14 handicap desperately needing new irons pls help

[ovodeano]

I'm a 14 handicap looking for new irons between game improvement and player distance irons. the ones im currently eyeing are the 923 HMpro, t200, t100, 223, aoex 21, and lastly the zx5. My iron striking is a bit above average for my handicap. would love some suggestions.

[ChristopherMcDonald]

You pretty much listed all of em lol. 

I'll toss the 2015 Onoff Kuro's and New Level 902OS into your mix since I didn't see those mentioned. 

[Onohediint]

I, a well as others, may suggest a fitting so you have a chance to hit them all and dial in what feels best to you along with the shaft that is best suited to your swing.  Personally, I play with the Apex 21s and find them to be great.  Around a 10 hdcp.

[sheamclkel]

You need to get fit! You wont regret it, the results of the fitting will tell you what works best for you!

[NZ315]

Agree with the above go get fit! It is free pretty much if you buy the clubs. At least at most places. I play the 223’s they are amazing with my 10hdcp. 

[PresTex]

12 handicap playing a similar setup to what you’re looking for. Currently playing sub70 649MB’s, Adams CMB’s, and Callaway apex TCB. 
 

I hit the 649’s really well for being more of a blade. They are surprisingly “forgiving” for that style head. The Adams CMB are one of my best Wrx purchases. Such a good head for being older and cheaper. They look really good, feel great, arent that hard to hit, and will probably stick around as a backup set for a while. The apex TCB’s are a little smaller head but I really don’t feel they are that scary. Have plenty of sole width, a little offset, and seem forgiving enough for a players head.
 

Some other heads I would look at

 

Callaway apex pro 21

Callaway Rogue ST

new level 902PD/OS

Sub 70 659CB/TC

Mizuno 223

Mizuno JPX 921 Tour

Srixon ZX7’s (I don’t think there’s much difference from ZX5 to ZX5, preferred the 7)

Srixon Z785

PXG 0311 Gen 5 P/T

Older Bridgestones like J15 or J40

Titleist T200(T100’s look amazing and I felt like I hit them just as well but are definitely not the most forgiving)

TM P770

Takomo 101T

Ping i500 or 525

 

List is all over the place. Food for thought though. 

Edited November 18, 2022 by PresTex
Added ping and fixed apex pro 21

[T_Golf_23]

The Mizuno Pro 225 are worth a look as well. 

[ChipNRun]

2 hours ago, sheamclkel said:

You need to get fit! You wont regret it, the results of the fitting will tell you what works best for you!

 

@ovodeano, Law 1 of WRX: Get fit for your clubs.

(Note: This question is on the quiz when you go for WRX -Journeyman Certification. 😉)

 

In 2009, I went from stiff back to regular shafts in all my clubs. During replacement, I was surprised by all the quality irons out there. I came to the conclusion that most of the major manufacturers made at least one model of irons I could play - as long as it had the right shaft.

 

What you may find is that (iron model A + shaft) and (iron model B + shaft) are pretty much tied on the number data. In that case, go with the model that gives you the best feeling standing over the ball. If you don't trust the irons, they won't work very well.

 

 

 

[Buschlight]

Check out the sub70 cb's. I just bought a set of heads off ebay and gonna slap em in some lz 6.0s.

[mantan]

I also support getting fit. 

 

As somebody who's the same handicap and who considers iron play to be a better part of my game, I LOVE my ZX5s. They are a perfect blend of forgiveness and feel for me. I played PING irons before moving into Srixon. I don't feel like I've given up anything on the forgiveness front.

 

I went in for a PXG fitting for a driver last month. It went so well that I went back the next week for an iron fitting. After hitting my baseline shots, my fitter said 'I've got my work cut out for me.'  We hit every head/shaft combo trying to dial something in. He told me at the end that my ZX5s were a really good fit for me. My numbers/dispersion were spot on.

 

I just lucked into the perfect fit though. I'd definitely recommend doing it on the front end.

 

 

 

[pak]

After 1 full season, I’m a fan of the Apex DCB’s. A great looking head with lots of tech and forgiveness.

[jomatty]

You might also check out the ping i525, forged tec or forged tec x, and the Mizuno pro 225.  The Takomo players distance irons look really good for the money as well, although I haven’t hit those.

[B.Easy]

I remember being a 14 very well.  It was not that long ago for me. I didn't start playing gold until my 30's.  You're super close to being a single digit.  A couple of good rounds and a hot streak and you're there. Irons are and have been the strength of my game.  My playing partners say that I strike the ball like a pro and chip and putt like a beginner.  It's true.  I've got the touch of a rhino

 

#1 definitely get a real fitting. So many reasons.

 

#2 I would error on the side of the players irons vs game improvement if you have reasonable speed and don't have trouble getting the ball in the air.  Controlling distance with GI shovels gets more difficult the more speed you have. tried it many times.  Distance control will get your handi down faster than any other skill concerning irons.  Pin high --left or right within reason, is easier to score than long/short on nearly every golf course. 

 

#3 Looks matter, which is another big reason for a fitting.  If you like the way it appears at address it will build confidence.  This is true for most people.  

 

#4 turf interaction is a big deal.  The width and camber of the sole matching your swing will improve your ball striking.  This is true for golfers of any skill level.

 

Example- My son is a +1 hcp and college golfer that struggled with his 919 Tour Mizuno's.  Always getting stuck in the turf on firm courses. Did a fitting trying anything and everything.  As soon as he got the Srixon ZX7's in his hand it was a revelation. They refuse to get caught in the turf due to the V-sole and his ball striking improved immediately.  Personally, I can't hit the ZX-7's.  That sole profile causes me to hit bottom groovers and thin bullets- I lose confidence.  Just a small example.

 

Anyway, sorry for being long winded.  These are just recommendations I wish I would have had before ho'ing my brains out for so many years.  Now, I ho for the LOL's and that's much better.  Good luck!

[rukahs]

P790

[Port and Starboard]

10 hours ago, ovodeano said:

I'm a 14 handicap looking for new irons between game improvement and player distance irons. the ones im currently eyeing are the 923 HMpro, t200, t100, 223, aoex 21, and lastly the zx5. My iron striking is a bit above average for my handicap. would love some suggestions.

 

Not to be disrespectful here, but I sort of cringe when I see threads like this.  What I like and feel about a certain OEM model iron set might not be what you feel or see when you have them in your own hands.  One of the fastest ways to reach buyers remorse with very expensive set of golf clubs is to buy them without hitting a lot of shots with them first.

 

With that said, I guess I'm being somewhat of a hypocrite because I recently bought a used SLDR mini 14 off of Ebay for $125.00 after reading some reviews. I needed a "go to" club for when my driver goes south on me. I got lucky because it turned out to be one of my top 10 best buys ever as it is almost stupid easy to hit off the tee and fairways.

 

I would go hit all of the clubs you listed above and come to your own conclusions pards.

[bvanlieu]

As a mid cap you are working on improving your game. Accuracy, GIR, short game. 

 

A well fit set is more important than kind: you can game a SGI to a CB and be within a few shots score wise over time. 

 

Of the ones you listed, you have a fair amount of players style clubs with help: I would probably steer away from T100/223s and more T2/225s as you have listed as that's a *lot* of clubs to look at 🙂 You didn't have the P790, Ping i2xx listed. Also don't sleep on Cobra kings/MIMs etc...

 

A good fitter in one session probably won't get you more than a handful to try and zero in on things.

 

 

[OnTheBag]

12 hours ago, sheamclkel said:

You need to get fit! You wont regret it, the results of the fitting will tell you what works best for you!

While I agree in principle, there are a lot of bad "fitters" out there at the golf shops.  Some of our members here only have GG, DSG, or PGASS available to them as fitting options.  In most of those locations your "fitting" will look more like a sales pitch at a new car lot.  

 

The positive side of those type fittings is getting to hit different clubs with different shafts.  But it will be off a mat indoors.

 

Being in Orange County, you have other options.  I would suggest looking for a Titleist or Callaway or Ping or Mizuno fitting day at a local course.  That information is available on their websites.  That will give you a chance to hit off real grass with a rep that knows a lot about the product.  

[WristySwing]

22 minutes ago, OnTheBag said:

Being in Orange County, you have other options.  I would suggest looking for a Titleist or Callaway or Ping or Mizuno fitting day at a local course.  That information is available on their websites.  That will give you a chance to hit off real grass with a rep that knows a lot about the product.  

 

The drawback to those is usually twofold.  First, a lot of reps don't do demo or fitting days anymore, they generally pass those off to tech reps who are often no better than your local big box retailer.  They know a little bit about shafts (this is high launch and this is low launch), the hot talking points about each head, but after you scratch off the surface, there isn't much else.  The reps busy themselves with securing new accounts, making sure their highest dollar accounts have everything they need, and playing golf at their higher end green grass accounts while dropping off a couple dozen balls for the "boys".  Second, fitting days are rarely scheduled on the same day, so you will have to deal with different balls, different turf, and different days to gauge how well you hit club A vs. club B.  Indoors eliminates all of that variation.  Of course you still might get a less than stellar fitter but it takes the elements, ball, and turf completely out of the equation and isolates the variables of head + shaft.

[tbowles411]

We tell our customers to keep an open mind.  Not all 14 cappers are the same.  Some are better in aspects of their games, and weaker in others.  It may not be the irons holding someone back and they need extra help somewhere else.  So, a fitting, like others have said, is critical.  If they need a GI club, it'll identify what type that suits them.  Some of our customers actually needed SGI to get the most from their games right then and there, then as their ball striking improved, they moved into something a bit more demanding.  We're just there to present options on our pro's watchful eye in Hurst TX.  If it turns out their ball striking is good, we'll try to find out where their game needs the help to assist get that handicap down and more importantly, help someone enjoy the game more.

 

Keep in mind sometimes equipment isn't the only fix.  We'd love to sell someone something, but if they need lessons and/or an equipment tweak and not new gear, we'd rather do that and save them some cash.

Edited November 18, 2022 by tbowles411

[North Butte]

It's not clear from the OP what is the source of his or her "desperation" for new irons. If there is a specific problem you're wanting to solve with new irons, we'd need to know what that is to figure out whether a specific model might help with it.

 

Otherwise, if it's just that you have the hankering for new irons then go find a place where you can try a few of them and see what strikes your fancy. It's as simple as that. 

[vtpachyderm]

Cobra King Tour MIM's are criminally underrated - I play them now after playing Apex Pro 16's. So so forgiving, yet very consistent front and back. And they feel pretty darn good too.

 

Highly recommend throwing those into the mix when getting fitted.

[Ron Man]

I was in same handicap range as you starting this season. About a 15-17 using 2002 callaway big Bertha irons. I bought a set of Taylormade P790 irons 4-pw kbs stiff shafts. Absolutely love them, hit them great from day one! My handicap is now down to around a 10! I completely recommend these irons they are phenomenal. There geared  more towards a players iron but still forgiving. 

[Ron Man]

I was in the same boat as you around a 15-17 handicap to start this season. I was hitting 2002 Callaway Big Bertha huge cavity back irons. I wanted to upgrade irons and searched all around and hit most of the popular new irons. I fell in love with the Taylormade P790s. I immediately hit them good and have since lowered my handicap to about a 10 by season end. I couldn’t recommend a set of irons more highly. There geared more towards a players iron but still forgiving and would leave you room to grow into them. I find them easier to hit than my old Callaways. 

[ReefDonkey]

21 hours ago, ovodeano said:

I'm a 14 handicap looking for new irons between game improvement and player distance irons. the ones im currently eyeing are the 923 HMpro, t200, t100, 223, aoex 21, and lastly the zx5. My iron striking is a bit above average for my handicap. would love some suggestions.

1.  Are you left or right handed?
2.  What is your primary miss?  (pull, hook, pull-hook, or push, slice, push-slice)
3.  What budget, if any, have you set aside for this?

4.  What do you currently play?

5.  What do you like most about your current irons?  

[Pepperturbo]

As other say, go get fit, it's good advice.  Except, many that follow that advice end up back here complaining, not trusting the fitting and or the equipment they bought as a result of the fitting.   Best advice, if you get fit, trust your fitting.

 

If you're smart, next best is to hit the clubs that pique your interest at your LGS, and buy what makes you feel good.  If that doesn't work, least then you only have yourself to blame.  I fit myself.

Edited November 18, 2022 by Pepperturbo

[Puttersaurus Rex]

11 hours ago, Ron Man said:

I was in the same boat as you around a 15-17 handicap to start this season. I was hitting 2002 Callaway Big Bertha huge cavity back irons. I wanted to upgrade irons and searched all around and hit most of the popular new irons. I fell in love with the Taylormade P790s. I immediately hit them good and have since lowered my handicap to about a 10 by season end. I couldn’t recommend a set of irons more highly. There geared more towards a players iron but still forgiving and would leave you room to grow into them. I find them easier to hit than my old Callaways. 

Taylormade hiring marketing bots this season?

[Chunkitgood]

What is it about the clubs you have that hampers your learning to use them better?

[DaRiz]

here's an alternate path

1. dont get fit
2. get some sexy blades 
3. learn to not chunk it
4. forget about irons completely
5. stay in bounds off the tee
6. work on chipping and putting religiously until you get to a 9 hdcp
7. then get fit 

 

 

[ovodeano]

18 hours ago, North Butte said:

It's not clear from the OP what is the source of his or her "desperation" for new irons. If there is a specific problem you're wanting to solve with new irons, we'd need to know what that is to figure out whether a specific model might help with it.

 

Otherwise, if it's just that you have the hankering for new irons then go find a place where you can try a few of them and see what strikes your fancy. It's as simple as that. 

I got rid of my G425 irons w dynamic golds 105s. shaft was way too light and flexible. didn’t like how chunky the heads are. need something with  some bounce and great turf interaction for someone who tends to hit under the ball

[i*windows]

On 11/18/2022 at 12:27 AM, ovodeano said:

I'm a 14 handicap looking for new irons between game improvement and player distance irons. the ones im currently eyeing are the 923 HMpro, t200, t100, 223, aoex 21, and lastly the zx5. My iron striking is a bit above average for my handicap. would love some suggestions.

If possible to and find a pro, otherwise you can really pick anything. It's the archer not the arrow