Upgrading the irons!

[zeus1356]

Hello all,

I am planning to upgrade my irons. I shoot around 100. I want irons with a lot of forgiveness, and buying used ones is ok. My budget is $300-$400. I know that i should go to a golf store and try a bunch of irons in my price range on the golf simulator and see which ones I hit best. Then i should get them fitted. Is that a good way of approaching this? So far I am interested in Ping G series and Cobra Fly-Z. 

Thanks for your help!

[WUTiger]

Welcome to TST, @zeus1356.

For us to help you, we need more information...

1. What irons are you playing right now? How do you hit them?
2. What do you want to get out of your new irons?

Have you had any lessons yet? If not, a couple of lessons could do a lot to help you stabilize your swing. A teaching pro could tell you if your irons are a really bad fit for you and your swing. 

As for testing irons... if you can find some demo days, you can go there and hit different clubs to see which ones you like. Some irons - even name brand ones - may not give you good hits or confidence. If the pro says keep the irons you have for the season, you can still test out irons for the future. Basically, develop a "short list" of irons you want to test on launch monitor.

The Fly Z family, and the new Ping G series, are definitely good clubs - if you like them!

And remember, have fun! Keep us posted on what you do...

[zeus1356]

Thanks for your reply WUTiger. To answer your questions: I am currently playing with Tom Weiskopf irons. They are pretty old I think and we're just handed down to me. I'm even missing the 5 and 7 iron. I hit the 6 iron about 165 yards. I only hit them straight about half the time. So in a new set of irons, I would like to get more distance and a higher percentage of straight shots, ultimately lowering my score.

i took a class several years ago, but other than that, have just been playing for fun for 4 years.

i called GolfSmith today and asked what type of game improvement clubs they offered in the $300-$400 range. They replied they had the razorbladez, Calloway x, and one other that I can't remember. They offered to let me try them all out in the simulator before making a decision, and that the fitting would be included if I purchase a new set, except a few small charges like the grips. So I think I have maybe 5 different types of clubs on my short list to demo before making a decision. 

Does that sound like a good plan of attack to you guys, or would you do something differently?

thanks again for your reply. 

[WUTiger]

Since you're playing vintage Tom W. irons, I stand corrected. A newer used set would definitely help your game.

I would guess the shop is suggesting RocketBladz (RBZ) and Callaway X.Hot or X2.Hot (or maybe X.Series) irons. These could be either used original sets, or legacy models.

Legacy models are new reissues of designs from a couple of years prior. The reissues have a standard shaft and club mix (lots of 4-iron through PW sets). You get a good price because TaylorMade and Callaway have already recaptured their R&D money spent on the original models, and all sets are the same.

Either used or legacy (new) would give you a good start, especially if the shop would tweak them for your swing.

Try to arrange a couple of lessons. A skilled pro can take you farther in two weeks than the average beginner can self-teach in six months of hit-and-miss.  Or, see if you can find a summer golf clinic: for a good price, beginners getting a lesson one night a week on different aspects of golf.

[MasonAsher2014]

Not sure on price but I'd check out the Taylormade RSi, the ast. pro at the course I work at said they are really good and the members love them.

[70sSanO]

22 hours ago, zeus1356 said:

Hello all,

I am planning to upgrade my irons. I shoot around 100. I want irons with a lot of forgiveness, and buying used ones is ok. My budget is $300-$400. I know that i should go to a golf store and try a bunch of irons in my price range on the golf simulator and see which ones I hit best. Then i should get them fitted. Is that a good way of approaching this? So far I am interested in Ping G series and Cobra Fly-Z. 

Thanks for your help!

Not so much should, but you need to hit a few irons.  Not sure how many used sets Golfsmith has.  I have found that Roger Dunn usually has a good selection, depending on the store.  You can also check out Callaway pre-owned for even other brands.  Once you get an idea of what you want and if the brick and mortar can't help you with a used set, go find what you want on eBay.

It is better to buy from Golfsmith or Roger Dunn because they have liberal return policies in case what you buy really doesn't work for you.  Also Cobra Fly Z and Wilson "Di" series can probably be found cheaper than Ping and they are decent clubs.

John

Edited June 14, 2016 by 70sSanO

[zeus1356]

Thanks for all of the answers. 

Question - Will game improvement vs super game improvement make much of a difference? Or does the feeling of the club trump all of the technology and brand name? The fitting is equally important?

I dont have a Roger Dunn near me unfortunately, but the list of clubs the rep from GolfSmith recommended to me in my price range for GI clubs is:

Speed Blades

Rocketballs

Calloway X

And then I will try other clubs in the $300-$400 that they have in stock.

[zeus1356]

Update:

i went to golfsmith and tried rocketballz, Calloway X, and ping i20s. I hit them all about the same on the simulator so I went with the ping i20s. Used they cost me $300. They happen to be my length so I didn't have to pay extra for them to adjust. I figured they were the highest quality of the bunch and I couldn't tell the difference, so why not. My concern though is that they are not the G series so they aren't as forgiving. 

Do you think I made a good choice?

[amoline]

I think whatever feels the best is what you should do. I learned on an old set of blades from my grandfather, and I'm playing a pro combo type set right now -- anything super game improvement, or game improvement looks ugly as a mud fence to me. Even if my handicap isn't quite up to snuff for any full blades, I like playing the blade look the best. Ultimately, it is confidence in your club that will equate to best performance. 

I have a friend and fellow club golf teammate who plays i20s and if I wanted them, I'd have to -- quote -- "pry them from [his] cold, dead hands!" -- enjoy your clubs. :) 

[zeus1356]

Hello again,

So i have an update - I returned the pin i20s in order to purchase some g20s on ebay. I did this because the g20s are more forgiving. However, they are standard length, and i prefer +1/2 inch.

If i go in for a fitting, how much does it usually run? Is it cheaper if i just get the clubs lengthened instead of including the lie angle too?

Thanks for your help.

[newtogolf]

You need to visit a good club builder / fitter in your area to make sure they get the swing weight right after they lengthen the club.  I'd have them check lie angle after they are lengthened.    

[rule07]

On June 21, 2016 at 2:12 PM, zeus1356 said:

Hello again,

So i have an update - I returned the pin i20s in order to purchase some g20s on ebay. I did this because the g20s are more forgiving. However, they are standard length, and i prefer +1/2 inch.

If i go in for a fitting, how much does it usually run? Is it cheaper if i just get the clubs lengthened instead of including the lie angle too?

Thanks for your help.

Did you ever get your clubs adjusted?

[onthehunt526]

I personally don't mind a heavier club so it doesn't bother me. It's cheaper to have the club extended... Usually around $7-$10 per club + a new grip. If you like the grip you have they might be able to save it for you. Just remember every half inch you extend the club is 3 swingweight points. So you usually can get some sort of weight placed in the butt-end of the grip to counter the heavier club.

Go get fit if you can afford it... It usually costs between $50-$150 for a fitting (my full bag fitting was done in three sessions, but it was free because I had a Gift Certificate)... I got dynamically fit in the winter... Though it took some getting used to, I'm glad I did. Standard clubs just don't fit me. Good luck with the G20's @zeus1356. They are good clubs you won't be disappointed.

[zeus1356]

So far I really love the G20s. I played a round last weekend, and it was one of the bet scoring rounds I've ever had. However, I still havent got the clubs fitted for me yet. I think I may put that off until next year because right now I am still very satisfied with the performance. 

Thanks for the follow up!

[onthehunt526]

@zeus1356 I'm pretty sure if you wanted to keep the G20's after fitting, PING would probably do it... Even if they adjusted lies and such they just re code the color.