Iron Choices

[Captain Hook]

Hello,
As i stated aim 50 years old, and have barrowed clubs this season, well its time to break down and pull the trigger. Iam very active and have picked up the game quickly and paly about 3 times a week, and spend about 4 hours a week at the range also, its like i have found a new Love. The wife is going to buy me mine own set of clubs(Irons) as i have a new driver (TaylorMade), and new putter(Cleveland), But my qustion is do i want a steel shaft for my Irons, or ? She said i cold spend around $500, I want to get a set that i will be happy with for a few years and become better. Should i go and be fitted at a proshop, There's a Golf Galaxy and GolfSmith, just down the road, but there are some Great prices on Ebay As well. Help.Help.

Dave

[CG031]

I'd say go get fitted at Golf Galaxy. I'd also suggest Steel shafts in irons, not a big fan of graphite in the irons.

You should be able to find a nice set for 500 dollars. Good Luck.

[higdonp]

I was in the same boat about 6 months ago. I'm 40 and have went through the same cycle. I researched irons and found the best deal for me was the Callaway BB iron set. I found a new set on eBay for about 350 (retail about 600). So far I'm really liking them, they are forgiving and really launch the ball when I don't screw up (lol). For beginner improvement clubs I think they are a great deal. Of course I'll be playing with them for the next few years...

-Pat

[TheJuice]

If you end up going to Golf Galaxy, become an advantage member on their website. There was a coupon I found the other day that was spend $500 get $100 back, spend $250 get $50 back, or spend $100 get $20 back, this definitely made my iron buying more enjoyable.

[I KyotE I]

As stated, any way you go, get fitted. But I have now found, and I am sure there are a lot all over, but local club makers. The local here has a good limited lifetime warrenty, has GI clubs to Forged blades and the most expensive is like 600. As for shafts, they should be able to tell you if steel or graphite would be better.

[jldavis73]

  I KyotE I said:

As stated, any way you go, get fitted. But I have now found, and I am sure there are a lot all over, but local club makers. The local here has a good limited lifetime warrenty, has GI clubs to Forged blades and the most expensive is like 600. As for shafts, they should be able to tell you if steel or graphite would be better.

TOTALLY AGREE. The most important thing when buying irons is getting properly fitted for them. Once you know your "specs" (i.e. +1/2", 2* upright), you can apply those to most manufacturers' offerings and find clubs that will fit you on Ebay if you choose. A proper fitting will also reveal if steel or graphite shafts are best for you. Demo everything and enjoy the process!

[leo3]

I agree with most of the prior posts, regarding getting fit, but at 50 years old, you have to take into account any earlier injuries or problems when it comes to choosing between steel and graphite shafts. If you have any history of broken bones, arthritis, joint issues, or back trouble, give graphite a good look. I have switched back and forth several times in the last few years, trying to find a steel shaft that would not cause hand and arm pain after several rounds, and have finally settled on a set of graphite shafts that perform well and allow me to play pain free. Sorry for the long post, but many of the younger guys here will steer you to steel, as thay have not been through some of the stuff us 50 somethings have. Good luck in your search for the right clubs for you..

[Captain Hook]

Thanks guys for your words of wisdom! (Leo3) arthritis is the big problem with my knee's as i have had two major surgery's on my right Knee, and have very little cartliage in there, But after getting shots in my Knee, so far so good, the Knee is holding up well, but cool morning and rainy days is a different story. I plan on taking a good look at the graphite shafts, On my driver i have a graphite shaft, and after getting used to it i love it, I did have to change a few things on my swing nothing major, just seemed that i was slicing drives, But i also noticed i gained alittle more distance appx 25/30 yards, and with a little fade also.

[higdonp]

Does getting fitted really make that much of a difference given that we mostly have the same length arms? I mean a 6" man and 5"6 man generally have the same arm length. Do they adjust for your swing or style? I don't know, I'm a beginner.

[dan1724]

I'll tell you what- buying irons is a sublime experience! Take the previous advice and demo as many clubs as you can until you find one you like. I am 36 years old and switched this year to graphite shafts. I gained an incredible amount of distance- so much so that I had to spend alot of time on the range figuring out my new yardages. I switched from TaylorMade SuperSteel Irons with steel shafts to my current Cleveland Hi-Bores with graphite and didn't look back. I didn't lose any accuracy and gained TONS of yardage.
If you can justify the cost, graphite is the way to go!

[WUTiger]

Getting fitted involves much more than shaft length.

Other factors include:
* Lie angle (upright, normal or flat) - This ensures the iron hits the ground squarely, rather than on the toe or on the heel. Several pros have told me proper lie angle is one of the main benefits of club fitting
Note: This is different from club loft.
* Shaft flex - Match it to your swing speed.
* Kick point - Does the shaft flex low (high ball flight), middle (medium) or high (low ball flight)

Note: Type of golf ball also will help determine height of normal shot.