Meddle

I think a set of Eye2's would be an excellent choice. You have tested them and like them, they maintain their value and are considered to be some of the best irons of all time. I think with irons the technology hasn't improved as much as the golf companies want you to think. Also, I would be careful with forged musclebacks as a 20 handicap, those are usually used by very good golfers and have little margin for error.

Hmm, I don't think the R9's have a blade-like feel at all, definitely a GI club. I thought they fit me pretty well as a mid-teens handicapper. Very forgiving, but not much offset and didn't feel bulky. I think as an 8 handicapper you should consider a more workable set unless forgiveness is your top priority in picking irons.

I've gamed an 09 Burner for over a year. I don't really feel like it's amazing or anything, but it's a good value and a solid driver. I really didn't like the re-ax shaft that it came with so I put a different one in, that is my only complaint. I would say it's greatest attribute is it's forgiveness, off center shots do really well.

One tip that helped me a lot is play the course the way it's meant to be played. Lay up when the course lets you, attack the middle of the green instead of gunning for flags, etc. Holes usually let you play it safe away from water, fairway bunkers, and hazards, you just have to recognise it and play for it.

The most important thing that people actually care about is slow play. Anyone can go out and play at any skill level as long as they either play at a normal pace or let people through.

I've hit clubs from multiple clone (not counterfeit) companies, Pinemeadow as well as Diamond Tour, and have been impressed. Great irons that are comparable to the real thing. I've used my set from Diamond Tour a bunch and they have been great, couldn't be happier with them.

I really love TM R9's. Forgiving as anything I've ever played, but less offset and not as bulky as most GI irons you see. They are designed with mid-handicappers in mind. You can score them pretty cheap too these days. Edit: I'll also mention that there is a TP edition of this iron with less offset than the regular edition.

Start playing real courses, establish a handicap with a course near by, and see how you progress. There is a chance that you are a prodigy and progress really quickly. Or you might be like the rest of us. Only one way to find out though, start playing real golf.

Check out a reputable online dealer like globalgolf.com and go pre-owned. Any cavity back from a name brand company is going to be sufficient, the specific brand and iron set is just preference. Probably your best bet is going to a golf store and hitting different clubs to see what you like best, then going online and picking them up.

I play a set of original 845's. Great set of irons, very forgiving and feel pure when you hit the ball. I'm not a low handicapper, but I know scratch golfers who still use them. Had my first eagle with them a little while ago. To me they are a proof that you don't need the newest and most expensive clubs to go low and improve at golf.

I would wait for a set that you know fits you. That way there won't be any second thoughts or regrets about your purchase. Having a set that fits you really helps, I'm 6'3'' and having upright clubs makes a huge difference with my posture over the ball.

Of course this is true Gerald, I agree all parts of the game must be worked on in order to shoot in the 70's. What I meant to imply was the relative importance of the short game vs the long game. Anyone can get the ball up around the green in 2 or 3 on a par 4, but getting up and down for the par or bogey save? Or 2 putting from 50 ft? That is what separates the average golfers from the single digits. At least in my experience anyway.

Whenever I see threads like this, it seems like most of the advice revolves around full swing practice. Same with most lessons I see at the course, full swing and not many around the putting/chipping greens. To me though golf seems like a game that's really played around the greens. I know when I play with someone much better than me, routinely shooting 70's their short game is what really stands out to me. Up and down all the time, no 3 putts etc. So wouldn't focusing on the short game first and foremost benefit most golfers? I mean, if "improving" at golf is lower scores, then I think it would.

I think another thing to think about is, sucking at something is relative. Everyone sucks at golf when you compare them to somebody much better. Out there someone is working their ass off to break 100, who sucks compared to you.

My handicap hovered around 20 for a long time until I made a commitment to improving my putting and short game instead of hitting the range. I don't know what kind of practice you do, but I bet those scores will start going down with more short game work.

I've hit the i15, I found it really hard to control compared to my Burner. I would stay away unless you are confident you can tame that thing.

Pretty much all the major manufacturers make good stuff, it all comes down to what you have the most confidence in. What suites your eye, feel, etc. What's more important than the brand you buy is making sure the clubs fit you, length, shaft, stuff like that. As far as the question you asked, I've never played those irons, but have heard nothing but good things about Macgregor recently. I'm sure they would do the trick just fine.

I agree with Sean, and to answer the second part of your post, I've bounced around using different iron sets for awhile and I feel that it has hurt my game. You have a good set of irons, I know people who prefer the original Eye to the Eye 2, and if they fit you they won't hold you back from improving.

You should pick up a CG10 58* off ebay.

My buddy's dad met him while volunteering at a PGA event practice round. Said he was the nicest guy out there.

I went down the cutting down the shaft road myself with my 09 Burner. Tried adding lead tape, etc. But in the end, I just bought a new shaft that was 45'' to begin with.

Hmm, seems to me you would want a set that is significantly different in some respect, otherwise what's the point in buying another set? For example, if his current set is a low-launching iron, pick up a set that puts the ball up in the air. Or maybe pick up a set of blades since you already have cavity-backs for when you are striking the ball really well. Anyway, some set of irons which you would actually have an occasion to use.

This year I started carrying just carry a Driver, 20* hybrid, 5, 7 and 9 iron, 56* wedge and putter on the course for practice, and it's been the best thing I've done for my game since I started playing. The biggest thing for me was learning not to swing as hard as I can every time, since you have in-between distances much of the time, which improved my consistency. I also started to get a feel for the different trajectories created by hitting different irons the same distance, which was cool. Since I don't have a bunch of wedges in the bag to loft the ball in the air, I learned to bump and run shots into the green from longer distances. Basically, it has taught me how to hit a bunch of shots that I never would have hit before, and now those shots are in my arsenal if I need them.

I'd go with Cleveland. I love the Launcher series of woods, their TA irons and CG wedges, and they actually offer some pretty good milled putters.

Same here. One particular instance comes to mind, 12 feet from the pin with a putt for eagle. This was about 2 years ago when I was first really getting into the game, and this was my first real chance to eagle. I choke on the 12 footer, leaving it 6 feet short, then miss the 6 footer. Still have never eagled.