Dilemma... Irons

[twinn-burner]

Long story short...I played with a set of King Cobra 2 oversized irons for about 13 years and LOVED them.

I picked up a set of Nike Victory Split Backs on ebay for CHEAP...sold the Cobras and now I am having a hard time hitting the Nike's as well as i did the Cobra's.

I assume it is because they are split backs and less forgiving and I am not hitting the "sweet spot" everytime.

I have lost about 10 to 15 yards on each club as well...........

I guess my question is should I stick to the Nike's and hope my ball striking gets better, or sell them and get a set of more forging cavity backs...............I hate to give up on stuff.

Thoughts please.........

about my game:

I can go to the driving range and look like a pro (off the matts lol) but in fact I rarely break a 110 when I play..

I hit the ball long and pretty good normally........when I make good contact...I guess like most of us.

I just feel like my iron play has fallen since i got the Nike's...

[Gordon McTavish]

I have a somewhat similar experience.  In 2009, I played X-22s for the season and generally made pretty good iron shots but never broke 100 (rubbish off the tee and rubbish around the game were the big problems).

Eventually I changed to Ping i15s despite them being marketed to an audience much lower than a 28 handicap.  I too have lost distance, although every once in a while I seem to hit a miracle shot that flies 15 yards further, but it's a long way from my 2009 season.

However, I have managed to break 100 and I do not feel at all "anxious" or lacking in confidence when addressing a shot with a "better player's iron."

Ultimately, there's a lot to be said for the expression "it's all in your head."  I reckon you should at least consider persisting with the Split Cavities and see if you make any progress.  You might hit the occasional good shot, which could serve as a boost to confidence... and having that confidence boost is definitely a valuable thing.

[twinn-burner]

thanks for your responce......next

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by twinn-burner

thanks for your responce......next

Would, "Get a lesson because you're not as good as you think you are?" suffice?

[twinn-burner]

Oh yeah, that is cool also...i never said i was good.  I have shot an 86 before that was my best...but that was about 7yrs ago.  I stoped playing for about 5 then picked the sport back up 2 yrs ago.

I will be the first to admit I may benefit from a lesson or two but I am hard headed and only like to do what feels comfortable.....i dont want to waste anybody time.

[twinn-burner]

Originally Posted by Gordon McTavish

I have a somewhat similar experience.  In 2009, I played X-22s for the season and generally made pretty good iron shots but never broke 100 (rubbish off the tee and rubbish around the game were the big problems).

Eventually I changed to Ping i15s despite them being marketed to an audience much lower than a 28 handicap.  I too have lost distance, although every once in a while I seem to hit a miracle shot that flies 15 yards further, but it's a long way from my 2009 season.

However, I have managed to break 100 and I do not feel at all "anxious" or lacking in confidence when addressing a shot with a "better player's iron."

Ultimately, there's a lot to be said for the expression "it's all in your head."  I reckon you should at least consider persisting with the Split Cavities and see if you make any progress.  You might hit the occasional good shot, which could serve as a boost to confidence... and having that confidence boost is definitely a valuable thing.

I hope he did not take my responce as being nasty, I am looking for as much feedback as possible.

[golf4ever]

At the first of 2010 I gave my set of Ping G5 irons to my son and bought a new set of Adams A7OS irons (PW-3HB).  They have hybrid irons for the 6I and 7I and then 3, 4 & 5 hybrids.  They are catogorized as "Super Game Improvement" and a Gold rating by Golf Digest.  They are very easy to hit and forgiving.  They have a little longer shaft and lower lofts than most irons, so I get a decent distance.

Cons: Adams does not do a fitting and they are best sutied for an average height person (5' 10" - 6'.0")

I had to buy a set of wedges, which I needed to upgrade anyway

[Harmonious]

Please don't take this wrong, but if you are shooting in the 100's, it really doesn't matter what clubs you play.  As sean_miller said, take some lessons.  You won't find your game in a new set of clubs.  I know the manufacturer's won't like it, but until you are able to make a reasonably consistent strike of the ball, any club will do.  See your pro.  It's money much better spent.

[twinn-burner]

I would concur 100%, that is why i was thinking about moving to more "forgiving" irons.

Since I lost more distance and don't seem to hit the ball as well, I was just trying to make things "easier".  But did not want to jump the gun too soon.

I am not taking the feedback wrong in any way!

[max power]

How long have you been playing the Nikes?  I'd put in some serious practice before getting rid of them.

[MSDOGS1976]

It's all about having fun. If your not enjoying the game as much, buy something similar to your old ones. Your pro will still be glad to give you a lesson even if you are playing a game improvement club. BTW, I did something similar. Bought a used set of ping i10 irons and do not hit them as well as my old set. Smaller head and firmer feeling shaft. I hit the occasional pure shot, but feel like I'm fighting them most of the time. I hit a demo Burner 2.0 iron as sweet as can be and regained my length and then some. Juiced up lofts and a club the purist do not approve of, but I don't care. They hit well for me so that's all that matters.

[twinn-burner]

I hate to admit ..........1.5 months in the cold.......LOL.

But like I said I noticed loss of distance and poor shot quality.....pretty much instantly....

[max power]

Well, I'd wait until the weather is warm for a while before making a final decision.  I'm not saying more forgiving irons aren't better for your game, I switch to Mizuno MX-200s when I haven't played in a while or wrist problems lead to less than stellar ballstriking.  But I think with some practice you can hit the Nikes just fine, even as a 25 handicap.  For decades the only clubs were blades, and golfers from scratch to pure beginner played them.  And the Split Cavities are still relatively forgiving.

Originally Posted by twinn-burner

I hate to admit ..........1.5 months in the cold.......LOL.

But like I said I noticed loss of distance and poor shot quality.....pretty much instantly....

[twinn-burner]

Yeah, that is why i bought them becasue there were supposed to be pretty forgiving.....that and the smooking deal i got on them.......

[nickel_aTm]

Twinn-Burner,

I too played those Cobra irons back in the day.  Eventually switched to a smaller head set of TaylorMade and at the time (a low- to mid-90's player) lost distance and consistency.  A couple years back, I decided on a set of Ping G5's and really like them.  They're forgiving irons and though I still only play about once a month, the handicap is down to 11.  Considering that you can buy G5's new for only $350-$400, that's pretty good bang for the buck.  If you were to consider those irons, take the 5 minutes to get a free, informal online fitting through Ping's web site.

[nuck81]

Instead of buying more clubs, get some lessons.  I started as a total beginner, broke 100 after 2 lessons, and broke 90 after 4.

The clubs are only an extension of what you are doing, the clubs can't hit the ball for you.

If you're worried about the clubs being more or less forgiving then split them up.  I use Players Irons for my scoring irons and Cavity Backs for the low irons I don't hit as well, works pretty good for me....

[twinn-burner]

I went to Dicks today and looked at the S2 and S2 max...

I hate to say this but they are not pleasing to the eye, i don't like the thick topline and they just seem way to "clunky".

That is what I like about my old Cobra 2 a thiner club and a thiner top line....might just get another set on ebay...LOL.

I do like the apperance at address of the Nike's.......

I see cobra is coming out with some S3 in the next few weeks...

E9 Face Technology™ and multi-material design combine to optimize all-around performance in each individual iron.

"The S3 irons are about better performance through technology. Our new E9 Face Technology provides the distance, feel and forgiveness golfers want from every one of their irons."

I think I am bias to cobras and might look into getting these.......

I hate to say this but I am not that bad a ball striker.....just my score does not reflect my game....LOL.

Also, the Nike's are about 3 to 4 degree more loft...IE Nike PW=47, Cobra=43.........i would say that would result in a loss of distance.....IMHO.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by twinn-burner

I hate to say this but I am not that bad a ball striker.....just my score does not reflect my game....LOL.

Exactly what game does a score of 110 reflect, if not ball striking?  Bowling? Again, I'll suggest a visit with a pro rather than spending more money on clubs that really won't help you at this time.