Best players' irons?

[not yet satisfied]

I hate the G5s I bought. They're useless and like shovels. My TA5 irons from the stone age are longer and less forgiving..every shot I hit with the G5, if hit square, was a draw. Distance was meh, and height wasn't inspiring. So much bounce I couldn't take a divot for a while..rubbish clubs in every way.


SO, I went to ye olde golf store and hit some forged clubs..I brushed the mat a little more than usual due to no warm up and no glove..but man, they felt sweet. I hit a few Mizunos, the PING i10 (cast) and the Callaway x-forged..

The shovel G5 forgives you entirely if you don't catch it pure, maybe too much help, especially considering everything was a draw unless it was badly missed..I just felt completely out of sync and couldn't feel the clubhead at all whatsoever.

I was reminded of a time when I had a new set of Ben Hogan Apex Plus irons, which forced you to swing well in order to hit them..as for feedback on the G5 I didn't even know where I was hitting it until I looked at the grass marks..out on the toe. Irons are supposed to be all about purity and deadly accuracy, not for you to swing as hard as you can and to let your shovel do the work.

So, I'm really feeling the Mizuno, since it's not chinese shit and because they're forged from 1 solid steel bar..they're supposed to feel the best of anything, and while I haven't had a chance to hit them that long, I liked what I felt and I like the fact that they're all still Japanese, (if I'm wrong correct me!) and still based on the fact that irons are all about feel and placement, not forgiveness over everything.

Also, I love the look of the Callaway X-Forged, that's a depature considering I hate Callaway clubs..
I was talking to the man at the golf store and he said the draw/low traj was likely due to shaft stiffness and not the offset/strong loft/light head weight.. I kind doubt it since I have a strong, fast swing..I think it was due to the fact that the clubs are horribly light/offset/shovel shaped..my TA5s have a lot more head weight and stiff Rifle shafts, whereas the G5 has CS Lite S stiff shafts........

input welcome.

[golf_junkie27]

Quick questions for you. Did you have the clubs weighed and measured before purchasing? Did you have the flex checked? The reason I ask is that, sometimes, the shafts don't play to the stiffness, listed. Also, if the swingweights are off, you might have a club not suited to your advanced skill set. This happened to me with my MP32s and Titleist Driver. Both were wayyyyyyyyyyyyy off. Having them checked and fixed were worth it.

[Ben]

I'm with you on the idea of probably never thinking of owning a set of Callaway irons years past, but, I am IN LOVE with my X Forged. I went from Hogan Apex blades to these about 3 months ago and couldn't be any happier. The feel off the club, the shapeability, the look of them at address. Purely fantastic. If you are in no rush, my Callaway guy tells me there is a new X-Forged due out within a few months. He was supposed to bring all the new goodies (FT-9, FT-q driver, X Forged and X22s) by today but didn't show up. Maybe tomorrow. I will be taking pictures...

[Big_M]

I'm with you on the idea of probably never thinking of owning a set of Callaway irons years past, but, I am IN LOVE with my X Forged. I went from Hogan Apex blades to these about 3 months ago and couldn't be any happier. The feel off the club, the shapeability, the look of them at address. Purely fantastic. If you are in no rush, my Callaway guy tells me there is a new X-Forged due out within a few months. He was supposed to bring all the new goodies (FT-9, FT-q driver, X Forged and X22s) by today but didn't show up. Maybe tomorrow. I

good... there should be a serious price drop on the old Callaway stuff soon

[not yet satisfied]

Quick questions for you. Did you have the clubs weighed and measured before purchasing? Did you have the flex checked? The reason I ask is that, sometimes, the shafts don't play to the stiffness, listed. Also, if the swingweights are off, you might have a club not suited to your advanced skill set. This happened to me with my MP32s and Titleist Driver. Both were wayyyyyyyyyyyyy off. Having them checked and fixed were worth it.

GJ, I didn't. Golf USA was supposed to do a fitting I learned after I bought the clubs.

I've never owned a set of Mizuno irons but I've always hated Titleist clubs, I tried a 975J S300 driver that I found in excellent shape for $40, and despised it. Titleist in general has felt dead to me, but with the limited experience I've had w/ Mizuno has been positive. The guy at the other GUSA location offered to put me through the swingspeed/flex analysis so I'll give it a shot..I have a feeling I'll be moving to player's irons again, they keep me interested and make me focus on contact and purity. I was about a 7-8 handicap when I went on a hiatus, my swing is basically all there, I gotta knock some rust off and go play, but it won't be with the PINGs. These irons are for someone who has serious issues hitting it fat and right.

[not yet satisfied]

I'm with you on the idea of probably never thinking of owning a set of Callaway irons years past, but, I am IN LOVE with my X Forged. I went from Hogan Apex blades to these about 3 months ago and couldn't be any happier. The feel off the club, the shapeability, the look of them at address. Purely fantastic. If you are in no rush, my Callaway guy tells me there is a new X-Forged due out within a few months. He was supposed to bring all the new goodies (FT-9, FT-q driver, X Forged and X22s) by today but didn't show up. Maybe tomorrow. I

Wow, thanks for the info Ben. I might wait a bit on them, try to pool up some more cash between now and my next set..the XF irons look amazing and when I hit with them I was impressed, but it was just indoors into a net..so we'll see what happens.

They do have a set for $475, the 7 has a rock ding in the sole and the 8 has some face wear..how are the heads holding up on your set?

[Ben]

Wow, thanks for the info Ben. I might wait a bit on them, try to pool up some more cash between now and my next set..the XF irons look amazing and when I hit with them I was impressed, but it was just indoors into a net..so we'll see what happens.

Fine so far, but I'm not the type of guy that bangs on balls all day long on the range, so my face wear is going to be minimal. Being forged you have to expect the normal bag wear too. Which, sadly, I am starting to see more and more.

[not yet satisfied]

Fine so far, but I'm not the type of guy that bangs on balls all day long on the range, so my face wear is going to be minimal. Being forged you have to expect the normal bag wear too. Which, sadly, I am starting to see more and more.

My Apex Plus aged like a thin skinned german woman with a smoking and drinking habit. I wore through the soles within 1.5 years..heavy rust on the soles and the faces..poorly made considering the cost. I love the sweet way the Callys look. It looks substantial enough to be comfortable with day in and out, but I admire Mizuno's commitment to quality and purity. Would you go for a like new set on callawaypreowned.com? I saw one for $679 in like new condition, with return policy (money back) and/or playability guarantee (full credit) within 90 days. Trouble is, I hate everything else Callaway as far as irons go. It's between 2 or 3 of the Mizunos, and these. Do you know where the Callaway XF irons are made?

[Ben]

My Apex Plus aged like a thin skinned german woman with a smoking and drinking habit.

I don't know where they are made off the top of my head, but I can find out.

Callawaypreowned is a great place to pick up a set, especially with a 90 day guarantee. That site is also a great testament to the resale value of Callaway's equipment, like BMW cars, they hold their value because they are so cherished. Like I mentioned earlier, I was never a Callaway iron fan, and never imagined ever using an iron set of theirs, but, now that I do and work at a club, I see other member's sets and have come to admire some of their old work. Particularly the X14s. I know a few low/mid guys at my club that still use them. The X20 Tours are pretty sweet too. Hell, Rocco Mediate has the standard X20s in his bag, and I use one as my 3 iron, so easy to hit. I truly believe Callaway has one of the more innovative R&D; teams in manufacturing these days. I've always been a fan of their drivers and fairway woods. They've hired on Roger Cleveland now designs the wedges, and I have a little "R" stamp on the hozzle of my irons, which are found on the wedges as well, indicating his design. Callaway is really pushing on breaking through on the low handicap market.

[joshtpa]

Its funny I played the Hogan Apex for years and never had a wear problem, and recently I went to cavity backs (about 6 months ago). I dont get the whole "I cant feel them thing". My playing partner has the G5s and they feel great. But again, that is all about preferences.

[kc8kir]

Did you try any of the Wilson Staff, Macgregor, or Cleveland players irons? I have heard good reviews of those.

Recently tried some V-Foil Forged blades from Macgregor. I normally don't play blades, but I honestly couldn't miss with those clubs. Unbelievable feel. Even off center hits were good, and were still smooth. I don't know how they did it with a muscleback, but those are sweet clubs.

Edwin Watts had them on sale, $199 a set last month. If they go on sale again, I am buying them.

[dragonflyin]

Mizuno is to irons what Scotty Cameron is to putters.

[tjy355]

I hate the G5s I bought...

JUST bought, right? Didn't you post that you bought these clubs FOUR DAYS AGO ??

I think you are right, you need some forged blades. You'll be a scratch in no time.

[tjy355]

Mizuno is to irons what Scotty Cameron is to putters.

You mean "over hyped and over priced?"

[dragonflyin]

You mean "over hyped and over priced?"

Ouch... :) If I had to choose between the two, I'd say over hyped. Although I think Camerons are more over hyped than Mizunos. Also, unfortunately, Mizuno irons don't appreciate in value like Cameron putters. You can get a decent set of used MP blades for well under $200. Even the new sets are on par with other brands. I actually meant in terms of performance and feel. Why else would there be a consistent pattern of low handicappers playing/appreciating Mizuno irons and SC putters?

[joshtpa]

^^^^
that is an opinion. I personally do not like the Mizuno irons I have tried. Really wanted to with all the great reviews, but they just didnt work for me. Many great players use other brands such as Titleist, Callaway, etc.. Mizunos are great clubs, but its different for every person.

[NM Golf]

I have Mizunos and I do like them a lot. I am changing though as I have decided to go with the Titleist ZM's with all the specs exactly how I want them.

You said you hate titleist clubs, that doesn't seem to fit. You want players clubs yet you dislike arguably the premier manufacturer of players clubs?

[not yet satisfied]

JUST bought, right? Didn't you post that you bought these clubs FOUR DAYS AGO ??

i'm going to the range later to be sure i hate them.