Club Test - Very Unscientific

[SirMilton]

I am struggling with my distance with my irons, so I am in the market for new ones, but don't want to commit $1,200 or so for custom mades until I am 100% certain I will see additional distance.

Last Saturday I took the following out for testing:
1) Ping Zing #6 iron, lite steel Stiff shafts (my old clubs),
2) Mizuno MX-20 #6 iron, graphite Reg. shaft (also mine),
3) Taylormade R7 Draw #6 iron, graphite Reg. shaft (test club),
4) Taylormade R7 #6 iron, graphite Reg. shaft (test club),
5) Taylormade R7 Rescue 22 degree, graphite Reg. shaft, (test club),
6) Cobra FP, #6 iron, graphite Reg. shaft (test club)

I also had my Talormade R7 Titanium 7 wood as a reference for a 150 yard shot.

I hit about 140 balls (about 20 with each club - all the balls were comparable) after playing 3 holes to warm up. It was 65 and Sunny at my CC's course and it was totally deserted all morning (I guess - Xmas shopping, deer hunting, duck hunting, a Ducks Unlimited luncheon, fishing and important college football games). The green covers are rolled up behind the greens.

I hit from the tees at two different par 3s at what I judged to be right at 150 yards to the front edge of the green; then also hit from a par 5 fairway at the 150 yard out marker (much bigger green).

At each hole I started with a few hits with the Ping Zing #6 to make sure my swing was OK and I was on line. On each of these my line was Ok for a shot within plus or minus 10 feet left or right of the pin (if the lenght was right) - excellent for me. However, the Ping Zing #6 came down 2-5 yards short of the green on every shot.

What really surprised me was that there wasn't much difference in any of the 6 irons in terms of distance or accuracy. The Mizuno and the Cobra might have been one yard longer on average. The Cobra and Zing were most consistently easy to hit well. The Mizuno had the softest feel and was the only club I felt had more potential for me. Not a single 6 iron ever made it onto a green at 150 yards - none.

The Taylormade Rescue was somewhat difficult for me to hit consistently well; I eased it onto the green on 2 of about a dozen shots.

At each of three 150 yard stops I hit my Taylor made Titanium 7 wood 3 times and the result was 8 balls on the greens and one on the fringe (and all withing 12 feet of the pin).

Still Looking!

[Hacksaw]

What really surprised me was that there wasn't much difference in any of the 6 irons in terms of distance or accuracy. The Mizuno and the Cobra might have been one yard longer on average. The Cobra and Zing were most consistently easy to hit well. The Mizuno had the softest feel and was the only club I felt had more potential for me.

When I was iron hunting in October, I didn't find much difference in distance either. Consistency, feel and dispersion were factors I chiefly considered. The Mizuno MX-25 had the softest feel of all with the Titleist 755 right behind.

I really wanted to like the TM R7 and Cobra FP, but I seemed to struggle with them. The Pings were very solid as was the Callaway X-20. I tried so many more. Hopefully, you're enjoying the process.

[Everardo]

Dude you really need to see a fitter ;) I can recommend a good one in the area

[SirMilton]

My Ping Zings were custom fitted to me by a former PGA player and professional fitter and I am currently working with a professional fitter to find new irons.

[Leek]

I am struggling with my distance with my irons, so I am in the market for new ones, but don't want to commit $1,200 or so for custom mades until I am 100% certain I will see additional distance.

It shouldn't cost you $1200 for properly fit clubs. I'd suggest you find a good clubfitter (not a chain store), pay him; then find out the correct specs for you. Make sure you get shaft recommendations, then either order what you want or even take one of your sets and have them set up properly for you. You will be amazed at the difference.