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Looking at Game Improvement Irons


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I think that technology has improved graphite shafts a lot in recent years. In the past they were generally for older players and women, but I don't think that applies any more. Personally, I still like the steel shafts (I just recently went graphite in all my woods though) but if my game can benefit from using a better graphite shaft in my irons I'd switch.

Chris
What's in the bag?
Taylormade R7 Superquad
TaylorMade Burner 3W & 5W
Hogan Edge Hybrid 21*
Mizuno MX20 4-PWCleveland 588 GW & CG10 SWOdyssey 2-Ball Center ShaftTitleist NXT Tour
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I got my graphite shafted clubs when I was about 16. At the time, I was told they were for stronger swingers, but I wanted them because I thought it would make me play like an adult. Either way, I've not swung a steel shafted club in a long time so I'll definitely be trying that. As far as the Nike Ignites go, I hear they're a decent middle of the pack game improvement iron, but nothing to write home about. I read about them here in the Golf.com club test:

http://www.golf.com/golf/equipment/0,28420,,00.html

That's not to say stay away from them, opinions on clubs are incredibly varied. If I go hit my (soon to be new) irons soon I'll let you know which ones I liked best.
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Generally speaking, graphite shafts flex more than steel shafts. They tend to give you more distance at the cost of control. They tend to go on clubs for people who don't have the strength to swing a steel shaft, or the ability to absorb strong feedback on mishits since they generally transmit less "feel" back to the body.

I agree.

Speaking from personal experience, my irons were stock graphite until one day I decide that I need more control than distance. So I got mine re-shafted with steel shaft. At first it was tough to adapt because during the swing steel shaft feels more heavier. Then after a month or two it doesn't matter anymore. Again, it's a matter of preference. No right or wrong.
What's in the bag:
Driver: r7 SuperQuad 10.5° ~ UST Proforce V2 65g Regular
Wood: 906F4 18.5° ~ Aldila VS Proto 80g Stiff
Irons: MP-60 3-PW ~ True Temper Tour Concept S3
Wedges: Vokey Oil Can 252.08, SM56.10 & SM60.08Putter: Marxman Mallet 33"
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Hmm, Did you check the MPF? Ralph Maltby uses a rating system to classify Irons and if you really want to get game improvements I find his MPF system to be pretty good.
I play TA-5's and I love them.

Hi-Bore W/ Aldila NVS-65 (Stiff)
R5 Type N (TpConv), W/ Graphite Design YS-6+ (Stiff)
TA-5 Gumetal 5-PW, W/ Stock TA-5 Graphite shafts (Stiff)
588 Becu SW, LW, GW W/ True Temper S300 shafts
21* & 24* Viper Hybrids W/ UST proforce 65 shafts (Reg) R7 Ti 3 Wood W/ Re-Ax 60 Graphite (Stiff) Pal2...

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Perhaps Erik could review the Hibore Irons, I was reading some good stuff about them the other day, a guy (9 handicap) saying he switched from CG4 tours to them and liked them better.

What's In The Bag
Driver: TM Burner stiff
3i Cleveland Hibore Hybrid
3-6: MX-23
7-PW: MP-60 Project X 5.5SW: Golden Bear hybridLW/GW Cleveland 60* and Tour Edge 50*Putter: two bar rifle malletBall: NXT TourHome Course: Raintree CC 70.7/126 North 71/130 Southhttp://stink.net

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Perhaps Erik could review the Hibore Irons, I was reading some good stuff about them the other day, a guy (9 handicap) saying he switched from CG4 tours to them and liked them better.

No thanks. I don't review high-handicap clubs. Ick.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I was reading some good stuff about them the other day, a guy (9 handicap) saying he switched from CG4 tours to them and liked them better.

Are you sure? CG4 Tour to HiBore Irons is a

huge difference. I could see going from the CG4 tour to reg CG4 but... I just can't imagine a legit 9 liking the HiBore irons, woods, utilities, whatever they are (no knock on them, they could help the high handicapper).

Driver: 09 Launcher 10.5
4 Wood: 09 Launcher Steel 17
Hybrid: Baffler DWS 20 Aldila Reg
Irons: AP1 4-GW Steel
Wedges: 588 Gunmetal 56 & 60Putter: Studio Style Newport 2Ball: NXT Tour

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No thanks. I don't review high-handicap clubs. Ick.

why not? we would like to know the more educated opinions of high handicap clubs, maybe if we knoew more about them, we could drop our handicaps. i see fairly new beginners playing tour clubs often, i think thats a bad i dea for beginners. they need to start with high handicap clubs first but no one ever reviews them for us to learn about them.

In my wasabe green ozone bag:

Hibore 9.5° w/ UST V2 Stiff Shaft Driver

G10 15° 1H w/ UST V2 Stiff Shaft G10 18° 2H w/ UST V2 Stiff Shaft T-Zoid Pro 3-PW S300 CG10 52° 2 Dot Black Pearl CG10 56° 2 Dot Black Pearl Newport 2 TerylliumLow Score = 88

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I see that you are a fellow Canuck! I have the Cleveland Launcher LPs and I really like them. At $248 CDN for the set (4 - PW) you can't go wrong. I am in the same boat as you, I am expecting that I will want a new set in the future, so $248 for a really nice set of irons is a really good deal, plus I can really hit them pretty well.

Here is a link, I bought mine from GolfTown and I was very impressed with the ease of the purchase and the service...

http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P2701C23.aspx

ooops just after I posted I see that they only have right handed ones left, sorry... But they are a good iron to try if you get a chance...

What's in the Bag

Driver: HiBore 10.5* ProLaunch Blue 65s
Hybrid: No Fear 3i
Irons: Launcher LP 4-PW Harmonized 50* GWAmerican Standard 56* SWStriker by Golf Trends 60* LobPutter: Pro Response bladeBall: Tour Fire

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i feel like the launcher LPs are more of a beginner/high handicapper iron than a game improvement iron, am i wrong? i happened to get mine on sale through tgw for only $212 usd ;)

In my wasabe green ozone bag:

Hibore 9.5° w/ UST V2 Stiff Shaft Driver

G10 15° 1H w/ UST V2 Stiff Shaft G10 18° 2H w/ UST V2 Stiff Shaft T-Zoid Pro 3-PW S300 CG10 52° 2 Dot Black Pearl CG10 56° 2 Dot Black Pearl Newport 2 TerylliumLow Score = 88

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i feel like the launcher LPs are more of a beginner/high handicapper iron than a game improvement iron, am i wrong? i happened to get mine on sale through tgw for only $212 usd ;)

A game improvement iron is just what a beginner/high handicapper needs...

What's in the Bag

Driver: HiBore 10.5* ProLaunch Blue 65s
Hybrid: No Fear 3i
Irons: Launcher LP 4-PW Harmonized 50* GWAmerican Standard 56* SWStriker by Golf Trends 60* LobPutter: Pro Response bladeBall: Tour Fire

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  • Administrator
why not? we would like to know the more educated opinions of high handicap clubs, maybe if we knoew more about them, we could drop our handicaps. i see fairly new beginners playing tour clubs often, i think thats a bad i dea for beginners. they need to start with high handicap clubs first but no one ever reviews them for us to learn about them.

It's not a matter of choosing not to educate y'all - it's a matter of not being able to educate you. I'd probably hate the clubs because they don't behave like golf clubs need to behave for someone like me. My opinion is thus invalid - I'm not the target golfer.

We have higher handicappers on staff who are capable of giving the clubs a proper review, but those players ain't me. I'm reviewing the CG Reds later this year, but that's about as far down the "game improvement" scale as I can reasonably go.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Driver: 10.5* SuperQuad TP 1st Edition All Black V2 Stiff
5 Wood - 585.h 19* DG S300
Irons: 3-PW S59 Stiff
Wedges: Rac TP 52*, 60* MP-T 56*
Putter(s): Anser 3 TP Black ballGET TO SINGLE DIGITS!Goal: Beat a certain admin that lives in my town

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I am assuming that the OP is in his 20's.

My advice to you is to not get super-game improvement irons at all.

Buy some used clubs that are reasonably priced (250-350) and do not feature major offsets, a super thick sole or any of that other nonsense. Then spend the rest of your money on a battery of one-on-one lessons. You will enjoy golf a whole lot more.

In my bag:

Driver: Cleveland Hibore XL 9.5*
Hybrids: Cleveland HiBore 19*
Nike Slingshot 23*Irons: Titleist 775 CBWedges: Titleist Vokey 54.10 Callaway X-Tour 58.12

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I am assuming that the OP is in his 20's.

you are absolutely right

Driver: 10.5* SuperQuad TP 1st Edition All Black V2 Stiff
5 Wood - 585.h 19* DG S300
Irons: 3-PW S59 Stiff
Wedges: Rac TP 52*, 60* MP-T 56*
Putter(s): Anser 3 TP Black ballGET TO SINGLE DIGITS!Goal: Beat a certain admin that lives in my town

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Note: This thread is 6090 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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