Looking for new irons (lefthanded)

[Barney Stinson]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a new set of irons, since I would like to replace my old Mizuno Comp CT, which are kind of wrong fitted (too long, wrong shaft) and I simply don't like them.

Problem is that I'm lefthanded and there are not so many good fitting possibilities around, especially with lefthanded club choices.

After a break of about 4 years I started to play again about 2 months ago, having some issues with my swing, but if they are fixed I play around 20 hcp - and I'm quite sure it will be fixed after a few lessons I will take this week. I need about 3/4-1 inch longer irons and 2° upright, stiff shaft (not sure if 5.5 or 6.0 with project X) and midsize grips. I have a solid swing and I am quite positive that I am able to go further down with my hcp this season.

I would like to take a better set of irons, no big game-improvement clubs, which I need to replace again next season or so. The old Comp CT with 1,5 inch longer shafts are not that easy to play as well, compared to the new clubs, I believe.

I like the following clubs:
Titleist AP2, Mizuno MP-52, thought about MX-200 as well and TaylorMade R9 (TP). I already tested MP-52 and MX-200, but only short on a bad bay for my swing. I have a AP1 and AP2 right now, but with different shafts for testing. And I had no chance yet to test the R9 or R9 TP yet, simply cause I don't find a retailer with lefthanded R9 for testing nearby.

The AP2 have a standard length, standard lie KBS Stiff shaft, which I like. The AP1 a 2° upright, 0,5 inch longer 6.0 Project X, which I'm not so comfortable yet, but maybe it would be better with the 5.5. Still because of the differences in club, lenght/lie it's difficult to compare.

My driver and 3 wood were fitted with the Aldila NV-65S shaft.


So, I'm looking for some tips here what clubs and setup would be good for me. Which clubs are easier to play with and still good for lower hcp ranges. I know the MX-200 would be a pick, because they offer a lot of forgiveness, but I like the smaller clubheads more. I prefer a quite classic look, so clubs like AP1, Cobra S2 and other big heads or something like that are no option for me. The normal R9 are also very big, but okayish looking, the R9 TP I like a little more.

Important as well would be which shaft is the best choice, I really like the KBS on the AP2, but that doesn't say that it'll perform well on the other clubs as well. And I could only test a 6 iron.

Sorry for the long text, I hope you are still willing to give some tips.

[JDOK]

As a fellow lefty I will say I am glad we have almost equal (not quite) opportunity of club selection these days with the internet and ordering! I have heard very positive reviews of the AP2s and the R9s. I would also look at the Nike Combo set. They look really nice from above and are supposed to be really great all around irons (might be a bit pricey). I also just noticed you have currently a 20 handicap and are looking for which are better to hit for you. I think you may want to go on the more cavity back forgiving side of the market. The taylor made Burner irons would be much better for you than the RP TPs! Some of your problem as a 20 may be missing the center of the club face and losing a lot of distance. Be on the look out for more forgiving irons that still look nice from the top and not too bulky.
Good Luck

[Barney Stinson]

I really like the feel of the AP1, I had great shots with them, but I just don't like the big top line and the huge cavity. You're maybe right in saying that I should take more forgiving irons, but I don't really know which. That's why I started a thread about it.

I would really like to test the R9 since the reviews were pretty good and they looks are still okay. I hope I will find a store that has test models for lefthanders. I think I will go to a Mizuno fitting centre to test die MP-52 and MX-200 again with the right setup, also to see which shafts perform best for me. Any other recommandations of clubs?

[Barney Stinson]

After some more consideration, I'm even more struggling with my decision. I think the rational decision would be the AP1, the Mizunos are quite old now and should be replaced soon.
I also thought about a set of 4-6 AP1 and 7-PW AP2, which is discussed in a different thread.

But I have one more question regarding the shafts. I like the Project X 6.0 in the AP1, maybe a 5.5 would be a little better. But I also liked the KBS Tour in the AP2. In the custom fitting white paper from Titleist they are set quite similar at low/mid spin and launch. I think it would be good to choose a shaft with a lower launch since the AP1 already are said to launch very high. Any recommendation about the shafts?

[titushem]

as a fellow lefty with handicap of around 20, i know exactly how you feel. i am currently playing with mp-52 4-p, project x 5.5 shafts. i do love my irons but sometimes i wish they are a bit more forgiving. it definitely took me a while to get used to the long irons. ive also tried the AP-2 and felt that they are a bit more forgiving. however, i ended up with the 52s simply because they look a lot better in my eyes.

if you want to keep the new set for a while, then i would suggest the mp-52. if you want more forgiveness, then i would go with the AP-2 or maybe even the taylormade burners. hopefully it helps

[Barney Stinson]

I just found out that there is a demo day by Titleist in a nearby golfclub next week. I'm going to book a fitting for that day and will ask the Titleist guy which club he would suggest to me then... Thanks for the input here. Thought about the MP-52 as well, like I said before, but I heard they are not available for lefthanders right now. And if the AP2 are more forgiving, then I think I would prefer them. But if the Titleist guy says AP1 are the way to go, I think I will do so.

I just would really like to test the R9, but just don't know where. Maybe I give TM a call and ask them...

[Barney Stinson]

Today I made a spontaneous trip to a bigger golf shop in a city nearby, there they had a R9 for testing. I compared it to the AP1, which they had as well and made my decision. I really liked the R9s looks and feel and found it slightly better compared to the AP1. So I bought a 4-PW set with the KBS Tour Stiff shaft and Multi Compound grips. I thought about the R9 TP as well, but I think the R9 is the most reasonable decision for my hcp.

[cdauks07]

I am a lefty and tested the AP2's vs the R9 TP. I hit both fairly well and it was kind of a tossup but in the end I preferred the look and feel of the AP2. I've only played one round so far with them but am very pleased with my decision.