Single Digit Trying to Get to Scratch With GI Irons...

[Chris5573]

I am currently playing TM RAC OS-2's, and I have about an 8 hdcp. I am always tempted to get a set of forged irons because I have demo-ed them and love the feel...but I am just not sure if the feel is worth losing the forgiveness of the OS-2's. I know that most low handicap players used cavity back or blades so they can work the ball, but I can't work it at all. In that case, am I better off just keeping my irons? When I think about it...if I hit a decent drive, then have an easy to hit iron to get on the green, it's just a matter of making some putts, right? I mean, is there any reason I couldn't get down to scratch playing with my current irons? Well, the reason could be me...but not the clubs...or is there something I'm missing?

[jb1982]

Unless you are hitting your current irons VERY consistant and want to work the ball, I wouldn't reccomend blades. I tried Nike forged blades 2 years ago, because I was curious. They made me a better ball striker because you have to be. And I did start to work the ball a little. But my handicap quickly went up 2 strokes because of the lack of forgiveness. There were those days when I just wasn't hitting it pure. With my old irons, I could have grinded for a descent round. But with the blades, my mistakes were just magnified. Now I went with what I see as "middle of the road" set. They still have nice feel and are workable. But I can get away with some poor swings.

Just remember that a lot of tour players don't even use blades. Maybe you'll like them. But I know you have to be a lot better ball striker than me to play them.

[Chris5573]

I know what you mean...I would really not consider blades, but I would consider cavity backs. I am a decent/average ball striker, so I know blades would kill me. Are any of you low handicappers with GI irons? I guess if you can hit greens and 1 putt more than 3 putt, the scorecard would be pretty good, right?

[laxstar24]

You should try the Mizuno MP-62s or the Cobra Pro CBs. I know there is a lot of hype about the Mizunos lately and rightfully so. I just switched from the AP-1s and it has helped dramatically. Even if you are consistently hitting the green, the ability to "work the ball" can turn a lot of 15 footers into four or fives. You will definately need to take a lesson or read up on how to "work the ball" but finding the right club definately makes a difference.

[Ben]

When I think about it...if I hit a decent drive, then have an easy to hit iron to get on the green, it's just a matter of making some putts, right? I mean, is there any reason I couldn't get down to scratch playing with my current irons? Well, the reason could be me...but not the clubs...or is there something I'm missing?

You said it. All you've got to do is take advantage on the greens. New irons aren't necessarily going to get your handicap down. Making putts will.

[RocketSauce]

try to find a set of these or something similar. forged, super thin topline, shallow cavity back, small head, and VERY workable

[RC]

No one can really tell you anything other than their own experiences with various sets of irons -- you will need to hit the iron you may choose before buying them, and I think you need to hit them off grass to really get the feel. I will say that today's forged player's clubs that sit in the gap between true blades and larger GI clubs are surprisingly good clubs that feel very satisfying to someone like myself who has played blades in the past. There are many good choices and if you go that route, odds are you will be satisfied in my opinion. In general terms, a large number of guys on the tours (I don't know the exact numbers) are playing some form of cavity/mb type club.

[grantc79]

First of all, forged irons feel the same as cast irons. There is literally no difference in between the two when it comes to feel.

The difference in feel that you get is when you compare the actual design of the club and the weight distribution.

As far as whether you should do it or not I would ask you this. Why is your handicap an 8?

Is it truly because you can't quite aim at a flag as perfect as you'd like, or is it because of course management and a few poor swings a round?

If you are that good that you can laser in on flags then sure grab some muscleback blades and go to work. If that isn't the reason then why bother.

[uttexas]

Treat your curiosity by purchasing a forged nine iron and PW and/or GW. Try out the forgiving forged clubs like MacGregor, Cleveland, Adams, Titliest, or Mizzy (I'm gonna vomit a little bit if I read the "M....o" word one more time) Keep the rest of your clubs the same. Absolutely, putting and other 40 yards and in shots will get you to your goals the fastest. If you haven't purchased a mental game book, try one of those.

[divottool]

Well get ready to get sick.......I just sold me Mizzuno MP-57, and got into the Taylormade Tour Burner for the same reason. Even though the Mizzys were not blades they still required more precision ball striking to get the most out of them.

The Taylormade is a better fit for me!

[jb1982]

Well get ready to get sick.......I just sold me Mizzuno MP-57, and got into the Taylormade Tour Burner for the same reason. Even though the Mizzys were not blades they still required more precision ball striking to get the most out of them.

How do you like the Tour Burners. I've been considering getting fit for an iron set, and the Tour Burners have been on my mind!

[David in FL]

try to find a set of these or something similar. forged, super thin topline, shallow cavity back, small head, and VERY workable

I'd tend to agree with this. I think you can have your cake and eat it too these days and split the difference between "game improvement" and "butter knife"...... I've been playing a set of Titleist 695 cb's for about a month now. Forged with a small cavity back, but the thin top line and slightly smaller head that you'd associate with a pure blade. I couldn't be happier. Very easy to work and the feel is everything that I expect from a forged iron. They'll definitely let you know if you grossly miss it, but I don't find them any less forgiving than my venerable 962's that they replaced. My clubs certainly won't be a limiting factor to any drop in my handicap!

[MattljDuke]

Don't feel like you need to move up to "Players" irons if you're happy with your ballflight. If you want to work the ball with more subtle changes, then they may be better. But forgiveness will suffer. It's just a tradeoff.

And not that you suggested this, but never think "well golfer X uses blades and he's a low handicapper, and all the low handicappers use blades or split cavities therefore I need them too to become a better golfer." Simply not true.

Rocco Mediate played all last season with X-20 irons and FT-I squareway woods in the bag. And no, not X-20 Tours. X-20. Paddy Harrington plays with the CI-7 from time to time.

Blades are a different feel, which you may like. But no, you don't have to switch to get to scratch.

[divottool]

How do you like the Tour Burners. I've been considering getting fit for an iron set, and the Tour Burners have been on my mind!

I have only shot one round with them, and shot 41, 43. I was losing them to the left a little so went back to Golf Galaxy with them. They put a little larger grip on them for me and the ball flight is about perfect with a slight draw. Most of the grips on new clubs are a little small for me.......the new grips feel a little weird at first, but I hit the ball so much straighter!

[MiniMoe]

clubs might make a little difference if you don't feel you can control the golf ball with what you are playing now. A change in clubs will most likely make you handicap go up for a bit while you get used to the new sticks. In MHO dropping your handicap now is more about course management and short game. Everyone makes a few bad swings, but it's how you recover that matters. If you three putt a lot, or don't get up and down most of the time, that is where the shots are lost... not in the long game.