Player's Irons or GI Irons?

[danieldsuh]

Hello,

I currently have a set of Cleveland TA7 Tour (regular flex) models.
They were my girlfriends old clubs that she gave to me.
She is shorter than me so the clubs are cut about a 1/2 inch shorter, the 6 iron is missing from the set and the grips are stretched (she has small hands).

I hit these clubs pretty well and consistently but I know that it can be better. I have only played on the course about 4 times and have spent substantial time at the range (practicing with my gf, she is a tour player). I hit the clubs well at the range off of mats, but my shots are not as consistent off of grass.

I went and got fitted for clubs and I was told that I should be using standard length, lie, weight (90g) and grip size as well as stiff shafts for my irons.

I am considering getting a new set of irons. I was looking into the Taylor Made R7 as well as the R7 TP.

My question is this, would it be better to get the regular R7's since I'm assuming it would help me be more consistent off of the grass, or stick with a mini cavity and get the R7 TP and just suffer a bit (I'm not that bad, a miss hit will come around about 1 out of 7 shots but is felt more with the less forgiving clubs) while I continue to make my swing more consistent. I could also try changing the grips on my Cleveland's to standard size and continue searching the internet for a used 6 iron.

Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks for looking and sorry if my question wasn't to clear.

[Danattherock]

  danieldsuh said:

(practicing with my gf, she is a tour player)..

Just ask her what to do. Hopefully she will tell you to go buy a decent set of irons.

[danieldsuh]

Yes well she said my current clubs should be fine if I change my grips..others have said I should get new irons due to mine being a half inch short..it kinda sucks not having a full set but it may be something I could live with for now..if I do decide to get a new set woyld the regular R7 be better or the TP?

[Danattherock]

I have not familiar with Taylor Made irons, but they are very highly thought of. I prefer Callaway Big Bertha irons. They can be bought on the Callaway Preowned website for about $250-300 set in "Like New" condition. I got my irons and driver on this site. Great place to buy from. For your current irons, you could have any golf shop extend them to you. But you really need a professional to fit you. That would determine length, loft, lie, grip size, etc... and is the best way to go. Better yet, get fit, then order the Big Berthas from Callaway. They will fit them to you for a modest charge. So if you need 1/2 inch extension, 1 degree upright, mid size grips, etc.. you can order the irons you want from the site and they will make the adjustments before mailing them to you. Awesome way to go if you ask me.

[danieldsuh]

  Danattherock said:

I have not familiar with Taylor Made irons, but they are very highly thought of. I prefer Callaway Big Bertha irons. They can be bought on the Callaway Preowned website for about $250-300 set in "Like New" condition. I got my irons and driver on this site. Great place to buy from. For your current irons, you could have any golf shop extend them to you. But you really need a professional to fit you. That would determine length, loft, lie, grip size, etc... and is the best way to go. Better yet, get fit, then order the Big Berthas from Callaway. They will fit them to you for a modest charge. So if you need 1/2 inch extension, 1 degree upright, mid size grips, etc.. you can order the irons you want from the site and they will make the adjustments before mailing them to you. Awesome way to go if you ask me.

Thank you.

Yes, I could have extensions put on my current clubs but I'd still be missing a 6iron haha. I don't know how long I could live with that. =) I have hit Callaways (which were nice) and I have hit both the R7 and R7 TP (in store). I prefer the R7 line but can't decide between the regular and the TP. As for fitment, I have already been fit and was told that I should be using standard everything (length, loft, lie, grip size, weight) with a stiff shaft. Right now, I really don't know what to do/get.

[danieldsuh]

Unsure which would help me improve the most/fastest.

[billysandy]

Honestly, save your money and get all your current clubs re gripped and extended however much you need. if they are cavity backed then thats ok but considering shes a tour player... they might be more aimed at her standard.

[Danattherock]

After reading your last post, I say get go out and get you a set of Taylor Mades. If you are going to make a commitment to playing golf, I say get a set of irons you are proud of. Also, have a complete set of course.

[Golfaway]

Get Mizuno MX200 or MX950.

[golfinanuj]

I think the first issue is cost. I know you can get R7s for around 350 or less which is a great deal for irons of that caliber. But if the TPs are not too much more then they would be a good value. I think R7s would help you improve faster and I don't think they are really completely different than the TPs. You can shoot very low with the R7s and I don't think they would limit your potential. The R7s are great looking clubs and I think you'll be happy with the results.

[Dub]

Dating a tour player....how cool is that!!!!


I would yield to her expertiese.

[danieldsuh]

I've hit mizuno mp57 and 60 n didn't really like them. I'd like to stick with the taylor mades.

The cost of the clubs is not an issue so my question really is which obe would benefit my game most. Growing into players irons that show me my errors better (which helps me correct them faster) and correcting my swing to fix those errors or usi GI irons and getting a more consistent swing/confident feeling?
I don't even know if that made sense but hopefully I can understand.
Thanks again everyone.

[tricky]

I think everyone is missing the point. Given how cute the players are on the womens tour these days, we should be offering to trade any of our clubs for your girlfriend....

....This is a look inside yourself sort of a question. If you're not happy with the clubs you have, go and get what you really want (assuming the expenditure is justified by the enjoyment you will go on to get from them). If you really like them, get them re-gripped, extended, and lie adjusted to suit you. You might be able to pick up a six iron. If she's a tour player with a relationship with her club manufacturer she may be able to help you with that.

I do think that clubs that suit you really make a big difference. I've been practicing faults for years because of the wrong clubs. Also really be sure you need a stiff shaft. If you're only borderline stiff, or you can consistently control a regular flex, you will almost certainly be better with regular. Your girlfriend is living proof that good players don't need to play the stiffest shafts.

I've actually played with shorter ladies clubs. Obviously there is an attendant loss in shot length, but they sure are easier to control. I like shorter shafted clubs.

[c. lassiter]

A good swing works on most any club, and a crappy swing will work considerably better on a GI club.

I'm guessing this isn't news to anyone, though.

[shades9323]

You're dating a tour player. Have her buy you both. Then you can send the ones you don't want to me!

[danieldsuh]

  tricky said:

If she's a tour player with a relationship with her club manufacturer she may be able to help you with that.

These clubs are older ones that she just bought on her own so we both haven't been able to find a replacement 6 iron.

In regards to you practicing faults for years due to wrong clubs. Wouldn't that mean that if I got GI clubs (which would mask some of my faults) that I would also be practicing faults instead of improving my game (GI)? In regards to the stiff shaft. Strangely enough I was thinking about this the other day. I already hit a regular shaft well and control it well. I've never hit a stiff shaft and was only told that I should use a stiff shaft based on my swing speed (borderline stiff) and the fact that I am still learning (swing will become faster). As of right now I'm still unsure of what to do haha. =)

[tricky]

  danieldsuh said:

These clubs are older ones that she just bought on her own so we both haven't been able to find a replacement 6 iron.

I don't doubt for a moment that you will improve using modern equipment, fitted for your grip, stance, and swing. The question is do you do that now, and have that fitting become redundant as you improve (eg swing speed, requirement to have shaft assist a penetrating flight rather than to help you get the ball in the air quickly), or do you wait until you have a solid mastered swing, and then get the equipment that suits you as a better player?

I really don't think it's a good idea to get equipment on the basis of the player that you think you'll become. What happens if that's not how it pans out? You'll never have equipment that suits you, but you will have paid for the privilege. I don't have the answer, you have to make that decision yourself. I do know that I used standard equipment for a long time. It wasn't great, and my game suffered.....but I now have a much better basis for improving now that I have the time, and have just bought clubs that are fitted for my physical characteristics. If I were to suggest an approach it would be to get to 18, and then get fitted and look to improve. You're a golfer once you can play off 18 (my handicap is 20.8, but for various reasons I haven't played a comp for a while and I can, and always could, play off 18 under circumstances where i have been playing a bit). I don't think it's fair to consider yourself a golfer if you are taking more than a shot a hole. Just a personal opinion.

[danieldsuh]

As of right now, I'm still not certain on what to do...I'm starting to lean more toward the regular R7 right now since the TP is not available anymore but am unsure. I will ask my swing coach next time I get a lesson on what he thinks will be best for me.