starting with ap1

[bubs126]

Seen a set of used ap1 at the store. I hit them ok on the sim. For 250.00 should I get that elite of a set or no. I'm a high high handicap just started.

[happiergilmour]

You should probably look more towards a true game improvement iron. Titleist doesn't make one, but most companies make an iron with a fat sole and a split cavity, with more weighting for higher ball flight and in turn they are more forgiving. Also, it's not always worth buying the 2011 (or most recent) set of irons, or driver or whatever. You could probably buy a good game improvement iron from 2008 or 2009 and the price reduced because of this. Some good examples of game improvement irons are the TaylorMade Burner irons, Ping G series, Nike VR Cavity or Nike Slingshot just to name a few. You can also go the route of buying a set of clubs geared towards a beginner. I've seen these from TigerShark, Founders Club and Jazz, just a few off the top of my head.

I currently have a set of AP1's but if I used them when I was starting out, I would have found them pretty hard to hit. Hope this helps.

[bubs126]

Thanks a ton. Ill hit more brands. They were a used set.

[Gresh24]

I would recommend a used set of Big Berthas.  Personally, I like the wider soles of the GI irons, as it gives me more confidence.

[WUTiger]

Big Bertha and Ping G10 irons would be super game improvement, even easier to handle than GI.

Which irons work best for you depend not just on the head, but your clubhead speed and the shaft the iron has.

Big Bertha and G10 irons come stock with high-launch shafts. I have medium clubhead speed, and had trouble with the short irons ballooning on the BBs and G10 tests. Too much loft is not good.

I ended up buying Callaway X20 irons, an SGI model with a mid-launch shaft.  If you don't have trouble getting ball up, a midlaunch shaft in an SGI club is something to consider. (Note: X20 stock shaft was Uniflex (between R and S), and not all golfers like the feel. I liked it, but others don't.)

As for the AP1, it falls in the Game Improvement category (not SGI). If you have the time and the will to work on your game, you could work your way into AP1s. Test them out to make sure the shaft and clubhead work for you. This assumes you have had some lessons, and have a plan of how to lower your HDCP from "alot."

If you're going to be an occasional golfer - nothing wrong with that - stick with SGI irons. Also, get a basic fitting to make sure you have the correct type of shaft for your swing speed. If you become a TST regular, you'll repeatedly read that, "the shaft is the engine of the golf club." Keep this in mind.

Also, regardless of iron choice, take a couple of lessons if you have not already done so. This will give you a system on which to build your swing.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by bubs126

Seen a set of used ap1 at the store. I hit them ok on the sim. For 250.00 should I get that elite of a set or no. I'm a high high handicap just started.

No offense, but even though a lot of Tour players have a bag full-o-Titleist, the AP1s are hardly elite. They're just not.

[The Tin Man]

Rodger Maltby lists Ap1's as super game improvement. Having played them I agree. Forgiving with a high ball flight.  I wouldn't hesitate to give them to a beginner with the proper shafts.

[meenman]

Originally Posted by The Tin Man

Rodger Maltby lists Ap1's as super game improvement. Having played them I agree. Forgiving with a high ball flight.  I wouldn't hesitate to give them to a beginner with the proper shafts.

I wouldnt classify them as SGI, but they are definitely playable for a high handicapper.

[newtogolf]

I agree, but Maltby does list them as SGI based on his rating scale with an 838 MPF, also rates Ping G15's are SGI with an 844 MPF.  He considers clubs like the Diablo Edge (968 MPF) as Ultra Game improvement.

Originally Posted by meenman

I wouldnt classify them as SGI, but they are definitely playable for a high handicapper.

[WUTiger]

Quote:

Rodger Maltby lists Ap1's as super game improvement. Having played them I agree. Forgiving with a high ball flight.  I wouldn't hesitate to give them to a beginner with the proper shafts.

TinMan and newtogolf actually took the time to visit Ralph Maltby's site and got the rating from Maltby's original six-category MPF classifications. Good work!

Most of our posters use the simplified Golf Digest three-category system: Players, GI, and SGI. I confess I was using the GD system in my earlier post.

[sean_miller]

Whether they're SGI or USGI or whatever, they're good for absolute beginners and really good players - they're a good overall design. Kudos.