Which irons?

[KeithGB]

Yeah I know, I heard you all groan 'not another which irons question'. Hopefully I can set a bit more of a test for you guys.

Background: I'm 57, been playing about 6 years and using a self-taught S&T swing for the last two. I do OK these days, I can hit my driver straight and hit the fairway most times, maybe 220-240 yds on a good day. I focus on keeping the ball on the short stuff, rather than lashing it into the long grass distance. I would always choose to hit a 7 iron, followed by an accurate wedge to the flag for a one-putt, rather than point a 4 or 5 iron at the green and hit the bunkers. Lately I've started breaking 90 (and yes, that *IS* a big deal to me!), and I'm thinking a quality set of irons would help me hack round. I currently play with a second-hand set of  graphite Yonex 260s, which give me all the length I need, but not the consistency. I think my talent runs out before I can really get the best from them. Also, S&T produces a slight draw if anything and a fairly low boring trajectory, so a bit of extra height wouldn't hurt!

I 'won' a set of  steel shaft RAC wedges on eBay a few months back, and I love the balance of them and can swing them reasonably well, more reliably than my irons. I'm thinking that if only I can find a second hand set of irons with a similar balance, I could justifiably set my sights on breaking 80. I don't have access to anywhere that I can test swing clubs, and obviously the pros only sell clubs out of my price range, not the older models I can afford.

Logic says I should be looking at a set of Taylor Mades, the older RAC OS HT, or maybe R7 CGB? And I've heard all sorts of good things about Mizumo MX20 or 23. But I have no idea how these clubs feel to swing. Can anyone advise on a set of irons that have that same 'head-heavy' feel of the RAC wedges?

[Mr Wilson]

Try the Mizuno jpx pro 800, the best of two worlds. If you going to by them do Mizuno swing-dna 3 swings then they can give you the right shaft. Don't by your irons from the shelf, they will probaly not fit your swing.

[Golfs-for-Fun]

Originally Posted by KeithGB

Yeah I know, I heard you all groan 'not another which irons question'. Hopefully I can set a bit more of a test for you guys.

Background: I'm 57, been playing about 6 years and using a self-taught S&T; swing for the last two.

Id be careful about saying that around some folk around here

Im learning myself using tons of instructional videos and books and getting some input from a mentor who lives in another state.

As far as irons go, I personally dont know a lot about name brands, but what Ive noticed is that irons are really different.

Id go hit a LOT of different ones if you are looking to buy a set youre going to keep for a long while.

I have my old set from way back when that I bought at a Nicklaus/Flick store/school sort of thing that used to be here in town.

Ive kept them because even when I was hacking the ball around back in the 90s and never really learned to play these clubs were the easiest to hit with that Id played around with. I guess the name brand isnt popular here but someone told they were in Japan back then.

Id buy a new set if I didnt hit well with these.

Anyway, I wouldnt just look at name brands when choosing to buy. Id go hit the clubs at a store with a range if you can because, as Im sure you know, two clubs that look very similar arent always going to feel the same.

Case in point, I love real pings, but a had a couple ping clones that I basically gave away because while they looked like pings they sucked royal butt when I tried them. It felt like hitting the ball with a wooden baseball bat instead of an iron

[KeithGB]

OK, thanks guys. I guess I didn't make my question clear:

I have to buy second hand clubs due to cost, and so the shops will no longer stock clubs I can afford for me to have a swing of. That is why I am asking if anyone has first hand experience of clubs that feel like my Taylor Made RAC wedges. I wondered if Taylor Made RAC OS clubs feel similar, and their newer brothers R7 CGB?

[MiniBlueDragon]

KeithGB, there are several golf "superstores" in the UK (American Golf, Direct Golf) and also a golf club auction website (GolfBidder) which has retail fronts around the country. All of them take second hand clubs as part exchange for new clubs and then sell the second hand ones for a small profit over what they paid for them. Quite often club pro shops also have second hand sets available for resale. You'd likely find quite a few really good older model sets in those stores that you can take onto their range or try in store in the case of GolfBidder.

You're much much better off going a little out of your way and trying them in person than buying based on a random internet person's opinion.

[GaijinGolfer]

The Mizunos are great irons.  They have the nice feel of forged iron but are still very forgiving.

[Gapwedge]

First of all congrats on breaking 90 and setting your goals now to break 80.  Buying cavity back clubs used is a good way to go if you are on a budget as it takes some real abuse to make the club heads unplayable.  I cannot help you if you are looking at only TaylorMade irons.  However, a used set of Pings can be had for a decent price as they continually bring to market new models every year.  A used set of Ping G5s or G10s would be a good set for example. Expect to have the grips changed (changing them yourself is not a huge task).   Good luck in your search.