New Clubs? Or stick with my Ping Eye 2's?

[toddious]

First off, this is clearly my first post to the forum, so I appreciate any feedback I receive. I have been following many of the thread on here, and looking to this site for advice, and have finally decided to ask for some advice.

I'm starting to really get back into golfing after playing in my early teens (I'm now 28). I'm playing at least 1 round a week, with some scattered range time in between. I am currently struggling to get under 100 most days. I hit the driver pretty solid, but struggle badly hitting my irons most days. I am signed up to take lessons over the next 2 months, so I'm hoping to improve my mechanics and correct some of my bad habits. I also video my swing when I go out, and try to analyze/compare it after the round.

I'm currently playing with some clubs that were given to me: a classic set of Ping Eye 2's. I have, however, upgraded to the G15 driver/woods and am using an Adams a7 hybrid 4 iron which I love.

I recently found a great deal for an entire set of Adams a7 irons (5-PW.) and I'm wondering if it makes sense for me to upgrade. I know the Ping Eye2's are great clubs, but would I see immediate improvement with new technology (as I did upgrading to the G15 and Hybrid)?

Or am I better off using the Ping's until I have developed good habits on a solid performing club (as opposed to a game improvement club) and then upgrade clubs at that time?

I can get the a7's for DIRT cheap, so I'm curious to hear thoughts from some more experienced players.

[inthecup]

Originally Posted by toddious

First off, this is clearly my first post to the forum, so I appreciate any feedback I receive. I have been following many of the thread on here, and looking to this site for advice, and have finally decided to ask for some advice.

I'm starting to really get back into golfing after playing in my early teens (I'm now 28). I'm playing at least 1 round a week, with some scattered range time in between. I am currently struggling to get under 100 most days. I hit the driver pretty solid, but struggle badly hitting my irons most days. I am signed up to take lessons over the next 2 months, so I'm hoping to improve my mechanics and correct some of my bad habits. I also video my swing when I go out, and try to analyze/compare it after the round.

I'm currently playing with some clubs that were given to me: a classic set of Ping Eye 2's. I have, however, upgraded to the G15 driver/woods and am using an Adams a7 hybrid 4 iron which I love.

I recently found a great deal for an entire set of Adams a7 irons (5-PW.) and I'm wondering if it makes sense for me to upgrade. I know the Ping Eye2's are great clubs, but would I see immediate improvement with new technology (as I did upgrading to the G15 and Hybrid)?

Or am I better off using the Ping's until I have developed good habits on a solid performing club (as opposed to a game improvement club) and then upgrade clubs at that time?

I can get the a7's for DIRT cheap, so I'm curious to hear thoughts from some more experienced players.

The Pings have a great reputation.  Unless they are miss fit I don't think there would be a dramatic improvement.

If the Adams can be fit to you I might consider it otherwise I might let your game develop and then get clubs.

Most pros can easily check the lie of your clubs, they use a special tape and a lie board to do it.  Checking the lie means they see if the club hits the ground evenly, not the heal or toe first.  If the lie of the Pings are close or on getting new clubs is not going to be a dramatic improvement.

If you like using video check out V1 home it lets you compare your swing to a pro swing.  It is pretty obvious what you are doing wrong using this program.

Good luck and welcome to the Sandtrap!

[WUTiger]

With the woods and the hybrids, you would get some technical boost in greater MOI, larger head for driver, etc.

As for irons, lots of people still play the Eye-2 model. And, Ping can still make you a new Eye-2 set if you want to pay a little extra money. The original cavity backs, the Eye 2 rank in the SGI caregory in Maltby Playability Factor 9MPF = 724).

A main consideration would be the shafts - do they work for you? If the shafts are a mismatch you could either:

• Reshaft
• Get new irons

If you do get new irons, hang onto the Eye-2s for historical reasons. They are classics!

(I played Eye-2 clones from 1994 to 2008).

[xxsoultonesxx]

Uh oh.....another Eye 2 thread.

[toddious]

Ha! This wasn't meant to be a Ping Eye2 thread so much as a "what better for a higher HC player" or "how much noticeable difference will there be" thread.

I appreciate the feedback. I have heard only good things about the Eye2's, but I also hear that blades are great- but that doesn't make them right for me!

[xxsoultonesxx]

Well here's the short and sweet of it. I played through 6 sets of irons in the last two years, and when it came down to two sets of keepers, the Eye 2's weren't going anywhere. Now I currently game a set of Bridgestone combos and have a set of Eye2 +no+ in a 1-iron thru W as my backup set.

These clubs will not hold your game back at all, just make sure you are playing a lie/length that is appropriate for you.

[Shorty]

None of the changes you have made or are contemplating are "upgrades". They are changes.

You just have to find a club you like.

[toddious]

No offense, but I would consider the G15 an upgrade over the standard Ping Eye2 driver.

I can agree that the Adams hybrid is not necessarily an "upgrade" but a "change of club" as you stated (which happens to be a heck of a lot easier for me to hit).

I guess my question really boiled down to what "soultones" mentioned: Are the Ping's "holding me back" either in a good or bad way- specifically, are these clubs too unforgiving for a new player, are there newer clubs that would make my life easier- or are these a good set of clubs to start (re)learning with.

[xxsoultonesxx]

Originally Posted by toddious

No offense, but I would consider the G15 an upgrade over the standard Ping Eye2 driver.

I can agree that the Adams hybrid is not necessarily an "upgrade" but a "change of club" as you stated (which happens to be a heck of a lot easier for me to hit).

I guess my question really boiled down to what "soultones" mentioned: Are the Ping's "holding me back" either in a good or bad way- specifically, are these clubs too unforgiving for a new player, are there newer clubs that would make my life easier- or are these a good set of clubs to start (re)learning with.

The Pings are definitely forgiving. The only thing that might hold you back are the shafts. The factory ZZ Lite shaft is a stiff and boardy mother. Also, these clubs use traditional lofts, so I treat my Eye2 9 iron like I treat my B-stone PW, a full club weaker.

If hitting more club (number wise) next to your playing partner bothers you, or the shape of the clubhead bothers you, or the fact that they are old bothers you, or the fact that most sets have a super stiff shaft....move on to something else that pleases pleases you.

[TheMachine]

I can't answer your question because I kind of have the same question. I've been playing Taylor Made Super Steel irons for many, many years. I know they are not a high line club but I never really felt the need to get something 'better'. They've always got the job done for me without a lot of thought involved. Now I'm starting to wonder if an upgrade wouldn't be beneficial. Or am I better to leave well enough alone?