new irons - looking for some recommendations.

[mikeypear]

so finally deciding to upgrade the bag. started last year with woods/hybrid. got some decent recommendations here so decided to post again. been playing my hogans for about 10 years now. they are fantastic sticks, but i need more forgiveness. just dont get to play as much as i would like (though hoping that starts to change this season).

 

by way of background... im typically in the low-mid 80s with an occasional round in the 70s. decent ball striker. length not much of a concern. most all of my misses are pulls (or fat if i get overly steep). most of the course i play tend to be on the soft side so turf interaction is a factor as well.

 

looking for some older models from 15/16. ideally i could grab something for under $400. my initial research has me looking at the JPZ 850/900F, Apex Pros and Nike VPC. any feedback/insight would be appreciated. thx!

[Storms]

apex cf16 or i200s would fit your criteria pretty well IMO

[dunn]

There is basically 5 categories of irons, maybe 6.....find the category first then fine tune to look or brand.....the back of club will speak volumes in how hard or easy it is to hit....

[SwooshLT]

Iblades......tons of forgiveness in a very pleasing package

[chadly643]

Your game sounds similar to mine...I fit into a set of Mizuno mp25s. Good luck!

[Kevinnz]

Would recommend gen1 0311T for about $800 price range.

 

For $400 then mizuno is probably the best performer if you could live with the offsets.

[anth]

I would try something in the Srixon range. The VT sole may work well for you

[leo the lion]

I take it the Hogan's are forged so you most probably like the forged feel with a bit of forgiveness. Personally, I would go for Callaway Apex forged. Mizuno JPX 800 and EZ ranges would fit this criteria and be in your price range. You might even get into the 900 series if you are patient. eBay has lots of every model.

[nsxguy]

Titleist 816 AP-1.

 

You're welcome :hi:

[propman]

For $400 or less, I would look at Maltby club paks. Great forgiving forged heads. Can get custom ordered with pretty much any shaft out there.

 

Can't find a better deal for new than these clubs.

 

Now if you are brand sensitive, forget this suggestion.

[mikeypear]

thanks for the replies. some further comments... my hogans are forged and i would prefer to keep that feel. i believe the feedback has made me a better ballstriker. though i love the combo set, i need more forgiveness in my short irons especially. my natural ball flight is fairly straight/slight draw. prefer little to no offset.

 

no particular brand loyalty here. unfortunately, i don't have the option to test out many older sets. so appreciate all the feedback.

[TPG1971]

Wilson FG V4's can be had cheap and they are forged.

[jcorna01]

Best bet is to probably find a current generation iron you like and work backward a model or two. Like the i210? i200 may be what you want. 585/785? 565/765 are in your price range. Might be worth spending a little on a fitting even though you aren't buying to establish a baseline and narrow your search.

[sford31]

apex pro i would try

[nsxguy]

thanks for the replies. some further comments... my hogans are forged and i would prefer to keep that feel. i believe the feedback has made me a better ballstriker. though i love the combo set, i need more forgiveness in my short irons especially. my natural ball flight is fairly straight/slight draw. prefer little to no offset.

 

no particular brand loyalty here. unfortunately, i don't have the option to test out many older sets. so appreciate all the feedback.

 

No offense, and I don't know what you believe a "decent ball striker" is, but since you don't give a handicap you probably don't have one. Nor do you mention your experience or whether you've ever taken lessons or not. Given your scores it sounds like you're about an 11 or 12 at best, which ain't bad, especially if you haven't taken any lessons.

 

You're apparently budget constrained.

 

I would suggest you keep your irons and find a place (assuming there is one nearby) where the facility offers group lessons and take 7 or 8 (possibly more) of them for your $400.

 

By the time you apply the lessons and become a better ball striker you may be able to save up enough for those new irons.

 

Just one person's opinion. :hi:

[Pi5seeker]

Brand new Z565 5-PW for $480 shipped is tough to beat.

[jpking17]

Before you buy anything...be sure to try Titleist out. If I would have done that I would have never suffered through playing Cleveland irons.

[Jagpilotohio]

Perhaps Stay with Hogans.

 

The new PTx are fabulous clubs. I’ve been playing them since they came out 3 years ago.

 

Modest sized Perimeter weighted “players game improvement” Clubs with a V sole. Extremely affordable used. $770 a set new.

[homergolf]

As earlier mentioned, i200. Or iE1, both Pings, so you'd be giving up forged. Even being not forged, the Pings are great feeling clubs. Both sets are probably more forgiving than your current set.

[GSDriver]

Apex/Apex Pro 19 combo set.

[dunn]

How bout newer hogans....ptx... look solid

[K13]

Agree on the PTx being solid. From that era if you don't want the jacked lofts and are looking at things like Apex Pro, the Cobra Fly Z+ or Forged Tour (which really look like just a re-painted Fly Z+) could be worth a look.

 

Brand new Z565 5-PW for $480 shipped is tough to beat.

 

Where is this?

[zed]

Wilson C300 or Callaway Rogue Pro sound like good options

[mikeypear]

thanks for the replies. some further comments... my hogans are forged and i would prefer to keep that feel. i believe the feedback has made me a better ballstriker. though i love the combo set, i need more forgiveness in my short irons especially. my natural ball flight is fairly straight/slight draw. prefer little to no offset.

 

no particular brand loyalty here. unfortunately, i don't have the option to test out many older sets. so appreciate all the feedback.

 

No offense, and I don't know what you believe a "decent ball striker" is, but since you don't give a handicap you probably don't have one. Nor do you mention your experience or whether you've ever taken lessons or not. Given your scores it sounds like you're about an 11 or 12 at best, which ain't bad, especially if you haven't taken any lessons.

 

You're apparently budget constrained.

 

I would suggest you keep your irons and find a place (assuming there is one nearby) where the facility offers group lessons and take 7 or 8 (possibly more) of them for your $400.

 

By the time you apply the lessons and become a better ball striker you may be able to save up enough for those new irons.

 

Just one person's opinion. :hi:

 

i suppose it's somewhat subjective. better than most people i play with (including people who are overall better players). i generally make solid contact and produce carry distances i am happy with. consistency is my issue. and yes i realize that is on me, not my clubs.

 

no hdcp as i don't play enough. i would guess i fluctuate between 10-15. when my scores are high, it's usually the result of bad misses off the tee or my game from 80 yards in. self taught since 1997-ish. i did get a bit of casual instruction when i worked at a resort course in college. video myself when i can and work to improve.

 

on a budget because i also have to buy an engagement ring. $400 was a general estimate of what i want to spend on irons (hope to keep it under $500 ideally). im fine with going a few model years back for a used set in nice condition. still have to upgrade wedges. and could probably use a short game lesson.

[mikeypear]

How bout newer hogans....ptx... look solid

 

i did take a look at these. def like the look (though i am not a huge fan of the loft numbers tbh). the equalizer wedges seem nice too.

[reider69]

I am partial but 900 forged are long and very forgiving with a thin player like topline. I love buying new equipment, especially irons and these will be in bag for 3rd season in a row. There is nothing I dont like about them.