TaylorMade RAC LT irons - still competitive in 2014?

[pmcuk]

I've been following the "best cast iron" thread, and the RAC LT comes up regularly as the softest cast head ever. But at the same time, this seems to be a fond memory for guys who long since changed to other iron sets.

 

So in this age of multi-metal heads and thin faces with polymer damping, is this just old technology and not worth reviving? It did have polymer damping, which no doubt helped the great feel.

 

Is it worth buying a set today? Plenty about. There were 2 versions - many prefer the 2004 original, though others don't see much difference.

 

And in terms of comparisons, is it more or less forgiving than an AP1 set for instance? Or what's it equivalent to in a modern iron?

 

 

.

[Golfdoctor]

Wow, I had a set of those and they were Tour Issue. I still have a 2 iron laying around somewhere. Now I play G25's, much more forgiving.

[solarbear88]

The LT was a small/med head, a players cavity, whereas the AP1 in question has quite a bit larger head, more game improvement. LT is a bit more of a players club and was popular amongst good ball strikers who wanted a little forgiveness. The RAC OS was in the same category as the AP1.

Tbh I don't think technology in irons has changed much and would not hesitate to play the RAC LT if they suited my game.

[Mitchell]

Definitely still a relevant club, just a solid performer.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Mitchell' timestamp='1400930284' post='9359101']
Definitely still a relevant club, just a solid performer.
[/quote]

I completely agree. I had a set of the originals and they were awesome. I wish I hadn't sold them.

It's been a while since I played them (2008), but from what I remember they were fairly forgiving for a smaller headed iron. Playability wise I would compare them to the X-Forged line. Excellent feel for a cast club.

[Anser]

[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1400932327' post='9359167']
[quote name='Mitchell' timestamp='1400930284' post='9359101']
Definitely still a relevant club, just a solid performer.
[/quote]

I completely agree. I had a set of the originals and they were awesome. I wish I hadn't sold them.

It's been a while since I played them (2008), but from what I remember they were fairly forgiving for a smaller headed iron. Playability wise I would compare them to the X-Forged line. Excellent feel for a cast club.
[/quote]

I'm your huckleberry

I have a set 3-P with the original rifle 6.0's in excellent condition I could be convinced to put in a box and send to you

[Section ThirtyOne]

Some of the best irons ever, so yes.

Not sure I would compare it with an AP1 though, more along the lines of a players cavity like AP2 or S55.

[TJCDAS]

Great club the rubber insert dampened the vibration to give it a soft feel, they as good as any thing today.

[apras]

Still using the Rac LT2 iron, more forgiving than the LT1 and still VERY competitive in 2014.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Anser' timestamp='1400936819' post='9359367']
[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1400932327' post='9359167']
[quote name='Mitchell' timestamp='1400930284' post='9359101']
Definitely still a relevant club, just a solid performer.
[/quote]

I completely agree. I had a set of the originals and they were awesome. I wish I hadn't sold them.

It's been a while since I played them (2008), but from what I remember they were fairly forgiving for a smaller headed iron. Playability wise I would compare them to the X-Forged line. Excellent feel for a cast club.
[/quote]

I'm your huckleberry

I have a set 3-P with the original rifle 6.0's in excellent condition I could be convinced to put in a box and send to you
[/quote]

RAC LT edition 1 or 2? Left handed? How much?

[Hairpie]

Played them for many moons...Finally sold them as I was getting a bit old to continue with s300's...I did find their doppleganger though...Nickent 3DX pros..From address they look nearly identical possibly due to the fact that they were designed by John Hoeflich after he left TM. He was the designer of the Rac Lt's as well as the Titleist 962's...Went with the Nickents as they have Nippons which are more agreeable to me these days. Still keep them as my backups...I am one who thinks the LT 2's look very different than the LT 1's... little bit thicker topline and a tad more offset as well.....I would have no problem playing LT 1's tomorrow with the proper shafts for me...

[AppAlum]

Would love to have a set but they are non-conforming. Going to be fit for the SLDR iron and many have compared it to the LT. Looking forward to seeing if that's true for me.

[TMBob]

Have some laying around also....satin PX 6.0 and are a solid head

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='AppAlum' timestamp='1400970243' post='9361183']
Would love to have a set but they are non-conforming. Going to be fit for the SLDR iron and many have compared it to the LT. Looking forward to seeing if that's true for me.
[/quote]

[size=4]Its not an issue unless you play in USGA expert amateur competitions, state tournaments, or regional tournaments. The average, non-tournament golfer can still used them.

Here's some info from the USGA:

[color=#000000]January 1, 2010 - All new clubs submitted to the USGA for approval must conform to new specifications. The PGA Tour, major championships and international federation tours adopted the rule as an “expert” condition of competition. Manufacturers were allowed to produce existing clubs and exhaust inventory until the end of 2010.[/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#000000]2014 - The USGA and The R&A have announced that they will implement the condition of competition at expert amateur competitions. Other golf organizations (for example, state and regional associations) are expected to follow the USGA and The R&A timeline for their expert competitions.[/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#000000]2024 - Earliest date the condition of competition will become a permanent equipment specification in the Rules of Golf.[/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#000000]Please return to this thread and let us know how the SLDR irons compare.[/color][/size]

[airball7]

I'm still playing my 2003 LTs with Rifle 6.0s. Not only has nothing else knocked them out in the last 11 years (and I've hit EVERYTHING), nothing's even been particularly close. Clean design, great look at setup, as soft as any blade, and quite forgiving for as workable as they are. I saw the handwriting on the wall with these around 2007 and started picking up barely used sets on Ebay in case the grooves started wearing out (they haven't, at all). I have sixteen sets of identical 3-P with Rifle 6.0s. Ten of them are unhit, four others are LNIB, and the two sets I've had in play have held up wonderfully.

You can probably pick up a set for $150 and sell them for that if you find them not to your liking.

[Ozsouthpaw]

Getting old and there is risk of the rubber/polymer insert with weights shrinking / drying out and coming loose.
Happened to me on three irons and gave up trying to glue back after every game.

[Anser]

[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1400944353' post='9359757']
[quote name='Anser' timestamp='1400936819' post='9359367']
[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1400932327' post='9359167']
[quote name='Mitchell' timestamp='1400930284' post='9359101']
Definitely still a relevant club, just a solid performer.
[/quote]

I completely agree. I had a set of the originals and they were awesome. I wish I hadn't sold them.

It's been a while since I played them (2008), but from what I remember they were fairly forgiving for a smaller headed iron. Playability wise I would compare them to the X-Forged line. Excellent feel for a cast club.
[/quote]

I'm your huckleberry

I have a set 3-P with the original rifle 6.0's in excellent condition I could be convinced to put in a box and send to you
[/quote]

RAC LT edition 1 or 2? Left handed? How much?
[/quote]

1's but sorry not lefty

[cgasucks]

[quote name='airball7' timestamp='1401176070' post='9372513']
I'm still playing my 2003 LTs with Rifle 6.0s. Not only has nothing else knocked them out in the last 11 years (and I've hit EVERYTHING), nothing's even been particularly close. Clean design, great look at setup, as soft as any blade, and quite forgiving for as workable as they are. I saw the handwriting on the wall with these around 2007 and started picking up barely used sets on Ebay in case the grooves started wearing out (they haven't, at all). I have sixteen sets of identical 3-P with Rifle 6.0s. Ten of them are unhit, four others are LNIB, and the two sets I've had in play have held up wonderfully.

You can probably pick up a set for $150 and sell them for that if you find them not to your liking.
[/quote]

16 sets of one model of iron!?!?!!

You must love the 2003 LTs ALOT!!!

[bub72ck]

I played them my senior year in college and really liked them. The only clubs that made me get rid of them were the Titleist 735s. They had a great feel and were quite forgiving.

[DD4442]

Played the LT2s for 5-6 years and made a smooth transition to the 712 AP2s. Remarkably similar clubs, but the Titleists are larger/heavier and truly let your hands and ears know when you've done something good or bad. The LT2 is a great club, just got capped by better technology for me.

[airball7]

[quote name='cgasucks' timestamp='1401200958' post='9373705']
[quote name='airball7' timestamp='1401176070' post='9372513']
I'm still playing my 2003 LTs with Rifle 6.0s. Not only has nothing else knocked them out in the last 11 years (and I've hit EVERYTHING), nothing's even been particularly close. Clean design, great look at setup, as soft as any blade, and quite forgiving for as workable as they are. I saw the handwriting on the wall with these around 2007 and started picking up barely used sets on Ebay in case the grooves started wearing out (they haven't, at all). I have sixteen sets of identical 3-P with Rifle 6.0s. Ten of them are unhit, four others are LNIB, and the two sets I've had in play have held up wonderfully.

You can probably pick up a set for $150 and sell them for that if you find them not to your liking.
[/quote]

16 sets of one model of iron!?!?!!

You must love the 2003 LTs ALOT!!!
[/quote]

Thought I'd wear through the grooves, but it hasn't happened and for the price I paid for most of the sets on Ebay, it was better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. Also I'm insane.

[Martenlemstra]

I love mine 3-P with the T-step 110gr stiff shafts, hit a lot of other irons but always go back to the LT's

[pmcuk]

Update:

I re-shafted my set of LT 2004s with Nippon 950GH Regular flex, soft stepped twice. This was an experiment and I did it because I got a set of pulls that were short of length and they fitted when I moved them up 2 clubs. They needed around 6-8g tip weights to bring the SW up to D1. These work for me because I'm a senior and a slower swinger, so the flex works out a bit like regular graphite/lite reg. But with the tip weight the shaft comes in around 100g.

I've always played GI or SGI clubs because I've never regarded myself as a very advanced hitter of the ball. So I was surprised I could play these at all. In terms of forgiveness they're similar to JP40 DPC. Low offset, medium size head but not small like players clubs. But I can hit them well enough as it turns out and working on a slightly smaller head may improve my swing and force me to be more precise.

As for the feel, absolutely like butter. Wonderful. I pretty much fell in love immediately. The smoothness of the Nippon shafts gives you a lovely "elastic" kind of feel. Not harsh at all on mishits.

So my conclusion is that this is a set of heads that cry out for new shafts and can probably stand alongside a lot of the Ping i series and even some of the forged clubs. Definitely worth reviving.

[Swjake83]

I had RAC LT's about 10 years ago for a few seasons. I had DG r300's in them. I sadly traded them for a set of R7's. My new ping i25's should be arriving this week and hoping they have some of that magic and feel like these did. Definitely in my top 2 favorite irons I've ever owned!

[cardoza]

Bumping this old topic instead of starting a new one.

 

Does anyone know if the plastic coming out of the back of the iron head would make this club non-conforming? I just put a 3 iron in and love it, but the head came without the plastic insert.

[morgan1819]

Bumping this old topic instead of starting a new one.

 

Does anyone know if the plastic coming out of the back of the iron head would make this club non-conforming? I just put a 3 iron in and love it, but the head came without the plastic insert.

 

Should be fine. If it was damaged/altered during a round, while you were playing at a sanctioned pro event, then it's a different story.

 

Otherwise, non-issue.

[kiwihacker]

I have a spare set I leave at my beach house to save me taking my own clubs on vacation. Lovely irons. Could happily bag them on a regular basis. No sign of the plastic insert deteriorating or coming out.

[super20dan]

love mine too. could easily bag them forever

[Alexjames]

I've been using my original rac Lt since 2003.. Still a 2 handicap.. Bought a brand new backup set in 2005

.about to break them out this year... If it ain't broke don't fix it.. Obviously my favorite irons ever

[Maverick81]

Alexjames - I’m interested in that brand new set of RAC LT’s if your interested in selling.