Getting Old and buying new irons....

[FlyerAve]

Hello All:

I scanned the previous posts and couldn't find any topics that may help me with my dilemma.  I am a 5.6 Index at my home course that is around 7200 yds.  I moved my handicap last year from a 10.  Although my game has improved substantially I am struggling with club selection from 190-210 yds.  I went to hybrids a few years ago and it has helped but have lower confidence in this yardage range (I know most golfers do).  I have been playing Mizuno MP-62 for the past three years but I am considering a move to the Callaway APEX CF16 Irons. I am considering the move to the 2018 APEX CF16 because they tend to be a bit stronger in loft (about 3 degrees) and much more forgiving in the 3,4 and 5 irons and this is where my game could use the help.

There is a lot of debate on when a player should go from "Game Improvement Irons" to "Players Irons" but very little discussion from "Players Irons" to "Game Improvement Irons" and I am looking for some guidance.  

I am asking the group:

1.) Is it a mistake to go to a club that claims to be "more forgiving" with miss-hits if ball striking isn't currently an issue?

2.) Do I stay within the "players irons" options and hit the range more often?

3.) Is the move from the Mizuno MP-62 to Callaway APEX a worthwhile move to solve my 190-210 yard distance issue?

My thought is that by going to the APEX that I can use my 5 iron and 4 iron in this distance range and achieve what I am trying to do.  Thank you in advance for all your input.

 

FlyerAve

Denver, CO

 

 

[MarvChamp]

1 hour ago, FlyerAve said:

There is a lot of debate on when

I have no business replying but here goes...I don't think this is a "when" question at all; there are not age limits. It is a matter of what you like and gives you confidence, not some arbitrary tecnical measure. If you can make such a jump in HCP in a year, I'll be you can figure it out by hitting different clubs with different shafts.

I have Mixuno forged GI cavity clubs, SGI cavity clubs and Ultra GI cavity clubs (using Maltby's qualifications). I like all three.

When I came back to golf as an old guy after a long layoff, I didn't want to change clubs so (working with a pro) I found shafts that fit me and my swing with the first two sets of those irons better than stock. By changing and one soft-stepping the shafts, I was able to enjoy the game as I wanted. I have found the "more forgiving" clubs helped me with distance control/accuracy (confidence). Anyway, others will give the answers you need. Best, -Marv

[Piz]

For what it's worth. and I'm nowhere as good as you are, I play a cut 5 wood or a full hybrid from the 190-210 range.  It varies, of course, and down slope, down wind, I might use a 6 iron; but the idea is to "create" a distance using the clubs I have.  Whatever you hit 220-230 you can cut somewhat less.  I'd experiment, with longer clubs, and see what happens.  I'm sure you've got a reliable 200 somewhere in the bag.  Bon chance.

[NEhomer]

I'm 57 and I switched to regular flex graphite shafts on a set of AP1s a few years back and I wish I had done it years ago. Better distance and much straighter than the too-stiff steel shafts I was using.

[Club Rat]

12 hours ago, FlyerAve said:

1.) Is it a mistake to go to a club that claims to be "more forgiving" with miss-hits if ball striking isn't currently an issue? If it's not an issue, why?

2.) Do I stay within the "players irons" options and hit the range more often? The range is a benefit for all players.

3.) Is the move from the Mizuno MP-62 to Callaway APEX a worthwhile move to solve my 190-210 yard distance issue? Maybe, but how often do you need this distance when playing?

Welcome to TST, Denver is a great place. 

Your situation with 190 - 210 could be due to numerous reasons, wind direction, elevation change, maybe a matter of club selection.
One day the shot could be a 6 iron and the next day a hybrid.
In the Mile High city, golfing is much different than what most Flat Landers experience.
At your level of play, maybe the distance your having issues with is just a matter of confidence.

Go Broncos....  

[uitar9]

I'm with Marvchamp on this, i have no business giving advice but...I was reading a golf magazine recently and they were suggesting there are so many club and shaft options out there today, and with the help of say Trackman, you can find a combination that dials in every space in your bag. Regardless of the label "player" "SGI" or "GI" , steel/graphite shafts, grips, there's a combination that will maximize your swing specifically. If your gonna buy anyway, spend some time with that fitter and have fun picking.

I suppose an alternative is the off the shelf blade with the extra stiff steel and vibrate the crap out of the body...but look cool

 

[NJpatbee]

I am a 66 year old 17 HCP but with a 2 hybrid I can still go for a 190-210 shot.  Once in while I may be on the green but I am usually at least in the vicinity.  At my level and age I am quite happy with those results and I am actually more accurate than using a 4 or 5 wood 15 years ago.

[shanksalot]

My credo is if it makes the game easier for me then do it. Many pros who more than likely in their early days as a golfer played blades. Today looking at the bags of guys on the PGA Tour many do not play blades anymore and some even  with hybrids and driving irons. The best I ever played was when I switched from a players iron to a GI iron. 

[Patch]

Questions 1 I don't have an answer. That seems like a personal decision.

On question 2, myself, I like to practice a lot, so more range time seems to be of some positive value. 

Question 3, if I understood correctly, my first thought was, why buy a new set of clubs, just to take care of one distance range? Maybe just buy a 4i, or 5i to take care of that issue. Save yourself some money.

[Fourputt]

17 hours ago, FlyerAve said:

Hello All:

I scanned the previous posts and couldn't find any topics that may help me with my dilemma.  I am a 5.6 Index at my home course that is around 7200 yds.  I moved my handicap last year from a 10.  Although my game has improved substantially I am struggling with club selection from 190-210 yds.  I went to hybrids a few years ago and it has helped but have lower confidence in this yardage range (I know most golfers do).  I have been playing Mizuno MP-62 for the past three years but I am considering a move to the Callaway APEX CF16 Irons. I am considering the move to the 2018 APEX CF16 because they tend to be a bit stronger in loft (about 3 degrees) and much more forgiving in the 3,4 and 5 irons and this is where my game could use the help.

There is a lot of debate on when a player should go from "Game Improvement Irons" to "Players Irons" but very little discussion from "Players Irons" to "Game Improvement Irons" and I am looking for some guidance.  

I am asking the group:

1.) Is it a mistake to go to a club that claims to be "more forgiving" with miss-hits if ball striking isn't currently an issue?

2.) Do I stay within the "players irons" options and hit the range more often?

3.) Is the move from the Mizuno MP-62 to Callaway APEX a worthwhile move to solve my 190-210 yard distance issue?

My thought is that by going to the APEX that I can use my 5 iron and 4 iron in this distance range and achieve what I am trying to do.  Thank you in advance for all your input.

 

FlyerAve

Denver, CO

 

 

I made a similar move 3 years ago at age 68.  I went from Titleist AP-2 with steel shafts to TaylorMade Aero Burners with graphite.  I gained a little length back, and the TM's are definitely more forgiving.  My game as been in a downhill spiral for a few years now, so I don't really know if this is a help or not.  10 years ago I was still hanging on to an 11-12 handicap, but now it's pretty steadily in the mid 17's, and not showing signs of getting any better.

For the range you are concerned with I'm currently using an Aero Burner 5W.  I also carry the 7W.  Even with the relative forgiveness of these irons, my 4I still doesn't get a lot of use.

Edited March 1, 2018 by Fourputt

[FlyerAve]

Wow!  I love this site.  My first post and I have received better advice than asking around for the past two years.  I honestly see the validity of each post.  I guess I am looking for a little change and purchasing a new set of irons, I thought may be the answer.  I now think a bit differently.  Perhaps I need to look at adding a game improvement iron for my 3i and 4i and try that first.  I recently tried the Callaway Apex CF16 and got an additional 10 yards out of them.  This is most likely due to the 3 degrees (average) less loft throughout the set.  I am going to start with adding the irons and see if I can't find the sweet spot in the 190-210 range and move from there. 

Thank you to all for your posts. 

-FlyerAve

Edited March 1, 2018 by FlyerAve