New set of irons - need advice please

[bodeman1329]

I'm not new to forums and i know at initial sight of this post will turn some away, however, please read as i need some real advice from other golfers.

I am a 25 year old baseball player of 18 years. I've got the typical baseball swing and rotation in my lower half and am currently taking lessons (I've had 1) with a PGA Professional here in Georgia. I have played maybe 13-15 18-hole rounds in my life as I've never really learned to play correctly and thus havent enjoyed it enough to sink any money into it.  However, now I am ready as I am taking lessons.

I'm currently using a set of iron I got from Sports Authority about 15 years ago. Pro Kinnex, graphite shafts, stainless-matrix cavity irons. The entire set with woods and driver was like $150.

I think it'd be much more beneficial to learn through lessons on a decent set of irons rather than on the Pro Kinnex only to get a new set and have to re-learn again.

I went to PGA Superstore after work today and was fitted. I'm 6'2'', so they said i should get a +.5'' shaft, and steel would be best for me. First set is Wilson Staff Ci6 and the second is King Cobra S2. The S2's have a thicker head on them are are slightly heavier than the Ci6's. However, after hitting about 10 balls each, i was hitting the Ci6's more consistently than the S2's. Both are pure stainless cavity backs.

My problem is i blade the ball and am always pushing it left as my top half i much quicker than my bottom half (dont ask why as i was a collegiate pitcher). I need something with forgiveness of course.

I prefer the look of the S2 better than the Ci6's, however, I did hit the Ci6's better. As i stated, i dont want to sink a TON of money it golf right now until i can learn and hit the ball consistently as i dont continually hit with the correct loft, trajectory, or speed.

Since they are going to extend the shafts, I need new grips as well.

Ci6's out the door with new Lamkin grips and longer shafts for $135. Brand new. However, they are a few years old now.

S2's out the door with new Lamkin grips and longer shafts for $350ish. Brand new, and slightly newer than the Ci6's.

I need advice on which would be best for me. I dont have a measured handicap or even a stroke measure to tell you.

Would it be best to invest more up front and go with the Cobras or stay low with the Wilson's until i get better?

Any other advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

[xmanhockey7]

I'd suggest go with what works best for you. Also talking to the pro who you are taking lessons from what he thinks.

[bodeman1329]

Originally Posted by xmanhockey7

I'd suggest go with what works best for you. Also talking to the pro who you are taking lessons from what he thinks.

well, when i was asking him about it before my first lesson, he said he knew a guy that does custom fitting and can get a full set of TM or Callaway to me for under $1,000. i was thinking "right...". However, he did also mention he doesnt use name brand and he uses a club manufactured from Australia...although he is a pro and probably a fantastic ball striker.

[WUTiger]

Since you are a baseball player, you might look up golf guru Jimmy Ballard of the "Connection" method.

http://jimmyballardgolf.com/id57.html

Ballard learned how to teach the game under Sam Byrd, a former Yankee baseball player who switched to golf and won about 20 PGA tour events. (Byrd was Babe Ruth's road roommate and understudy). Byrd told Ballard that he played golf by shifting his baseball swing onto a tilted plane (because ball is on the ground) rather than a horizontal plane.

Ballard really emphasized the role of hand-loading in a golf swing, and studied the commonalities between the golf, baseball, and tennis swings. Besides training many PGA pros, Ballard also taught tennis ace Arthur Ashe how to play golf.

Good luck!

[bodeman1329]

I'll definitely look into that and study it. Thank you for the info Any advice on the clubs?[quote name="WUTiger" url="/t/57446/new-set-of-irons-need-advice-please#post_703996"]

Since you are a baseball player, you might look up golf guru Jimmy Ballard of the "Connection" method.

http://jimmyballardgolf.com/id57.html

Ballard learned how to teach the game under Sam Byrd, a former Yankee baseball player who switched to golf and won about 20 PGA tour events. (Byrd was Babe Ruth's road roommate and understudy). Byrd told Ballard that he played golf by shifting his baseball swing onto a tilted plane (because ball is on the ground) rather than a horizontal plane.

Ballard really emphasized the role of hand-loading in a golf swing, and studied the commonalities between the golf, baseball, and tennis swings. Besides training many PGA pros, Ballard also taught tennis ace Arthur Ashe how to play golf.

Good luck!

[/quote]

[tefunk]

The Wilson Ci9s are good clubs, just as good as the S2.  So if you hit the Wilsons better and can get them cheaper... and they are the only true options you are considering... it seems like a no brainer.

As for looking into the similarities between baseball and golf (and hockey and tennis, etc.), it's true there are a lot of similarities.  That's why there are strength and conditioning coaches that solely focus on rotational athletes.  My advice would be to make sure you don't get too caught up in it though, and focus on the plan you and your PGA pro are working on.  From past experience, I've gotten too caught up in things that weren't part of the plan at the moment and it did hinder my progress in the long run I think.  I think WUTiger gives some really good advice and perspective from other posts of his I've read, so I'm not trying to bash him in any way.  It's certainly interesting and likely relevant stuff from a biomechanical standpoint, but just make sure your main focus is on what you're learning with the PGA pro.  Maybe he'll even be able to use some of that from a coaching cue perspective if he's aware of your baseball background and understands the similarities himself.

Good luck man!

[bodeman1329]

Originally Posted by tefunk

The Wilson Ci9s are good clubs, just as good as the S2.  So if you hit the Wilsons better and can get them cheaper... and they are the only true options you are considering... it seems like a no brainer.

As for looking into the similarities between baseball and golf (and hockey and tennis, etc.), it's true there are a lot of similarities.  That's why there are strength and conditioning coaches that solely focus on rotational athletes.  My advice would be to make sure you don't get too caught up in it though, and focus on the plan you and your PGA pro are working on.  From past experience, I've gotten too caught up in things that weren't part of the plan at the moment and it did hinder my progress in the long run I think.  I think WUTiger gives some really good advice and perspective from other posts of his I've read, so I'm not trying to bash him in any way.  It's certainly interesting and likely relevant stuff from a biomechanical standpoint, but just make sure your main focus is on what you're learning with the PGA pro.  Maybe he'll even be able to use some of that from a coaching cue perspective if he's aware of your baseball background and understands the similarities himself.

Good luck man!

yes, the PGA pro does know about my background. And, the 18 years of athletics certainly helps as i am athletic and coachable.

They arent the Ci9's though, those are out of my price range.

Basically what i guess i am asking for is if the Wilsons are a good choice for beginnings or should i go a step above and go with the Cobras to start?

[tefunk]

I guess I had my 6's and 9's mixed up.  Regardless, they are pretty much the same club (game improvement), one just appealing better to your eye and one appealing better to your game.  If it were me, I would go with the club I hit better and it's a nice bonus that it turns out to be cheaper.

Cobra is not any better than Wilson.  If anything, the Wilson Ci line is a little better than the Cobra S line, IMO.

If someone gave you the option between two baseball bats, and you hit one better than the other... which one would you go with?

[MisterE]

Practice is what makes us better, so buy the clubs that will get you the most excited to go out and use them and get better!

[bodeman1329]

Originally Posted by tefunk

I guess I had my 6's and 9's mixed up.  Regardless, they are pretty much the same club (game improvement), one just appealing better to your eye and one appealing better to your game.  If it were me, I would go with the club I hit better and it's a nice bonus that it turns out to be cheaper.

Cobra is not any better than Wilson.  If anything, the Wilson Ci line is a little better than the Cobra S line, IMO.

If someone gave you the option between two baseball bats, and you hit one better than the other... which one would you go with?

you've got a great point! and yes, i must admit the Cobras are much more appealing to the eye, but i have heard from some friends around work as well Wilson is probably the most underrated club in the game.

either way, i think i will go with the Ci6's, albeit they are 5-6 years old now, but still new to me and a vast improvement over what i have now.