New clubs for a mid to high handicapper

[skates]

Hey guys, just registered for the boards today. I was doing a search for a good golf forum and this came up so hopefully i will be around a lot. Ok so we can start with the beginning i played golf in High School my senior year we played 9 hole matches and i was mid to high 40s. I am now currently a sophomore in college and I joined the golf team here. It is the end of the season, I started the season in the 100s as I hadn't played in two years or so and now I am mostly in the 90s. I just had a basic starter club set of acuity irons. Now i am looking for an iron set for around 500 dollars. I was wondering what you guys thought would be the best for me. I have been looking around and liked the Callaway X-20 and X-22s and then the big bertha 2008s. I was also looking at the R7 from taylormade and clubs along those lines. Any help would greatly be appreciated and if this is in the wrong part of the forums then im sorry. Thanks again

[Shindig]

Welcome to the boards. You've told us where you are, but now, where are you planning to go? How often will you practice? How often will you play? And how well do you hit your current irons?

There's a difference in irons for someone with a 26 handicap looking to play to that handicap and irons for someone with a 26 handicap who will be practicing and playing regularly and might be a 16 a year from now, and won't want to switch irons at that time. (Note: I was about a 26 a year ago and am a 16 now, so this isn't completely unheard of).

[skates]

I can see how that information would be helpful.
As stated I am 26 handicap or so, i want to be in the 80s mostly on the lower end but that might be wishful thinking. I have played a lot during the fall season for school more than I have ever played before and I plan on getting a membership at my home course and playing a lot during the summer. I would like to be able to purchase an iron set where it helps me now but I will not have to buy another iron set once I get into the 80s range.

[clearwaterms]

i can't offer any specific advice, but maybe some things to *think* about.

do you still have all the original clubs? ie, starter set driver, starter set putter?
have you added any extra clubs? extra wedges, fairway woods, hybrids?
have you ever taken a lesson?
are you interested in getting fitted?

the reason I ask is, that you might find a better improvement with your $500 buying a new driver, putter and a couple of wedges to improve your game off the tee and in the "scoring" area.

also, a new bag, while it might not improve your game, might improve your enjoyment of it.

[skates]

I have the original irons, i have changed putter, driver, woods/hybrid. I haven't added any other clubs wedges wise. I am looking at another wedge as i have a 48 and 56 right now that i have good confidence when i hit them. I have not taken a lesson and i am 5'9-5'10 and whenever i ask people tell me its a waste of money to get fitted with that height. Is that correct? On a different note i hit my 3 wood very well and I love the hybrid that I have, I cant hit my driver or I should say some days i love my driver and other days I look like i never played the game before. I swing down on the ball and that carries over when I hit the driver so that doesn't help me to much.

[Shindig]

I have the original irons, i have changed putter, driver, woods/hybrid. I haven't added any other clubs wedges wise. I am looking at another wedge as i have a 48 and 56 right now that i have good confidence when i hit them. I have not taken a lesson and i am 5'9-5'10 and whenever i ask people tell me its a waste of money to get fitted with that height. Is that correct? On a different note i hit my 3 wood very well and I love the hybrid that I have, I cant hit my driver or I should say some days i love my driver and other days I look like i never played the game before. I swing down on the ball and that carries over when I hit the driver so that doesn't help me to much.

There is a huge variance in people, even among your height. At the very least, flex and lie angles should be fitted - many manufacturers will do this for free. Ping and Mizuno come to the top of my mind of companies that will come to you to get you fit for them. Not to your house, but to your course or golf shop. If you can get properly fit equipment at no extra cost, I suggest it!

And I know I keep asking *you* questions, but I'm going somewhere with this. What hybrid(s) are you using, loft-wise? And are you interested in a full set of irons, or just, say, 5-P?

[skates]

I have a 3hybrid it is the acuity one but i seem to hit it very well and have a lot of confidence in it when i do hit it. I was looking for something like 4-SW or something along those lines.

And thanks for the help on the fitting I will have to look into that.

[Shindig]

I have a 3hybrid it is the acuity one but i seem to hit it very well and have a lot of confidence in it when i do hit it. I was looking for something like 4-SW or something along those lines.

Keep the hybrid you like. If you're looking to get a club you'll keep into the low-80s, consider a Players' Iron, although one with a cavity back, such as a Ping i10 or Mizuno MP-52. I know the i10s have 4-SW available in the same set, while the Mizunos don't. The problem is that if you aren't currently a decent iron striker, you're in for a sharp learning curve. I don't know how well you hit your current irons.

If you would prefer a game improvement iron in a decent price range, I've seen Cobra FPs (*not* S9s - those are SGI) going for under $500 for 4-AW. I don't know offhand if they have a sand wedge in that make.

[m11]

I'm partial to the r7's. They provide plenty of forgiveness while still being fun to play for when you improve.

[Stacey_E]

I'd stongly recommend that you at least try to demo the Taylormade R7s. They should work down to a single digit handicap for you. You can get them new in steel shafts, 4-AW for $500. Golfsmith runs 15% off sales every month or so. That gets you down to $425 or so for brand new! I really like these clubs and have been tempted at every sale to pick them up. They have a moderate size and offset.

[skates]

thanks guys, i will have to go shopping around and check out the r7s

[skates]

One more quick question maybe not so quick but
whats the differences between the r7s and the 2009 burner plus irons?
And is it personal preference or is one better than the other?
thanks

[schapman]

Anyone here tried the Adams IDEA a3?

Guy at my local store (who was probably the most helpful sales guy I've run across in ages) recommended them for me.

They're $550 right now (steel shaft for the irons) and they did get a Gold award from golf digest for whatever that means.

I haven't played in about 10 years and just started up this year again (only got in 3 rounds before having surgery which has held me off on playing for a while). I'm looking to get a decent set to replace the hand me downs from the wifes dad/grandfather which are an inconsistent set of clubs ranging from probably 5-30 years old.