Indroduce Myself - Also, what IRONS should I buy?

[ScottL]

Hi, first off Id like to introduce myself. My name is Scott and Im 29 years old. I just recently picked up the game of golf about a year and half ago. I live in Mansfield, Texas and there are plenty of courses close to me. Because I work and have a wife and 2 kids, I do not get to play nearly as much as I would like too. In the year and half Iv been playing, I would guess I have played 15-20 times total. But just recently have decided to devote a little more time to my game and try to improve.

Now I will not claim to be any good, but I will claim to be very legit. I try and play as straight as possible. Even if I consistantly shoot triple digits, at least Im not cheating myself.

That being said, I need some work. Im pretty inconsistant to be honest. My best score ever was 94, but I seem to shoot 100-105 on average. That is until about 2 months ago. The last 3 times I have played I have been all over the place shooting 110-117. Not sure what is going on, but i have a NASTY hook. I hit my wedges (60* and 54* Callaway X wedges) and my PW, 9 irons (Nike Slingshots) great!! Inside 100 yards Im money with the best of them. But anything longer than my 9 iron and here comes the hook. Its getting VERY FRUSTRATING...

There is a PGA superstore not too far from me and I have a lesson scheduled for tomorrow. Then gonna go hit the course with a buddy of mine, so stay tuned!!


Now thats pretty much my background...... heres my question. Im thinking of getting some new irons. I currently am still using the first set that I bought a year and half ago. They are Nike Slingshot OSS with stiff graphite shafts. I was told they were great for begineers. But I think its a mental thing or something, but looking down on these HUGE club heads is distracting to me or something. I want something "thinner"... Iv been looking online and at stores and kinda narrowed it down to a few I like the look of, but havent actually swung a single club... Im open to any and all suggestions from keeping what I have to suggesting another club... Like I said, I just think its mental with me and these clubs...

here are few I like:
Callaway X22
Taylor Made CGB Max R7

I really like the look of the Callaway X Forged, Nike Forged, Mizuno blades, etc.... but I was told they would be bad for me until I get into 80s on consistant basis... Im not really trying to find a professional tour club to help me fade, etc.... I just want to hit it straight!!! LOL

[poppy]

You can never go wrong with a good set of mizunos.

[Snake]

IMO, the problem isn't your clubs, it's probably your swing. So you're on the right track by getting a lesson (or lessons). That should help more than new clubs, unless your current clubs aren't fit properly. Now if you're buying new clubs just because you want to, then go for it. There are a bunch of great iron sets on the market. Try as many as you can, pick the ones you like best and get them fitted.

[ScottL]

i have no doubt my problem is my swing. Im not blaming the clubs one bit. But like you said, I kinda just want something new. But most of all, I want something that is thinner when I look down. These things are so big, its hard to properly align my shot. Not that its a big deal now because of my hook. LOL, but when I do start hitting it straight, will be hard to aim straight with these...

what exactly does it mean to get fitted? What do they do to the clubs to make them "fitted" for me? When doing this, will they let you hit different clubs to see what you like? Im basically just going on what I think looks good as of right now.

[Snake]

Just about any golf shop will include a free fitting when you buy new clubs. A basic fitting will involve taking some measurements and adjusting the length and lie of the clubs accordingly. A better fitting will also include measuring your swing speed to determine which shaft flex is best for you. I'm sure the PGA Superstore does all of this, so ask your instructor about it when you go to your lesson. I need to go to that PGA Superstore sometime - I've heard nothing but good things about it.
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Here's a page that talks about club fitting: Club Fitting

[ScottL]

did some custom fitting things online this morning from a few different websites and they all said the same thing according to my height, floor to wrist, etc etc....

regular flex
steel
normal lie


that being said, im sure custom done at PGA still better, but gives me an idea where im going.... right now I have graphite and stiff.

[misty_mountainhop]

I'm with you on the whole "I don't like looking down at a dinner plate" thing when it comes to irons.

Sounds like you're on the right lines with a lesson but get some drills to practice and go practice them. Golf is nothing if it isn't a game which rewards (sensible) practice.

As for blades not rewarding "beginners", I come from an era when (except for Ping Karsten and Eye) irons were _only_ blades. Personally, I think they're better in the long term but they do require the practice to groove your swing so you strike the ball consistently.

Mizuno make some very nice irons, I love my current MacGregors (1025M), Titleist make some good ones, can't fault many of Ping's and they range from some quite extreme offset irons to more of a blade style....lots to choose from!

[ScottL]

played yesterday with a buddy and did MUCH better. Score wasnt great, but overall ball striking was probably one of my best ever games. I think I FINALLY figured a few things out... (shot 102, 3 pars, 42 putts though).

and I bought some new clubs today.... Adams A3, steel, stiff flex.... gonna go play again on Saturday.... I want 90s on consistent basis!!!