Fitted Irons

[jrm1493]

I have been toying with the idea of getting fitted for some irons and wanted to see what some of yalls opinions are. Current index is 15.1 (14.3 trend) and I have improved from about a 22-23 a year ago and only started playing seriously 2 years ago. I am a decent ball striker but the best part of my game is by far putting and chipping.

I am wondering if I am better off sticking with GI clubs like I have now (maybe G10, Adams A4, X22, etc...) or go with something a little more workable (i10, X22 Tour, Mizuno MP52). I generally don't try to work the ball too much but when my ball striking is on I can more or less hit a hook or slice when I need to but the amount of hook or slice I have trouble controlling. I have never really hit any "workable" clubs except for a few hits with a friend's old Hogan blades. Honestly the blades didn't seem any more workable than my Adams A2's which maybe means I don't really know what I'm doing. They did seem less forgiving but not hugely so (I only hit a 7 iron - I'm sure 3i would be a different story). I have the standard A2's not the super-game improvement A2OS.

At what skill level would something like the X22 Tour make sense - in other words where is the cutoff between it hurting/helping vs the standard X22. Thanks for the replies.

[WUTiger]

First of all, the clubs you named at top (G10, etc.) are Ultra Game Improvement. You are talking about shifting down to Super Game Improvement.

Opting for X22 Tour or Ping I10 (SGI clubs) depends on two considerations:

* Ball height : If you get the ball up plenty high - or sometimes too high - with the UGI clubs, definitely consider these two.
* Time to devote to game : Do you have enough time that you can play six times a month, and also go out about once a week just to practice? If not, you may not be able to work on the SGI clubs enough to get the benefits they offer. If you can't work to develop your swing, they could hurt your overall score.

Try out the 22T and I10 and see how you like them. Any chance you could rent a set and actually play a round or two?

As for working the ball , I can work the ball fine with my X20 irons. In comparison, though, the X22 gave better feedback on impact as to how your shot will go. I got X20s this spring. The X20 Tour and X22 Tour felt great on solid hits, but my swing's not there yet. When it improves, X22 Tour is one I would test out.

Also, look at new Ping I15 irons. See posts from earlier this weekend on demo experiences.

One note: Both X22 Tours and I15s have smaller heads than UGIs. If you have a good swing, smaller heads cut through the rough better than larger ones.

[Dub]

I'd rate the G10's in more of the GI category.


They seemed very simular to the G5s which can be worked left/right without too much effort. The main thing that I wanted was higher trajectory, no loss of length (these are 1/2 longer than my prior sticks) and proper fitting. All was achieved.

My father and a couple of other buddies of ours have been fitted for G10s and to a man absolutely love them. One of the best players I know games the I10s....he's a 2 hcp. He's the one who put me on the G5s.

The new G15 and I15 irons look great.....very good initial reports and tests over on golfwrx.com, too. I really like the looks of the hybrids....you now have choices.....



I15 hybrid:



G15 hybrid:

[Kingfisher]

First of all, the clubs you named at top (G10, etc.) are Ultra Game Improvement. You are talking about shifting down to Super Game Improvement.

Erm, if you're going to offer advice, at least make it good advice. i10, x22 tour - super game improvement clubs? I would beg to differ.

[jldavis73]

Here's my two-cents: hit everything. EVERYTHING that you can. Get fitted properly and hit as many different sets as possible. Then, if you find a set you hit that much better than your Adams, buy 'em. I don't think you should get caught up in "game improvement" vs. "players clubs". The bottom line is will they lower your score.

[clubchamp]

I agree with the hit everything theory and don't worry about whether or not its a players club or GI. The other thing is don't worry about if the irons allow you to "work the ball" because to be honest I never seen anyone hire than an 8 handicap be able to work the ball esp with an iron. Infact if your problem becomes you hit them to straight I doubt you will complain.


just my my 2 cents...

[sp33d]

Get some really nice blades, learn to hit those in the next 2 years you will thank me.

No but seriously,

I would say if you a "decent" ball striker I would go with something twords a players Iron. Mizuno MP line, Nike Forged cavity/blade combo, Adams has some nice hybrid/muscle backs out.

Bottom line is, Hit EVERY THING, with EVERY SHAFT, get what feels good and get them fitted...

[jrm1493]

Thanks for the replies. Several of yall said to hit everything I can and then decide and I think that is good advice. The place where I usually go to hit balls has a pretty nice pro shop so I'll try to grab several of their demo 6 irons the next few times I go out there. I'll probably get fitted there as well since I just can't imagine getting fitted on a launch monitor - I want to see what the ball flights look like. They have just put in a nice launch monitor at the end of their range where you can hit off grass but have all the computer feedback as well. I hate hate hate hitting off mats and I know launch monitors lie because last time I was in Golfsmith I hit a 380 yard drive according to the computer!!!

[tmf9]

Thanks for the replies. Several of yall said to hit everything I can and then decide and I think that is good advice. The place where I usually go to hit balls has a pretty nice pro shop so I'll try to grab several of their demo 6 irons the next few times I go out there. I'll probably get fitted there as well since I just can't imagine getting fitted on a launch monitor - I want to see what the ball flights look like. They have just put in a nice launch monitor at the end of their range where you can hit off grass but have all the computer feedback as well. I hate hate hate hitting off mats and

That's nothing I hit a 450 yard 6-iron at golf galaxy.

[WUTiger]

Kingfisher,

I stand corrected. The X20 Tour was Super Game Improvement at MPI = 716. The X22 Tour went down to MPI = 594, dropping into Game Improvement. Ralph Maltby reports that raising the vertical center of gravity in the X22 cost it more than 100 MPI points.

Ping produced a really odd flipflop. The S58 ended up at SGI with MPI = 778, while I10 came in at GI with MPI = 560. S57 dropped back into GI with MPI = 612.