Irons selection

[ajahn]

So my game has grown in leaps and bounds from the start of last summer. I played a lot of golf as a teenager and pretty much stopped altogether when I went to college (no money/time). I started back up hitting my original knock off irons and found myself in the high 90's range. I picked up a modern driver and started golfing about 2 rounds a week and my score started going down. I picked up a set of Callaway Big Bertha 08 irons 6-PW + 50deg A-wedge. My score has since settled around mid to high 80's. I'm playing 3-5 rounds of golf a week now that the local courses have opened up.

My question is am I limiting or hurting my game playing with a "Game Improvement" iron set? My goal is to push myself to a single digit handicap by seasons end. What irons would you suggest if you were in my shoes? Money is an issue right now so I can't go drop 1k on a brand new set.

[David in FL]

I am not of the "blades will make you a better golfer" camp......

Blades will allow you to flight the ball differently and will allow you to work the ball more precisely one way or another. All great things, but those things become more important once your ball striking is already pretty darn solid, you're hitting greens, have a decent short game, can play out of the sand (better yet, avoid the sand), and can putt well.

Once you can do all of the above, you're already into the single digits and you might want to think about clubs that will allow some greater flexibility.....but for now, game improvement clubs do just that, they improve your game......and this damn game is hard enough as it is!

My .02 worth.

[chriskzoo]

  ajahn said:

So my game has grown in leaps and bounds from the start of last summer. I played a lot of golf as a teenager and pretty much stopped altogether when I went to college (no money/time). I started back up hitting my original knock off irons and found myself in the high 90's range. I picked up a modern driver and started golfing about 2 rounds a week and my score started going down. I picked up a set of Callaway Big Bertha 08 irons 6-PW + 50deg A-wedge. My score has since settled around mid to high 80's. I'm playing 3-5 rounds of golf a week now that the local courses have opened up.

There is a BIG difference going from the high 90's to high 80's to single digits - FYI. As the old saying goes "It's not the arrow, it's the indian." Any low single digit player could probably use your set and still shoot in the 70's without much problem, so it's not going to be your equipment holding you back.

The problem is, if you start out shooting around 100, knocking off those first 20 strokes has much to do with your game from 100+ yards. Once you are consistent with your irons and off the tee, unless you hit one OB or into a hazard, chances are you're going to be within 20 yards of the green (or on the green) with a chance to get up and in for par. At this point (probably around where you are now) it's all about working from 100 yards in - especially being able to give yourself a reasonable putt for par any time you don't hit a green. Once you are at the point that on pretty much every hole you don't have a penalty on you have a 10-15 footer or less for par, then you can start to think about breaking into single digits. Right now I'm a 9.6 (playing for 20 years, average once a week) and know that I'm probably going to par most greens I hit in regulation (good putter) and that if I don't, I can probably ship within 10-15 feet, even if I'm in the bunker. I'll drop some of those putts and the rest will be bogeys. Mix in a double bogey or two a round due to errant tee shots/water and that putts you around a 9 handicap. Paul Goydos had the best quote: "An new golfer shouldn't buy $1000 clubs. He should buy $200 clubs and $800 in lessons."

[tjy355]

  ajahn said:

My question is am I limiting or hurting my game playing with a "Game Improvement" iron set?

No, you are not.

[Petden]

I heard this quote: "Golf is one of the only sports played on the 4 1/2'' course between your ears".

[becksfan2185]

The pros complain about hitting GI irons too straight and not being able to work them. So, if hitting the ball too straight is your problem, then you're ready to switch irons. If it's not your problem, don't bother.

I know I'm looking forward to the day when I hit the ball too straight.

[ajahn]

These responses are what I was looking for, I'll keep the irons for at least another season and maybe if my game gets me where I want I can look at a new set in the future. Now to find some hybrids to fill my gap from 175-210.

[Dub]

I played in a captain's choice event last month. Our captain was the club senior champ. He played the same irons I'm currently playing.

The guy struck the ball as pure as anyone I've ever seen....including the guys that I've followed at the Masters.

His iron and wedges shots were money. It gave me confidence to play the game improvement gear that I need without fear that it'd ever hinder me in my persuit of reducing the old handicap. It's not like training wheels on a bike.

I have seen some of the "super" game improvement stuff that just doesn't look like it allow you to work the ball or vary the trajectories as much as the "player" clubs. That would be the only setback that I could see.

[alcorn]

  ajahn said:

These responses are what I was looking for, I'll keep the irons for at least another season and maybe if my game gets me where I want I can look at a new set in the future. Now to find some hybrids to fill my gap from 175-210.

Definately go for a hybrid, maybe a fairway wood or two, or possibly a lob wedge. I didn't see any of them listed in your clubs. If your irons are 08s then I wouldn't go changing for a year or two. I know plenty of single digit handicappers who love the Callaway irons. The trick from getting to where you are now to shooting in the 70s is all the little stuff like putting and chipping and how you play the course. Its not so much the clubs you hit.

[ks8829]

I don't think it the equipment at all. but what you spend practicing to lower your handicap.

Instead of playing 3 times a week I would spend more time practicing the weakest part of your game. This is usually your short game from putting within 3 feet to lag putting from 20 - 30 feet, chipping around the green and pitch shots within 100 yards so that your up and down percentage is over 50% and your putts are under 30 per round.

If you spend 100% of practice on these three things your handicap will be single digit in no time and you will play in the 70's consistently everytime you go out.

[Guest]

I recently purchased '06 Big Bertha irons. My last set of irons were John Jacobs (Ping clones) and used them for 22 years. Felt it was time to upgrade. Found the BB irons on sale for $399 and thought it was a good deal and they felt great hitting into the net at the golf shop. Irons usually give fairly good feedback so I didn't think it was necessary to hit them on the range. Playing with these clubs, everything goes left and is short. I've seen numerous discussions that these are good for higher handicappers. My index is 9.8. I'm wondering if these irons are not good for me and if there is anyone that has experienced something similar?