What irons should I buy?

[thofre]

So I started playing golf three years ago, and it's time to replace the extremely overworked Taylormade RacOS2's that my dad bought me to start me off.  I've played a lot over the the course of three years, and I've managed to work my way down to about a six handicap.  I wouldn't say my ball striking is the best part of my game, but I get around the course.  I went to get a club fitting at my local Golf Galaxy, and, according to the data, I hit the Burner 2.0's best.  However, I was also interested in the Titleist AP2's, the JPX 800's and the JPX 800 Pro's.  I also hear good things about the new Taylormade Forged 2011 Irons.  I do like the 2.0's, but I don't know if it's time to switch to more of a player's iron.  I've improved fairly consistently over three years, and I hope to improve further in the next three.  I'm worried about buying the super-forgiving, caste 2.0's and being stuck with them for the next three years.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

[BDMplayer910]

Originally Posted by thofre

So I started playing golf three years ago, and it's time to replace the extremely overworked Taylormade RacOS2's that my dad bought me to start me off.  I've played a lot over the the course of three years, and I've managed to work my way down to about a six handicap.  I wouldn't say my ball striking is the best part of my game, but I get around the course.  I went to get a club fitting at my local Golf Galaxy, and, according to the data, I hit the Burner 2.0's best.  However, I was also interested in the Titleist AP2's, the JPX 800's and the JPX 800 Pro's.  I also hear good things about the new Taylormade Forged 2011 Irons.  I do like the 2.0's, but I don't know if it's time to switch to more of a player's iron.  I've improved fairly consistently over three years, and I hope to improve further in the next three.  I'm worried about buying the super-forgiving, caste 2.0's and being stuck with them for the next three years.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

3 years and down to a 6? That's pretty good, it took me 6 years to get down around there.

When you say you hit the 2.0's best, do you mean shot dispersion or distance. You will naturally hit the burners farther than any other standard set. The 2.0's. are a half inch longer and the loft is about a club strong. If you hit a 7, you're really hitting a 6. Don't get me wrong, they are a nice club, I had the luxury of hitting them last fall. Not a fan of the black finish on an iron, that will wear quick.

The AP2's are a sick set of sticks. They provide the workability of a forged iron, yet leave plenty of room for forgiveness. Definitely try them out in a Project X if you can, they are a mean set. They are a sexy club, and the performance is unmatched by any set like it.

The Mizuno JPX800 are also a nice set. Mizuno makes some serious irons, second best next to Titleist in my opinion (I'm a Titleist guy). Although if I ever got a set other than Titleist Mizuno would be my top priority. Very smooth, and their grain flow forged irons are orgasmic they are so crisp and the feel is through the roof. I have not seen nor hit the pro set though, so I can't help you out there.

[max power]

I'd buy these.  2009 Callaway X-Forged for $399.  Player's Cavity sized head, and surprisingly forgiving.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/callaway-golf-x-forged-irons-set.html

[relentlesswhitey]

The Titleist AP2 iron is amazing, and I absolutely love mine.  They cut like butter when you catch them right, and have a surprising amount of forgiveness, something that will always help.  I can work them consistantly both ways, and they look great at address, and I would buy the exact same set I bought 5 months ago if you gave me $600 dollars today.  I highly recommend, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers.

[goin_low]

The callaway x forged mentioned above are only offered in extra stiff on rockbottomgolf.com.  I was also interested but that was a deal breaker. If youre swing is fast enough though, go for it

[delav]

To the OP:

You play to a 5.8, what are the best are worst parts of your game?  What is your GIR %, and where are most of your strokes coming from.  If you are younger and aspire to improve (who doesn't) you'll likely grow into an AP2/X Forged or other players cavity.  There really isn't a limit to what these clubs can do, but there are limitations for irons like the Burner 2.0 and other GI sets.  Sounds like you know this already :)  There are tour players gaming GI irons in partial sets, you could consider that as well.

I purchased the old Titleist 962 cavities when I was 16, and that set carried me from a 15 handicap to a 5 over the course of about 7 years.  These would be similar to something like a mp52/mp53 or other players CB today.

[Camo]

You play to a 5.8, what are the best are worst parts of your game?  What is your GIR %, and where are most of your strokes coming from.  If you are younger and aspire to improve (who doesn't) you'll likely grow into an AP2/X Forged or other players cavity.  There really isn't a limit to what these clubs can do, but there are limitations for irons like the Burner 2.0 and other GI sets.  Sounds like you know this already :)  There are tour players gaming GI irons in partial sets, you could consider that as well.

I purchased the old Titleist 962 cavities when I was 16, and that set carried me from a 15 handicap to a 5 over the course of about 7 years.  These would be similar to something like a mp52/mp53 or other players CB today.

I am curious how your recommendation would change according to the OP answer on GIR. Which of his club options listed would you recommend for a relatively low GIR compared to a higher GIR ? Are you suggesting that of the clubs he list, some are better then others from the ruff ? Or ? Anyhow, just curious , thanks Camo

[delav]

Originally Posted by Camo

I am curious how your recommendation would change according to the OP answer on GIR.Which of his club options listed would you recommend for a relatively low GIR compared to a higher GIR ?Are you suggesting that of the clubs he list, some are better then others from the ruff ? Or ? Anyhow, just curious , thanksCamo

GIR can be a rough indication of ball striking with the irons.  Ideally we'd look at a players average distance from the intended iron shot, but many golfers don't pace off this statistic.

Obviously GIRs are pretty dependent upon accuracy off the tee, but at a sub-6 handicap it's likely that the OP finds the fairway or light rough often enough.  If his GIRs are low and his ballstriking isn't strong, he would see the most benefit from a more forgiving iron set.  If perhaps his GIRs is high and his putting keeping him shooting near 80, then a players club could be a better fit.

[Camo]

Apologies to the op for hijacking your thread but 1 more question. I do not currently keep track of my GIR but if I start should I keep separate stats for GIR with driver vrs irons ? I know for me my iron GIR would be considerably higher.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by thofre

So I started playing golf three years ago, and it's time to replace the extremely overworked Taylormade RacOS2's that my dad bought me to start me off.  I've played a lot over the the course of three years, and I've managed to work my way down to about a six handicap.  I wouldn't say my ball striking is the best part of my game, but I get around the course.  I went to get a club fitting at my local Golf Galaxy, and, according to the data, I hit the Burner 2.0's best.  However, I was also interested in the Titleist AP2's, the JPX 800's and the JPX 800 Pro's.  I also hear good things about the new Taylormade Forged 2011 Irons.  I do like the 2.0's, but I don't know if it's time to switch to more of a player's iron.  I've improved fairly consistently over three years, and I hope to improve further in the next three.  I'm worried about buying the super-forgiving, caste 2.0's and being stuck with them for the next three years.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

Which guy do you want to be? Titleist guy, Mizuno guy or TaylorMade guy? This isn't an irons choice dude, it's a lifestyle choice.

[sean_miller]

My GIR with a driver is very low.

Originally Posted by Camo

Apologies to the op for hijacking your thread but 1 more question.

I do not currently keep track of my GIR but if I start should I keep separate stats for GIR with driver vrs irons ?

I know for me my iron GIR would be considerably higher.

[Camo]

Cantankerous guy brings the funnay ....and the truth....LMAO

[thofre]

Thanks for all the feedback.  To address the dispersion/distance argument, I was hitting the 2.0's considerably further according to the monitor, (over 195 with a 6 iron compared to 180 with the AP2's), but the smash factor (ball speed/clubhead speed) was also much nearer 1.5 (the average tour pro's smash factor) with the 2.0's than with the AP2's, which much of the reason for my concern.  To address the GIR%, my percentage over the last two years, (spanning roughly the time I was a 12 handicap to now), is about 40%.  Though, now, I would say I hit between 9 and 11 greens per round.  I know it's supposed to be a little higher based on my handicap, which is why I'm having doubts about getting the AP2's or JPX Pro's.

[max power]

Can't compare a Burner 6 iron to a AP2 6 iron.  The Burner is a full 4* stronger.  Either distance is much higher than average, I'd just get the set that you're most accurate with.

Originally Posted by thofre

Thanks for all the feedback.  To address the dispersion/distance argument, I was hitting the 2.0's considerably further according to the monitor, (over 195 with a 6 iron compared to 180 with the AP2's), but the smash factor (ball speed/clubhead speed) was also much nearer 1.5 (the average tour pro's smash factor) with the 2.0's than with the AP2's, which much of the reason for my concern.  To address the GIR%, my percentage over the last two years, (spanning roughly the time I was a 12 handicap to now), is about 40%.  Though, now, I would say I hit between 9 and 11 greens per round.  I know it's supposed to be a little higher based on my handicap, which is why I'm having doubts about getting the AP2's or JPX Pro's.

[ratherBgolfing]

Like others have have posted, the ap2's are a SICK set of irons!!! I game them and LOVE them. I like that you can work the ball with them and still have plenty of forgiveness on less then perfect hits. I classify them as a forgiving players iron.

If I were in your shoes, i would go with what feels best. Don't get caught up in the distance thing. Of course the Taylormade 6 iron will go further. the shaft is longer and the loft is stronger. If you wanted to get a true comparison, compare the Taylormade 6 iron to the distance of the ap2 5 iron.

They are both great irons, go with what you feel with help you go lower.

[max power]

Don't take my post to say that I'm knocking the Burners-they seem like nice sticks and may be perfect for you.  Just don't get them based on distance/bragging rights.

[rrpruett]

Well I just purchased a set of JPX 800 and I love them. I had a set of V3 Adams forged and took them back and exchanged them for the Mizuno’s. What a great decision that was. I have never been a Mizuno guy but have heard good things about them. After playing them for about 10 rounds I can say they are great. Love the way they feel and look.

My son that started playing Golf this past summer loved them also so  he decided to get a set of Mizuno’s as well. We picked him up a new set of MX 200's off Ebay  for a great price and he is hitting the ball better than I ever thought he would in such a short time. He broke 90 for the first time after his third time playing them. Unless you just want a newer club I would take a look at the MX line. If I had it to do over , I would have saved a lot of $$$ and go with the MX200 as well. I can’t tell much difference in the JPX vs the MX 200. Maybe a little more forgiveness but not much.

I have not hit the other clubs you are talking about but I can tell you I love these. Check them out before you make a decision.

PS: when I went to Roger Dunns to try out new clubs they put me on the monitor with the TaylorMade Burner 2.0 vs the JPX. After about 20 shots of each swapping back and forth every 5 shots, he showed me the pattern of the Mizuno vs the TM burner  2.0.  The JPX pattern was so much tighter then the TM that It was not even close. I did hit some of the shots on the TM a lot further but not near as tight of a pattern. Every shot on the JPS was within 4 yards. The Burner 2.0 was 15 yards or more. and the feel of the JPX was so cool i just could not pass on them.

Good luck.

[surfnspy]

I had the same experience with the 2.0 and the JPX. I ordered a set of JPX's based on the tighter dispersion :)