New Game Improvement Irons...

[mhenrickson]

I'm a beginner/high handicap golfer, and I was wondering about the facts/myths of "Game Improvement" irons.

I've been playing for about a year, and currently carry Taylor Made Oversize Burner irons which are about 15 years old (I inherited the set). I've demoed some newer clubs just to see if I could even tell the difference, and sure enough they did make a difference. A mis-hit with my TM's would line drive low, while a similar mis-hit with the new clubs would still get up in the air and go mostly straight.

One thing I've read is that game improvement irons can actually damage your swing, because even on mis-hits the ball gets up in the air, and goes relatively straight. Therefore, flaws in your swing will likely never get corrected, because there's basically no immediate feedback from the club.

The other side of this argument would be that a weekend golfer like myself (usually 9 holes/week tops), just doesn't get out often enough to develop a true and consistent swing. In other words hitting the sweet spot most every time, and the ability to draw/fade don't much matter to someone like myself at this point.

I'm trying to work on my swing to hit the ball with a descending blow then divot after the ball-strike. Is there anything in game improvement irons that wouldn't allow me to do that? The club I liked the best in the demo was the Ping G15. I know there are numerous choices available, but I assume that is a well regarded club choice?

I've also heard the argument that I should buy used clubs and improve before spending money on new clubs. My attitude is basically that I already own used clubs, and if I'm going to spend any money on clubs, I would like to buy new and make sure I get fit properly with shaft, grip, etc.

I really haven't decided what I want to do at this point, but any thoughts on the above would be interesting to me. Especially if you were in a similar situation to me and had to decide current clubs vs. new clubs, and if you felt your decision was a good one.

[ET-Taylor]

fitting is very important

[abraxas]

i was in your exact situation about a year ago. slowly started replacing the hand-me-downs one by one. when it came to the irons i hit a bunch of them at the store and picked up a used set (you can also get them off ebay, prolly for a better deal). i ended up getting the g10s simply because i couldnt tell the difference between them and the g15s, not worth the extra money.

anyway, people have told me not to worry about getting a new set and getting fitted until i can hit consistently and develop a dynamic swing, if that ever happens, haha!

[whetstone]

I play game improvement irons proudly. I play golf for fun. Hitting the ball high and straight is more fun than hitting it all over the place.

[kilbyman]

Ping g5s are great too. You can get those new for around $450 or so. A good idea (what I'm doing) is to get some lessons from a pro and then let them fit you since they know your swing characteristics by that point.

[WUTiger]

I'm a beginner/high handicap golfer, and I was wondering about the facts/myths of "Game Improvement" irons.

Some may accuse me of not answering your question, but so be it. I would suggest you get a lesson or two and stabilize your swing before spending money on new clubs.

A static fitting on your current set would be helpful (shaft length and lie according to your height and body proportions). But, a custom fitting won't help much - like all beginners, you probably have a different swing from day to day. So, go with static (make sure it's not a major physical misfit between you and clubs) and then stablize your swing. As for tales about GI clubs: If you understand a golf swing, you can do a basic draw or fade with GI clubs. Also, if you play just 9 holes a week, GI clubs would pay off because you don't have time to do much more than stabilize your swing.

[Greg]

Id go to some local stores, golf galaxy, dicks sporting goods etc and try out all they have and find out what you like. Many times on ebay you can find clubs cheaper, many used ones as well. I bought my irons off ebay, didnt spend much money at all and I like them, mine are very similar to taylormade r7's(not clones) which I hit several times and liked and the callaway x-22s as well, both game improvement irons but thats what i need at this point and maybe always will as I dont know if I will ever be good enough to hit anything else and I do play more often than once a week. I would pick the clubs that are easiest for you to hit and with not being able to play very often, you dont want to be frustrated with clubs that are difficult to hit.

[Gioguy21]

R7's are goin for $399 at Dicks...

[GDWindowpane]

See if any of your local shops have a demo program. That's what I did. Demoed the AP2's, Pings, TaylorMades and the Mizuno MP-57's (twice) amound others. Fell in love with the MP-57's and bought them. My local shop usually "charges" $20 to demo irons for two days. The $20 is good towards new club purchases. This gave me a chance to actually play a couple of rounds with them to get the real feel. After awhile they wanted to stop charging me and I said heck no, used this as a lay away plan. The wife didn't know what I really paid for the MP-57's because I had a couple of hundred in shop credit... When the time comes, definitely get fitted.

[kingface12]

The most importnat thing when picking up the game is to try to get a few lessons to help put you on the right track. It will amaze you how a few short lessons will make what seems to be a complex thing...a lot easier. After you get your swing developed I would audition as many clubs as you can at a REAL golf shop. Somewhere where people know what they are doing and can get you fiited for the right set of clubs. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG with buying GI or SGI CLUBS!!! The first thing you need to do is like the sport. GI will help give you confidence and keep you interested in the game so you may want to play more.

I would look into some older Callaway x-20 that you can get used for under $300 or some old Adams clubs. Both offer great GI irons. Good luck!!

[B-Con]

My advice would be to buy clubs that a) make the game enjoyable for you, and b) will suit you for at least a couple years, unless you enjoy trading out clubs every 2 years.

Many 18 HCPs play with GI clubs, and a non-negligible number of those with SGI clubs. You definitely won't be holding yourself back by getting (S)GI clubs if your HCP is still over 18. When you've played the same swing for a while, had a couple lessons, and feel like you're in a consistent groove with your swing and game-playing, and you're striking your clubs consistently and getting good scores with them, that's probably the time to look into getting more advanced clubs. In short, you shouldn't hurt yourself, especially if you're just going to play on weekends. You may not get as good feedback from your hits, but that's just an issue of learning, not of having your actual game stifled. (You can always use impact tape on occasion to check your swing accuracy.) You can always buy more advanced clubs in 3+ years if you feel like your current ones are holding you back.

R7's are goin for $399 at Dicks...

$320 down the street from me. At least, as of last week they were.