Replacing 20 year old irons. Diminishing returns? Custom $800 fitting vs. modern used $200 irons?

[Used2PlayALot]

First, I think no club can help you if you have a flawed swing.  I think lessons are worth 10x vs. equipment.  

I started playing again after a 15 year break.  I only play a few times a summer.  I have a set of stiff shaft  Titliest  DCI's from 1995.   I can just keep using them.  Sometimes I hit to the right, but that can be due to a million reasons.    Now, I was thinking I might replace the irons since my swing speed is probably even slower today, and I never should have been using stiff to being with.  

My swing speed is currently 85-89 mph based on a driver fitting at Golfsmith and he said I need regular flex.  
(I bought a used RocketBallz for $40 with a regular shaft and had it cut down an inch.  I hit the driver 215 yards when I hit it well)

Local club fitter said new modern irons will outperform my DCIs in EVERY way.  Longer, higher, straighter.  He stated this with strong matter-of-fact conviction.  He said either get a fitting and buy new irons ($100 + $800) or just go blindly buy anything used, as it will be a huge step up from the current irons.  I get dig that.  

Here is my dilemma.  If I get a $100 iron fitting, the only option the fitter will give me is a new set of clubs for $1000 (5-9, SW, hybrid).    It's just hard to justify blowing that kind of cash where there are SO MANY USED MINT CLUBS FOR SALE ONLINE.    The value add is the fitting.  But, what if my fitting is pretty generic and I just need a basic set of irons in regular flex?  Maybe that gives me 80% of the benefit.   I can regrip and have them cut off an inch if needed for $7/ea.I figure if I just get the shaft flex and length right, this is like most of the benefit anyway, and I can do this for $200 and not $800.  

So, if I decide to cheap out, how do you suggest I blindly buy a set of used modern irons?  Any brands?  Any general method to determine club length?    

Edited August 8, 2016 by Used2PlayALot

[Used2PlayALot]

Maybe some irons brands from 5 years ago?  
New enough to be a huge leap above my DCI's, yet old enough to be dirt cheap.

Again, I firmly believe no equipment can make you better.  But, maybe I am leaving a ton on the table? 

[imsys0042]

I don't know where you live, but there are probably a couple of different options for somewhere else you can be fitted.   Driving ranges with a pro might do it for a lot less, or if you are playing somewhere you might ask the golf staff if they could give you a fitting for down the road purchases.

That being said, I think the fitting is a good idea.   If you pay $100 for the fitting and can find clubs online based on that for $300 - $600 (guess), then you are ahead of the $1000 he/she quoted.   I got a nice set of Hogan blades years ago on eBay for my specs (upright and longer).   There are people who can bend the lie angle on clubs as well, making them more upright and downright.   Yes, that is further cost but it might be cheaper.   My club pro bent and re-shafted a 3-iron I bought on ebay to match my set since I bought 4-PW.

You can probably find more recent than 5 years on ebay for something reasonable.   Depending on the brand 

[Piz]

If your DCI's are standard for 1995; your 7 iron should measure 36 1/2 inches, have 36 degrees of loft, and a lie angle of 61.5 degrees.  If such is the case, and you like everything except the shaft flex, those are your specs.  That will be $100, minus the TST discount...let's say we call it even.  PS:  Never mind the "7", it is probably a "9" by now.  

Edited August 8, 2016 by Piz

[Rip62]

When I was looking for new irons last year to replace a 12 year set I was using I didn't have the money for a fitting and a brand new set of irons. I decided to look at models that were a year or two old. I went to Dick's, Golfsmith and the PGA Superstore and tried as many clubs as they would let me. Finally I got it down to 4 sets that I liked. I searched the discount golf equipment sites and started making bids on eBay. I ended up getting a set of Xtd irons for $150  that I've been very happy with. It took me a couple of months but it paid off being patient.

[WUTiger]

If you buy a new set of irons (never owned before), most places will include the cost of the fitting in the purchase price.

Also, you can pay $100 for a fitting on used irons that pretty well match your swing. The bigger shops get lots of sets of irons as trade-ins, and want to get them back out the door so they can recover their money. A couple of fine-tuning tweaks on a $500 set could deliver well.

4 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

Here is my dilemma.  If I get a $100 iron fitting, the only option the fitter will give me is a new set of clubs for $1000 (5-9, SW, hybrid)

Check around if you can - I'm not sure how good a deal you're getting.

If you're getting fitted for new irons, a custom fit for a production model - ordered from the factory - won't cost you any more $$ than an off-the-rack new set in the golf shop. (If you opt for super-upgrade grips, it might cost more.) TM, Callaway and others are offering lots of upgrade shafts at no extra charge these days.

Or, you could take a couple of lessons, stabilize your swing, and then get fitted over the holidays - new or slightly used.

[101101]

6 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

 

Here is my dilemma.  If I get a $100 iron fitting, the only option the fitter will give me is a new set of clubs for $1000 (5-9, SW, hybrid).    

I was quoted the following by a Top fitter:

- 800 gets 4 - PW of Ping G, TM M2 or Callway XR
- 130 for each additional wedge with fitting or I can get a utility wedge for any of the sets above for slightly cheaper
- 3H Hybrid at $130
- Driver $350
- FW $210

Full bag was right at $1,700 - $150 for the fitting if I ordered through them. 

The price is right on the sets, aka the exact same amount as I'd pay in the store but it comes with some additional lie changes, length changes, and grips that I like.    The shafts and the grips would add to the big box store price so I'll come out way ahead getting Irons through the fitter.    I will probably go this route and call it a day.  

The perk is that for as long as I have the Irons, I can go back in and get them readjusted.   All iron sets also come with a gapping session on the trackman and the option for a cheap ($25) follow-up session a few months later once you get comfortable with them. 

Cost is an issue with me so outside of the irons, I'll probably space them out as the fairway woods as combined birthday / christmas present and then the hybrid later down the line.   

I'm taking a pass at the driver for the time being as he suggested  a shaft profile, weight and length to look for on ebay and or the golf sites.   Once I have that, I can get the TM tip put in if need be and it shaved down to the length (44).   

His main point was that you hit your irons and the wedge the most so spend the $ there,  unless you're playing to a low-cap you could go 4 iron off the tee on still have a legit shot at bogey golf. 

[Pete F]

You want to play a couple of times a summer, you have clubs. Clubs won't make a difference if you play a few times a year. Just have fun and don't worry, be happy!

[gregsandiego]

8 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

Maybe some irons brands from 5 years ago?  
New enough to be a huge leap above my DCI's, yet old enough to be dirt cheap.

Again, I firmly believe no equipment can make you better.  But, maybe I am leaving a ton on the table? 

Here is the science I put into it.

I picked Taylor Made because I thought the popular brand would make me look better and I liked the name.

I figured a budget, $150 or so.

I went on eBay and purchased the newest set I could find, right handed, regular flex.

The End.

PS: My clubs are something like this set

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Taylor-Made-RAC-LT-Steel-Iron-Set-Regular-Flex-Irons-3-PW-0255358-/381685605474?hash=item58de3c2462:g:~B4AAOSwuzRXcrBF

 

Edited August 9, 2016 by gregsandiego

[Gfleck067]

To save some money see if the store has any left over sets. I got a brand new set of callaway apex that are a year old that hung on the shelf for 499  original 1000 

[Rainmaker]

For me - the used market is just too good to pass up.  If I had 20 year old irons, I would definitely get new ones.  Personally, I think technology improves enough to warrant new irons every 5 to 10 years.  After 5 years, they're getting old . .after 10, they're old.

I would definitely buy a used set of irons.  I say this because I always do, lol.  Whenever I buy clubs, I do research on the best irons from 2-3 years ago.  You can find reviews on almost anything on Youtube.  Then I buy them used . .telling myself I'll go and get the lies and lofts adjusted . .but then I never get them adjusted and just play them because they're fine. 

I've done this for my last 3 sets of irons and it's worked out beautifully every time.  I just got a used set of Mizuno ,mp-53's about 6 months ago for something like 275.  These are great!  They're replacing my 2008 Big Bertha's that I got in 2010 for cheap - they were awesome and I loved those clubs . .but eventually the grips wore out so I was like . .well . .it's 100 for new grips or 300 for new irons . .plus I wanted to try something different . .anyway . .based on my own experience buying used irons is great.