New Irons - Don't know where to start!?

[TommyGunUK]

To give you some background...

I've been an on off golfer for a few years (corporate days and the like) but really started playing properly since June, had lessons etc. I bought some Diablo Edge irons (uniflex) which were good at first but now that I am getting a feel for things am having issues with them (which I'll mention in a bit).

I am a fairly long hitter ( 8 or 9 iron to 150)

I naturally hit a slight draw with woods and wedges (which have very little offset) but with the irons which have a lot of offset I hit way too much draw... ends up a good 15 yards left of where it started, sometimes worse. I put this down (possibly incorrectly-oppinions welcome) to the offset.

My PGA Pro who I've been having lessons with tells me I definitely need stiff shafts, I recently changed my Driver on this advice and it's much much better.

I also find the clubheads on the callaway too chunky.

I don't struggle to get the ball in the air, I don't top it, sometimes catch it a little fat but accuracy and putting are my achilles heal.

I've been thinking of buying new irons due to the above... but don't know where to begin.

I like the looks of the callaway razr hark tour's, JPX 800 pro but am worried they might be a bit much for me (handicap of 18 but improving quickly, was playing off around 27 in june, Pro thinks I'll be single figure soon but he would say that...)

I would be keen to hear what your thoughts are on:

1. Is it even worth changing? Would a stiffer shaft, less chunky, less offset clubs help?

2. What clubs should I be looking at?

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Tom

[mvmac]

Yes stiff shaft would probably be better for you.  JPX 800's are really good, very forgiving and look much "cleaner" than the Diablo Edge.  I would also recommend the Taylormade CB's

[TommyGunUK]

I like the look of the cb but worry they might not be forgiving enough for me?

[jcollins120]

You first have to find out which group of irons you are going for. There are three types- Super Game Improvement, Game Improvement and Players Irons. It sounds like you're in the game improvement field and quite possibly dealing with some irons that could either be considered player's irons or game improvement. I would look into the Taylormade Burner 2.0s and the new CBs. If Taylormade isn't for you then maybe the G15 irons from Ping, or the X-20s from Callaway. JPX-800s are a good choice, too.

[TommyGunUK]

I looked at the burner 2.0 but they too seem to have the similar amount of offset as the diablo's and are nearly as chunky. g15 I tried when I bought the diablo's and didn't like them (I've never really got on with ping gear...)

Perhaps I like the look of irons that are a bit beyond me? I have had a play with clubs like Razr Hawk Tour and the X22 tour and hit lovely shots with both though.

With the JPX 800 I much prefer the set up of the pro', less offset and less chunky.

My pro shop at my club doesn't stock mizuno and cant test them

I've come across a set of cheap TM CB Irons for sale, off the rack  (which is ok for me I think) but I cant test them first. How bad an idea is this? How essential is try before you buy?

[jcollins120]

Well if they have the right shaft in them for you and it's a good price I see no reason why you shouldn't. You're going to get used to them eventually and it sounds like you would be able to handle them. Even though they are forged they still have a large cavity so you would have a lot more forgiveness than you think. All in all, i don't see why not to go for it.

[Jmdmbike]

Quite a few people on this forum have JPX Pros and the feedback seems overwhelmingly positive. Generally the feedback is they're forgiving enough for a mid-handicapper to handle. Any other places other than the pro shop at your club where you can test a set?

[tristanhilton85]

Originally Posted by TommyGunUK

I like the look of the cb but worry they might not be forgiving enough for me?

If you are an 18 and improving quickly the TaylorMade CBs would be fine for you... I was about an 18 in July when I got my clubs (the TaylorMade MCs) and am down to a 16 now and still getting lower.

The JPX pros that you mentioned would also be great clubs.  I'd also look at the AP1s and AP2s if I were you.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by TommyGunUK

My pro shop at my club doesn't stock mizuno and cant test them

I've come across a set of cheap TM CB Irons for sale, off the rack  (which is ok for me I think) but I cant test them first. How bad an idea is this? How essential is try before you buy?

I think it's a very bad idea to buy clubs without trying them out.  What is preventing you from going outside your golf club to buy your irons?  Are there any nearby golf stores?  Kent isn't all that far from London.  I imagine you have a place somewhere nearby where you can hit a variety of brands and models.  That is what I would suggest.