Club comparison. Looking for opinions.

[Paradigm]

Hey All, I've been trolling around this forum for a while now and figured it was time to join.
I have been golfing for roughly 4 years now but haven't really been serious about it until this season. Towards the end of the season I calculated my handicap to be around 18, which was a lot better than the 25+ it was when I stopped. I figured it was time to step up my game and get rid of the crappy starter clubs I own. I realize it's all a matter of preference and will only know until I test out some clubs but I was looking for some opinions.

Right now I am hitting some Dunlop Reactions (I know, lol) but was looking for a set to step it up with. I was looking for something a little closer to a players club than a SIG or a GI club. Right now these clubs have a moderate offset and an oversized face, but I was hoping to get something with less offset and a smaller face.
I know the issues I have and am pretty sure with a few things tweaked I can lower my handicap to about 14 off the bat after working on some things this winter. My question is, what do you guys reccommend as a good forgiving player-ish club (I know these are contradicting terms)?

I have a fairly quick swing speed. With my driver I have a ball speed of 140-150. I do not know my swing speed as the machine at Golf Town only displays ball speed. My irons are pretty long, ie. PW 125yds, 7I 170yds.

I was looking along the lines of the following:
TaylorMade R7 TP
TaylorMade Tour Preferred
Callaway X-20 TP (tested these out and wasn't too impressed tho)
Mizuno MX-200
Mizuno MPs

So far I am leaning to the Mizunos as I liked the feel of them, as well as the Tour preferred.

Any thought of how these irons would be for a 14ish handicapper or just in general?
Would I be able to continue using these clubs 5 years from now?

Any opinions are welcome.

[denver_nuggs_15]

Hey All, I've been trolling around this forum for a while now and figured it was time to join.

I would say go with the TaylorMades. Either one. I heard they are almost the same clubs, so feel would be very similar. They also have good shafts (Dynamic Golds or Project X's I think). They are more forgiving than Mizuno MP's. However, the new Mizuno MP-52 may match or exceed the forgiveness. I am not sure because I have not hit them yet.

The Mizzies and Taylors will last you for 5 years easily. Players on tour use those clubs. The MX-200 may not grow with you as your handicap drops. If you don't like the X-20 Tours, don't look at them. I would also give Titleist and PING a chance as well. The AP2s were sweet when I hit them, but not as good as my i10s.

[ks8829]

I am big Mizuno fan and like the Mx 25 or Mx 200s. I believe that they are easy to hit and also workable in a forged iron, you can grow into them and still play them right now.

[PiKapp23]

Personally, I do not think you can go wrong with Mizuno irons. For your level I think the MX-200 would be a great choice. They are a bit pricey unfortunately, but they feel so good and a great club that you will not soon outgrow. If you're a good ball striker, the MP-52 might be a good choice. I highly recommend you try them out. There are no other clubs on market that I have tried that have as good a feel. I consider the MX-200 to be on the players side of game improvement clubs and the MP-52 to be on the game improvement side of player clubs.

[tim31x]

go with the taylormades. they look great, play great and will last. you won't out grow them at any skill level and you can comfortably swing your way into them at your current skill level.

[panulovac1]

Hello everyone, that is my first post here (be gentle). Thanks for sharing your experience, I learned many things here...
I am very similar to you Paradigm (irons stronger part of my game, close handicap) and about purchasing a new set. Recently tried AP-2, r7 TP (new ones) and went through Mizuno fitting Centre (tested MX-200 , MP-52). Basically I hit all about the same (distance and height) but feel was far better with forged clubs (hope that was not im my head!). Fitter recommened MP-52 (so you/our handicap player should be good enough for those clubs). But what I am thinking of (and you could as well) is idea to get 3, 4 irons MX-200 and the rest from MP-52. I have to say I liked the AP-2 but am afraid I am not good enough for them... MX-200 are excellent clubs as well, I just prefer the look of MP-52... which I told to the fitter. Anyhow to decide properly about the shaft - do the proper fitting and you will see your own feel/confidence level with clubs you mentioned.

[PiKapp23]

But what I am thinking of (and you could as well) is idea to get 3, 4 irons MX-200 and the rest from MP-52. I have to say I liked the AP-2 but am afraid I am not good enough for them... MX-200 are excellent clubs as well, I just prefer the look of MP-52... which I told to the fitter. Anyhow to decide properly about the shaft - do the proper fitting and you will see your own feel/confidence level with clubs you mentioned.

I am thinking of doing the same thing with the Mizuno irons - mixing the MX-200 long irons with MP-52 short irons. Although I will say that for you I'm not so sure the 3-4 iron is even worth buying. I have not carried either in a couple years now and have never wished I did. If I do a mixed set, I'll probably either look for MX-200 for 5-6 irons and MP-52 for the rest of the set. I currently carry Mizuno hybrids (2, 4 & 5 so I'm not interested in long irons. Hyrbirds are no much easier to hit consistently, not to mention their versatility.

[BGPro]

Be very cautious of "players" clubs if you are looking for a step-up set. If you DO go with players clubs, don't go muscleback... go with a cavity. In all honesty, look at the new callaways, or even the tour model of them. You don't need a forged club yet, because based on even a 14 handicap, you won't benefit from it as much as you could a cast cavity. I understand that you want clubs you can grow into, however, don't jump the gun too quickly. If you'd like to try more of a blade or players club, look into purchasing a used set first for around $200... you can find Titleist DCI 990s for that price in pretty good condition. They are not forged, but they offer you a combination of muscleback with a slight cavity, small head, thin topline, and a solid feel. I am just worried that you may damage your game instead of help it. Personally, I "stepped-up" to the 990's when i was in high school, and played with them until the first year or so of being a professional. THEN, once I consistently shot par or better, I went to a forged muscleback blade. That's just my 2 cents... I'd hate for you to spend mucho $$'s and be hindered, rather than helped. Happy hunting!

[Guest]

I would recomend getting fitted. You can either get fitted for a well-known name, like Titleist, Ping, or Cleveland, or you can get get fitted by a local clubfitter for a generic line e.g. Wishon.

I think all the top lines will serve you well, as will the Wishon line, but the most important thing is to get fitted. You will spend 1 to 3 hours finding out the best set up for you and will really learn a lot about your swing.

Personally, I was fitted by a local certified clubfitter here in CA for a Wishon driver and irons. Was very satisfied with the results and the cost was reasonable.

[glebert]

Hey, who let in all the new guys? Seriously, for being new to the board all of your posts were very intelligent. Welcome, and I'm throwing some rep your way.

[panulovac1]

Pikapp23 - I agree with you, I actually wanted to write 4, 5 irons in MX-200 and the rest MP-52.
Was thinking of going 4,5 and 6 MX-200 – but during custom fit I did not see much difference from hitting 6 ir of MP-52 or MX-200. So far I have only one hybrid (Cobra baffler 22 deg) I started to use recently (was thrown in garage for last 5 years after buying it and testing twice on the range)…and this is now main club from the tee/lay up for me (can not hit my driver with confidence –out of my bag)…
But reading BG Pro post might go and order 4, 5 and 6 MX-200. From 7ir down MP-52 looks much better to me and there is not much difference in hitting than MX-200. Also I am thinking of buying MX FLI-HI 3 (20 deg) – tested it, great ball flight, easy to hit and can be adjusted same as iron set. I agree with Today’s Golfer (they say that it is a pity there is no MX FLI-HI 2).
Coming back to Paradigm question – I have to say that new TM r7 TP look great, ball flight was OK (kind of hanging up in the air a bit longer than Miz’s, same as AP-2 - I guess that is because I got a bit flatter path’s with them and higher ball flight with Miz’s)… if you go for them I believe they will last longer than forged clubs and look better after 5 years or so (if this is your concern)… I will go with Miz’s (just like them better).

[Paradigm]

Sorry to revive this but after trying every club I could, I went with the MX-200s. AWESOME clubs! Can't wait for it to warm up and get them out to the course.