Creating a Blended Set

[Spackler-esque]

Well, after talking about doing it for months, I started building my new blended set today. I can't do it all at once (money) and that makes a blended set so much more attractive, aside from just being the smart play for someone like me.

3-4 Mizuno MX-200 (ordered today)
5-7 Mizuno MP-52
8-P Mizuno MP-6*

Lofts are being bent to make a constant progression throughout the set. Dynamic Gold SL shafts (S).

Still debating the relative merits of the 62 versus the 67 as I've always liked blades in my short irons and have never had trouble hitting them through two previous blended sets.

Throw in either a 2h or another wedge and I'll be happy until it's time to upgrade the driver. And the fairway wood. And then the wedges. And then the putter...

[rebby]

Looks like a good set of sticks. If I were to go blended however, I'd just get of set of Titleist ZB's, 2-P, and call it day. I think that Titleist did a fantastic job with this set.

[PiKapp23]

I've never had the nerve to purchase a set that way. Is it easy to get the Mizuno clubs that way? I love the clubs you are talking about and would really like to blend the MX-200 irons with MP-52's. I was just messing with the the 200's, 52s and 62s again yesterday (it's an every weekend thing to go to golf store and hit them all on simulator until I'm worn out). I would probably try 5-6 or 7 in MX-200, with the rest in MP-52, although I'd have to research lofts more carefully (I think the 52/62 irons are weaker lofts).

[Stacey_E]

Great idea. I've already started to do the same thing, sorta. But I wish all my brands were the same. I was never a big Cobra fan, but I like what they are doing lately and I think I'm gonna go the Cobra route. For now, I think I'm gonna build it like this....

4 hybrid DWS 23* (already have it and love it)

5 & 6 iron S9 II (already have the 6. Bought a demo and love it. The feel is awesome for a cast and SGI club)

7-pw in FP II - but my delima is I'm thinking about using the 7 from the S9 II. The 7 is kinda an odd club for me. I hit it OK but I'd like to hit it way high. I still haven't tried the FP II. I'll decide after I do.

And I'll keep my Vokey's another season. The 250.08 has very little wear. The SM 55.13 is getting worn but I love this thing and I'm not sure if I wanna switch out yet. I might bend it back to a 56.14 and pick up a new SM 62*. I haven't hit my current 60* even once in 5 or more rounds. But I love my X-Forged 64*. I might Just bend it strong. That'd give me a 44.5, 50, 56, 62 setup. If I go that route I might add a 20* DWS back in the bag. I had one before and got rid of it for some weird reason.

So that'd be:

17* 5+ wood (Callaway)
20* DWS
23* DWS
25.5* S9 II
28.5* S9 II
32.5* FP II
36.5* FP II
40.5* FP II
44.5* FP II
50* Vokey Tour Chrome
56* Vokey SM
62* Vokey SM (maybe)

Maybe I can get a Cobra/Titleist endorsement? But only for 11 clubs. I don't like their drivers, can't afford a Cameron and love my Callaway 5+ wood.

[Spackler-esque]

Is it easy to get the Mizuno clubs that way?

I've never tried to do it at big box stores. I know it's doable online through TGW. And the two small golf shops I've been in about it said it was no problem and that they often help people build mixed sets, especially of Mizunos. (I like supporting local establishments as long as their prices are competitive.)

I would probably try 5-6 or 7 in MX-200, with the rest in MP-52, although I'd have to research lofts more carefully (I think the 52/62 irons are weaker lofts).

The lofts are different with the 200s being modern and the 52/62s being more traditional. My advice would be to check the standard lofts and write them down side-by-side with your desired lofts. Makes it a lot easier to keep what needs to be bent how much straight for me.

Good luck!

[Jonny Cab]

Looks like a very nice set. Why not go with hybrid(s) instead of 3 and/or 4 irons? Also, if you're looking at MP-6*s, have you tried MP-60s?

FWIW, I have 20/23 degree Mizuno CLK hybrids to go with 5-PW MP-60s (DGS300), and love the set-up.

[jcrob902]

If you go to tgw.com they'll tell you the lofts and lie angles and you can compare them side by side so you'll know what you need to bend them to get them to match the gaps before you go buy, or if you do it online then you'll have your info to plug in.

[Spackler-esque]

My thinking with going 3/4 irons instead of hybrids is kind of a mixed bag. In general I have a higher ball flight, so I don't need the hybrids help with that. I prefer a 4 iron to a hybrid; feel and consistency instead of more distance. IMO it's a toss up between the 3 iron and the hybrid, especially in GI clubs.

Now, I want to get a 2 hybrid (19*) eventually and a 52* Vokey. That would give my bag more options where two of the three clubs (2h, 3i, 52*) would be in depending on the setup of the course I'd be playing.

Ideally I'd have:
9.5*
15*
19* Yet to be determined hybrid (909H, CLK, or Nickent, maybe?)
21/24 MX 200
28/32/36 MP 52
40/44/48 MP 6*
52/56/60 Vokeys

I'm trying to build a versatile set here. Only time will tell if it actually works out. If not, I can always buy more clubs!

...

Why do I feel that buying will continue regardless? Oops!

[denver_nuggs_15]

Ideally I'd have: 9.5* 15* 19* Yet to be determined hybrid (909H, CLK, or Nickent, maybe?) 21/24 MX 200 28/32/36 MP 52 40/44/48 MP 6* 52/56/60 Vokeys

It looks like a cool set-up, but you'd have to figure out which club to drop on certain days. You could also try a Mizuno MP-T or MP-R as your 48*. I think they only come in 47*, so you'd just have to get it bent a degree.

I think you may run into a relatively large distance gap between your 4 and 5 and your 7 and 8. Generally, game improvement designs go farther than "players" clubs. It happens regardless of loft. (Golf Magazine did a study that compared three 30-32* clubs - SGI, GI, and Players. SGI went like 8 or 10 yards farther with only a degree stronger loft.) Mixed sets have always been interesting to me. I've always wanted to make one, but I don't think I'd mix three sets.

[Jonny Cab]

Cool; sounds like you've done a fair bit of thinking about this. I have a high ball flight too, but carry the hybrid instead of the 4 iron to get out of trouble. Just thinking that as a mid-handicapper, I end up trying to minimize damage from bad shots.

Also, for some, one consideration might be to account for resale value of whatever you buy in case you decide to shift to something else later. Many don't care - they just want to play whatever works best. Yeah, and you can always buy more clubs.

Good luck!

[Spackler-esque]

I think you may run into a relatively large distance gap between your 4 and 5 and your 7 and 8. Generally, game improvement designs go farther than "players" clubs.

This is another reason why I'm taking my time putting the set together. It's entirely possible that I might end up going with 52s further down the set. Or get the 200s bent to 22 and 25, respectively, to fall in line with "traditional" lofts. And if I go with 62s after the 52s, I don't think there will be too much difference in distance gaps.

The nice thing about doing this with Mizunos is that they're all forged so if I need to adjust lofts it's not much of an issue. The local shop already told me as long as I buy the mixed set from them that they'll bend them free of charge if I feel the gaps are off.

I don't think I'd mix three sets

Think of it like having hybrids and then a mixed set below. It makes sense then, so why not with a SGI/GI border followed by a GI and then a GI/Players or a Players iron?

[denver_nuggs_15]

Think of it like having hybrids and then a mixed set below. It makes sense then, so why not with a SGI/GI border followed by a GI and then a GI/Players or a Players iron?

Good point. However, I only carry a 3h (and I might carry a 2h in the future). There's going to be larger distance gaps with your stronger clubs anyway. For whatever reason, I don't know, but distance gaps are larger with your longer clubs.

But a large gap between my 7 and 8 irons would be tough for me. I use those clubs a lot on the course. Having to cut a 7 in or hit a hard 8 would just complicate things IMO. Full and 'regular' shots are easier. I don't know how much of a gap you'd get, but if they'll bend it for you then it doesn't matter.

[i-Guy]

Looks like a good set of sticks. If I were to go blended however, I'd just get of set of Titleist ZB's, 2-P, and call it day. I think that Titleist did a fantastic job with this set.

I have to agree...also seeing that you currently play Titleist irons...I thought about the ZB's long and hard before going with the ZM's...I am even thinking about getting the ZB 3 iron to finish out my set of irons (see sig)...good luck with what ever you decide...

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[hamletsdead]

I mixed up my MP 57s and 67s -- 4-7 with the 57s, 8-PW with the 67s. I'm liking it a lot.