Beginner irons- advice appreciated!

[olmypus]

Hi all.

I'm just getting into the game and have been playing for 6 months or so. I'm looking at buying my own set of clubs and thought this would be the best place to get some advice!

After doing some reading, I've decided it would be best to invest in a second hand set of quality irons rather than new but poor quality irons (as my fellow newcomers have). I'm a student and so haven't got much of a budget at present (£120/ $200). But I'd much rather gradually build up a decent set of quality clubs which will last than buy a "complete" low-quality set.

So basically, I've been looking around for some good quality irons which are very forgiving for beginners and will last for a good few years. I've come up with a few ideas which are around the budget (on ebay).

1, Callaway Big Bertha (I guess the most recent version the better)
2. Taylormade RAC HT
3. Ping G10
4. Mizuno MX-19

Am I on the right lines here? Any other suggestions?

Many thanks in advance.

[Hidalgo]

Congratulations on using your head and buying quality used clubs instead of tinker-toy new ones.

Any of the 4 you listed will serve you well. As for the Big Berthas, don't get so caught up in the later models. The older Bertha irons are great for beginners and will be even more affordable.

[olmypus]

Thanks. Good to know I'm on the right lines then! Thanks for clearing up the BB models issue- I wasn't sure whether the changes from season to season were significant or simply cosmetic.

Any more views/input much appreciated!

[goblue107501]

Those are all fine choices. Just make sure you are comfortable with what you get. Don't get something just because it is a good name, make sure you like them too. Also, make sure you are getting the correct shaft. You don't want to get a good deal on a quality used set only to find out the shafts are not right for you.

[Rob]

If you`re looking for a good set of clubs,cheap,try the Ping Eye 2`s.They are very forgiving and you can still play them as your game gets better,and then "graduate" to a diffrent set later.Just my 2 cents,and you might save enough to get a nice wedge or putter! Good luck!

[ks8829]

Suggestions

Mizuno Mx 20 $160
http://cgi.ebay.com/MIZUNO-MX-20-FOR...3A2%7C294%3A50

Mx 20 reviews
http://www.golfreview.com/cat/irons/...5_2940crx.aspx

Mizuno Mx 900 5-pw $220
http://cgi.ebay.com/MIZUNO-MX-900-IR...3A3%7C294%3A50

Mx 900 review
http://www.golfreview.com/cat/irons/...0_2940crx.aspx

[IcemanYVR]

For a beginner, and to even take you further in the game... you can't go wrong with the following;

Ping Eye 2, or i3 O-Size
Callaway X-14

The X-14's have the channel/dual cavity that many of the manufacturers today are marketing as "must have" technology.

They're great clubs, with maximum forgiveness, yet have all been played on the PGA Tour at some point.

[TMO]

As a beginner I would go with the Pings. Eye 2s are great but a lot of the newer sets are very, very forgiving too. You could use those with no problem until you start shooting low 80s and even after that you might just stick with them.

[Stacey_E]

All of the advice given so far was great. The only thing I'd like to ad is a +1 for getting the right shafts. You are making a much better investment if you get the right shafts. Reshafting would defeat the purpose of trying to save money by buying used. Don't be lured into buying a set of irons where the shaft is not right for you just because it is a good deal. If you think the shafts are a little soft, they might be. If you think they are a little stiff, the DEFINATELY are.

Good Luck! You are starting out by making some wise decisions.

[leo3]

All good clubs, make sure you get the right shafts to fit your swing. I would lean towards the Mizunos, just because I happen to play them. Also consider Mizuno MX 17's, a few years older, but vitually the same as the 19's.

[abris33]

All good clubs. I would also recommend the Wilson Staff Di7's. I just started about a year ago and I love them.

[GaijinGolfer]

Those are all good clubs that you listed. Im partial to Mizunos and you couldnt go wrong with any set in Mizuno's MX line.
Last year I went from a set of Titleist DCI 981s to a set of Mizuno MX-15s and I couldnt be happier. The Mizunos are so much easier to hit than the Titleist were.
Callaway Big Berthas are really nice too. Those have been the irons of choice for hacks everywhere for a long time.
I would definetly stick with a super game improvement set of irons. Right now you need maximum forgivness that the huge heads and thick sole gives you.

[olmypus]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys! Much appreciated.

On the ping eye2's point- I was considering mentioning these in the first post. Are they as forgiving as the modern game improvement irons?

So it seems like all of the above suggestions will be suitable (provided I get the right shafts), and there is no particular stand-out range?

Right now I'm leaning towards the eye2's or mizuno mx-20s given the above feedback, price range and further research!

[cocky_watchman]

Also remember to get hybrids instead of 3 and 4 irons. And probably even 5 iron could be replaced by a hybrid. Much easier for most, even better players. For a beginner it's certainly a better bet. Easy to get in the air quickly and easy to get a good connection. Id look for some second hand Hi Bore XLS hydrids-should be fairly cheap. Mizuno also have some easy to hit hybrid offerings

[MI Rob]

All good choices to go with. I personally demoed all of them except the Ping's but I would choose either the BB's or MX-19. You could also try the MX-25 which are not that much more expensive and are also very forgiving and also forged.

[Stacey_E]

Since we're mentioning other sets....Of course we always suggest what we have in our own bags. So I'm going to do that right now. I picked up a set of Mizuno MX-23s 5-PW in graphite (I'm not ashamed haha) a couple of weeks ago for $150. They were on consignment and by paying cash I avoided sales tax (10% in my state).

Great clubs! And to top it off they were owned by a little old man that apperantly hadn't played them much. In 54 holes and 3 range sessions I have put more wear on them than they had when I got them. Very forgiving irons, yet still somewhat workable, even in graphite. With this setup I still get enough feedback.

****Also by buying used you can often hit the clubs before you buy them. If you have a good relationship with a store owner, you can take the irons out for a round or two. Bring them back cleaner than you found them and they will be glad to let you try out any other used sets. I'm amazed how many people bring in clubs for sale on consignment and it looks like they just played 72 holes in the mud.

[IcemanYVR]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys! Much appreciated.

The Ping Eye 2's are a great game improvement club... yes they are super old, but the technology was way ahead of anything else at it's time. They are one of the easiest to hit clubs I have ever used. My friend had a set and I used them a few times, I think the best word to describe them would be effortless...

One negative note against the PE2's is that they were designed for use with the older technology (non synthetic) balls. They impart a little more spin than the new irons... but that can usually be compensated for with the correct ball. As a beginner, it won't make any difference at all.

[iWALK18]

Of course we like whats i our bags (as was said above), but I would absolutely recommend taylormade rac os 2s. They are cheap even new, and I'm sure you could pick up a decent used set for cheap. I know 3-4 people who have used these and we all absolutely love them. Plenty of offset, easy to hit high, reasonably forgiving.