Practice / play with two sets of irons?

[jjfcpa]

It was 12 at the end of last year... could be better now that I've devoted so much time to the mid irons, which was my weakness. The short game was very good. I just needed help with GIR, but then again, I still play from the men's tees instead of the senior tees. There's more to it than just handicap, but then, you seem to know it all.

[jjfcpa]

Believe me, it's always me, not the set, although one set that I have is a little more forgiving and requires a little different swing. I hit the sweet spot about 90% of the time. Generally, the only time I don't is because of fatigue. I'm normally hitting a couple hundred shots a day with every iron in my bag and my backup set as well.

In my case, switching back and forth between these two sets of irons helps me concentrate on my swing much more than if I was hitting the same set over and over again.

I don't want to pretend that I'm better than I am, but I've worked so much the last 4 months that my confidence is up and I'm anxious to get out on the course and see the results.

[jjfcpa]

I still have a TE EXS 10.5 driver that I used for a portion of last year, but then, I went back to my Rogue Draw and found that I was giving up 10 yards with the EXS. Having said that, the EXS helped me over a hump where I was losing my drives to the right and I did get that fixed while using it.

[Mr Smooth]

I have 2 sets of clubs with similar shaft weights

 

one set has smaller heads with less forgiveness technology that I use in the spring - I call them my low expectations clubs. I know I won’t score my best so I don’t even worry about it - it helps me focus on my swing more.

 

when I am ready to score, I use my other set, the clubs I have more confidence in

 

[wakit300]

No, no, and absolutely NO! Have been playing for almost 50 years and would never even consider doing this, but of course as they say ... To Each His Own.

[juststeve]

Golf clubs are just tools. Practice is to make you adept at using you tools. Why would I want to become adept with one set of tools and use another when it counts?

Steve

[Mr Smooth]

So if you become good at using a hammer with a small head, it completely screws you up to use a hammer with a bigger head? Or does it seem easier to hit the nail flush?

 

i also practice putting to a smaller hole than standard

[juststeve]

If you're good at driving a nail with a small hammer you will risk hitting your finger if you switch to a big hammer you haven't practiced with. The small hole idea is a good one but you're making the target smaller, not using a different putter.

Steve

[DooZ]

Jmo, but how do you become consistent when your equipment isn't? Unless you have two sets of the same clubs, there will be differences which can and will affect how you use the tools. No go for me on two sets, I want the most consistent muscle memory I'm capable of with one set of tools.

[adh2k1]

I have too many sets of clubs. I used 3 different sets last year and while my handicap is at its lowest ever I have noticed one thing. Whenever I play my best for the longest period of time, it is with my blades. The Apex pro's are probably the most consistent, but when I am hitting the ball well nothing seems to score as well as a blade. I like bouncing back and forth between something more forgiving if I just don't want to force things. Not sure why that is. That being said, I am starting off the season with the Apex Pros, but I envision that I will play at least a few dozen rounds with the blades.

[Mr Smooth]

My practice technique has resulted in lower scores, so I actually have data

 

data always trumps opinions or beliefs

[Bodine2]

This is another reason why some people never improve their game . Practicing with two diffrent iron sets is NOT a good idea , nor is buying a NEW set of clubs every year . There are two types of golfers , those that practice hard and improve there swing and work with a swing coach . The other type is the ones who buy endless amount of clubs , show them off at the first tee , talk this club and that club blah blah blah , come on the forums and try to convince people that that club changed there game and can hit it 50 yds farther than there previous clubs ... I call BS ... Its all about the clubs and not about the game , score , improvement .... The old saying its the indian and not the arrows is so true

[jjfcpa]

I have a desktop computer and a laptop. I'm more efficient on my desktop, but there are times when the laptop is a better option. Both are just tools to accomplish a task. I think this analogy applies to golf clubs. One set might be a little more forgiving and you may elect to use them if you are playing a particularly challenging course or if you feel your swing is a little off. Use the less forgiving set when playing a less challenging course or perhaps at the end of the season when everything is sharp. I think players who adopt this flexibility may be better golfers. Just my opinion.

[DooZ]

Using the same putter...correct? I think he was just getting at the smaller hole exercise is different than using different clubs. Btw...I like practicing to a smaller hole as well.

[chal0072]

If my swing went south, doesn’t matter which set I use. I won’t be able to hit it solid. So no I stick with what I think give me the best result.

[Bodine2]

Using a play and practice set of irons is the worst thing you could do to your game unless they are exactly the same . Also buying a new set of clubs every year is also bad unless you dont care about getting better and your score . Been playing for 40 years and I learned that early from all the coaches that helped me with my game over the years ... Buy a quality set of clubs , get fit for them , and stick with them . Too many golfers think that the clubs will improve your game which is false . Spend your money on a golf coach and practicing and watch your scores come down ...

[Mr Smooth]

Not what I do, although I don’t want to take away your buzz

 

off season I play with cb1 irons stock regular. When I start turning in scores I play steelhead XR with the same kbs tour 90 shafts

 

never said anything about practice,

[Mr Smooth]

The idea that there is only one way to do things is just small minded, but preach on....

[Bodine2]

bumb

[BenSeattle]

If any of you listened to the interview with Rocco Mediate on a recent "Gear Dive," you heard him discuss why he ordered a set of "Blueprint" irons after explaining why he's ALWAYS been a cavity-back guy. ("Makes the game easier.") He wanted the Blueprint blades only to PRACTICE with...figuring if he can hit those, he can hit anything. He still uses the vastly more forgiving cavity-backs for tournament play.

As for myself, because I work on my short game a great deal, I have a set of practice wedges. Seems that I hit so many short shots in practice with my four Ping Gorge wedges that the sweet spot was getting shiny and that probably meant some groove wear. I sent the gamers off to be re-grooved and dug out my previous set of wedges, Cleveland 900's. Thus, the Pings are in perfect shape since I only use those for actual rounds while the Clevelands even today see TONS of use... but only in the practice area. Best of both worlds. Unlike touring pro's that order up (free) a "fresh set" of wedges just before a major championship.

[Bodine2]

Sorry bub ... but I don't take advice from a 12 handicap ... Anybody thats good at the game will tell you the same thing but your too ignorant to know better ... Odds are you are a club fanatic that I mop the floor with everytime I play against one of you guys .

[Mr Smooth]

I think you just proved your smallness

[Bodine2]

Your welcome to to explain why you feel the two iron set strategy is not counter productive but resorted to name calling right out of the gate so the only person who is small is you . Your posts help nobody here ... The OP asked for opinions and you added nothing to this forum but name calling ...

[Jack Pearsall]

 

JP takes a ‘many bags’ approach.

[Mr Smooth]

Actually, my post directly addressed the OP

 

my post was unique enough to bring out the trolls. Sometimes I engage with trolls - it’s a weakness

[Roejye]

I currently have 3 sets of irons, my gamers, a hybrid iron set from my dad missing an 8 iron, and my old Wilson blades that I used to game. I only use my gamer set for practicing. I plan on using the hybrid iron set for a couple of rounds this year as I'm considering getting the Cleveland launcher hb turbos. I also have some friends who are looking at getting into golf, so will probably let them use the hybrid irons.

[Tim Sherwood]

It's funny that people feel so strongly about this. Golf is a hobby and people are free to enjoy it however they see fit.

[jgpl]

I always have at least 2 sets of irons (often more...), generally a set of blades for practice or I revert back to them when my ball striking gets sloppy and a gamer set

Currently the gamers are TM P750's and the practice or hone the ball striking set are MP-18

I'd love to risk the MP18's in competition, but when you have a 5 iron over trouble it hard to trust my swing fully...

My Bag:

TM SIM 9.0 Deg PX HZDRUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.0 70g

TM Sim 14 Rocket Tensei Pro White 70s

TM P750 4-PW PX6.0 or MP-18 4-pw PX6.0

Titleist TS3 Hybrid 19 Deg T1100 6.5 flex

Vokey SM7 Raw (Wedgeworks) in 50F, 54M and 60L

Scotty Cameron Crown 34"

Ball TP5 or Prov1

[Sean2]

To preserve the grooves on my new wedges, I practice with my old wedges and use the new ones only for play...whenever that will be again. :-)

[SoAZ]

Not 2 sets but I have a Cobra King CB 4 Iron that I use to practice with. I like to use it for working on ball striking while still being realistic. I actually really like the way it feels and gives good feed back while being "fair" , so still requires a good swing but is not absolutely murderous on the bad ones