Super GI Iron Question (from newbie)

[NativeTxn]

I am a beginner - I've hit the ball around here and there with friends at the range and on the course a few times, but this is the first summer where I am actually committing myself to improving and learning the game better. I just started taking lessons (right now they are indoors), and I am constantly trying to work on the things we discuss in my lessons (outside at the driving range).

I currently have a set of Ben Hogan Apex Edge 2006 irons. While they feel really nice when I do hit the ball well, after talking to some people at pro shops and what not, I am beginning to think that there are sets out there that are better suited to improving at this very early stage of the learning process. My instructor said that they aren't hurting me, but he didn't go so far as to say that they are the best choice our there. I was hitting everything straight at my first lesson (again, it was indoors on the launch monitors, but I could tell that I was getting them off straight), but when I went outside with them after the lesson, I was not able to do nearly as well.

I know there is a difference from indoors to out, but I thought that my first trip to the range after the lesson would still be better than it was. I'm of course not blaming this on the clubs, but to say the least, I am not feeling much in the way of confidence with them.

Anyway, I have researched and demoed (all indoors - sometimes into the video screens with launch monitors and sometimes just into a net) several different sets of Super GI and GI sets (I used the Golf Digest 2009 Hot List as a starting point).

The clubs I've hit that, from my understanding, are more toward the Super GI side are: Mizuno MX-100s, 2008 Big Bertha, and Nike Slingshot. I haven't hit the Cobra SZs yet, but I have heard they are good for Super GI irons too.

The clubs I've demoed that, from my understanding, are more toward the GI side are: Mizuno MX-200s, Ping G5 (these weren't in the 2009 Hot List obviously, but from my understanding, they are very similar to the G10s and more toward the "regular" GI side and you can also get a good deal on them right now from the looks of it), Cleveland CG7 (non-tour), and the Callaway X-20.


I have hit most of these different clubs on multiple occasions, and the only one that I never seemed to be able to get a decent shot out of were the Nike's. The problem is that when I've hit each of these, the good shots have felt very nice across the board, and the bad shots have all felt about the same - so I'm not sure that any of them feel a lot better than the others to me, but I think that is due more to my inconsistency (which will hopefully get better as I continue my lessons).

I've also read a lot of good things about the 2006 Big Berthas (though I haven't hit them just yet), and it seems like you can get some good deals on used sets.

That being said, has anyone used any of these sets that would care to provide some sort of input as to their opinions on which of these might be best suited for someone just starting to really learn the game (and for whom they all feel fairly comparable when I've demoed them)?

Any help would certainly be appreciated and thank you in advance.

[aussiemizunoboy]

I would consider the Ping G10's. Sweet clubs !!!

[wedge player]

i would not go with super game improvement irons,if your taking lessons you will outgrow them pretty quick.i would say get some game improvement irons taylormade,callaway and nike make really nice g.i. irons.

[NativeTxn]

i would not go with super game improvement irons,if your taking lessons you will outgrow them pretty quick.i would say get some game improvement irons taylormade,callaway and nike make really nice g.i. irons.

If that is the case, would sticking with the Hogan Apex Edge's be ok, or are those still not forgiving enough in your opinion?

[Shindig]

If that is the case, would sticking with the Hogan Apex Edge's be ok, or are those still not forgiving enough in your opinion?

This matter is frequently debated. IIRC, Hogan Apex Edge are players' cavities. This means you will get more feedback on a bad shot, but will lose some distance on off-center hits. The question is whether the feedback is worth this potential penalty during play for you. I started with SGI irons, and switched to players cavities when my handicap was in the mid-to-low-20s.

Some people would try to mix the set, too, getting, say, a 3-hybrid and 4-6 or 7 in GI irons, followed by keeping the 7 or 8 on down from your set. This allows you forgiveness on the harder-to-hit irons while still being able to get feedback for your overall swing.

[uttexas]

If I were you and you like hybrids, and are taller than 5'9'', I'd get the Adams A3OS or the Adams A2OS.
They are widely available both new and used. I mentioned taller because the stock shafts in the Adams are longer than average.
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/adams-...LAID=319273866
http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-ADAMS-...QQcmdZViewItem


If you don't like hybrids, I'd get a set of the MacGregor NVG2s-very forgiving and great feel. http://cgi.ebay.com/MACGREGOR-MACTEC...QQcmdZViewItem

Keep your Hogan's--- especially the 9iron, PW, GW, SW
The Hogan Apex longer clubs tend to be for very skilled players
Get your clubs fitted.

[wedge player]

If that is the case, would sticking with the Hogan Apex Edge's be ok, or are those still not forgiving enough in your opinion?

they are as i believe a players cavatie.you could stick with them but for now they are not as forgiving as you may like,thats soley up to you.you could get some taylormade r7's its a game improvement iron and will last you a long time,heck kenny perry uses them.

[NativeTxn]

Thanks for the advice so far. Any additional thoughts?

[zRam]

I bought the MX-100's at the beginning of this year and I was at a 30 handicap, I'm now at a 25 handicap, they helped me right off the bat. I'm also taking lessons from a great instructor, but the Clubs were noticably better for me.

[NativeTxn]

I went and hit several clubs the other day: Cobra SZ, Nike Slingshot 4D, Mizuno MX-100s, Callaway X-18R and X-20, Cleveland CG7, and TaylorMade R7.

I want to like the CG7s because of the deal Cleveland is having until the end of the year on getting trade-in credit in 2010 or 2011, but they just didn't feel good that day.

The Cobras felt good, but they seemed to go high every shot.

The R7s felt very nice aside from the fact that when I hit it square, it sounded and felt like the club head was going to split in two. Still, I hit them well.

The Slingshot's weren't bad.

Both Callaways felt and hit well too.

I had one guy at a pro shop here in Dallas tell me that the G5s would be good, but I need to go hit them at Golf Galaxy.

It's a tough call - I guess I'll have to continue hitting them and seeing what other opinions people might have. Thanks for the comments so far - any additional are appreciated.

[Shindig]

I went and hit several clubs the other day: Cobra SZ, Nike Slingshot 4D, Mizuno MX-100s, Callaway X-18R and X-20, Cleveland CG7, and TaylorMade R7.

No comment on the MX-100s? I assume the pro was telling you to consider the Ping g10s. Those are also a good set; they're a bit closer to the GI side than SGI, but not significantly so. The thing I really like about Ping's setup is that you can order individual irons from the set individually, and they usually have a huge number in their iron lines - I think the i10s have 2 through L available (that's 12 different clubs). The g10 series probably has at least 3 through L available. Ping golf is also the king of customizing your irons.

[NativeTxn]

No comment on the MX-100s?

The MX-100s didn't feel good when I was hitting yesterday. I have hit the MX-200s in the past a few times, and they felt nice, especially when hitting it square. But the 100s weren't doing it for me yesterday - I'll give them a second try though, as I will some of the others to see if the same holds true on a different day with different swings.

I was hitting the clubs at one of the GGs in Dallas. The guy there was the one who told me to try the R7s. I was talking to a different guy at a Golfsmith that suggested looking into the G5s. He said the G5s are very similar to the G10s, just a prior model and now less expensive. He said that the G5s may be a slight bit more forgiving than the G10s - can anyone comment on that? I like the idea behind PING in that the clubs are customized, so if I hit them well a few times, they may go to the top of the list of consideration.

[Shindig]

He said the G5s are very similar to the G10s, just a prior model and now less expensive. He said that the G5s may be a slight bit more forgiving than the G10s - can anyone comment on that?

Yes, the G5s are the "old version" of the G10s. I don't know about forgiveness differences - I would guess the G10s to be slightly more, but not significantly so. If you like the G5s and can get them in your specs, go for it.

I like the idea behind PING in that the clubs are customized, so if I hit them well a few times, they may go to the top of the list of consideration.

Please remember that Ping, like most golf companies, will fit you for free. So don't just walk into a store and buy a set quite yet. :)

[madcityscott]

I just bought a set of used G5's (from 3balls.com--check them out) and I friggin' LOVE them. The only thing about them is that the ball trajectory is higher, so flight is correspondingly shorter. (Not a lot, maybe 1 club length.) But they feel sweet and they're accurate.

Funny thing is, I just played on Saturday with another guy who also has them, and he's a 5 handicap. So they should grow with you.

[NativeTxn]

Well, as much as I don't want to like the R7s (due in part to much of what people on these forums say about TaylorMade constantly coming out with new equipment multiple times a season), I hit them them best today at GG when compared to the other clubs I hit. This time, it didn't sound like the club head was going to split in half like it did the other day (could be because it was a different club at a different GG).

The G5s seemed to go high just about every single time I hit them. The R7s would go high sometimes, but I had a more consistent launch angle in the low to mid-20s with them versus the G5.

The Callaway X-22s that I hit today felt much better than the X-20s that I hit earlier this week and again today.

Tried the Nike VR cavities and didn't care for them.

I'd like to try out the Wilson Ci7, as I've read good praise about them on here, but unfortunately, GG doesn't carry them to test out.

Still a tough call.

[Dub]

You can go to any PING dealer and get a set of G5 irons custom fit and ordered for you for under $400.

You'll have the irons in under two weeks.