Question for the other senior citizens of the forum

[OnTheBag]

My question is for the other aging golfers on the forum.  Have any of you switched to a GI iron from your old reliable blade or MB, later in life?

 

The reason I ask.......I've been playing a set of Mizuno MP-18's for several years.  No complaints as they are pure, reliable, and repeatable.  But, a friend had a stroke recently and I have his G425's while he's out of commission.  I had them in the truck today and hit them at the range after my round.  

 

Completely different feel to the 425s, but not bad and it seemed more receptive to my slowing swing speed.  Not certain I'm ready to give up my MP-18s just yet, but could see it as a possibility soon.

 

Anyone else made that backwards leap?

[Billfitz]

Look at my signature. No regrets.

[MrFlipper]

No. I'm 65. Going to put it off as long as I can. Still alternate between Ram tw's and bounce soles. 

 

Maybe as your gaps get tighter in your longer irons, you go to utilities or hybrids there, but no reason to change the shorter irons. It's not about swing speed/distance with those clubs anyway.

[OnTheBag]

10 minutes ago, MrFlipper said:

No. I'm 65. Going to put it off as long as I can. Still alternate between Ram tw's and bounce soles. 

 

Maybe as your gaps get tighter in your longer irons, you go to utilities or hybrids there, but no reason to change the shorter irons. It's not about swing speed/distance with those clubs anyway.

I have already discarded my set 3i and 4i for hybrids, so I'm down to 5-PW, plus GW and SW.  I might drop the 5i/6i from the Mizzy set and play the 425 5i/6i tomorrow to see how it goes.  The only time I try and "work" the 6i is on a couple of Par 3's, but I've gotten pretty deadly on 3/4 shots with the 4h.  

[jimb]

Now 73 years old.  Play Srixon Zx7 irons in 5-PW.  Went to regular flex shafts.  My feeling is if your swing is consistent and you can hit the middle of the club face, then you can play anything.

Edited December 30, 2021 by jimb

[596]

I'm 66 and have 8 head covers in my bag.  The longest iron is an 8.  I play 4 thru 7 iron in hybrids.  I'm a high ball hitter and these made it even easier to launch a high ball that stops on the green.  I'm sure people cringe when I pull a hybrid at 155, but they don't realize it's a 32* 7.   I'm gonna make this game as easy as I can!

Edited December 31, 2021 by 596

[anser85029]

67 and still swinging 6-PW MP32s... not as high, not as long, but just as straight as ever.  Been playing blades for 60 years.  Plan to reshaft with softer flexes as bat speed declines with age but the MP32 forged heads will always be in the bag. 

[Tanner25]

62 and Cleveland hybrid irons have kept me in the game.

[mocokid]

64 playing recoils and g400s.  8i about 145-150yd. 

[jwb10]

u bet, 1982....now PXG in graphite, get with it , man, be good as long as you can

[GrandStranded]

The answer is, play what you enjoy playing. I hate to break it to you guys, but none of us are going out on tour any time soon.

If you get to a point where you can’t hit the clubs in your bag, you’ll know it. You won’t have to ask strangers.

Last year I changed over my entire bag. At 67, it was time to go down a flex. My old set up was costing me money. I could’ve squeezed another year or two out of what I was playing, but I play 150+ rounds a year, and just about every time I tee it up, I’m in a money game, so I want my equipment on point.

If I was out there just having a friendly game with the guys, or walking nine late in the day I wouldn’t care about optimizing my equipment either.

 

Edited December 31, 2021 by john myrbch

[duffer18]

Turning 70 soon.  Play hybrids through 6 and have a 7 hybrid that might or might not be put to use.  But I have a swing which probably goes back a bit too slowly and then comes forward probably too hard (no Fred Couples or Ernie Els for me) so I end up with shafts that are either heavy regulars or stiff.  And I've been fit to player's distance clubs recently even though I can't hit a 4 iron to save my life.  'Tis a strange game, and getting older does not make it easier.

[OnTheBag]

53 minutes ago, john myrbch said:

The answer is, play what you enjoy playing. I hate to break it to you guys, but none of us are going out on tour any time soon.

If you get to a point where you can’t hit the clubs in your bag, you’ll know it. You won’t have to ask strangers.

Last year I changed over my entire bag. At 67, it was time to go down a flex. My old set up was costing me money. I could’ve squeezed another year or two out of what I was playing, but I play 150+ rounds a year, and just about every time I tee it up, I’m in a money game, so I want my equipment on point.

If I was out there just having a friendly game with the guys, or walking nine late in the day I wouldn’t care about optimizing my equipment either.

 

Agreed.  I'm going to give the mixed bag thing a try tomorrow.  Play the 5i/6i from the G425 and play my Mizuno 7-PW.  Those Mizuno's are going to be due for replacement after 1 more summer, this will be good test to see if it's time for a major change.

[GrandStranded]

25 minutes ago, OnTheBag said:

Agreed.  I'm going to give the mixed bag thing a try tomorrow.  Play the 5i/6i from the G425 and play my Mizuno 7-PW.  Those Mizuno's are going to be due for replacement after 1 more summer, this will be good test to see if it's time for a major change.

You have a perfect opportunity right now to play the entire set for a few rounds (I’m assuming your friend doesn’t mind?)… why not take advantage of it?

 

[Jiggered]

If I was playing scratch golf then I'd worry about it, but most of us here are handicap golfers which means that our handicap will also reflect the gear we're playing, ie if we play with old gear it will be higher than if we competed with new GI gear.

 

I'm early 60s (relatively young to most who've already posted) and play woods and blades only, a different set every week.

My handicap is based on this so as I see it I should be just as competitive as if I were playing GI gear which would supposedly give me a lower handicap to compete from.

 

As long as I enjoy hitting woods and blades I'll keep playing them, the handicap system will keep me competitive.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

I'm late '70s and will be carried out on my shield.

I stretch and keep the length of swing good. On the range last week quite satisfactory, Wilson 1969 fluid feels + persimmon, no concessions.

And I still carry a 12 club bag.....

Edited December 31, 2021 by The Aspidistra in the Hall

[Pastit]

11 hours ago, OnTheBag said:

My question is for the other aging golfers on the forum.  Have any of you switched to a GI iron from your old reliable blade or MB, later in life?

 

The reason I ask.......I've been playing a set of Mizuno MP-18's for several years.  No complaints as they are pure, reliable, and repeatable.  But, a friend had a stroke recently and I have his G425's while he's out of commission.  I had them in the truck today and hit them at the range after my round.  

 

Completely different feel to the 425s, but not bad and it seemed more receptive to my slowing swing speed.  Not certain I'm ready to give up my MP-18s just yet, but could see it as a possibility soon.

 

Anyone else made that backwards leap?

Guilty, regretfully. But, after an enforced 5-year break, I’ve no choice. No idea how to get back on plane as in a Catch 22 situation, can’t practice or play much due to injury. 

 

Gone to Callaway FT stiff graphite’s down to 6i and they’re working lovely. 
 

But my woods and hybrid game is still c single-figure quality. If it wasn’t, then I have kept to fishing.  Stack of good irons I can’t play - shame. Just sold £2k’s worth to Golfbidder.

[Scully13]

Real enjoyed the positive feedback from fellow members. I am early 50's and have slowed down due to life's many challenges.....3 young kids, hockey practices/,schools. Looking to get back into the game in 2022 and will only play clubs that are from my heyday. I just sent in a set of 303 stainless Accuform Canada PTM blades to get polished up. I used to butter my toast with the 1 iron and then hit a 235 yard stinger for 10/18 holes way back in the 1990s.

 

I realize that I won't be hitting my 8 iron 180 yards but I will easily take 135-140 for that club. There is something to be said for nostalgia and golf is a perfect avenue for nostalgia.

 

 

[OnTheBag]

4 hours ago, Pastit said:

Guilty, regretfully. But, after an enforced 5-year break, I’ve no choice. No idea how to get back on plane as in a Catch 22 situation, can’t practice or play much due to injury. 

 

 

It is injuries that have done me in as well.  The last tournament I worked as a full-time tour caddie was at Greenbrier.  The hills and length took a toll and on Saturday I felt a pain deep in my hip.  Managed to limp around on Sunday, but told my golfer that he needed to find a sub for the next week.  What I thought was just flexor pain was really the end of my day job. 

 

A couple surgeries later and I am back to something that resembles normal life.  I still sub a couple times a year on the L, but don't have the drive to still do it every day.  Not sure how Fluff still does it, he is a different breed. 

[scomac2002]

I don't play blades.  Never really have other than on a lark a time or two.  Why make the game more difficult?  That said, I do have a "vintage set-up" of 80's clubs that I enjoy taking out for a spin every now and again.  Played them for about a month straight this past summer.  Would love to have a set of hickories, but that's a bit out of my league unless I got lucky enough to happen upon a set of players at reasonable prices.

 

It has already been suggested that the OP play the G425's complete for the time he has access to them and he can draw his own conclusions.

 

Mixing and matching sets gets a bit tricky, not just in gaps, but in feel.  The components have to blend together somewhat in order for that to work IMO.  Depends upon how much of a mad scientist you are.  I can't say much more than that as you can tell from my signature that I'm in a bit of a mad scientist mode right now with my WITB.

 

 I've got a hybrid now down to the 7iron.  Full CB through to the SW.  Are they better?  Are they easier to use?  

 

At times yes.  At other times it's a wash.  Perhaps the most notable thing is that with lighter shafts and graphite there's less wear and tear on the body, but it does take some time to adapt.  It's all about enjoyment really and how you define that in your own terms.  Once you get a bit older your priorities may change and your definitions along with them.

[rwc356]

69 and playing to a 10 hcp. G30 driver, 7w and 5 Hy. iBlades 6-PW and Glide SW. Good combination of reasonable distance and good control with short irons. Combined with senior tees and more off-season stretching means I am excited for the 2022 season to start!

[cold_war_era_golfer]

5 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

I'm late '70s and will be carried out on my shield.

I stretch and keep the length of swing good. On the range last week quite satisfactory, Wilson 1969 fluid feels + persimmon, no concessions.

And I still carry a 12 club bag.....

I hope I'm like you when I'm in my 70s!  If anything your post has influenced me to keep doing what I love.

 

I'm 40 and have been golfing just under 2 years now.  I went 100 percent vintage last year I probably have a slower swing than most of you real golfers in your 60s here.  I went 100 percent vintage because I feel that is as major point that drives me to golf.  I think I'd rather not golf than play modern gear right now.  So with that said you can see I'm not into the game for any sort of score or money reasons.  I'm happier walking on a park district course with a rusty set of clubs, a beer in hand, and some friends than worrying about how well I play this game.  Again, starting at 38 years old I will NEVER be a good golfer.  So my priorities and background are very different than most of you who can really play this game.  

 

I'm sure I will think differently if I make it to 70s but I play what I like now and I sure take a shellacking from my friends my age who will never understand why I play clubs 20 years older than me.

 

Maybe when I'm 70 I will try those Ping Eye 2s!

 

One other thing:  I played with some Hickory guys in Wisconsin last summer I'm going to guess some where late 70s if not 80s.  They played a low to the ground game, which may be more hickory style than their age.  But most of them were on the green putting for par.  

Edited December 31, 2021 by cold_war_era_golfer

[Pastit]

45 minutes ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

I hope I'm like you when I'm in my 70s!  If anything your post has influenced me to keep doing what I love.

 

I'm 40 and have been golfing just under 2 years now.  I went 100 percent vintage last year I probably have a slower swing than most of you real golfers in your 60s here.  I went 100 percent vintage because I feel that is as major point that drives me to golf.  I think I'd rather not golf than play modern gear right now.  So with that said you can see I'm not into the game for any sort of score or money reasons.  I'm happier walking on a park district course with a rusty set of clubs, a beer in hand, and some friends than worrying about how well I play this game.  Again, starting at 38 years old I will NEVER be a good golfer.  So my priorities and background are very different than most of you who can really play this game.  

 

I'm sure I will think differently if I make it to 70s but I play what I like now and I sure take a shellacking from my friends my age who will never understand why I play clubs 20 years older than me.

 

Maybe when I'm 70 I will try those Ping Eye 2s!

 

One other thing:  I played with some Hickory guys in Wisconsin last summer I'm going to guess some where late 70s if not 80s.  They played a low to the ground game, which may be more hickory style than their age.  But most of them were on the green putting for par.  

I don’t think being in your 40’s should worry you. What might is having a BMI over 30 ( Body-Mass Index ) and not being supple. On the other hand, Anyone having these positive attributes, and being over 5’ 6”, should play to 18 H min in 4 years.

Edited December 31, 2021 by Pastit

[scomac2002]

1 minute ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Again, starting at 38 years old I will NEVER be a good golfer.  So my priorities and background are very different than most of you who can really play this game.  

 

Welcome to the club.  I was 48 when I first picked up a golf club.  The only reason that my wife and I took up the sport in the first place was because our boys played and loved the game.  It was about family time.

 

That said, I seem to recall that a long time poster on here @Sean2 was in his mid 50's when he started to play and he has worked himself into a single digit handicap player at last report, so we do have hope I suppose.

 

16 minutes ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Maybe when I'm 70 I will try those Ping Eye 2s!

 

Why wait?  Try them now.  Try something newer even.  You never know what you might run across that gives you the most pleasure to play.  Probably the most fun I had golfing was about 5 years ago playing a TM R7 driver, a bunch of Nickent hybrids, a set of Hogan Apex Plus irons and an old Ping Zing putter.

[596]

45 minutes ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Again, starting at 38 years old I will NEVER be a good golfer.  So my priorities and background are very different than most of you who can really play this game.

Don't blame a late start to playing good golf. I started at age 54 and in under 2 years I was a 2 handicap.  Find sticks that work for your swing.  I used SGI G10s down too a 2 cap.

[cold_war_era_golfer]

2 minutes ago, 596 said:

Don't blame a late start to playing good golf. I started at age 54 and in under 2 years I was a 2 handicap.  Find sticks that work for your swing.  I used SGI G10s down too a 2 cap.

Maybe I am shooting myself in the foot so to speak with the older clubs.

[Pastit]

17 minutes ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Maybe I am shooting myself in the foot so to speak with the older clubs.

No, don’t speak to them. Throw them after bad shots !

[raggal62]

Forged Cavity Back player here. Late 60's and started playing very young in life. Always preferred looking down at a classic profile iron design. It's what I started with and it's what I'm comfortable with. Just can't bring myself to try playing this game with a modern game improvement (aka) shovel. Can't stand the look of a chunky thick topline. But that's just me. The important thing is to play this game with what equipment suits you and gives you the most enjoyment.

[ShortGolfer]

As your swing speed slows down you may want to consider carrying fewer clubs.  As well as changing to softer graphite shafts.  And moving up to closer tees.

But, as long as you play at a decent pace, I doubt anyone cares what clubs you carry.

 

I've gotten compliments on my Sunday bag from walkers passing by the course on the 9th hole, as I still have enough energy to briskly walk up to the elevated tee box!

 

 

 

[WilliePPQ]

72 and still walking as much as I can when playing. I have found that going to a "mixed bag" of almost anything that works is right for me. Playing X-forged Callaway irons 8-9-PW. And add in a few loft adjusted Tommy Armour 855 5-6-7. Toss in a couple hybrids from Wilson and Ping and you get the picture. I tend to pick and choose based upon the track we are playing, as we typically play multiple places in a week. Oh yes also try to keep to 12 club max! So maybe mixing in G425's a little bit at a time might work?