Iron Set Recommendations

[fishgolf]

On ‎2‎/‎14‎/‎2018 at 9:58 AM, joshiemac25 said:

Hello All, 

I took a little bit of time off from golf and am looking to come back into playing regularly this year. I played once last year and realized that my irons could use a good refreshing.

I currently play a set of Nike ProCombo OS irons. I love how they feel and I like the lofts and how the ball comes off of the clubs. I like the current distance I get from the lofts I am playing and would like to stay close to those lofts (3-21, 4-24, 5-27, 6-31, 7-35, 8-39, 9-43, PW-47).

When I stopped playing regularly, my HC was around a 6.

I am going to get fit, but wanted to solicit some feedback/recommendations before doing so, as I do not have a lot of places around me to get fit for multiple different brands and options.

I have been looking at the following clubs (online) and am planning on hitting them and seeing what I like:

Titleist: 718CB, 718MB, AP2

Taylormade: P770

Is there another brand or model I should be considering?

Thank you in advance.

I tried the Ping G400's at a Ping Demo Day this past winter in Yuma and really liked them. This advice however coming from someone who has been playing PE2's since 1988. Overall, distance was a little better and trajectory slightly lower. Not sure how to describe it, but they just had a different/crisper feel than the PE2's. I will say they've had me debating whether to upgrade to more current technology.  Lots to choose from - which can be both good and bad.  Good luck with the search.

[Shorty]

On 6/16/2018 at 12:11 PM, GOATee said:

Buy AP2 because it will still be around in 10 years (new model of course) and still be winning PGA tournaments!

The other brands keep changing the models and design every year, no consistency.

What has that got to do with anything? The new models are new designs. Same name. AP2 xx

What do you mean by "no consistency".  Or if it even exists, whatever it is. Do you mean that Model xtc2 is different from EZGlide 4 or whatever random names the makers choose? 

And what has "winning PGA tournaments" got to do with anything? All major manufactuers' clubs win/have won tournaments.

Please give a SINGLE example of where "no consistency" is a bad thing in golf clubs from the same manufacturer from year to year?

 

Edited June 28, 2018 by Shorty

[GOATee]

6 hours ago, Shorty said:

What has that got to do with anything? The new models are new designs. Same name. AP2 xx

What do you mean by "no consistency".  Or if it even exists, whatever it is. Do you mean that Model xtc2 is different from EZGlide 4 or whatever random names the makers choose? 

And what has "winning PGA tournaments" got to do with anything? All major manufactuers' clubs win/have won tournaments.

Please give a SINGLE example of where "no consistency" is a bad thing in golf clubs from the same manufacturer from year to year?

 

I experienced buyer's fatigue from having to figure out what irons to get each time I upgrade because other brands keep changing models and designs more dramatically. 

With models from other brands, when I upgrade, I have to read up and research on what new model and brand is best that year, and get fitted for them.  This takes time and effort that some may or may not want to spend.

With the AP2s, when I upgrade, I simply go to the shop, say I want the latest AP2s, and get the same shafts.  Usually they perform and feel about the same on the course with some slight improvements.  No need for fitting usually. 

So this consistency from model to model (incremental minor changes rather than big changes in design and naming), does have some benefit for those who do not have time or desire to get refit for irons every time.

Note that I am not saying that in performance AP2s are any better than other brands.  I have hit many beautiful Callaway, Taylormade, Srixon and Ping irons.

 

 

Edited June 28, 2018 by GOATee

[Shorty]

1 minute ago, GOATee said:

I experienced buyer's fatigue from having to figure out what irons to get each time I upgrade because other brands keep changing models and designs more dramatically. 

 

Thing is, you're not upgrading. You are merely changing clubs.  There are no appreciable differences in clubs that are modified every 2 years - especially when the buyer thinks he has old technology because it is 2018 and the iron set is xx16 or xx14. 

 

[GOATee]

4 minutes ago, Shorty said:

Thing is, you're not upgrading. You are merely changing clubs.  There are no appreciable differences in clubs that are modified every 2 years - especially when the buyer thinks he has old technology because it is 2018 and the iron set is xx16 or xx14. 

 

True, true.  Pardon me, I should say then not upgrading but replacing worn clubs.  I just say get me the latest AP2s.  Nice and EZ for da lazy me.  Sorry I know the optimal way is to get refit every time for the absolute best models for the year.  Those Wilsons look tasty.  But eh too lazy.

Edited June 28, 2018 by GOATee

[Shorty]

Serious question then - if you had the original AP2s (710, if I remember correctly) do you think there has been any noticeable difference between them and the 3 or 4 generations since? Really?

[GOATee]

Not much.  Older model AP2s in good condition are a great buy.

[boogielicious]

33 minutes ago, Shorty said:

Serious question then - if you had the original AP2s (710, if I remember correctly) do you think there has been any noticeable difference between them and the 3 or 4 generations since? Really?

The new ones are shinier. 

One add about irons like the AP2, their resale value stays a bit higher than some other lower tier OEM models. So if you are into buying new irons every couple of years, you may be able to make some of your money back just because of name recognition. Even if brand X irons perform as well, they may not sell well used.

[joshiemac25]

On 4/5/2018 at 9:24 AM, RFKFREAK said:

Let us know what you think once you're able to play with them.

I got mine when they came out last year and absolutely love it.  Was able to get a round in on Sunday as I was in NJ where the courses were open and hit them better than I ever have before!

So have been able to get in a bunch of range sessions and play a few rounds. Darn responsibilities keep getting in the way. 

I do really like the clubs. I am finding that I hit the 6-PW almost exact distances as my former clubs and I love the ball flight and really just love everything about them.

I am just running into a few issues with the 4 and 5 irons. I feel like the clubs are dead, even when I put a good swing on the ball and am not getting near the distance that I feel I should, which creates some gapping issues and just not much confidence in those clubs right now.

Because of that, I am having my former 4 and 5 irons re-shafted to the same shafts as the AP2s and will keep them in the bag until I get more time with them and have some other golfers hit them to rule out any potential issues with the clubs. 

I am also going to try to hit some AP1 and AP3 irons around the lofts of the 4 and 5 from the AP2 set to see if maybe I hit those better and find the right gapping if I do hit them better.