Srixon I-701 irons review

So this past weekend I ran into a killer deal on a set of new Srixon I-701 irons. Really to good to pass up, so they ended up in my bag.

Just a little background, I started playing last April. I've had 3 sets of irons, Wilson Di7, Ping G5, and Ping I-3 O-size. I hit them all well except for the G5's. The Di7's were probably my favorite of the bunch, but I foolishly gave them away in search of the magic set. Anyhow...

I am a 25, but iron play/ball striking is not my problem. I tend to struggle with the short game. So a brief review from my perspective:

Distance: I hit these Srixon's long. Very long (DG R300 shafts). I had lost a lot of distance with both sets of Pings, some of it due to the stronger lofts on the Di7's. I get it all back with the 701's in spades. A well struck 9 iron for either Ping ~90-100 yds, with these ~120 yds. Even a miss goes ~100yds, but it is much more apparent/negative with these irons.

Feel: Butter. On a well struck shot anyway. A mishit is definitely punishing, moreso than any of my previous irons, but not terrible.

Workability: Beats the hell out of me. But I've got no business working the ball right now anyway.

Fit and Finish: Very sexy irons. Understated, no overly busy graphics on the back. Stock grips will probably get tossed.

First round: I get out to the range today, all psyched up about my new irons. Needless to say, I couldn't hit the blasted things. At first I was hitting a nice lazy draw (something I've never done and wouldn't know how to do if I tried). That turned into a nasty hook the longer I hit them. Started to doubt why I had even bought them. I got out to the course, and I reluctantly took out my 5 for the first time.........and money! I couldn't freaking miss with these things. I hit some crazy good shots. I think I was addressing the ball with the face a little closed on the range, whatever, it worked itself out. Shot after shot, long and straight. I did have some issues with distance, but that will work itself out in a few rounds.

Anyway, I mainly wanted to post this as encouragement. Just because you're >15 doesn't mean you have to hit SGI irons. I never would have tried these except I got to hit a whole bunch of different irons (on the simulator) including SGI, GI, and blades. Turns out I hit the Ping S57/58's and the Mizuno MX-25's the best of anything. I ended up with the Srixon's because I couldn't find the Mizuno's new and cheap, and the Srixon's were so dang cheap. Good thing to, I was almost ready to buy some Taylormades! (I hit those really bad!)

Nice post, I'm in a similar position, 25 handicap, but I ended up with player's irons as well (Nickent 4dx pro).

So this past weekend I ran into a killer deal on a set of new Srixon I-701 irons. Really to good to pass up, so they ended up in my bag.

 

Just a little background, I started playing last April. I've had 3 sets of irons, Wilson Di7, Ping G5, and Ping I-3 O-size. I hit them all well except for the G5's. The Di7's were probably my favorite of the bunch, but I foolishly gave them away in search of the magic set. Anyhow...

 

I am a 25, but iron play/ball striking is not my problem. I tend to struggle with the short game. So a brief review from my perspective:

 

Distance: I hit these Srixon's long. Very long (DG R300 shafts). I had lost a lot of distance with both sets of Pings, some of it due to the stronger lofts on the Di7's. I get it all back with the 701's in spades. A well struck 9 iron for either Ping ~90-100 yds, with these ~120 yds. Even a miss goes ~100yds, but it is much more apparent/negative with these irons.

 

Feel: Butter. On a well struck shot anyway. A mishit is definitely punishing, moreso than any of my previous irons, but not terrible.

 

Workability: Beats the hell out of me. But I've got no business working the ball right now anyway.

 

Fit and Finish: Very sexy irons. Understated, no overly busy graphics on the back. Stock grips will probably get tossed.

 

First round: I get out to the range today, all psyched up about my new irons. Needless to say, I couldn't hit the blasted things. At first I was hitting a nice lazy draw (something I've never done and wouldn't know how to do if I tried). That turned into a nasty hook the longer I hit them. Started to doubt why I had even bought them. I got out to the course, and I reluctantly took out my 5 for the first time.........and money! I couldn't freaking miss with these things. I hit some crazy good shots. I think I was addressing the ball with the face a little closed on the range, whatever, it worked itself out. Shot after shot, long and straight. I did have some issues with distance, but that will work itself out in a few rounds.

 

Anyway, I mainly wanted to post this as encouragement. Just because you're >15 doesn't mean you have to hit SGI irons. I never would have tried these except I got to hit a whole bunch of different irons (on the simulator) including SGI, GI, and blades. Turns out I hit the Ping S57/58's and the Mizuno MX-25's the best of anything. I ended up with the Srixon's because I couldn't find the Mizuno's new and cheap, and the Srixon's were so dang cheap. Good thing to, I was almost ready to buy some Taylormades! (I hit those really bad!)

 

Ball striking is not an issue but you were only hitting a 9 iron 90-100 yds? I am a decent ballstriker with a "geriatric" swingspeed at 40 years old and hit a 9 iron 130yds. Something in your statement just doesn't add up

So this past weekend I ran into a killer deal on a set of new Srixon I-701 irons. Really to good to pass up, so they ended up in my bag.

 

Just a little background, I started playing last April. I've had 3 sets of irons, Wilson Di7, Ping G5, and Ping I-3 O-size. I hit them all well except for the G5's. The Di7's were probably my favorite of the bunch, but I foolishly gave them away in search of the magic set. Anyhow...

 

I am a 25, but iron play/ball striking is not my problem. I tend to struggle with the short game. So a brief review from my perspective:

 

Distance: I hit these Srixon's long. Very long (DG R300 shafts). I had lost a lot of distance with both sets of Pings, some of it due to the stronger lofts on the Di7's. I get it all back with the 701's in spades. A well struck 9 iron for either Ping ~90-100 yds, with these ~120 yds. Even a miss goes ~100yds, but it is much more apparent/negative with these irons.

 

Feel: Butter. On a well struck shot anyway. A mishit is definitely punishing, moreso than any of my previous irons, but not terrible.

 

Workability: Beats the hell out of me. But I've got no business working the ball right now anyway.

 

Fit and Finish: Very sexy irons. Understated, no overly busy graphics on the back. Stock grips will probably get tossed.

 

First round: I get out to the range today, all psyched up about my new irons. Needless to say, I couldn't hit the blasted things. At first I was hitting a nice lazy draw (something I've never done and wouldn't know how to do if I tried). That turned into a nasty hook the longer I hit them. Started to doubt why I had even bought them. I got out to the course, and I reluctantly took out my 5 for the first time.........and money! I couldn't freaking miss with these things. I hit some crazy good shots. I think I was addressing the ball with the face a little closed on the range, whatever, it worked itself out. Shot after shot, long and straight. I did have some issues with distance, but that will work itself out in a few rounds.

 

Anyway, I mainly wanted to post this as encouragement. Just because you're >15 doesn't mean you have to hit SGI irons. I never would have tried these except I got to hit a whole bunch of different irons (on the simulator) including SGI, GI, and blades. Turns out I hit the Ping S57/58's and the Mizuno MX-25's the best of anything. I ended up with the Srixon's because I couldn't find the Mizuno's new and cheap, and the Srixon's were so dang cheap. Good thing to, I was almost ready to buy some Taylormades! (I hit those really bad!)

 

Ball striking is not an issue but you were only hitting a 9 iron 90-100 yds? I am a decent ballstriker with a "geriatric" swingspeed at 40 years old and hit a 9 iron 130yds. Something in your statement just doesn't add up

 

BUSTED???? My dad is a 66 year old 6 hdcp that carries a 9 iron about 100 yards and is a very good ball striker! What doesn't add up? He never mentions his club head speed or shaft flex in his old irons.

that's what I was thinking too... possibly the other sets were stiff flex.

Back to the topic. Yep love the 701s. Once the weather starts cooperating, theyll get in the bag. Very nice clubs esp with X 5.5's.

[quote name='albatrosser' date='15 February 2010 - 02:14 PM' timestamp='1266261291' post='2253272']
that's what I was thinking too... possibly the other sets were stiff flex.
[/quote]

Yeah, busted my rear...

Just because I hit one set of irons x distance doesn't mean I should hit them all that distance. I was improperly fitted for both sets of Pings, and the result was Stiff Flex in both of them. I was told.."you'll grow into them". FYI, my swing speed with a 7 iron is mid 80's. I'm not exactly claiming to be John Daly or anything.

I think the difference really is ball striking. I never felt that I got a good hit with the Pings. Totally different story with the Srixons. I played again today and was hitting my short irons very long. 9i (130), 8i (140's), 7i (150's). Maybe a difference in the shafts too. Pings had CS-Lites, Srixons have TT DGR300.

Besides, the point of the post wasn't how far I could hit them, but how well I hit them and how finding the right style of irons for your game can really make a difference.

[quote name='dees72' date='15 February 2010 - 07:06 PM' timestamp='1266282404' post='2254070']
[quote name='albatrosser' date='15 February 2010 - 02:14 PM' timestamp='1266261291' post='2253272']
that's what I was thinking too... possibly the other sets were stiff flex.
[/quote]

Yeah, busted my rear...

Just because I hit one set of irons x distance doesn't mean I should hit them all that distance. I was improperly fitted for both sets of Pings, and the result was Stiff Flex in both of them. I was told.."you'll grow into them". FYI, my swing speed with a 7 iron is mid 80's. I'm not exactly claiming to be John Daly or anything.

I think the difference really is ball striking. I never felt that I got a good hit with the Pings. Totally different story with the Srixons. I played again today and was hitting my short irons very long. 9i (130), 8i (140's), 7i (150's). Maybe a difference in the shafts too. Pings had CS-Lites, Srixons have TT DGR300.

Besides, the point of the post wasn't how far I could hit them, but how well I hit them and how finding the right style of irons for your game can really make a difference.
[/quote]

EXACTLY!!! Plus, when I switched from my Titleist AP2's to the Srixon 701 Tours (with the same exact shafts) I picked up a full club length on almost every iron. In my case it had alot to do with head weighting and trajectory. The AP2's had a tendency to balloon a little while the Srixons had a much flatter penetrating ball flight.

I am loving my 701's all except I am wanting more feel out of them. I am considering a shaft change from PX back to good 'ol DGolds or maybe SL's. But about the 701's they are definitely hotter than any other iron I have hit before including my MX900's which were the longest I had hit as of 3 years ago.

Ok, I think the debate here should be about listening to a club review by someone who obviously has a long way to go in their game. I'm not trying to discourage posting or trying to offend the TC but if you want an accurate review of a club, shouldn't it be from someone who has a solid handle of the game and not a beginner? Just my 2 pennies.

Thanks for the review, I am about the same 'cap and have been looking at these irons as my research said they are pretty forgiving, have just been intimidated by them somewhere and no one near here carries Srixon that I can find.

I love my Current Tommy Armour SilverCcot CB's (Pre Sports Authority turning TA's into shovels) and want something similar in appearance and feel.

[quote name='thadeuce' date='03 May 2010 - 07:38 AM' timestamp='1272897526' post='2416809']
Ok, I think the debate here should be about listening to a club review by someone who obviously has a long way to go in their game. I'm not trying to discourage posting or trying to offend the TC but if you want an accurate review of a club, shouldn't it be from someone who has a solid handle of the game and not a beginner? Just my 2 pennies.
[/quote]

The review may not suite you and lower handicaps, but to someone of similar ability I find it very useful.

True. It may. But how do you know he strikes the ball consistently enough to be able to tell if a club forgiving or not?
How can he tell you about distance if he only hits 2 out of 10 shots close to the sweetspot? That's all I'm saying. I'm
not saying it doesn't provide insight for others around the same level of play, but does the review really portray the club's
true properties?

[quote name='thadeuce' date='03 May 2010 - 10:53 AM' timestamp='1272898408' post='2416874']
True. It may. But how do you know he strikes the ball consistently enough to be able to tell if a club forgiving or not?
How can he tell you about distance if he only hits 2 out of 10 shots close to the sweetspot? That's all I'm saying. I'm
not saying it doesn't provide insight for others around the same level of play, but does the review really portray the club's
true properties?
[/quote]

Yes, it portrays the true properties of the club when hit by a golfer of the OP's skill levels. How it performs on the 8 out of 10 not hit on the sweetspot is likely more important to this skill level than the 2 of 10 hit well. This is tremendously useful review IMO. I think the readers here are intelligent enough to decide on their own whether or not the info in a review is useful to them or not.