Irons - why is a thin profile desirable?

[Golfaway]

As someone who used to play wide soled irons and now plays thin soled irons, I prefer the thin soles because I always felt like the wide sole got in the way. It might have been more of a mental thing, but I never like the huge soles on the bottom of my irons.

That's exactly how I feel. Sometimes I feel that because I know thin top line irons are harder to hit, I just relax and make an easy swing totally devoid of tension which results in a good shot. But when with my SGI irons, I always feel I want to pump the hell out of it and this results in fat shots and shanks. And specially shanks, GOD I HATE SHANKS!!!!

[Shorty]

well heres a quote from Golf digests 2010 hot list on the titleist ap2 irons,

The thread is about clubs thin profiles. AP2s do not have a thin profile. Compare one with a Mizuno MP iron. That is what people are talking about when they refer to a club with a thin topline.

[motteler621]

The thread is about clubs thin profiles. AP2s do not have a thin profile. Compare one with a Mizuno MP iron. That is what people are talking about when they refer to a club with a thin topline.

yea I've hit the mizuno mb58 and the ap2 side by side. The mizuno topline was a little thinner, but that doesn't mean the ap2 is chunky by any means, it's actually very nice,

[WUTiger]

I think it has grown on me. I think working the ball also is a big factor that is not as easy to do with SGI irons.

You can work the ball (basic draw and fade) with SGI clubs, or UGI for that matter -

if you know how a golf swing works . Problem with SGI is that its more difficult to control trajectory-loft, because of the lower vertical center of gravity. You tend to hit the ball higher because of this clubhead design factor. But, SGI with mid- or high-kick shafts would help keep the ball down. As per enis750 's comments, the thin topline is more evident with Player's and GI clubs, and less with SGI and UGI clubs. Thin topline in itself, without testing a particular club and its actual shaft, ranks as hype from the clowns in marketing. Also, the discussion gets muddy when you don't identify which club classification system you're using. Are you using the original Maltby Playability Factor system with six classifications, or the simplified Golf Digest system with three classifications (Players, GI, and SGI)?

[shades9323]

It's not a manhood thing, it's a feel thing.

You make a great point for an amature to play GI clubs.

As someone who used to play wide soled irons and now plays thin soled irons, I prefer the thin soles because I always felt like the wide sole got in the way. It might have been more of a mental thing, but I never like the huge soles on the bottom of my irons.

You're right, it is a mental thing. It is even worse for these guys in the 20+ hc guys playing players irons. Playing them because the "inspire confidence"? That is ridiculous. You're inspired confidence is keeping you in the 20+ range? I am currently setting at 11.1 and play Ping G5's. I tried players irons last year and my game suffered. So I switched to a nice GI iron this year and my game is better.

[nike_golf]

My golfing partner plays G10's. I wouldn't think to play them.

Ugly, big, and heavy are a couple of the words I'd use to describe them.

[delav]

You make a great point for an amature to play GI clubs.

I think amateur golfers (of all handicaps) should play the clubs that benefit their game the most.... and most do out in the real world. Glancing at the bags of mid handicappers at my local club, I see sets of TM burners, Callaway X series, Ping G-series, etc... But this here is the internet, full of e-golfers. Look at how many 20+ handicap guys here play forged combo sets and mp-series irons. We've got guys who can't hit a straight ball asking if a tour model driver is the best fit for them. I think this is more a factor of internet forums than reality.

If I were making a move toward professional golf, I'd probably have to change my set out to something more forgiving to hang with the better players on the 7000+ yard courses. Even if you are hitting driver 300, a 130 yard PW approach at a local course is far different from a 200 yard shot into a fast, protected green on a course set up for tour play. I'd probably be reaching for a G15 6 iron too...

[nuck81]

I started on Players clubs and last week made a switch to a set of GI clubs. To be honest I can't tell a difference, yet....But I have only hit two bucket and played one round at a Par 3. Stupid Tornadoes

[delav]

I started on Players clubs and last week made a switch to a set of GI clubs. To be honest I can't tell a difference, yet....But I have only hit two bucket and played one round at a Par 3. Stupid Tornadoes

How did the finished product from gigagolf turn out?

[nuck81]

How did the finished product from gigagolf turn out?

They are a beautiful set of clubs, They look spectacular and have a nice feel to them. A little heavier than the Titleist I was playing on. I haven't hit them enough to really tell a difference, although my flight path has straightened out if not started inching towards a draw. When I misshit, I miss where I was aiming I just don't get any distance out of the club.

However I was so impressed with GigaGolf Prices and quality I ordered a 2 and 4 GX2 Hybrid to fill out my bag, should be here Thursday. And I may get a starter set for my Girlfriend out of their Lady Clubs. I figured a 3W, 2 and 4 hybrid, 5,7,9,PW would be a great starter set for her, and all that would only be about $120.

[sean_miller]

They are a beautiful set of clubs, They look spectacular and have a nice feel to them. A little heavier than the Titleist I was playing on.

That shot right there is an example of what I don't want. I'm not saying they're not beautiful irons in their own way, just not an iron I'd reach for in a pro shop.

[shades9323]

They are a beautiful set of clubs, They look spectacular and have a nice feel to them. A little heavier than the Titleist I was playing on. I haven't hit them enough to really tell a difference, although my flight path has straightened out if not started inching towards a draw. When I misshit, I miss where I was aiming I just don't get any distance out of the club.

Did you upgrade shafts or go with the stockers?

[doctork]

I grew up playing blades, so that's what appeals to my eye. When I look down and see a thick topline and lots of offset, it messes with my mind.

Cheers,
DoctorK

[shades9323]

That shot right there is an example of what I don't want. I'm not saying they're not beautiful irons in their own way, just not an iron I'd reach for in a pro shop.

Why is that? Just because of looks? Haven't you ever heard "never judge a book by it's cover"?

[nuck81]

That shot right there is an example of what I don't want. I'm not saying they're not beautiful irons in their own way, just not an iron I'd reach for in a pro shop.

To each his own. I'd swing a green turd on a stick if I could make consistent solid contact and it helped my game.

Did you upgrade shafts or go with the stockers?

I went with the stick True Tempered Steel, stock grips too, Standard length +2 lie.

This thread made me start to itch, I'm going to the range now lol

[enis750]

Why is that? Just because of looks? Haven't you ever heard "never judge a book by it's cover"?

why??

Because it looks like a friggen shovel huge offset, super wide sole, thick topline sorry dude, but this is not appealing in any way shape or form golf gear is about personal preference even if i could hit those irons great, I would never game them they simply dont appeal to me I know Sean Miller is a big blade fan, so this is why it wouldnt appeal to him either

[shades9323]

why??

If a club could make you a better golfer but was ugly, you wouldn't play it?

Playing better doesn't appeal to you? Do you know how backwards you sound?

[James_Black]

If a club could make you a better golfer but was ugly, you wouldn't play it?

most of golf is psychological, if you think you can hit the shot then there's a chance you can hit the shot.

If you don't like the club you won't have any confidence.