Advice on whether to make the jump to forged irons

[Odogesq]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to solicit the community's thoughts on making the jump from my r7 cavity backed irons to a set of forged irons.  I have an opportunity to purchase a second hand set of Taylormade RAC TP irons at a great price from a friend.

I am an 18 handicapper, slowly improving each round, and after playing lots of golf for 15 months, my swing is now starting to repeat.

Would switching to the forged irons with less offset help me improve because I would have to be even more precise with my swing?  Would it be detrimental to my progress thus far?  Any thoughts and comments are much appreciated.

[David in FL]

Forging is nothing more than a different manufacturing process than investment casting.  The exact same club manufactured by forging will have little if any discernable difference in playability or feel as that manufactured by investment casting......

[jamo]

[IMG]http://thesandtrap.com/imgs/clubs/taylormade_rac_mb_tp_backs.jpg[/IMG] You're talking about these guys, right? I second what DiF said.

[Stretch]

But, but, the butter?

[Odogesq]

No, these:

So you and DiF conclude that there will be no appreciable difference between the R7 and these clubs correct?

[Casey]

Originally Posted by Odogesq

No, these:

So you and DiF conclude that there will be no appreciable difference between the R7 and these clubs correct?

Well, there will be a difference from the R7's because they are different clubs. However, if those RAC TP's came in both forged and cast options, and you played both, you wouldn't notice much difference.

[MacDutch]

For the Japan market they made a forged R7.

The difference between the two clubs could be huge. Were they fitted for your friend? Different kind of shaft?

Why don't you play a round or two using them, before you decide to buy.

[Golfingdad]

I love all the sanity on this thread so far!  When is somebody going to come on here and muck it all up?

Casey answered the OP's question pretty well, I'd say.  You're not going to notice a difference between the two so much because one is forged and the other is cast, but you are probably going to notice a difference because they are simply different clubs with different characteristics.

All I would add is that if your inconsistencies tend to include a lot of toe hits, then you might have some growing pains with those clubs in the picture.  But that's really it.  If you miss thin or fat, or heel side, you're shots are going to behave pretty similarly no matter which type of club you have.  But those toe hits (my nemesis) are pretty brutal on musclebacks. :)

And, regarding one of your original questions ... (Would switching help me improve?) I am firmly in the "no" camp.  A lot of people say that if you have harder to use clubs, that will force you to play better, and I get it in theory, but I just don't agree with it.  Whichever set of clubs you like and work for you are the clubs you should be playing.

[jamo]

No, these: [IMG]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTooMXTFWR80W8jlpoGsdegksEZGW935FfCCRPuor-cX-vjvBBpFg[/IMG] So you and DiF conclude that there will be no appreciable difference between the R7 and these clubs correct?

Not exactly. No appreciable difference in feel due to the fact that they are forged. The feeling could be different based on the metal used, the CoG placement, the shaft type, etc. But forging doesn't by itself make clubs feel much better. Those aren't that different from r7s. Hit them. Go for it of you like then better; if not, save your money.

[indyvai]

I'd hang onto your current clubs until you hit the milestone single digit. Then get fitted for new clubs. That's what I'm doing... We're in a similar boat!

[boston blackie]

Nice looking irons, I say go for it.

I like to have a couple of sets to use one for practice.  I would alternate both sets in play for a while until you can settle on one, then keep the other set for backup and banging balls.

An advantage to forged that no one has mentioned is that the lofts and lie angles can be easily adjusted without fear of them breaking.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Stretch

But, but, the butter?

Funny...

When you hit a cast or forged on the nuts, most feel the same -- like nothing.

Of course, when you're off a little, from memory, the R7 irons did not feel good at all, if they are the R7's circa 2008-9. My son had a set of those when he was playing par golf. So I'd say, stick with what you have and work on your game.

[BuckeyeNut]

When you're ready for new clubs, get fitted.   I don't recommend hand-me-downs.....

my 2 cents