Irons for an 8.1 index: Aye or Nay?

[karstens_ghost]

On 9/24/2021 at 3:08 PM, Hawkeye77 said:

Dump the 4/5 and get hybrids. 

 

Dude is an 8. Not many 8's playing 3, 4, 5 hybrids. Some do, but they already do. If they're playing an iron, there's no way someone that good is going to say, "maybe I should try hybrids for my approach shots".

 

Dispersion and lack of spin would cost shots fast.

[karstens_ghost]

The Callaway Apex Pro offers MMT iron shafts "stock" / +$15. I hate recommending Callaway because their quality reputation is deservedly poor (or has been, and was in my experience), but it's a great deal. It'll look pretty similar, but be a lot easier on your body, and dare say they perform better than DGs.

 

If that sole width is right, it would be a good upgrade.

[Hawkeye77]

3 hours ago, karstens_ghost said:

 

Dude is an 8. Not many 8's playing 3, 4, 5 hybrids. Some do, but they already do. If they're playing an iron, there's no way someone that good is going to say, "maybe I should try hybrids for my approach shots".

 

Dispersion and lack of spin would cost shots fast.

I’m at 6.8 at the moment, been lower, plan to be there again. Score better with 4 and 5 irons out of the bag than I did with them.  No idea what “already do” means. Kicked my 5i out a year ago, added another hybrid. 

Edited September 27, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[LHGolf4]

4 hours ago, karstens_ghost said:

 

Dude is an 8. Not many 8's playing 3, 4, 5 hybrids. Some do, but they already do. If they're playing an iron, there's no way someone that good is going to say, "maybe I should try hybrids for my approach shots".

 

Dispersion and lack of spin would cost shots fast.

 

I am a 7.8 and I play 3-5 hybrids.  I have no issues with approach shots.  They come in much higher and softer than a 3-5 iron do and with much more consistency.  

[maamold]

9 hours ago, karstens_ghost said:

 

Dude is an 8. Not many 8's playing 3, 4, 5 hybrids. Some do, but they already do. If they're playing an iron, there's no way someone that good is going to say, "maybe I should try hybrids for my approach shots".

 

Dispersion and lack of spin would cost shots fast.

I'm at 7.4 and I play a 3h and will be getting a 4h and 5wood soon. I'm not out on the course to show off that I can hit shiny long irons, I'm on the course to score. 
 

[20six]

OP here. I don't play hybrids, but I do play a 21* 7 wood.  Much prefer it to any hybrid I've ever tried.

[Pepperturbo]

I like to help folks, but regardless of index, don't offer up equipment options to people I don't know.   It's one thing to say Ventus shafts are great, it's another to offer equipment that I am not familiar with other than seeing advertisements.  I wish you luck in finding the right clubs.

[JFM628]

On 9/23/2021 at 5:42 PM, darkhelmet said:

What kind of irons are you playing now?

 

As far as the srixons go, you might consider a combo set with the ZX5 in the longer irons, or even just all ZX5.

 

Agree with this.  I am a 6 and chose the ZX5's.  Either way, if you prefer the ZX7's they are a great set and definitely a fit for your index.

[karstens_ghost]

I did a bad job saying it, but my point was simple. He's playing a 4 iron now, so if he's asking about irons, telling him he should switch to hybrids completely misses the point.

 

I play hybrids, as well. I'm not bagging on hybrids. I'm saying that if someone is playing a 4-iron to a single digit, it's sort of rude to say "you only need a 6-iron; you're doing it wrong".

[Primo1868]

On 9/24/2021 at 12:29 AM, wam78 said:

I’ll give you a sleeper that is easy to hit, looks and feels great and not overly expensive.  Wilson D7 forged.  Really fun iron!  Also, maybe check out Mizuno 921 forged.  Combo the forged with hot metal

pro in 4/5.  Just throwing out a couple of other ideas to think about.

Second 921 forged. Maybe even 921 forged/tour combo 

[maamold]

5 minutes ago, karstens_ghost said:

I did a bad job saying it, but my point was simple. He's playing a 4 iron now, so if he's asking about irons, telling him he should switch to hybrids completely misses the point.

 

I play hybrids, as well. I'm not bagging on hybrids. I'm saying that if someone is playing a 4-iron to a single digit, it's sort of rude to say "you only need a 6-iron; you're doing it wrong".

He said his 4 and 5 are inconsistent, which is why many are telling him to try hybrids.

[HoosierHacker89]

To the op maybe look at a 9 wood? 
 

My personal experience this season has been to add a 23/27/31 degree hybrids. I am loving loving playing from 155-190, and I used to hate this distance. Hybrids took me from a place to uncomfortable yardage to confidence. 

[maamold]

5 hours ago, 20six said:

OP here. I don't play hybrids, but I do play a 21* 7 wood.  Much prefer it to any hybrid I've ever tried.

Yeah, 'Some' hybrids are draw machines. I have an Adams pro that I can control it so it doesn't hook but it always draws. Going to find another option in fitting tomorrow for a 5w/3h and/or any additional combination of hybrid / wood that gives me the gaping and distances that I'm looking for.

 

[Hawkeye77]

17 hours ago, karstens_ghost said:

I did a bad job saying it, but my point was simple. He's playing a 4 iron now, so if he's asking about irons, telling him he should switch to hybrids completely misses the point.

 

I play hybrids, as well. I'm not bagging on hybrids. I'm saying that if someone is playing a 4-iron to a single digit, it's sort of rude to say "you only need a 6-iron; you're doing it wrong".

No it doesn't miss the point at all.  He said his 4 and 5 irons are inconsistent compared with the rest of his irons.  Why do people switch to hybrids? Usually because they are inconsistent with whatever irons the hybrids are replacing and the hybrids offer something they are missing with their irons.  

 

It's not "rude" and I didn't say anything close to he was doing it "wrong" - don't make stuff up. 

 

I'm a single digit, there are low single digits and plus handicaps on here who play hybrids and don't play 4 or 5 irons.

 

The best senior amateur in the world won the British Senior Am in part due to a great up and down with a . . . hybrid. 

 

Anyway, OP likes his 7w.

Edited September 28, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[Scottyrocket]

I'm a 6, didn't like the look of anything ZX5, even the long irons. Love the T100s. 

[GeauxGolfLSU]

Currently an 8.1 and just moved from Cobra King Tour MIMs to Callaway Apex Pro 21s. Shifted from a heavier shaft to a lighter one, and while it took a bit to get used to, I believe the move has been good for me. I actually just pulled out the 5 iron for an extra wedge and it hasn't hurt me at all.

[qtlaw]

I'm a 8.2 and still gaming my Mizuno MX-23s from 10 yrs ago (although I just ordered a set of PXG Gen 3 0311Ps).  Have always enjoyed the feel of them, soft, and the light weight of the graphite shafts.  

 

As for hybrids, I go 3&4H because those shafts match my driver shaft.

 

Good luck on your choice.

[dlygrisse]

I'd say play whatever you want from the 7 iron down.  Blades if you want them.  Fill in the top end of the bag with either GI irons, hybrids or high lofted FW's  For me I go 7 wood and either a 4 or 5 hybrid.  A 4 irons is okay if it's forgiving, I used a Ping G 4 iron for awhile.  Then again when I was young I often carried a MacGregor blade 2 iron.  🙂  Oh the lessons we learn.  

[dlygrisse]

On 9/27/2021 at 3:20 PM, 20six said:

OP here. I don't play hybrids, but I do play a 21* 7 wood.  Much prefer it to any hybrid I've ever tried.

You might want to look at a 9 wood.  Seriously.  Think of the intimidation, get a set of blades, pull the long irons and go 7 wood 9 wood.  You probably wouldn't touch an iron over a 7 of you had the 9, think about a nice soft cut 9 wood instead of a 6 iron.  Money.  

[Bushwood Country Club]

On 9/23/2021 at 4:08 PM, 20six said:

Strength of game is putting, pitching and chipping. Irons are solid from the 6 on down, 4 and 5 are inconsistent. Miss is a hook. 7 iron distance is 162. Would you recommend  any of the following to a hack of this caliber? Thanks.

 

Apex Pro 2021

Cobra MIM Tour

ZX7

ZX5

[Petethreeput]

I agree with Hawkeye here, he did say 4/5 were inconsistent.

I am a 4.4 currently. I carry a 22*H, a 27*, and a 30*. For me it has to do with a lack of clubhead speed. My 7i flies 148 ends up at 155 on firm greens, and my 6i flies 156/170. So it made sense to me to substitute my 6i for a 7H.

Now I have a 7 that flies 165-70 and rolls to 175 max.

I get a lot of grief bc I will use the 7H for any short protected pin over 150.

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat on the golf course.

[bvanlieu]

On 9/23/2021 at 5:08 PM, 20six said:

Strength of game is putting, pitching and chipping. Irons are solid from the 6 on down, 4 and 5 are inconsistent. Miss is a hook. 7 iron distance is 162. Would you recommend  any of the following to a hack of this caliber? Thanks.

 

Apex Pro 2021

Cobra MIM Tour

ZX7

 

Lot of comments OP. Plenty of fantastic clubs, your cap is in the players distance/players CB category for marketing sake but you can play a MB or a Ping G series just the same as long as you were happy with the look.

 

Of the above I would suggest ZX5/7 combo: won't break the bank, great feel, good looks.

 

I also am partial to a P790/770 blend. Bit more help both cases 4-6/7 depending when you want to cut it off.

 

Personally, I game a 4H as more versatile but that is a personal decision when you figure out where your gapping starts to bunch along with confidence factor on course. Anyone can stripe a 4i on the range, but under some pressure from a shaggy lie with 180 of forced carry...gimme the headcover for my game and speed. 

 

Happy shopping. 

 

 

[bvanlieu]

On 9/23/2021 at 5:08 PM, 20six said:

Strength of game is putting, pitching and chipping. Irons are solid from the 6 on down, 4 and 5 are inconsistent. Miss is a hook. 7 iron distance is 162. Would you recommend  any of the following to a hack of this caliber? Thanks.

 

Apex Pro 2021

Cobra MIM Tour

ZX7

 

Lot of comments OP. Plenty of fantastic clubs, your cap is in the players distance/players CB category for marketing sake but you can play a MB or a Ping G series just the same as long as you were happy with the look.

 

Of the above I would suggest ZX5/7 combo: won't break the bank, great feel, good looks.

 

I also am partial to a P790/770 blend. Bit more help both cases 4-6/7 depending when you want to cut it off.

 

Personally, I game a 4H as more versatile but that is a personal decision when you figure out where your gapping starts to bunch along with confidence factor on course. Anyone can stripe a 4i on the range, but under some pressure from a shaggy lie with 180 of forced carry...gimme the headcover for my game and speed. 

 

Happy shopping. 

 

 

[bvanlieu]

On 9/23/2021 at 5:08 PM, 20six said:

Strength of game is putting, pitching and chipping. Irons are solid from the 6 on down, 4 and 5 are inconsistent. Miss is a hook. 7 iron distance is 162. Would you recommend  any of the following to a hack of this caliber? Thanks.

 

Apex Pro 2021

Cobra MIM Tour

ZX7

 

Lot of comments OP. Plenty of fantastic clubs, your cap is in the players distance/players CB category for marketing sake but you can play a MB or a Ping G series just the same as long as you were happy with the look.

 

Of the above I would suggest ZX5/7 combo: won't break the bank, great feel, good looks.

 

I also am partial to a P790/770 blend. Bit more help both cases 4-6/7 depending when you want to cut it off.

 

Personally, I game a 4H as more versatile but that is a personal decision when you figure out where your gapping starts to bunch along with confidence factor on course. Anyone can stripe a 4i on the range, but under some pressure from a shaggy lie with 180 of forced carry...gimme the headcover for my game and speed. 

 

Happy shopping. 

 

 

[ode]

On 9/27/2021 at 3:05 AM, karstens_ghost said:

 

Dude is an 8. Not many 8's playing 3, 4, 5 hybrids. Some do, but they already do. If they're playing an iron, there's no way someone that good is going to say, "maybe I should try hybrids for my approach shots".

 

Dispersion and lack of spin would cost shots fast.

No harm in suggesting it.  No harm in trying it either!  There will come a day and for many it has been long overdue.  All we know based on OP is that he's "inconsistent" with the 4 and 5....depends on center face contacts/mishits. I'd look at it as an opportunity to try something new and at least consider a driving iron style or hybrid as a replacement!

 

[Myherobobhope]

On 9/23/2021 at 5:08 PM, 20six said:

Strength of game is putting, pitching and chipping. Irons are solid from the 6 on down, 4 and 5 are inconsistent. Miss is a hook. 7 iron distance is 162. Would you recommend  any of the following to a hack of this caliber? Thanks.

 

Apex Pro 2021

Cobra MIM Tour

ZX7

I’m a 5.8 as of today (was a 5.0 before the 75 fell off) and consider myself a good iron player.

 

hit the srixon zx5 and loved them… tried the zx7s and they felt great but mishits were far more penal. 
 

find the club that puts you on the green when you make an OK swing. 

[ode]

On 9/27/2021 at 3:20 PM, 20six said:

OP here. I don't play hybrids, but I do play a 21* 7 wood.  Much prefer it to any hybrid I've ever tried.

Sorry, missed this before I posted.... Good luck on your search!

[riehlg]

As someone that is pretty similar that plays Cobra AMP Forged, I would say yes. I hate game improvement irons that have a bunch of offset to fight slices because my miss is like yours, too much of a hook or overdraw. The AMP Forged were just a predecessor to the MIM Tour. I've learned that anything that sits closed or have a bunch of offset will only exacerbate my issues of hooks.