Need a recommendation on irons

[tws1098]

Hey everyone, I just got back from a fitting. I used the Mizuno shaft optimizer and the club tape. My results were as follows...

Headspeed - 84mph
Tempo - 3
Toe Down - 4
Kick Angle - 5
Release Factor - 9
*Based on this I was recommended a GS 95 S-300 shaft (stiff)*
*Based on the other portion of the test my lie is standard.*

I am on a bit of a budget, so I am trying to stay under $500. I tried mizuno mx-23 and TM Burner 7-irons. Compared to my current clubs I hit the Mizunos the same and the Burner's about 10-15 yards farther, straighter, and more consistent. I was hoping to like the Mizuno's, and later found out they were only $275 compared to $495 for the Burner's, but o well. Both sets had a stiff shaft (my current clubs are regular).

I want to go with game improvement clubs, based on the above, any suggestions? Just looking for ideas at this point.

[Shindig]

Hey everyone, I just got back from a fitting. I used the Mizuno shaft optimizer and the club tape. My results were as follows...

That's a fun process, now, isn't it?

I am on a bit of a budget, so I am trying to stay under $500. I tried mizuno mx-23 and TM Burner 7-irons. Compared to my current clubs I hit the Mizunos the same and the Burner's about 10-15 yards farther, straighter, and more consistent. I was hoping to like the Mizuno's, and later found out they were only $275 compared to $495 for the Burner's, but o well. Both sets had a stiff shaft (my current clubs are regular).

Of the two, I'd go with the MX-23s, unless the straighter and more consistency of the TMs is

significant . Note that they have a stronger loft, so that's part of why you hit them farther. Furthermore, suppose $495 (Burner cost) fits your budget, but you go with the MX-23. That's a little more than $200 left in your budget. Since you aren't the city street commission, you can spend that money elsewhere. I don't know lesson costs in PA, but I can get 5 lessons with my PGA instructor here for that. I'll bet MX-23 + a few lessons will be a greater improvement for you (distance, accuracy, fun) than the Burners.

[tws1098]

Yeah, it was a lot of fun. I forgot to mention that I am looking for irons I can grow into. I do not mind being challenged by a less forgiving club, in fact it would be a great challenge as I progress. I have really fallen in love with the game and just want a set that I can stick with as I get better. Your suggestions do not have to be either of the clubs I tried. I would like to hit more before I make a decision. Thanks everyone, keep the thoughts coming.

[CrazyHorsePete]

I am very satisfied with my MX-25s. They can be picked up cheap now since the MX-200s came out. IMO the MX-25s look better than the MX-23s, but it's all personal preference.

[tws1098]

What are the thoughts on AP1s or MX-200s? I see these at decent prices on ebay and know they have both gotten good reviews. They seem like they would be more challenging to master, but again, that does not bother me at all.

[CrazyHorsePete]

The MX-200s use Mizuno's "Y-Tune" technology, which supposedly adds a bit of forvigeness by extending the sweet spot forward. They are Mizuno's replacement for the MX-25, which is the replacement for the MX-23. I find my 25s to be quite forgiving; I would assume that the 200s wouldn't be much different. When I demoed the 200s, the performance was very similar (granted, this was at a simulator at Galaxy). I was going to get the 200s, but the 25s were about $250 cheaper!

[Jon K]

bottom line .. you can't go wrong with a mizuno iron. one of the best makers on the market for irons in my opinion

if you're looking for a custom set ... also consider putting your iron set together club by club. maybe use more of a players iron with more shaping ability and control with your shorter clubs like PW-8 or 7 and then more of a game improvement club for your longer clubs like 6 or 7 up to your hybrids. this should make a huge improvement on your game .. it did on mine.

[tws1098]

bottom line .. you can't go wrong with a mizuno iron. one of the best makers on the market for irons in my opinion

That seems to be the consensus around here. My mentor teacher (I am just finishing student teaching) works at Great Bear in the Poconos (PA) and is a pretty good golfer. He likes his Mizunos a lot and recommended I look into them.

EDIT: I just saw your next post as well, I had considered piecing together a set. Most of the time it is cheaper to buy used, and they will often be in a set, so I figured i would just go with the whole set and mix them (if need be) with the set I have now.

[tws1098]

I have also come across MP-57s and Bridgestone J36 at good prices, how are the Bridgestone's? I have not heard a lot about them, are they more of a player's iron and therefore not as good for me?

[Jon K]

I don't know anything about the bridgestones. I play bridgestone balls. i LOVE the mp58's ... basically the new model of the 57's however you have to be a really consistent ball striker to have fun with them and on another note ... the long irons of the 57's/58's are really hard to hit ... this is why i bought my set club by club. no reason to waste money on the long irons that i wouldnt use. i replaced the long irons with hybrids that i can crush and hit dead straight ... this gave me a kill zone all the way through my entire set.

[Jon K]

for you .. i would suggest this ..


put your set together club by club. start with your PW, 9, 8 and 7 ... get something like the 57 or more of a players club. when i started playing golf again, i went with a full set of super game improvement irons ... these helped me a TON ... however after one season, my skill out grew them and i bought a new set of irons between super game improvement and player club. the year after that, i went with full players irons ... so yes, three seasons, three sets of irons ... spending $2000+ just on irons. don't make the same mistake i did because reselling used clubs is useless .. you get nothing for them so you're stuck with multiple sets of clubs like me .. .i have three bags right now.

with that being said ... if you think you're going to really work on your golf game and think you'll improve quite a bit in a season ... dont waste your money on a full set of game improvement irons ... you'll just out grow them.

this is why i suggest using a game improvement iron for your 3, 4, 5, and maybe 6 .. or just up to 5 .. then get a players iron for your 7, 8, 9 and PW ... because those irons are a lot easier to hit and you'll want more control with those. ... of course i will always suggest using hybrids instead of long irons like 3, 4 and 5... suggest using iron for 5 if you're a good striker and want more control ... if you're not ... use a 5 hybrid .. you'll be must happier with the results.

[Shindig]

I have also come across MP-57s and Bridgestone J36 at good prices, how are the Bridgestone's? I have not heard a lot about them, are they more of a player's iron and therefore not as good for me?

The J36 are actually 3 clubs: it's not quite as extreme as the 3 models of Nike VR, but I think there's a Players' Cavity, Players' Half Cavity, and Blade. They're supposed to be pretty good, but Bridgestone (by their own admission) doesn't make their primary golf business the clubs.

As for the mixed sets: you can sometimes find a mixed set in the used area. I see them plenty around here, especially with Nike VR or Mizuno Players' Irons.

[tws1098]

I just got back from playing today. Shot a 93 (par 72) at a course I never played before and it was pretty wet. My iron play was good, I did not hit enough fairways and had two or three 3 putts, which hurt.

So something like MP-57s for 5-pw and keep my current 2-4 hybrids could be a good choice? No one really commented on the AP1s, would they be a good 5-pw?

[Jon K]

AP1's are a nice club too .. it all depends what you hit better and feel most comfortable with.

[WUTiger]

What are the thoughts on AP1s or MX-200s? I see these at decent prices on ebay and know they have both gotten good reviews. They seem like they would be more challenging to master, but again, that does not bother me at all.

Note: MPF stands for Maltby Playability Factor. It would help if we knew what your actual HDCP was. The original 2008 AP1 model has MPF = 765, putting it in the SGI category. The 2008 AP2 has MPF = 551, which puts it into the GI category. As a reference base, your Pine Meadow Commander Bk irons are similar to the Taylormade R7, which has MPF = 632, in GI category. I test hit the AP1 last year before I switched clubs. It had a decent feel, and you could draw or fade if you wanted to. Only problem was, my ideal shaft would have raised price of club about $150. So, I ended up with X20s, which I got slightly used for a very good price. Both AP1 and AP2 were the priciest irons I looked at in the spring, even without shaft upgrades. Some left-over AP1s and AP1 tradeins should meet your price range. For help on understand the full Maltby Playability Factor ratings, check out Maltby's website: http://www.ralphmaltby.com/

[tws1098]

Thanks, I will check out that website. I have never established a handicap, but today I shot a 93 which equates to a 22 handicap according to the handicap calculator. As stated above my iron play was pretty good but, I left a number of putts on the green : /

[Shindig]

So something like MP-57s for 5-pw and keep my current 2-4 hybrids could be a good choice? No one really commented on the AP1s, would they be a good 5-pw?

If you like your hybrids down to the 4-hybrid, I would suggest that

whichever iron set you get starts at the 5 (or, if strongly lofted, whichever iron starts after the loft of the 4-hybrid).