Any real world comparisons between the TM R9 and Burner 2.0 irons? and, my story....

[rcubed3r]

Here is my story:

I am a decent weekend golfer, better than most of the guys I play with. I try to play a lot during the warmer months, but seldom play when the weather is not really good (so I am not playing right now).

I play to about a 12 when I am playing a lot, with my strengths being fairways hit, and keeping my ball in play. I play MANY rounds without losing any balls. I hit beautiful drives with nice controllable draws, but only average about 215 off the tee on the fly. I am currently hitting a 9.5 G15 with a stiff shaft. I occasionally play some good iron shots, but my iron striking is by far the worst part of my game. When I miss-hit an iron, my 'towards-it' is normally pretty good, I just lose TONS of distance. I am able to work my shots when needed. I do believe that my ball striking is decent, especially considering how well I have always hit my drivers, and I SHOULD be a better golfer. Like all of us, I need to practice my short game, but I really think I need some irons that match up to my game a little better.

I believe one of my biggest problems is my iron set. I bought a set of Callaway X-14 Pro irons a few years ago after hitting many different irons on the range. I had the opportunity to hit the X-14 pros with quite a few different shafts, and experienced the best feel, and the best control with a X-Stiff rifle shaft. The problem is, I DO NOT, and never have had a high swing speed. My 7 iron distance with these clubs is only about 145 yards, and even a few years ago, 152 was about my limit. I draw the ball (sometimes too much), and pull the ball with these clubs when not on target.

As well as I hit my driver, I feel that I should hit more greens with my irons, and that my current irons are holding me back.

I have been back and forth with what I might purchase, but I think I have narrowed it down to either a set from gigagolf, or a used set from globalgolf, either the TM Burner 2.0s or the R9s.

I am leaning towards the R9s. I like the look better, and all of the reviews that I have read seem to match up almost perfectly with my wants in an iron. I plan on getting a set with regular steel shafts.

I would appreciate the TM haters not blasting me here, but I do not mind a suggestion on another club. I am not a fan of the newer Callaway or Nike offering. I am looking for a GI club, but not really a SGI. I don't consider myself old, but I am realistic in the fact that my game will not change drastically before I give up! I don't need another set of irons that are hard to hit.

What are you guys opinions/experiences with the Burner 2.0s or the R9s?

Thank you,

Ron

[hartattack52]

I hit the burner 2.0's, burner 09, and r9 before i bought my clubs. The 2.0 felt pretty nice. I got good distance on them (they are a little longer than normal clubs, about 1/4 of an inch if i remember correctly). They felt more forgiving than the R9s. I didn't really like them. If you want taylormade, i would go with the burner 2.0 or just the burner 09. Theres not that much of a difference in performance that i could feel.

[rcubed3r]

bump for more insight!!!!

[Camo]

I just posted in the other burner vrs r9 thread but what the heck. I play the burner TP and also have a set of burner plus, to me, they play very similar.. I have been wanting a new set of clubs primarily because I don't really like the chunky look of the burners. I love the way the r9 looks but just wasn't stoked on the way I was hitting it and I think subconsciously I am afraid of the low score they have on Maltby playability factor, one of the lowest scores of any club. http://www.golfworks.com/images/art/2010MPFRatingsChart.pdf I do like the black look of the burner 2.0 and have hit them on the indoor video deal at golf galaxy. They compare to my current burners so I can't justify the cost just to have black clubs. I would like to see how the black holds up after some time, I would be concerned they look shabby once they get some usage. Playability wise, I like the burners just fine. Also.....TM has 3 new clubs coming out in march according to their website.

[xXSal09Xx]

To be honest with you i demoed both these irons and they felt both vey good i had excellent distance with 2.0s but i say you need to go demo these irons before you make a descion simply because what you think works or what works for some1 else my be a night mare for you

[rcubed3r]

I was able to go hit some clubs indoors over the last couple of days.

I hit the Burner 2.0s, R9s, Cleveland (can't remember the model number), Callaway X-22s, and Callaway Diablo Edge.

All of these were hit indoors, and all with regular steel shafts.

I was completely unimpressed with the Callaway offerings. The X-22s didn't feel good to me wherever I hit them on the clubface. The Diablo Edges felt 'buttery' no matter where I hit them on the club face. I had many hits that I had to look at the tape to see if I had hit it towards the toe or heel. They just had no feedback for me. I hit a few shots WAY out on the toe, and could only tell because of the shaft reaction, not the feel from the face of the club. I did hit some Diablo (forged?) over the summer that I liked a lot. I need to move to an easier to hit club, though!

I did not care for the Clevelands.

The R9s were OK, but I had trouble finding the sweet spot on them. For whatever reason, I kept hitting towards the toe with them. I hit two sets at two different stores and had the same results.

The burner 2.0s felt good to me. I was surprised at how much physically longer the club felt in my hands, even though they are only marginally longer than the other clubs. It really doesn't bother me, though, I hit a lot of shots choked a little anyway. I was able to get into a groove with the 2.0s that I could not get into with the other clubs. Once i found the sweet spot, I was able to hit it fairly consistently. When I didn't, I knew where I'd missed on the face without looking.

Now, I am looking for my best deal, and it looks like globalgolf is going to get my business since I have some trade-ins I can send them.

Next question --

I am pretty sure I was hitting the TaylorMade Steel shafts, but they also offer the Precision Flighted Rifle 5.0.

Common sense says to get the TMs that I hit and liked inside, but I wonder about the PFRs....

Any thoughts?

Thanx,

Ron