Need Help Deciding on what Irons to buy?

[jroussel13]

Hey Guys,

I need some help and your opinions on what Irons I should buy.  I'm currently a high handicap 18, but when I was playing alot (3 to 4 days a week) I got down to about a 10 handicap.  I want to start playing alot again this summer and I'm planning on buying some nice irons.  My two choices are Titleist 710 or 712 MB's OR Cleveland 588 MB's.  I currently have a old set of Titleist Blades and a Blade is really what I'm interested in.  Please help or Recommend any other clubs you think I might want to look into.  Thanks!

[JET949]

How much are you willing to spend?

[mdl]

Get fitted :)  If you're buying a new set any good golf store with a good fitter will spend a lot of time with you, let you swing different sets, and fit the one you choose.

That said, I've got the older Titleist 695 CBs, and I really love those clubs, and when I have the money to get fit for a new set whatever Titleist 7XX set that's current then will definitely be at the top of the list of clubs I'll consider.  So I'll vote Titelist even though I haven't ever swung the Clevelands you're asking about :)

I'm very sympathetic to the feeling that you don't want an iron that looks like an abstract corporate art sculpture from the back, with a huge oversized face and thick top line, but I'll just throw out there that as a player who's up to an 18 with weekend warrior playing consistency and was a 10 even playing 3-4 times a week, why the insistence on the most blade like irons?  I love my CBs but as I've gotten better and have started to have at least some rounds where I'm hitting it consistently and not spraying even the long irons, I've definitely started to notice there are some shots where even with the CBs I can make what feels like a good swing and hit the ball within a tight, good day dispersion cone, but hit the ball a bit off center and end up short (either super long putt with back pin or off the green with front pin).  And that's even on days where the full swing game is going great and gives me the opportunity to play in the 70s (though some of those days are in the 70s and some the short game or putter doesn't cooperate and I end up in the 80s anyway). Can't imagine you couldn't use at least a tiny bit more forgiveness than the MBs as a 10-18 player, and you don't have to get art-deco space ship irons to get more forgiveness than those.

[jroussel13]

500 to 800 Dollars.  Ive seen both set online for about that.  I'm not looking for brand new, but if I go used I'm going to try and get Excellent Condition.

[jroussel13]

When I was a 10 handicap I was playing Ping G2s.  The problem with those was they had such a wide sole and I felt like I could never leave a good divot and I was constantly topping the golf ball.  A buddy of mine gave my the Titleist Blades and I was able to leave a much better divot and really hit a good clean shot.  Also the reason for the high handicap now is I'm just not able to play enough (2 times a month if I'm lucky). And your correct about how the irons look.  I need something with a clean look that doesn't have a bunch of stuff going on on the back.  Also, I like thin soles and thin top lines.

[Davy]

There is nothing wrong with blades... I am using the 712 and they are fantastic. However, I would get the right shaft... it makes the world of difference. I ordered mine with a set of KBS shaft, and the ball ballooned as the shaft was too spinny for me, change to the KBS c tappered and I even impress myself with my ball flight!! You don't always have to go for the big names... have you try ORKA? or even snake eyes? They are decent blades.....