Older game improvement irons for beginners

[ThatRingerBoy]

Hello everyone,

 

I am looking for some recommendations on older more affordable iron sets as I head into my second season in a month or so. Not looking for any specific brand, just a solid set under $300. 

[ciscojaws]

Cobra Tecflo Max

[pak]

I suggest looking for Ping G25 or  Ping G30's. They can be had for around $300 for  a set  and even though they are a few generations old, they hold up very well and get rave reviews by users. Also, Titleist 714 AP1's, or even 716's are a good choice too and hover at that price point too.

[reh1224]

Callaway preowned, you can find something decent in your budget range, they have a new sale every couple weeks too so if you dont need them tomorrow that's a solid option

[bekgolf]

Not sure what you have now but Ping Eye 2 are always around for a decent price.  Yes they are old but they work very well imo.

[capking]

TaylorMade Burner 2.0’s if you can find them.

[JShaw]

1994 or 1996 Big Berthas.  I can't imagine a more forgiving club.  I play the 94s during the Winter months if I get the odd chance to play.  After it warms up I go back to my Mizuno Mp-29s.  Weird combination I know, but it works for me.

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

Ping and Callaway are brands you're likely to see come up a bit in this thread and both make very forgiving irons and you can't really go wrong either way.

 

My personal preference is towards Ping because I started on a set and I've had no experience with old Callaway irons, but Ping irons are pretty darn durable so you're likely to find an affordable set in good shape on eBay, and you can also try to stick to their color dot system so the irons will be somewhat fitted (even if it's not perfect) to your height and arm length.

[ThatRingerBoy]

1 hour ago, bekgolf said:

Not sure what you have now but Ping Eye 2 are always around for a decent price.  Yes they are old but they work very well imo.

I've been "borrowing" a full set of golden bear clubs from my dad. Nothing wrong with them I would just like to have my own. Ping eye 2's are very appealing to me. I know they are older but the sets I see on for sale online are always in good condition. They look like they hold up much better than newer clubs

[MattC555]

Ping G25 is what I'd recommend.  Find out what your fit is and they'll be fairly easy to find. 

[lggolf42]

If you want something with some big forgiveness, Callaway Rogue's are pretty affordable right now.

[ThatRingerBoy]

2 minutes ago, lggolf42 said:

If you want something with some big forgiveness, Callaway Rogue's are pretty affordable right now.

I bought a rogue driver at Dicks towards the end of last season and they have the rogue x irons on sale there now. Thought about buying them for continuity sake but I just don't know about them being stronger lofted, figured they were for someone a little above my skill level

[Bye]

Definitely Callaway, X12 or X14 something like that. 

[Davidv]

Ping G30.

[mxskier]

I had my friend get 716 AP1 5-GW, then a 52 and a 58 wedge. those clubs will last you a long time. 

[jplroper]

Tommy Armour 845 Silver Scots, you can get a full set for under a $100.

[chipa]

Compontent iron sets from Hireko, Monark or Golfworks can be had for less than $300.

[JermWRX]

6 hours ago, ThatRingerBoy said:

I bought a rogue driver at Dicks towards the end of last season and they have the rogue x irons on sale there now. Thought about buying them for continuity sake but I just don't know about them being stronger lofted, figured they were for someone a little above my skill level

Opposite of what you think, actually. The Rogue X are super forgiving and lightweight. The stronger lofts will likely help you. Very easy to hit, with a high long ball flight. I grabbed a set in November at Dicks, just to see how long they went. They fly. They’re not really the club for me because they have too much offset for my eye, but I wanted to see what they did. They would be a great choice for someone entering the game, in my opinion. I wish you posted this last week. I would’ve given you mine for 300 to get you started. Always love seeing new folks getting into the game. I think I’m trading them in tomorrow for some Mizuno’s. You should give them a hit. I bet you’d be surprised. Welcome to golf👍

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Pretty much ANY Ping game improvement iron set, even Ping Eye 2's

[JermWRX]

1 minute ago, JermWRX said:

Opposite of what you think, actually. The Rogue X are super forgiving and lightweight. The stronger lofts will likely help you. Very easy to hit, with a high long ball flight. I grabbed a set in November at Dicks, just to see how long they went. They fly. They’re not really the club for me because they have too much offset for my eye, but I wanted to see what they did. They would be a great choice for someone entering the game, in my opinion. I wish you posted this last week. I would’ve given you mine for 300 to get you started. Always love seeing new folks getting into the game. I think I’m trading them in tomorrow for some Mizuno’s. You should give them a hit. I bet you’d be surprised. Welcome to golf👍

Also if you can find them on eBay, the Ping GMax are like cheating. Not sure you can get them for 300, though. Easiest clubs I’ve ever hit

[storm319]

Anything from the Ping G line. Should be able to find the G2, G5, G10, or G15 for under $300. 

Edited February 12, 2022 by storm319

[JJPIV]

Titleist 714 AP1 are very forgiving, look great too 

Edited February 12, 2022 by JJPIV

[Kyfra]

Callaway Fusion Wide Sole. You won’t find an easier iron to hit.

[nitram]

Original King Cobra

PING G2 or G5

Adams A2

 

[dodint]

I still love my Ping i3s, though as mentioned above you can go a few generations newer at that price point. The i3s are a classically modern look, which makes sense since they bridged the gap between Karsten's clubs and the modern Ping era. You could get some i3 O-size and have some money left over to regrip them, if needed.

[R5Two]

AP1/AP2

[OnTheBag]

11 hours ago, ThatRingerBoy said:

I've been "borrowing" a full set of golden bear clubs from my dad. Nothing wrong with them I would just like to have my own. Ping eye 2's are very appealing to me. I know they are older but the sets I see on for sale online are always in good condition. They look like they hold up much better than newer clubs

I still play my Eye 2's several times a month and I bought this set in the 1980s.  The cast stainless does hold up very well compared to forged clubs just due to metallurgy.  Yes they are a 40 year old design but still a valid option regardless of handicap.  Eye 2 or Eye 2+ will both work for what you want and will still be valid even as your game improves. 

 

As others have said, the Dot System allows a user to self fit to a degree.

 

https://ping.com/en-us/misc/stash/fitting/iron-color-code-chart

[Ghostwedge]

I would go with the newest Ping G series iron set with your color code in your price range. Shaft selection should be a factor too.

[solarbear88]

I'd just get a brand new STi2 iron pak from Golfworks $169.

[ThatRingerBoy]

I am definitely starting to lean towards ping G irons with all the recommendations. However, I found the ping i20 and they have caught my eye. Seem to be more closer to my budget than the g25 or 30s. I'm just wondering if these are as forgiving as the G line of clubs. 

I have surprisingly decent iron play for a beginner so if they are less forgiving by a little I may go with those.