Deciding on new iron set, no idea where to start.

[Jonnyy8699]

I am in the market for a new iron set since the particular irons I have now are the first set I ever had, and they were just to see if I was interested in playing golf. Now, I need a new set. But I am just a high-schooler so I can't really buy a brand new set of $900 irons. But I do like to know that I have a set that matches my needs, and I honestly have no idea how to determine that. And yes I realize a bunch of people are going to say to go get the clubs fit for me, but I just purely need to know what iron heads I need. Not an exact length or a different lie or a unique shaft, or anything like that. I already know I need a stiff shaft, and I'm sure I can deal with regular length irons for now (I'm 6' 3"), seeing as though it is extremely expensive to lengthen an entire set of irons, and much more to buy specific shafts. Unless you guys truly think it will be an extreme difference maker, I'll stick with regular stiff shafts; whether they be graphite or steel.

So a little bit about me and my game: I am about a 20 handicap, but lately it seems it might be a little more due to a nasty slump. And the past few months is the first time I have taken golf seriously, as I have just had my first lesson a week ago and have another scheduled, and I have been going to the range about twice a week. I do struggle with a push, although I doubt any specific irons help that. I would like a bit of a more piercing trajectory, because all my hits seem to be balooning(Maybe this is because I have regular flex shafts and I have a higher swing speed?) I have heard good things about GI irons, but people say they aid in higher shots and I already have that well over what I need. I don't tend to hit very far, but this is probably based on my mechanics and extremely old iron set. But I would still like a set with a good deal of distance. Greenside spin isn't extremely important, but it would be great to have. Hopefully some irons that give great confidence at address, and aid in off center shots. In other words, forgiveness forgiveness forgiveness. I am definitely not to the point where I need to shape my shots; in fact the main thing I want is to hit a straight shot. Sometimes I struggle with getting the right depth on my swing to ensure I catch just the right amount of turf, so maybe a bit of added bounce would help, or whatever you think would work. I have read a low center of gravity helps with the piercing trajectory so perhaps go for that.

As I said, I have no idea where to look or what to look for when looking for the right set for me. There are so many choices and I would hate to find out I got the wrong set once I already have bought it. I hope I provided all the info needed, but if not please just post here and let me know and I'll get whatever you need to help me out posted. I appreciate any help here guys, thanks!

P.S. I will probably being buying off Ebay or a used club site, so probably no brand new sets.

[CrossGolfPro]

If you have used something in the past that's worked I would suggest going with that.  One thing you could try is going to a store where you can demo the clubs and buy them used.  In fact, buy them used and then make the mods you need as you go.  But I would just say try something out if you can possibly do that.

[Jonnyy8699]

Well I can't really think of a place where I could go like that, which place are you thinking of? And all I have ever used is the terrible set I am currently using.

[RFetters]

First, understand your golf game is going to evolve, so even if this next set is perfect for you now, its likely you will eventually need something different.

I also think that if you only consider heads alone, you are missing the importance of the creating a "system", where all the components of the club create a shot, and not just one element,,ie swing mechanics, lie, length, shaft and etc.

I'd suggest G-10's or G-15's, used are fairly inexpensive,  green/blue dot, with stiff steel shafts.  Most green/blue sets used will have some extra length in the shafts as well.  You may end up switching out the shafts as well as you determine which shaft would give you better distance and ball flight.   I think as you improve your swing your distance will improve and likely your ball flight will become more penetrating.  The G-10's will also tend to hold value better than most other used sets so when you need to switch to another set, you can get better value from your G-10's on resale.

Once you get your handicap down to around 10, it will be time to consider different irons, but at a 20, G-10's would be my suggestion.  Maybe not the "coolest" choice, but the ones most likely to keep your ball flight straight and forgiving for mishits.

[Jonnyy8699]

Yeah both of those sets look nice, I especially like the g-15's with the added forgiveness and how the loft is lowered 1 degree on each club from the g-10's. But the 10's have a better price tag, so I'll probably just have to go hit them. But I am still open to suggestions, I would love to have a wide selection of clubs I know fit me well that I can go to my golf shop and try out. So does anyone have any more suggestions?

[Meddle]

Originally Posted by RFetters

First, understand your golf game is going to evolve, so even if this next set is perfect for you now, its likely you will eventually need something different.

I also think that if you only consider heads alone, you are missing the importance of the creating a "system", where all the components of the club create a shot, and not just one element,,ie swing mechanics, lie, length, shaft and etc.

I'd suggest G-10's or G-15's, used are fairly inexpensive,  green/blue dot, with stiff steel shafts.  Most green/blue sets used will have some extra length in the shafts as well.  You may end up switching out the shafts as well as you determine which shaft would give you better distance and ball flight.   I think as you improve your swing your distance will improve and likely your ball flight will become more penetrating.  The G-10's will also tend to hold value better than most other used sets so when you need to switch to another set, you can get better value from your G-10's on resale.

Once you get your handicap down to around 10, it will be time to consider different irons, but at a 20, G-10's would be my suggestion.  Maybe not the "coolest" choice, but the ones most likely to keep your ball flight straight and forgiving for mishits.

Agreed. In addition, if you go to ping.com you can get a static fitting by putting in your height, wrist to floor, etc, and find out what color "dot" iron you need. For someone who is 6'3'' I doubt you would fit into an off the shelf set with no length or lie adjustments.

[WUTiger]

It would help if we knew the model of irons -and the shafts - you're using right now.

As for finding a new set, let's agree on terms. If you're using the Golf Digest classifications, there's Players, GI and SGI clubs.

Remember that SGI irons have the most perimeter weighting, and the heads are designed to help get the ball up. GI clubs are still user friendly, but tend to have somewhat smaller heads. Players irons work best if you have a single-digit HDCP. Remember, some pros carry GI irons rather than Player's irons.

Also, heads are just half the club. The shaft, "the engine of the club," is at least as important. Shafts have different weights, flexes, torques, and kickpoints. You might go to this site to learn the basics of club design and shaft selection: http://www.ralphmaltby.com/

If you get the ball up well, you probably want to stay away from the stock Ping G10. It has lots of perimeter weighting, and has a high-launch shaft. It really gets the ball up high, especially on short irons.

You might try the Callaway X20 irons. Plenty of used sets of the originals, plus some new issue X20 NG (new grooves). The NG version is marketed to compete at the $400 pricepoint. The X20 and other X-line clubs tend to be SGI, but have a stock Uniflex shaft (medium launch). Uniflex is between stiff and regular, so it would depend on your clubhead speed whether or not this would work for you. You said you had a distance problem.

Unless your original irons are junk, or totally unsuited for your build (you are rather tall), I would stick with them until your swing stabilizes with lessons. And tell your teaching pro that you're looking for clubs. He could suggest what models and shafts would fit you.

Finally, do your parents play golf? If so, maybe they could help you out also.

[mlf16507]

Any of the online club builder will custom make you a set  If possible,you need clubhead speed with Driver or 5 iron, measurement from wrist to groundand golf glove size.

You need a shaft with a high kick point and a clubhead W/0 a low center of gravity since you hit the ball high, Practice hitting balls with a towel or pieceof carboard 4 inches behind ball.  Start with 1/2 shots and work your way up to full shots.  Then move towel to 3 inches behind ball and go thru same swing progression. Move 2 inches behind ball and do same thing.  If you can hit the ball at 2" you have become a good ballstriker!

Let me know if you have any more questions.  Below are links to good internet club builders.

http://www.diamondtour.com/

http://www.gigagolf.com/index.jsp?siteID=lag1-bhome2

http://www.hirekogolf.com/

http://www.valuegolf.com/

[Jonnyy8699]

Ok well to give you guys an idea of the ancient irons I am currently playing, here are some pictures.

Then length of my 7 iron shaft from the top of the grip to the topline of the iron head is 36", and from the top of the grip to the beginning of the hosel, it is 34". I'm not sure if I am measuring it correctly, so let me know. So from what I can tell the make is South Bay and model is Royale and it has something called fws, which is flow weighted and I don't know what the 3rd word is, possibly system. Also I know my swing speed is pretty high. Because at Golfsmith when I was trying to decide on a shaft for my driver, the pro told me to take a swing and immediately he said "Yeah you're gonna need a stiff shaft". I did some research on the X20's, and everywhere I go people are saying they are extremely high launch, so I'm not sure if that is for me.

And as for the drill your are recommending mlf, I'm not completely sure what you mean. Am I supposed to actually hit the ball with the towel? And when you say 3 inches behind the ball, am I trying to brush the ground with the towel 3 inches behind the ball, is my stance 3 inches behind the ball, or what? Pictures would be helpful but not extremely necessary.

And at every online club fitting system they are saying I need my clubs to be 1 degree flatter based on my height, but I hit it too high even with regular length shafts, so should I change that?

[RFetters]

Sounds to me as if what you really need to do is find a pro to do a custom fitting for you.  Online fitting isnt nearly as accurate as one done in person by a pro.

Your pro can give you better advice on different irons than we can on the internet and as your swing changes/improves your specs may change as well.

[mlf16507]

Originally Posted by Jonnyy8699

Ok well to give you guys an idea of the ancient irons I am currently playing, here are some pictures.

Then length of my 7 iron shaft from the top of the grip to the topline of the iron head is 36", and from the top of the grip to the beginning of the hosel, it is 34". I'm not sure if I am measuring it correctly, so let me know. So from what I can tell the make is South Bay and model is Royale and it has something called fws, which is flow weighted and I don't know what the 3rd word is, possibly system. Also I know my swing speed is pretty high. Because at Golfsmith when I was trying to decide on a shaft for my driver, the pro told me to take a swing and immediately he said "Yeah you're gonna need a stiff shaft". I did some research on the X20's, and everywhere I go people are saying they are extremely high launch, so I'm not sure if that is for me.

And as for the drill your are recommending mlf, I'm not completely sure what you mean. Am I supposed to actually hit the ball with the towel? And when you say 3 inches behind the ball, am I trying to brush the ground with the towel 3 inches behind the ball, is my stance 3 inches behind the ball, or what? Pictures would be helpful but not extremely necessary.

And at every online club fitting system they are saying I need my clubs to be 1 degree flatter based on my height, but I hit it too high even with regular length shafts, so should I change that?

http://www.compressionboard.com/ Check out this link.  Instead of spending 50 buckis ,use a towel or piece of carboard behind ball.
At 6,3" unless you have gorilla arms and can scratch your kneecap without bending over,you will not need a flat lie on your irons.

[Jonnyy8699]

ohhhh ok I gotcha. Yeah Ill probably just make a replica with cardboard haha. And I called golfsmith to ask about fittings, and they said I need to know the kind of irons I want first? Like at least the brand I guess. I was hoping they could compare a few brands at once, but when I go in I guess I'll just ask for ping?

[WWBDD]

A good resource IMO ...

http://www.which-golf-clubs-for-you.com/

... only shortcoming is the limited number of clubs they've reviewed.

[Jonnyy8699]

Yeah that's a great site, thanks man. So does anyone have any opinions on the Rapture V2's? I saw them on the site WWBDD mentioned above and they basically seem like the g15's but longer and with better feel, and a better look IMO.