Anyone use one model of irons exclusively?

[Frisco Kid]

I know this is a golf forum where people often go through multiple sets of irons in relatively short periods of time and hey, variety is the spice of life.  But I had heard that Daniel Berger was now a free agent and went back to his 2011 set of irons and was scouring eBay to find as many as he could find (I’m sure other pros have done this as well). I was just curious if there were any folks that have found their “irons for life” and “hoard” multiple sets of that one model?

 

I’ve recently shelved my PXG 0211s in favor of my back up Nike VR S forged irons that are 8 years old.  They’re not as long and lag behind in tech but they just feel so good and my scores are just as good.  After all the sets I’ve gone through in life, I realize these are my favorite. I just bought another set of Nike on eBay and thinking of selling the PXGs to get more lol.  I may not live long enough to go through 3 or 4 sets but it may be harder to find them in really good condition later since they’re discontinued for 8 years now.

 

Am i crazy or does this stockpiling sound sensible?

Edited January 10, 2021 by Frisco Kid

[tannyhoban]

No. I don't think you're  crazy. Outside

of this site there are plenty of golfers playing 8 year old irons with zero thought of replacing them.

 

Having a backup set gives you the luxury of playing your favorites for a very long time.

Edited January 10, 2021 by tannyhoban

[BYK]

Same boat as you

have some of the original Callaway Apex irons (2014) version.

I finally figured out that I hit these as well as everything else I've tried, so I just found a back up set to use when these finally wear out

They actually still look great, so not really sure if I'll ever get around to that backup set lol

[Pepperturbo]

I have four sets of player/MB irons played over 19yrs, collecting dust in the garage plus my 620 series sets purchased in Oct 2019.  I am not big at changing irons because it takes too long to get comfortable again. 

 

The only thing I do with each set of irons is to have specs broken down, so I can replace them if necessary.  Club-heads are important, but specs of the clubs I am playing are far more important.

Edited January 11, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[TourSpoon]

I think its even more popular with the Nike VR Pro Combos and on a smaller scale, the Titleist 735 Chrome edition. These were the original blended sets that aren't being made. As far as technology, not much has really changed if you hit the center of the club face. Its not unusual to hear of a pro going back to a favorite set of clubs or club like Berger or even when Koepka put an old SM4 lob back in the bag. If you love your VRs, then play them. They are solid clubs. 

 

Personally, I have had 4 sets in the last 30 years. Hogan Edge for 2 years, TA 845s for 16, 735 CMs for 12, and now the 718 AP2s. I find what I like and stick with them. It takes a while to get new clubs dialed in with lofts and feels, and to be honest I know that I could could pick up those 845s and not miss a beat. Except for the 2 iron, that was retired a long time ago. 

[Frisco Kid]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I was trying to justify 3-4 sets of the same irons ha!!!

Edited January 11, 2021 by Frisco Kid

[TourSpoon]

Two months ago I met a guy who joined our 3some who told me he has 3 identical sets from Driver to putter that he keeps at each of his 3 houses. He said down to the grips, lofts, and lies they are all the same so that he never has to travel with his clubs. The only club I can remember was his Cleveland Launcher driver circa 2012 that he said was the best driver he had ever hit. I was more impressed with his 3 houses than I was with his choice of clubs! 

[MPAndreassi]

I’m playing T100S and this is the best fit of irons I’ve ever had. I’m going to collect another set or two to keep as a just in case option. 

[setter02]

No, I like having different gear too much to bother having multiple sets of the of the same irons or woods.  Only thing that I will have 2 of will be a Yes Abbie Forged that I will be picking up shortly.  

[b.mattay]

Well I really like my S56's and plan on playing them for a long time. See no need to stockpile though, irons last essentially forever!

[boggyman]

Still play my W/S FG17s daily and got a backup set couple months ago! Last produced in mid 80’s. They’re “my” holy grail set!! 

[ThreeBoxers]

15 hours ago, Frisco Kid said:

Am i crazy or does this stockpiling sound sensible?

I don't think you're crazy.  While gear junkies may have an interest in equipment development, they also can really appreciate standout models.  I think you'll find that cult classics such as MP-32's and Z745s in good condition sell quickly just because so many people loved those models.

[gripandrip]

If I could find new stock or heads in good shape Z745's, they'd be in my closet waiting. For me... the best irons I have ever had, and could just keep playing them.

[Chadwickog]

I might be there with my current irons now.  Only really see a need for maybe one replacement set though.

[taskerc]

I've often had an exclusively Ping bag with the most common deviation then toward different putters.

 

I'm playing around with an all PXG bag for when the snow goes away - was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the Bat Attack putter - that was a dice roll for sure, but its awesome.  The wedges are my next question and indoor basement work has been positive too far.  I've hit the irons and bigger clubs in sims before but not actual play so another dice roll - maybe - the 0311Ps looks very much like the Ping i210s at address, which isn't surprises I guess since the PXG guy involved in that product came from Ping and the i210 team I think.

 

The Ping bag is g15 driver - now making room for G410 plus, G410 3W, G400 5W, G400 2/3 Hybrids, I210 3-UW, Ping glide 3.0 SW and LW.  But it has a Toulon Seattle custom head putter that I might stick a ping sticker on 🙂 

[taskerc]

3 hours ago, ThreeBoxers said:

I don't think you're crazy.  While gear junkies may have an interest in equipment development, they also can really appreciate standout models.  I think you'll find that cult classics such as MP-32's and Z745s in good condition sell quickly just because so many people loved those models.

For whatever reason, I keep falling back to my Ping G15 driver - can't explain it.  So given that pattern I accumulated 6 10.5 degree versions and 4 9 degree versions since they don't make them anymore - just in case 😉 So I don't think you're crazy, although I may be .....

 

For this i'm now messing around with a connex adaptor kit to swap shafts in the G15s - which seems either really stupid or bordering on brilliant ...

[Sniperman]

One set I keep going back to is the Ping s55.  There’s something about these irons that just fit my eyes.  They’re smaller in profile but pretty playable for a wide range of players.  The set is cast, but Ping designed it so that it doesn’t feel too harsh. And may I add they’re built like tanks!

[Pepperturbo]

18 hours ago, Frisco Kid said:

Thanks for the replies, I guess I was trying to justify 3-4 sets of the same irons ha!!!

If you're a skilled amateur, and travel to play tournaments, having backup sets of the same clubs may make sense.  I have a backup set.  But, if you're not a seriously good golfer and tournament player, I don't see the reasoning.  But I don't have to see the reasoning, it's your money do what you want and your S.O. will OK. 

 

My bar is full of single malts, and have four bottles of the same Macallan 12yr - .. LOL 

[gripandrip]

1 hour ago, Sniperman said:

One set I keep going back to is the Ping s55.  There’s something about these irons that just fit my eyes.  They’re smaller in profile but pretty playable for a wide range of players.  The set is cast, but Ping designed it so that it doesn’t feel too harsh. And may I add they’re built like tanks!

If only I had a Mr. Peabody way back machine.... and not sold those irons as well. Solid iron. Probably one of the best Ping's ever.

 

For those not so enlightened by childhood cartoons.

 

Edited January 11, 2021 by gripandrip

[Frisco Kid]

18 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

If you're a skilled amateur, and travel to play tournaments, having backup sets of the same clubs may make sense.  I have a backup set.  But, if you're not a seriously good golfer and tournament player, I don't see the reasoning.  But I don't have to see the reasoning, it's your money do what you want and your S.O. will OK. 

 

My bar is full of single malts, and have four bottles of the same Macallan 12yr - .. LOL 

I’m an 11 cap so not great but I’m ocd on the appearance of my gear.  The set is getting pretty beat and starting to get browning on the wedges so I’d like to get a backup set or two as they’re getting harder to find in excellent condition.

[scooterhd2]

how many years did Freddy Couples plays those Bridgestone DPC's? At least ten. 

[DaveMc82]

I have 2 x backup sets of Srixon ZTX2S in identical specs. My clubs have grass ranges and I hit a lot of balls, or I did until Covid!

 

The best thing is being to have one set in the UK and keep the others stateside. For the foreseeable I’m trapped in the UK but normally bounce between with work. 
 

The only question mark is whether the 765/565 combo set I have acquired manages to bench them. 
 

 

 

 

[ChipNRun]

21 minutes ago, DaveMc82 said:

I have 2 x backup sets of Srixon ZTX2S in identical specs.

Pro players who have found "the model" of irons often have multiple sets they can bring out.

 

As for me, I played MacGregor MT forged blades (1971 flatsole model) from 1974 to 1994, followed by Pro Tour Black (Eye2 clones) component irons from 1994-2008. Shifted to Callaway, played X20s briefly and switched to X20 Tours from 2011 to 2018. Since then CB Pros in sig line.

 

TM SLDRs (2014) in my back up bag - did a product review and got to keep them... SLDRs are an excellent iron model if you can find a set.

 

I played a few months with Nike Vapor Speed irons; these were the only custom-build after fitting set, and sadly didn't work out because Nike botched the build.

[NorthStar7]

Not exactly an iron set, but I only play OG Ping Glide wedges with stock Ping CFS Wedge shaft. I have 52SS, 54SS, 56SS, 58 SS, 58 WS, 58 TS, and 60 ES. 
 

I have stockpiled 4 of the 58 WS because it is my security blanket.  
 

I adjust which ones I use a little bit throughout the year. Because they are all in the same family I can do so easily without missing a beat. 

 

If anyone has a 50 or 46, or 58 WS they will part with, let me know 😉

[forrester_fire]

I could understand why a tour pro might do this, but for amateurs who are always trying to get better and play the game recreationally, we'll always chase that magic pill combination of equipment that suits our swing and allows us to play the best golf of our lives.  Once we find it, we'll always wonder if there is something marginally better out there, and into the rabbit hole we go.

Edited January 11, 2021 by forrester_fire

[lefthack]

I bought my Ping Zing 2's in '97 and just replaced them with a set of Nike Vapor Pro Combos I got a couple months back.

 

I love these irons and they were pretty cheap. I would like to try the other Nike combos, might get them if I can find them.

[A.Princey]

I have 2-3 total backup items of everything in my bag, and been playing the same bag-makeup for 3yrs now, the exception being putter and wedges. Your rationale is not flawed, get going on your sets!

[hagimihale]

Not crazy.  Trying out new clubs is fun.  But playing consistent golf involves limiting the # of variables.  Same clubs/shafts/specs will go a long way towards that.

 

I'm always on the lookout for backup sets of MP-54s.  And if they have X100s in them, even better...

[lefthack]

11 minutes ago, hagimihale said:

Not crazy.  Trying out new clubs is fun.  But playing consistent golf involves limiting the # of variables.  Same clubs/shafts/specs will go a long way towards that.

 

I'm always on the lookout for backup sets of MP-54s.  And if they have X100s in them, even better...

 

This was my thought process. I never used to play more than a round a year if that until last summer. I decided newer clubs were in order and I wanted something I could work. I did a ton of research and these just happened at the right time.

 

Being a lefty limits my options. It's not like I can hit the clubs of most folks I play with. So it's usually a commitment for me.

[getitdaily]

No. But if I could go back then I'd buy about 8 sets of MP33s...