How old is too old? Irons Edition

[TitleistCirca62]

If you are wanting to stay with a forged CB or blade then chances are what you have now will perform just as well as anything today. Only thing that may make a difference would be different sole designs which could potentially improve your turf interaction and therefore ball striking.

[@_the_crook]

12 hours ago, jsmcdon said:

Every year my mind ponders old becu ping irons and then the thought of potentially losing yardage tells me no....

 

Am going to call the local shop to set up my BeCu's for a re-do.

The stiff shafts are just too much for me now.

At last attempt I was coming up about a club short of desired and I attribute that to my weak swing.

As mentioned upthread - should be no loss of yardage with new DGR's compared to what I play now..

Been a long delayed project.

 

 

[drumdude96]

23 hours ago, Northandleft said:

Here is my thought…shafts get old. A 15 year old set that had old standard shafts

(add another 15 years of old tech) and you don’t seem to have the new feel or pop. Thought about reshafting  my old hogan apex pros. Anyone else do this?

Dynamic Gold shafts are the same now as they were 20 years ago. I still hit them very well. Yes, there are a lot more options for steel shafts these days, but good ol' DG is still the best for me.

[R5Two]

2 minutes ago, drumdude96 said:

Dynamic Gold shafts are the same now as they were 20 years ago. I still hit them very well. Yes, there are a lot more options for steel shafts these days, but good ol' DG is still the best for me.

100%. Good point. I have had fittings where they recommended I move to PX 6.5 LS and a few others. I tried them for a month one time and ended up selling the set. I just don't get the same feel as the x100 TI. I even run x100 in my wedges.

 

Interesting thing right now I have a PW with an 8i shaft (they talk about it in the forums to create a low launch low spin) and I can't even really get used to that lol

[drumdude96]

48 minutes ago, R5Two said:

100%. Good point. I have had fittings where they recommended I move to PX 6.5 LS and a few others. I tried them for a month one time and ended up selling the set. I just don't get the same feel as the x100 TI. I even run x100 in my wedges.

 

Interesting thing right now I have a PW with an 8i shaft (they talk about it in the forums to create a low launch low spin) and I can't even really get used to that lol

I just reshafted my MP 30's with DG AMT X100 (from standard DG S300), and I have some X100 8 iron shafts on the way for the wedges, lol.  I read the same thing and probably watched the same video.  The S400 TI can always go back in if I don't like it. 🤪

[flybub]

Still playing MP53/MP32. Haven't found a reason to upgrade and honestly haven't even looked. Now driver and putter, that's a revolving door.

Edited January 27, 2022 by flybub

[Robert pace]

Still playing 1988 TaylorMade tour preferred td blades 1 thru pitch with green dots.

Made 10 years before I started playing.

Have re-shafted many times.

I tried a rbz or something like it at goldsmith before they closed.

6 iron went 215 yards high draw, could not hit anything but a high draw. To put this in perspective I hit my 4 iron 215.

Yes it made me feel great to hit 6 iron 215, but what the hell good is it iffen the workability is 1 damn shot.

DON'T be afraid to hit blades or let the lofts scare you, 50* for my pw 45* on my 9 iron, quite a difference between new clubs. For newbies if you can hit blades you can hit anything.

Buy a cheap a** set and go to the range your ball striking will be improved dramatically.

When I started I hit 7 iron 150 after learning how to take a divot 9 iron goes 150. Best thing to do is get fitted and practice, practice, practice.

But there's nothing like the feeling of a well struck shot with a blade long iron.

Best regards to all stay safe during these times.

 

 

 

 

 

[drumdude96]

14 hours ago, @_the_crook said:

 

Am going to call the local shop to set up my BeCu's for a re-do.

The stiff shafts are just too much for me now.

At last attempt I was coming up about a club short of desired and I attribute that to my weak swing.

As mentioned upthread - should be no loss of yardage with new DGR's compared to what I play now..

Been a long delayed project.

 

 

You might consider one of the lighter DG options as well, such as the 105's.  The lighter weight may get some of that lost distance back for you.  I have a like-new set of DG 105 R300's that I pulled from a set of i210's last summer.  4-GW.  PM me if you're interested and I'll make you a good deal on them, provided they will work for your application, of course.

[MJBGolf]

On 1/14/2022 at 5:08 PM, Northandleft said:

Here is my thought…shafts get old. A 15 year old set that had old standard shafts

(add another 15 years of old tech) and you don’t seem to have the new feel or pop. Thought about reshafting  my old hogan apex pros. Anyone else do this?

I've got an old set of Apex Edge Pro's bought new in 2002, still one of my favourite iron sets 3-PW, the forging was so nice in these irons, butter soft. If I want an alternative set of irons to the Titleist I currently game, it would be a reshaft of these Apex Edge Pro's, fit them with Nippon NS Pro Modus 3 115X shafts, soft stepped and cut to Std. Mizuno length -1/2".........That would be a great fit for me! 🙂

[starrman77]

I'm still playing Ping i3os irons that I bought new 150 years ago. I've tried other irons but keep coming back to these. They check all the boxes for my game.

[drumdude96]

6 hours ago, starrman77 said:

I'm still playing Ping i3os irons that I bought new 150 years ago. I've tried other irons but keep coming back to these. They check all the boxes for my game.

I had a set of the i3 Blades with Dynamic Gold Lite and good God they were long.  Longest set of irons I've ever had.  I legit hit them a club to a club and a half longer that anything else I've ever tried.  The 9 was my 170 carry club, no BS.  I was pretty erratic with them, so I sold them, but man, the distance I got out of those things was impressive.

[ezra76]

Last month I scored a set of Mizuno MX-20's, the Tzoid ones, for $25. I cleaned them up and just regripped them with the lamkin sonar wraps, they are a solid 8+ condition. Honestly looks like a ranger rick owned them as I can't find a ding anywhere, just a little wear on the faces. Taking them to the range tomorrow hopefully and planning to play them this season. 

[LoopySwing13]

On 1/14/2022 at 11:23 AM, Orange Hog said:

I picked up a set of used raw Bridgestone J15CB irons from a buddy more for a backup "fun" set with a bit of nostalgia.  First round out on the course and I post my lowest round ever and missed a hole in one by a couple of inches.  They're now my everyday gamers in the bag.  Feel/sound, performance, consistent distances and turf interaction is incredible.  It's easy to get swept up in the sexiness of all this new stuff being hyped by major OEM's but there's a lot of really good stuff that has been out there for a few years (or more) that is just as good.

Let’s see a pic of those… 👀 

[jsmcdon]

On 1/14/2022 at 1:25 PM, NRJyzr said:

 

How would you be losing yardage?  A 36* club is a 36* club, regardless of the number on the sole...

 

It has nothing to do with the degree or number stamped on the sole. I’m referring to technology in todays market compared to 25 years ago.

[drumdude96]

21 minutes ago, jsmcdon said:

It has nothing to do with the degree or number stamped on the sole. I’m referring to technology in todays market compared to 25 years ago.

The number one determining factor for how far an iron is going to hit a ball is the loft, plain and simple. The reason a new 8 iron hits the ball farther than an old 8 iron is because the new one is really a 7 iron (or in some cases a 6 iron). I've had lots of newer irons with all the technology, and loft for loft there is basically no difference in distance when compared to older clubs. The tech definitely helps with forgiveness, but not really with distance, at least when the clubs are hit in the sweet spot.

[jsmcdon]

11 minutes ago, drumdude96 said:

The number one determining factor for how far an iron is going to hit a ball is the loft, plain and simple. The reason a new 8 iron hits the ball farther than an old 8 iron is because the new one is really a 7 iron (or in some cases a 6 iron). I've had lots of newer irons with all the technology, and loft for loft there is basically no difference in distance when compared to older clubs. The tech definitely helps with forgiveness, but not really with distance, at least when the clubs are hit in the sweet spot.

Loft for loft, you get the same distance out of your tommy armour silverscots compared to your new Callaway? I don’t care about the number on the club, we’re talking loft for loft here.

And forgiveness definitely helps here, you hit that old 7 like crap and your new what you’d call 6 but same loft and hit it further because of forgiveness, is that not something?

[NRJyzr]

7 hours ago, jsmcdon said:

Loft for loft, you get the same distance out of your tommy armour silverscots compared to your new Callaway? I don’t care about the number on the club, we’re talking loft for loft here.

And forgiveness definitely helps here, you hit that old 7 like crap and your new what you’d call 6 but same loft and hit it further because of forgiveness, is that not something?

 

The original 845s has an MOI higher than any of the current Callaway Apex irons.  The 845s Oversize from the 90s is about the same MOI as the i200, or the Mavrik Max.

 

If you look at Taylormade irons, none of the new products are as forgiving as the R7 or R9.

 

"New irons" are often assumed to be more forgiving than older irons, but except for the Ping G410/G700 and newer, it isn't really true.

 

[Gsea]

8 hours ago, jsmcdon said:

Loft for loft, you get the same distance out of your tommy armour silverscots compared to your new Callaway? I don’t care about the number on the club, we’re talking loft for loft here.

And forgiveness definitely helps here, you hit that old 7 like crap and your new what you’d call 6 but same loft and hit it further because of forgiveness, is that not something?

loft for loft different head technology makes no difference, but imo new shaft technology can make a difference. 

[Bdck]

On 1/14/2022 at 3:00 PM, boggyman said:

I love it when someone in our group asked what I hit…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 my lofts are old school. 

Also if you're an old school blade kinda guy, chances are you aren't just throwing a 'stock' swing at everything.

 

Played a course here in Austin called falconhead on Sunday.  Put my drive on the front edge on #10 (418 down hill) then on #11 (176 downhill) I hit a 6 iron and everyone else hit a 7 or 8.

 

They looked so confused, but on a downhill shot you really gotta keep the spin in check or that ball will rip back 30 feet with the increased landing angle.  A little stinger mid iron that goes 30 yards less than normal but does the ol one hop and stop and cheats the wind is one of my favorite shots.

[drumdude96]

9 hours ago, jsmcdon said:

#1: Loft for loft, you get the same distance out of your tommy armour silverscots compared to your new Callaway? I don’t care about the number on the club, we’re talking loft for loft here.

#2: And forgiveness definitely helps here, you hit that old 7 like crap and your new what you’d call 6 but same loft and hit it further because of forgiveness, is that not something?

#1: Yes.  A 34 degree 845 will hit the ball just as far as a 34 degree Callaway Apex, as long as they are built with the same shafts to the same length and swingweight.

#2: I don't hit that old 7 iron like crap, that's why it's in the bag.  The only area that new tech gives you "more" distance is in off-center strikes.  And it's not really "more" distance, it's just losing less distance compared to a less-forgiving iron.  When hit in the sweet spot, that old 7 is going to hit the ball just as far as that same-lofted new club.  It is 100% myth that "new technology" magically makes the ball go farther with irons.  The manufactures have strengthened the lofts to make it appear that way, and most people (who are lemmings) have drunk the Kool-Aid.  And no, the new tech does not make the ball fly so much higher that they had to strengthen the lofts to counteract it.  That is total BS.  How high the ball will fly is directly correlated to how much swing speed you have and the delivered loft at impact.  They can't move the CG of an iron that much to where it would amount to a hill of beans in terms of trajectory.  Sure, they can change it a little, but it's not going to make one iron reach a peak height of 100 feet and another only go to 80 feet.  It's not happening. 

So to sum it up, yes the new tech will help you on mishits.  If you hit the ball on the toe a lot, there are irons that will lose less distance when struck out there than some older stuff.  But that's about it.  A fat shot will still be a fat shot, a shank is still a shank, and when hit on the screws they aren't any better.  And one area where they are worse is distance control.  That's why you don't see pros playing the "high tech" multi-piece flex face irons, except in the long irons, of course.  Most pros are using a one-piece forged iron or a similar cast iron like the i210, which could have easily been forged because it's a pretty plain and simple design.  One-piece forgings give you exceptional distance control and workability, which is why the pros use them.  And they generally aren't ridiculously strong lofted either.  These irons have crept a little stronger over the years, but not by much compared to the "high tech" clubs like P790's and the like.  Most true forgings have a PW around 46 degrees, which isn't too bad considering 20 years ago a PW was 47 or 48 degrees.  A PW is NOT 43 or 44 degrees, that is a 9 iron that says "PW" on it.  Rick Shiels just did a review of the new Stealth irons from TM.  They go from 18.5 degree "4" iron to 43 degree "PW".  That 4 iron is really a 2 iron and will be unplayable for the vast majority of the target market.  Likewise, the ridiculously strong PW will cause people to need 5 wedges at the bottom of the bag, which is insane and can completely throw off the top end of the bag.  In summary, it's a stupid practice and the manufacturers who perpetrate it are all doo-doo heads. 🤣   

 

[Nzgolferhb]

These are as pure feeling as any club I’ve hit think there 18 years old I took them over my ap2s something about them from the look at address to the feel just beautiful classics 

[LowAndLeft32]

On 1/18/2022 at 9:28 AM, drumdude96 said:

#1: Yes.  A 34 degree 845 will hit the ball just as far as a 34 degree Callaway Apex, as long as they are built with the same shafts to the same length and swingweight.

#2: I don't hit that old 7 iron like crap, that's why it's in the bag.  The only area that new tech gives you "more" distance is in off-center strikes.  And it's not really "more" distance, it's just losing less distance compared to a less-forgiving iron.  When hit in the sweet spot, that old 7 is going to hit the ball just as far as that same-lofted new club.  It is 100% myth that "new technology" magically makes the ball go farther with irons.  The manufactures have strengthened the lofts to make it appear that way, and most people (who are lemmings) have drunk the Kool-Aid.  And no, the new tech does not make the ball fly so much higher that they had to strengthen the lofts to counteract it.  That is total BS.  How high the ball will fly is directly correlated to how much swing speed you have and the delivered loft at impact.  They can't move the CG of an iron that much to where it would amount to a hill of beans in terms of trajectory.  Sure, they can change it a little, but it's not going to make one iron reach a peak height of 100 feet and another only go to 80 feet.  It's not happening. 

So to sum it up, yes the new tech will help you on mishits.  If you hit the ball on the toe a lot, there are irons that will lose less distance when struck out there than some older stuff.  But that's about it.  A fat shot will still be a fat shot, a shank is still a shank, and when hit on the screws they aren't any better.  And one area where they are worse is distance control.  That's why you don't see pros playing the "high tech" multi-piece flex face irons, except in the long irons, of course.  Most pros are using a one-piece forged iron or a similar cast iron like the i210, which could have easily been forged because it's a pretty plain and simple design.  One-piece forgings give you exceptional distance control and workability, which is why the pros use them.  And they generally aren't ridiculously strong lofted either.  These irons have crept a little stronger over the years, but not by much compared to the "high tech" clubs like P790's and the like.  Most true forgings have a PW around 46 degrees, which isn't too bad considering 20 years ago a PW was 47 or 48 degrees.  A PW is NOT 43 or 44 degrees, that is a 9 iron that says "PW" on it.  Rick Shiels just did a review of the new Stealth irons from TM.  They go from 18.5 degree "4" iron to 43 degree "PW".  That 4 iron is really a 2 iron and will be unplayable for the vast majority of the target market.  Likewise, the ridiculously strong PW will cause people to need 5 wedges at the bottom of the bag, which is insane and can completely throw off the top end of the bag.  In summary, it's a stupid practice and the manufacturers who perpetrate it are all doo-doo heads. 🤣   

 

This is a great response. So based on this how does one choose an iron to play? Or what irons do you choose to play? 

[LowAndLeft32]

On 1/13/2022 at 7:02 PM, Ben Berube said:

I have a set on the way as well. Congrats! 

@taylormade4life how do you guys like these TM TP irons?  I assume they aren’t miura forged? 

[LoopySwing13]

9 minutes ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

@taylormade4life how do you guys like these TM TP irons?  I assume they aren’t miura forged? 

They are not to my knowledge. Great iron! Soft, gorgeous, and still as good as anything. 

[Chunkitgood]

On 1/18/2022 at 9:28 AM, drumdude96 said:

#1: Yes.  A 34 degree 845 will hit the ball just as far as a 34 degree Callaway Apex, as long as they are built with the same shafts to the same length and swingweight.

#2: I don't hit that old 7 iron like crap, that's why it's in the bag.  The only area that new tech gives you "more" distance is in off-center strikes.  And it's not really "more" distance, it's just losing less distance compared to a less-forgiving iron.  When hit in the sweet spot, that old 7 is going to hit the ball just as far as that same-lofted new club.  It is 100% myth that "new technology" magically makes the ball go farther with irons.  The manufactures have strengthened the lofts to make it appear that way, and most people (who are lemmings) have drunk the Kool-Aid.  And no, the new tech does not make the ball fly so much higher that they had to strengthen the lofts to counteract it.  That is total BS.  How high the ball will fly is directly correlated to how much swing speed you have and the delivered loft at impact.  They can't move the CG of an iron that much to where it would amount to a hill of beans in terms of trajectory.  Sure, they can change it a little, but it's not going to make one iron reach a peak height of 100 feet and another only go to 80 feet.  It's not happening. 

So to sum it up, yes the new tech will help you on mishits.  If you hit the ball on the toe a lot, there are irons that will lose less distance when struck out there than some older stuff.  But that's about it.  A fat shot will still be a fat shot, a shank is still a shank, and when hit on the screws they aren't any better.  And one area where they are worse is distance control.  That's why you don't see pros playing the "high tech" multi-piece flex face irons, except in the long irons, of course.  Most pros are using a one-piece forged iron or a similar cast iron like the i210, which could have easily been forged because it's a pretty plain and simple design.  One-piece forgings give you exceptional distance control and workability, which is why the pros use them.  And they generally aren't ridiculously strong lofted either.  These irons have crept a little stronger over the years, but not by much compared to the "high tech" clubs like P790's and the like.  Most true forgings have a PW around 46 degrees, which isn't too bad considering 20 years ago a PW was 47 or 48 degrees.  A PW is NOT 43 or 44 degrees, that is a 9 iron that says "PW" on it.  Rick Shiels just did a review of the new Stealth irons from TM.  They go from 18.5 degree "4" iron to 43 degree "PW".  That 4 iron is really a 2 iron and will be unplayable for the vast majority of the target market.  Likewise, the ridiculously strong PW will cause people to need 5 wedges at the bottom of the bag, which is insane and can completely throw off the top end of the bag.  In summary, it's a stupid practice and the manufacturers who perpetrate it are all doo-doo heads. 🤣   

 

While I generally agree with these sentiments, isn’t a benefit of newer irons that the weight has been manipulated so that people who hit the ground before the ball aka add loft get a better result?  That seems to be be what some people call forgiveness now instead of MOI.  This could explain the whole “mishits with blades leaves me 30 yards short but SGI clubs on the edge of green” thing.

[polski]

I'm still rocking my Ping i3 O-Size irons that are about 22 years old. Even my driver and fairway woods are old. Shot my best 9 hole round of -4 with them only a few months ago. Also shot 4 consecutive 9 hole rounds under par with them last year and countless other great shots and rounds with them. I do get a bit embarrassed at times with my old equipment as others around me seem to have much more modern equipment. I would like to get new clubs but I'm still having fun with what I have. 

Edited April 20, 2022 by polski

[dodint]

I mentioned earlier in the thread but I love my i3s and plan to keep them as a backup set. I'm in the process of trying to find a 1i, 2i, and Uw so I can have the complete set. It's tough to find a 1i that isn't part of a complete set already. I'm not sure when Ping stopped making 1i but the i3 has to be pretty close to the end. 

[polski]

29 minutes ago, dodint said:

I mentioned earlier in the thread but I love my i3s and plan to keep them as a backup set. I'm in the process of trying to find a 1i, 2i, and Uw so I can have the complete set. It's tough to find a 1i that isn't part of a complete set already. I'm not sure when Ping stopped making 1i but the i3 has to be pretty close to the end. 

I too would like a 2i. The 3i is so easy to hit i figure a 2 would also be nice. I remember back in about 2000 I followed Nick Faldo around Royal Melbourne and he had a set of mixed ping i3 o-size and i3 blades! I could not believe it. He hit them great too! 

Edited April 20, 2022 by polski

[BIG STU]

On 1/13/2022 at 11:16 PM, ChipNRun said:

You must have missed the Golf Digest Hot List issue a few years back. One article proclaimed that irons more than four years old just didn't cut it any more.

 

I was worried they might come by the house and confiscate my MacGregor MT set from 1974.

If who ever they are try to come by my house and try to confiscate ANY of my Macgregors they will get a whole lot of lead instead ---- and I do not mean lead tape either

[BIG STU]

On 1/18/2022 at 10:28 AM, drumdude96 said:

#1: Yes.  A 34 degree 845 will hit the ball just as far as a 34 degree Callaway Apex, as long as they are built with the same shafts to the same length and swingweight.

#2: I don't hit that old 7 iron like crap, that's why it's in the bag.  The only area that new tech gives you "more" distance is in off-center strikes.  And it's not really "more" distance, it's just losing less distance compared to a less-forgiving iron.  When hit in the sweet spot, that old 7 is going to hit the ball just as far as that same-lofted new club.  It is 100% myth that "new technology" magically makes the ball go farther with irons.  The manufactures have strengthened the lofts to make it appear that way, and most people (who are lemmings) have drunk the Kool-Aid.  And no, the new tech does not make the ball fly so much higher that they had to strengthen the lofts to counteract it.  That is total BS.  How high the ball will fly is directly correlated to how much swing speed you have and the delivered loft at impact.  They can't move the CG of an iron that much to where it would amount to a hill of beans in terms of trajectory.  Sure, they can change it a little, but it's not going to make one iron reach a peak height of 100 feet and another only go to 80 feet.  It's not happening. 

So to sum it up, yes the new tech will help you on mishits.  If you hit the ball on the toe a lot, there are irons that will lose less distance when struck out there than some older stuff.  But that's about it.  A fat shot will still be a fat shot, a shank is still a shank, and when hit on the screws they aren't any better.  And one area where they are worse is distance control.  That's why you don't see pros playing the "high tech" multi-piece flex face irons, except in the long irons, of course.  Most pros are using a one-piece forged iron or a similar cast iron like the i210, which could have easily been forged because it's a pretty plain and simple design.  One-piece forgings give you exceptional distance control and workability, which is why the pros use them.  And they generally aren't ridiculously strong lofted either.  These irons have crept a little stronger over the years, but not by much compared to the "high tech" clubs like P790's and the like.  Most true forgings have a PW around 46 degrees, which isn't too bad considering 20 years ago a PW was 47 or 48 degrees.  A PW is NOT 43 or 44 degrees, that is a 9 iron that says "PW" on it.  Rick Shiels just did a review of the new Stealth irons from TM.  They go from 18.5 degree "4" iron to 43 degree "PW".  That 4 iron is really a 2 iron and will be unplayable for the vast majority of the target market.  Likewise, the ridiculously strong PW will cause people to need 5 wedges at the bottom of the bag, which is insane and can completely throw off the top end of the bag.  In summary, it's a stupid practice and the manufacturers who perpetrate it are all doo-doo heads. 🤣   

 

Very accurately and well stated--- Actually presented better than I could have done myself--100% accurate