension. Some people do better with a slightly heavier R-flex, while others do better with a lighter S-flex. A good clubfitter with a launch monitor can help you decide which head + shaft combo is best.

You might take a tuneup lesson before getting fitted for new irons, and then a tuneup lesson after you've played a few rounds with the irons.

And, don't forget to have fun playing golf -- it's allowed!

Strong believer in getting fit if you are playing a lot more and want to really improve.  The long drive is worth it as long as you are going to a reputable fitter who knows what they are doing.  A lot of folks out there claiming to be good fitters with a launch monitor and all, but many really do not know how to truly fit someone correctly.  Do some research and just take the plunge and go see someone.  Now, if you are just playing once in awhile and just need a newer set then I would just get a stock set to tie you over.  If you are looking for real quality, Mizuno is my personal preference.  The JPX series is an excellent quality game improvement iron.

I play the JPX 850 Forged. They're awesome sticks; long, great feel, easy to flight high and low.  That being said, no way are they GI clubs.  I wouldn't have wanted these when I was a 20 hdcp.  I don't find them anymore forgiving then the MP-54's or MP-15's.

I haven't hit the others, so might be good to take a look, but I'd stay away from the forged for now.

Yes, you are correct. Perhaps I should've said the JPX-EZ irons would be perfect for a 20 handicapper?