New irons required?

[nick4501]

Hi all.

I'm 26 and starting to get back into golf again. I used to have regular lessons about 15 years ago, but stopped playing when I went to university. I suspect that my handicap peaked at about 20, although I'm now about 26 (at best!).

I inheritted my Dad's old Ping Zing irons and as they are now 16 years old, I wondered if it was worth me upgrading. My current Pings give me a lot of confidence when I address the ball, due to their beefy heads, so if I was to go for another club, I'd like to have the same confidence level. Can anyone recommend such a club? I'd like to stay with Ping, if possible, and have confirmed that I should be using black spot (via Ping's online fitting test), but I still intend to go for a fitting to make sure.

I have heard a lot of people talking about the G10's, and their large head. Exactly how large are they? Are Ping Zing's considered to have a large head?

Also, exactly what is the meaning of "lie" when talking about club fittings?

Given that I have only just started playing again, with an approximate handicap of about 26, is it worth upgrading from the 16 year old Ping Zing's...?

Thanks!

Nick

[i-Guy]

I have heard a lot of people talking about the G10's, and their large head. Exactly how large are they?

I would highly recommend the

G15 irons

Are Ping Zing's considered to have a large head?

Somewhat but mainly it is that the design of heads that has changed since the invention of Zing irons so they may appear dis-similar to today’s Game Improvement clubs like the G15.

Also, exactly what is the meaning of "lie" when talking about club fittings?

This is what you are referring to when you say "Black Dot" which is standard lie...if the lie is not fitted correctly to your swing then you could have problems as follows:

Too Upright - hit left of target Too Flat - hit right of target The PING dot system is a great start to fitting and usually people are close to the dot used in the static measurement (maybe go a dot flat or upright from there)...so like you said make sure you get fitted

Given that I have only just started playing again, with an approximate handicap of about 26, is it worth upgrading from the 16 year old Ping Zing's...?

Yes...the G15 irons will make your progression a lot more enjoyable and you could potentially take the G15 irons all the way to scratch (if you go that far) as many PGA Tour Pro's even play these clubs...

[alisdair]

Ping Zings are great clubs! Stick with them if you like them. If you get a chance, try hitting a few demo clubs at the range for comparison. Technology in irons really hasn't progressed that much in the last 20 years.

Lie angle is the angle between the sole of the club and the shaft. This can be adjusted for particularly short or tall people, or those with short or tall arms. If you're average height with ordinary length arms, it's not worth getting your clubs lie fitted until you have a repeatable swing that you're happy with.

[shades9323]

Just rock the Zings for a while. Save the money for greens fees!

[Meddle]

Just rock the Zings for a while. Save the money for greens fees!

That's what I would do. Pretty timeless clubs those are. But if your cash is burning a hole in your pocket, I would go with the G15. The heads on those are huge, since you asked.

[max power]

Zings are great clubs.

[nick4501]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will struggle onwards with the Zings for a while...at least until I spot some G10/15's on ebay going super cheap!

[FX(TM)]

Yeah, if you have a lot of money to spare, then why not? Temptation would make you buy new clubs. However, if you feel confident with them, I see no reason to change them whatsoever.

[drglew]

Agree with others if they're in decent shape, no need to change. However, you might want to consider regripping them esp if the grips are original -- they'll feel "new" and probably won't slip/slide nearly as much as 15-year old rubber! (And that wouldn't be very expensive)