Irons more forgiving without higher launch/more distance?

[Midpack]

I hit my 1996 WS RM Midsize 7-iron 150 on average, not long but plenty for my age. I'm a mid-handicapper who would like a more forgiving club (plenty of them out there), but all the GI irons I look at also seem to offer higher ball flight (higher launch) and 10-20 more yards (lower lofts) - I don't want either! Does anyone make forgiving irons with "traditional" launch & distances? e.g I like the Titleist AP1 but it's too high/long, and I assume the AP2 isn't much more forgiving than my old Wilsons. I know most people can't imagine why anyone doesn't want more distance, but aside from my driver, I don't care about more distance.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Midpack

[DeadMan]

The answer to your question is find a shaft that will give you the ball flight you want. You should be able to find something that keeps the ball lower for you.

That said, you're wrong about not wanting higher ball flight and more distance.

1. Higher ball flight makes it easier to stop the ball on the green. Like I said in another thread you started, the average apex height for PGA Tour players is about 100 feet. High ball flight is a good thing, not a problem.
2. More distance makes the game easier. I'd much rather have a 9 iron in my hand than a 7 iron. Much easier to hit that 9 iron than the 7 iron.

Edit to add: stop worrying about all this stuff. Clubs are better than they were 20 years ago. If you buy new clubs, you will likely hit the ball straighter and longer, and you seem to think this is a bad thing. It's baffling to me that you would prefer to be worse at golf.

Edited June 16, 2017 by DeadMan

[Shindig]

45 minutes ago, Midpack said:

I hit my 1996 WS RM Midsize 7-iron 150 on average, not long but plenty for my age. I'm a mid-handicapper who would like a more forgiving club (plenty of them out there), but all the GI irons I look at also seem to offer higher ball flight (higher launch) and 10-20 more yards (lower lofts) - I don't want either! Does anyone make forgiving irons with "traditional" launch & distances? e.g I like the Titleist AP1 but it's too high/long, and I assume the AP2 isn't much more forgiving than my old Wilsons. I know most people can't imagine why anyone doesn't want more distance, but aside from my driver, I don't care about more distance.

First, you can get shafts to affect the ball flight if that's what you want.  Do you really hit your 4-iron too high with an AP1?

Second, AP2s are more forgiving than your 1996 WS RM Midsizes, but not by a whole lot (30 points on the MPF scale).  But they do integrate with the AP1s, so you could get a set of highest iron through, say, 7-iron in AP1 and the rest in AP2 (at the per-iron price, in case that worries you, by the way).

Check out a Titleist fitter or a Titleist Thursday event near you to check these out if that brand is on your mind.

[mvmac]

1 hour ago, Midpack said:

I hit my 1996 WS RM Midsize 7-iron 150 on average, not long but plenty for my age. I'm a mid-handicapper who would like a more forgiving club (plenty of them out there), but all the GI irons I look at also seem to offer higher ball flight (higher launch) and 10-20 more yards (lower lofts) - I don't want either! Does anyone make forgiving irons with "traditional" launch & distances? e.g I like the Titleist AP1 but it's too high/long, and I assume the AP2 isn't much more forgiving than my old Wilsons. I know most people can't imagine why anyone doesn't want more distance, but aside from my driver, I don't care about more distance.

Basically to create more forgiveness you have to have the weight lower and further away from the face compared to a muscleback or players cavity (which will launch with ball higher).

If you really like the AP1 head I'd look at trying out different shafts, their stock shaft is designed to launch it higher. Other than that a blend of forgiveness and a low/mid launch head would be a Mizuno JPX 900 Tour, Wilson V6 or the TaylorMade 770 irons. You might even like the Hogan Fort Worth irons, can get a set at a great price right now.

[Midpack]

Got it. Not arguing, but to be direct so there's no misunderstanding. 

So if I have the right shafts (honestly I hit very high already, my current iron shafts are supposedly mid weight, mid kick point), I guess height doesn't have to be a problem, I'll just be hitting a 9-iron where I currently use a 7 or 8. And with the added length and the full swing club void inside 150 yards, I'll need four wedges where a PW & SW was all I used to want. 

I'm going to go to a PGA Super Store or Club Champion for a fitting and see what they suggest.

Thanks for your patience all, it's been a shock after a 15 year layoff and seeing how tech has changed (and not) all at once.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Midpack

[Shindig]

3 minutes ago, Midpack said:

Got it. Not arguing, but to be direct so there's no misunderstanding. 

So if I have the right shafts (my current irons are supposedly mid weight, mid kick point), I guess height doesn't have to be a problem, I'll just be hitting a 9-iron where I currently use a 7 or 8. And with the added length, I'll need four wedges where a PW & SW was all I used to want. 

Or three wedges, get a GW -- might even come with your set.  And you might not need a 3-iron or 4-iron.  Get 5-P + gap, play a bit, see if you need something between your highest wood and 5-iron.

I've made do without a lob wedge for a while.  I've debated getting one but there are so few times I think I would use it. 

[Grinde6]

I think if you pick up a new set of irons, you will be happy.  The irons I just picked up are the Mizuno JPX 850 Forged.  The lofts on these clubs compared to my Nike Vr Pro Blades are 2-3 degrees less with the Mizunos.  I hit the ball much higher with these clubs though compared to the Nikes, mostly due to the shaft.  I am hitting them much farther, and trust me, its a good problem to have to hit a 9 iron where you used to hit a soft 7.  These are the best irons I think I have ever owned, and I, like you, was hesitant to make the switch, especially with the loft changes, but I am very glad I did now.  I say go for it!!

 

[proto]

look into the Mizuno HotMetals irons. they are crazy long or the new Callaway Epic or Epic Pro irons are stupid long also

you could even go down the TM M1 or M2 irons are long and forgiving or Even any of the Ping irons will work also

-Good Luck-

That or wait till the718 AP3 releases, I'm sure in august we will be seeing pics of them. and the new TMB 718 irons are more forgiving then the 716 AP2 they are claiming. thats like a MB look with AP1 forgiveness pretty much. 

[WUTiger]

Being you're in Chicagoland, you might try out Tour Edge irons. TE will be at a demo day this weekend:

-----------------------------------------------------
Demo Day
6/24/2017 
11 AM  to 3 PM ST.      ANDREWS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
2241 IL RTE. 59
WEST CHICAGO, IL  60185
(630)231-3160
----------------------------------------

You might try out the CB Pro Tungsten or the EXi irons. The CBs have 4 degree loft increments (4i = 22° ... PW = 46°) and 1/2" shaft increments in the numbered irons. This is about as close to "traditional" you will find, and you can get different shafts to go with it.

On the CBs, the GI head does not launch the ball overly high, so you could still get some lighter weight shafts if you wanted without ballooning the ball.

The EXi has slightly stronger lofts, but has "Traditional shape with less offset for classic playability and performance," as the ad says.

The Tour Edge factory is located in the Chicago suburb of Batavia, and TE clubs have a lifetime guarantee.