Upgrade Irons?

[ampayn]

I've just started playing again after a few years off and I'm playing to a 10 handicap. I hope to get that back down to mid-single figures, which is where I was when I stopped before.

I'm currently playing with a set of Ping Eyes (the original, not even Ping Eye 2s!) that must be from the 70s or 80s!

Do you think I would benefit from upgrading to a more modern set? I'm talking in terms of distance, forgiveness and consistency?

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and upgraded? Are you better off for it?

Thanks

[RocknHardx242x]

You would definitly benefit from a new set or Irons. In terms of distance you will most likely increase, but that all depends if you get the correct shaft, but in terms of forgiveness, you will be miles ahead of what you are playing now!

If you are on a tight budget here are a few suggestions:

Burner 1.0 for about 400 bucks

Callaway x-20 or x-22

Nike Ignite, Nike ignite 2.0, or Nike ignite 3.0 (I play the original Ignite from about 2006-07 and they are way above the 80s clubs i used to play, they are insanely good clubs)

[Shindig]

You will almost certainly benefit by playing more modern clubs. The game improvement clubs are more forgiving and the game enhancement clubs feel fantastic. Shafts have come some way, too, I believe. One thing to be wary of when you mention distance: the Ping Eye PW has a loft of about 50 degrees, and your 9-iron about 45 degrees. Many sets marketed as distance now have the PW at 45 degrees (or less). So if you go to a demo day and try the TaylorMade Burner irons, and discover you're hitting your PW 10 yards past your current one, that's because it's a 9-iron stamped 'P'. Of course, if you hit it 20 yards past, 10 of those are technology (and you'll get an A-iron at 50 anyway).

[sean_miller]

I'm going to be the lone dissenter here and say that as long as they have decent grips and fit your swing, why change? Maybe those irons fit you and maybe they don't, but with the right lofts, lies, and shafts Lee Westwood (PING staffer) could probably still break par with your sticks (even without new grips).

Get your swing checked out. Maybe new sticks are in order and maybe they aren't.

Quote:

  ampayn said:

I've just started playing again after a few years off and I'm playing to a 10 handicap. I hope to get that back down to mid-single figures, which is where I was when I stopped before.

I'm currently playing with a set of Ping Eyes (the original, not even Ping Eye 2s!) that must be from the 70s or 80s!

Do you think I would benefit from upgrading to a more modern set? I'm talking in terms of distance, forgiveness and consistency?

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and upgraded? Are you better off for it?

Thanks

[TourSpoon]

  sean_miller said:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I'm going to be the lone dissenter here and say that as long as they have decent grips and fit your swing, why change? Maybe those irons fit you and maybe they don't, but with the right lofts, lies, and shafts Lee Westwood (PING staffer) could probably still break par with your sticks (even without new grips).

Get your swing checked out. Maybe new sticks are in order and maybe they aren't.

I think these are the old "cat eyes" and Lee Westwood could easily break par with them.

[Meddle]

I agree with Sean, and to answer the second part of your post, I've bounced around using different iron sets for awhile and I feel that it has hurt my game. You have a good set of irons, I know people who prefer the original Eye to the Eye 2, and if they fit you they won't hold you back from improving.

[LankyLefty]

I'm sure you'd hit it longer. Off center hits would probably carry longer also. Whether you'd gain anything score wise? Who knows. People used to shoot low rounds in the 70s and 80s too so.

Go demo some stuff, see if you like it.

[ampayn]

Ok thanks for the input guys.

I do quite like them and feel pretty comfortable with them so maybe I'll hold fire on upgrading. Might demo some irons some time in the future and see what they're like.

I wouldn't expect a new set to dramatically improve my scores but if the odd off centre strike goes a bit straighter and longer and I'm gaining 10 yards (in addition to the change in loft as per Shindig's post) on a pure strike then it's got to be a positive.

Definitely something to think about anyway.

Cheers