Opinions of these iron sets

[Andycapped]

Not too long ago my father finally managed to get me into golfing by getting me some lessons for my birthday. It's quite a bit more fun than I anticipated and I'm excited to keep playing and learning. I'm picking up the game quite quickly and, while I'm not particularly good, I'm improving every time I go out.

I'm really starting to be able to consistently control my swing and I'm really settling into how I'm going to be hitting the ball. I've purposely been putting off picking up a set of clubs until I've developed a consistent swing and I think I'll be ready to get my first set of clubs pretty soon :D

Ultimately, I need to get in the shop and try them out, but I'm hoping for some good opinions so I can spend my time concentrating on some more than others.

The sets I've become intrigued with are:

• Callaway FT
• Callaway X-20
• Cobra UFI
• Cobra S9
• Mizuno MP-62

I want to find a good middle ground between forgiveness and something I can continue to learn with. I don't want something too easy to use. I feel like I won't learn much. I don't want something I feel like I'm "playing into" either. I want a little bit of help to keep me confident, but a little bit of a challenge to keep me progressing.

Does anyone have any opinions of the sets I've listed? Any suggestions are also highly welcomed. Thanks to everyone for their help!

[PuterPutter]

I played the Big Bertha Irons for two years and Have just recently switched to the Cobra S9 Irons.

The S9's are not as forgiving as the Big Berthas but they are better for my game. I like the way the S9 sets up to my eye. Does not look like a large headed iron like the Big Bertha did.

I think the S9 has greater feel. I give the S9 thumbs up over the Big Bertha.

[Andycapped]

Thanks for your response

To be honest, after reading quite a bit, the S9s and the FTs interest me most, but I feel like there's a limited amount of feedback for the S9s (as in user opinion, not when striking the ball). It doesn't seem like too many people use them. That's not a problem other than wanting to make sure I'm buying something a lot of people have tested and know about.

Both seem like what I'm looking for. Not too forgiving and not too difficult. I have read about some distance problems with the FTs though...

[flopdarock]

the s9's and the x-20's are nice clubs... a few of my friends game them and they arent too shabby

[PiKapp23]

Any of these clubs except the Mizuno MP-62's are very forgiving. While I love Mizzies, the 62's are probably the least forgiving of all of the new models of Mizuno's - those are made for really good players. That's not to say that you wouldn't learn to hit them and love them, but chances are you're better off with one of the other choices. Of the one's mentioned I have owned the S9's before my MP-60's and thought they were a good club with a nice mix of forgivness and feel. The UFI's are essentially the next step into forgivness. They are very similar but even more forgiving. As for the Callaways, the X-20 is a good set that is forgiving (less than S9, but not much I would say). The FT is interesting. They are forgiving, but are just different than your other choices in how they sound and feel. Based only on your suggested choices I would think you would want to strongly consider the X-20 and S9, but clubs are a very personal thing so be sure to try them, if only for a few strokes each.

[Andycapped]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and feedback

From the sounds of it (so far), it looks like the S9s and the X20s are what I should concentrate on. I'll definitely give them some extra work when I go shopping around. I'll probably still try out the 62s, but just as a comparison. I'd like to really be able to feel how much more forgiving the S9s and X20s really are over higher skilled clubs. They'll certainly fit me best, but I think it would really help deciding between the two.

Any other suggestions are still appreciated. Thanks everyone

[jcrob902]

If you like mizuno irons try the mp52's or the 57's the mx200's fit into the catagory with the X20's and the S91's never been a big fan of callaway so little to no experience with most of there clubs but also consider Cleveland they make a real good iron that you also could not go wrong with, well good luck to you and give them all a try you really can't go wrong with any of the clubs your interested in so don't put to much into brand names.

[Big_M]

Any of these clubs except the Mizuno MP-62's are very forgiving. While I love Mizzies, the 62's are probably the least forgiving of all of the new models of Mizuno's - those are made for really good players. That's not to say that you wouldn't learn to hit them and love them, but chances are you're better off with one of the other choices. Of the one's mentioned I have owned the S9's before my MP-60's and thought they were a good club with a nice mix of forgivness and feel. The UFI's are essentially the next step into forgivness. They are very similar but even more forgiving. As for the Callaways, the X-20 is a good set that is forgiving (less than S9, but not much I would say). The FT is interesting. They are forgiving, but are just different than your other choices in how they sound and feel. Based only on your suggested choices I would think you would want to strongly consider the X-20 and S9, but clubs are a very personal thing so be sure to try them, if only for a few strokes each.

I agree with pretty much all of this^^^^^^

If you like mizuno irons try the mp52's or the 57's the mx200's fit into the catagory with the X20's and the S91's never been a big fan of callaway so little to no experience with most of there clubs but also consider Cleveland they make a real good iron that you also could not go wrong with, well good luck to you and give them all a try you really can't go wrong with any of the clubs your interested in so don't put to much into brand names.

good points as well, the mizunos listed by the OP didn't fir in with the other clubs, but the 57's (somewhat) and the 200's definately do. I also agree that Cleveland should be considered... usually about 100-200 cheaper and every bit as good.

Try the CG7's or better yet... last years CG Golds at a reduced price. Adams makes some pretty nice irons as well, and most sets come with a couple hybrids... which most people are playing anyway. Why buy irons that will only be replaced by hybrids when you can get a set with them in it (of course you can order most sets 4-PW or 5-PW or otherwise).

[ks8829]

I like the Mizuno irons, I would look into the MX line and not the Mp-62 to start off with.

My recommendation is to go to the local golf store with a launch monitor and check out all the irons that are in your price range and see what fits your golf swing visually and feel wise and then I would consider buying that set of iron whether its Callaway, Mizuno, Taylor Made or any other brand clubs.

[dmband8985]

i was going to respond to this earlier but something else came up....funny though that everyone responded with the exact things i was going to say. the mp-62's definitely don't fit the bill for what it is you described about the state of your game and the type of club you want. i'm assuming you are drawn to the fact that they are forged and offer some pretty cool tech by terms of a dual muscle, they are still too much of a players iron and i worry that you will be disgruntled by the game by using sticks like that. that said there are plenty of irons that offer the best of both worlds....plenty of forgiveness now and enough workability to push your score into lower territories when you get to that stage. x-20s are an example of such a set. i have many buddies that play them and they are all playing close to par...which goes to show how the right set could keep performing for you for years to come. I've never been a fan of callaway myself but they've got their reputation for a reason....

i really like the idea that someone else suggested of cleveland irons....CG7 or CG Golds could really fit your game well. Adams too is a brand you should really consider, I'm a fan of the new Idea Tech A4's or Idea Tech A3's (both the cg golds and A3's you could save you a lot of dough and will make fine sets as you really hone your skills on the course...as i always say, better to play the part than look the part with expensive clubs). Miz mx200's like someone suggested are worth a try. i'd also give nickent 4dx cavity backs a try and even wilson staff ci7s. finally titelist ap-1's

[Dub]

The Mizuno MX 200 is a super iron.....cavity forgiveness....yet forged feel. Really nice stick. A buddy of mine just got a set....we played last Thursday....these things looked and sounded outstanding. He was hitting the well, too.


There are so many choices. I found out that PING is still selling the G5 at a huge discount. I went in and was fitted for a set....they were 1/2 the price as other sets I was looking at. Great set of irons/wedges for low $$$. I am pleased to say that I can still pull off draws and fades with them.

[lumpuckeroo]

I'm a die hard forged player and a big fan of Mizuno and you can see I play the MP 60, that being said, you really have to hit them and find out what looks and feels good to you.

[Big Al]

id go with different set of mizuno's for feel and forgiveness, like the mx 200's, they're great plus u can probly pick em up at a steal if you look around

[PiKapp23]

If you want to look at Mizunos then I would highly recommend the MX-200's, MX-900, MX-950, MX-25 or the MX-23. The 900 and 950 models are probably the most forgiving of these mentioned and both sets come with hybrids (900 has 1 hybrid and 950 has 2 I think). The MX-200 is among Mizuno's latest clubs and they do have a great feel (of course they do - they're Mizunos). The MX-25 is the predcessor of the 200 and the 23 was before that. You could probably get a really good deal on any of these models (except the 200s because they are relatively new). The MX-23 and MX-900 models are several years old and could probably be found used for a really good deal. I still occasionally see the MX-25's new for a good price and the price just recently dropped on the MX-950's so they can be found fairly cheap. Ask just about anyone who games Mizunos and they will tell you they are great irons.

[JTMalley]

Go with the X22!!! The awesomeness of the x20's with a free wedge!!!!

[Damien45]

So far I agree with everything posted. I just wanted to ad my opinion/suggestion.

Take a good look at the Mizunos. Go to a demo day and let the people there know what you are looking for. Mizuno is just about the only company that will build you a set of clubs based on what you want/need. If you want the Clk Fli Hi 3 and 4, MX-200 5 and 6i, MP 52 7-SW then that is what you would get. If I had the option to make a set like that when I first started, I would totally hop on it. It provides solid forgiveness in the long game, pin-point accurracy in the scoring clubs, and serious feedback across the board. Plus, at a Mizuno fitting, they will help you find the right clubs to prevent gaps from your driver to 5i.

That being said...On your list, I have plaid the S9's. They are great clubs. I didn't play them long since they are designed to fix things that I didn't need fixing. I have hit the Clevelands that have been mentioned. I liked them more than the X-20's.

In the end, it's about feel. Once you have a solid list of clubs to look at (like you do), start hitting them until you narrow down the ones that don't feel right to you.

[Andycapped]

Thanks for all the new responses everyone

I think I'll expand my concentration to include the MX200s as well. Unfortunately, the only Mizuno Demo Day any time soon happens on a weekend where I'm out of town :(

A couple people suggested Adams, but I really don't think I want to play with a hybrid yet. From what I hear, they're really helpful, but I'm a new golfer wanting to really progress my game; so using something really easy isn't really an interest to me. As I said earlier, I want something a little forgiveness to keep my confidence up, but I want something that's going to keep me focused and not make it too "easy."

So as of now, I think my main concentrations will be the Cobra S9, Mizuno MX-200 and Callaway X-20. And, of course, any further suggestions are still appreciated :D

[Big_M]

A couple people suggested Adams, but I really don't think I want to play with a hybrid yet. From what I hear, they're really helpful, but I'm a new golfer wanting to really progress my game; so using something really easy isn't really an interest to me. As I said earlier, I want something a little forgiveness to keep my confidence up, but I want something that's going to keep me focused and not make it too "easy."

hybrids are NOT magic clubs that are so easy to hit that you will lack some ability in your game by using them. They, like any other club, are a tool to help you play the game. Nearly ALL 15+ handicappers should be carrying at least one hybrid or high lofted FW wood, if not 2-3. I'm not telling you what to do, but your logic doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Do you really think not having a 3-iron would make you develop some bad habit or rob you of the ability to play some shot. The fact of the matter is that until you become a good ball-striker (usually in the single digits) you will not have a use for a 3-iron because you will not hit it well. As you get better you will be better suited to play more long irons and less hybrids. I strongly suggest you start with SOME hybrids and reduce the number or remove them completely as you get BETTER.