New Irons + Huge difference.

[shankalots]

At the beginning of summer I purchased a new set of Nike VR full cavity irons, S300 high launch shafts. When I first started using them on the range it was really difficult for me to get the ball on line with the target. I went everywhere, pull far left, straight push right. Same results all summer on the course, I had no control over these irons.

Two weeks ago a co-worker offered a trade for his VR split cavity clubs for my full cavities. I hadn't hit them but figured it really couldn't be worse than what I already had and that they would most likely have a higher re-sale value if they didn't work out. Both sets had the same shaft, and standard lie angles. I played that same day, went to the range one hour before tee off time to see how they felt and to find out if there was any distance changes. I did notice how much more on-line I could hit them during the range session, but I know what I do on the range usually stays there. Well I shot an 81 that day, which included one double bogey and TWO holes with 3-putts I hit some of the best iron shots I ever have, including a 190 yard shot onto a par 5 which left a 12 foot eagle putt. Which I missed but left a tap in birdie, with my handicap I'll take it! I hit every par 3, and was 11/18 GIR for the day. On range trips since this day my iron shots are crisp, on line, and seem to produce more spin. Also with these new irons when I miss a shot I usually know why immediately, and I appreciate that feedback.

I apologize for the novel but is it really the irons? I don't think my swing has changed much since trading. I have noticed that with both sets I hit the ball extremely high. My distances has dramatically decreased since buying VR's, but with the way I'm striking the ball now I wont complain too much about that.

[glbrum]

First off, the lofts are different in the VR's and the FC's [full cavity]. Go to the golf section on Nike.com to see the difference. That is [most likely] why your distances are different.

Secondly, more feedback comes from the forged club of the VR vs. the cast built FC's. Seems like a + for you.

It would seem odd that you hit the VR's so well [or at least better] and the FC's so bad considering the FC's are an easier club to hit, but it's working for you so take that confidence and run with it. If all things being equal [shaft, lie, length, etc] I wouldn't expect it to be "the clubs" as you are asking, but maybe the VR's just fit your swing better.

I just went through the club buying process and I realized that non of the dozen clubs I was trying out were really gonna make me score any better than the other 11 clubs I was trying. It all comes down to what fits best and what feels good to you. I tested out the VR's and liked them, but they just didn't give me that "yep, this is the one" feeling. I think that is what you have going right now with the VR's, the "this is the one" feeling.

[shankalots]

  glbrum said:

It would seem odd that you hit the VR's so well [or at least better] and the FC's so bad considering the FC's are an easier club to hit, but it's working for you so take that confidence and run with it.

Yeah I think that's the part that is bothering me. The full cavity is supposed to be more forgiving and a GI iron, I don't understand why I hit the splits better. I'm not complaining, just sorta happily dumbfounded.