New to site, could really use some help with new irons set!

[dataris17]

Hi all,

I just signed up because I'm an avid golfer, but since I finished high school (and college) and now and am less surrounded by all my teammates and co-workers (I used to work at a course) I don't have the same entourage, if you want to call it that, of good, knowledgeable golfers around me and really even I myself, don't know about all the new clubs and all, I just can swing one halfway decent.

Anyway, so here's the situation. Currently I'm coming in at a 9 handicap, have a pretty good all around game, I'd say that 9 number is probably pretty representative of my iron play ability. I pretty confident with anything 6 and up in my hand. 4 or 5 iron, getting better, but not quite the same confidence level. Ball striking is pretty consistent.

I'm still hitting my irons well, but I have had some trouble kind of getting to that next level I've been looking for. Currently I'm playing Big Bertha '05s that I bought when I was a junior in high school, so I've even maybe grown an inch since then and definitely gotten stronger, they were 4 degrees flat and 1/2 inch short which likely isn't appropriate anymore, although a stock iron still feels too upright for me, the fitting might be like 2 degrees off by now.

I've been to a couple stores now and I've hit some of the mid handi-cap irons and also some of the more pro-level cast irons and have been leaning towards considering the irons like the X-Hot Pros or the i20's I just want to be sure I'm not purchasing above my ability level. Should I go a level lower? Regular X-Hots, G25, etc? Anything I'm overlooking in the consideration?

The trouble too is that I really do still hit the Big Bertha's well, but I'm not sure if there's a chance they're limiting me a little. I wouldn't mind hitting the ball a little further like I maybe could with a newer set, but I don't want to miss the forgiveness either. Like I said though, they're '05s so I'm definitely not one to go out and try to buy a better game, I'm just finally considering a switch.

Sorry about the length post, hope someone can provide a little insight!

[Mr. Desmond]

XHot Pros are very nice. They ought to be fine.

Try to get fit for length, lie, shaft, and grip size.

Good luck with your choice.

[dataris17]

Read a few of the threads on here and it solidified my opinion that I really liked the Ping i20s. Went ahead and took the plunge today, should come in about 10 days.

Purple dot (1.5 flat)

1/2 inch short

Teal grip (1 size smaller than regular)

Regular steel shaft

Seemed like there were a lot of loyal Ping golfers here, hope I made the right choice!

[Mr. Desmond]

Pings are always a good choice, especially if you keep them ... because they last forever.

[dataris17]

Well if it turns out anything like my last set I will. Not one to buy new clubs constantly, I'd expect to play them for 5-10 years just like the last set.