14 handicap desperately needing new irons pls help

[chipa]

On 11/18/2022 at 3:44 AM, B.Easy said:

#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. 

 

 

I second this advice. I am at least a 14 hc with aspiration to play better and I have tried everything and have come back to a small cb with old lofts because the greens on my home course are small, hard and elevated so not staying on the green results in double bogey most of the time.

[Pgaprowade]

My suggestion would be i210s. Best irons out there for mid hdcpers looking to improve. 

[vtpachyderm]

On 11/21/2022 at 4:15 AM, ovodeano said:

ended up sending my g425 irons back couldn’t stand them. playing my old cf16 until I find new ones 

I moved from Covert 2.0s to Cobra Silver Forged Tec's and then to Apex Pro 16's. Got down to a 7 but couldn't practice as much. I'm playing the King Tour MIM's now with are slightly larger CB's (compared to the previous Apex Pros) and am very happy with them. Played a couple of rounds with a T300 but prefer the MIM's. If anything, I would try irons similar to the T200 series (slightly larger CB's with some forgiveness but not 'hot') as they seem to be a good compromise between players and GI.

[RoscoeCoaltrain]

Definitely get fit.  I had my first fitting last November and am way higher of handicap than you.  After trying about 12 different heads I was very surprised to be fit into the ZX5s.  They were far and away the best results.  I love them.  That being said I am going to experiment with a combo of ZX4 in the 5 and 6 to see if more forgiveness on long irons will help.

 

would have never tried Srixon irons without the fitting though.

[rukahs]

29 minutes ago, RoscoeCoaltrain said:

They were far and away the best results.  I love them.  That being said I am going to experiment with a combo of ZX4 in the 5 and 6

 

 

YESSSSSSS WRX comment of the week 😄 😄 you got fit perfectly yet you're about to experiment a bit more... love it, that's the WRX life. 

Edited December 2, 2022 by rukahs

[me05501]

On 11/29/2022 at 7:13 AM, dekez said:

While well intentioned and good advice, I dont think "get fit" is very helpful.  The OP is looking for suggestions for clubs to try based on the experiences of his peer group.  We might as well not have a forum if every answer is "get fit."

 

It might have been useless advice 20 years ago when getting fit probably involved taking a day to travel to the nearest big city for it. Now that every retail shop has a Trackman or similar it's much less of a hassle. 

[platgof]

2 hours ago, RoscoeCoaltrain said:

Definitely get fit.  I had my first fitting last November and am way higher of handicap than you.  After trying about 12 different heads I was very surprised to be fit into the ZX5s.  They were far and away the best results.  I love them.  That being said I am going to experiment with a combo of ZX4 in the 5 and 6 to see if more forgiveness on long irons will help.

 

would have never tried Srixon irons without the fitting though.

Srixon hybrids???

[North Butte]

If the dude has tried 20 sets of irons in the last five years he has a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t work. Some people are addicted to fittings other people are addicted to buying irons.

[JAMH03]

I'd say find the shaft that fits you best, it'll help you shave off the most strokes.

[Tinkerer]

17 handicap two months ago now 11. Changed irons from a Nike Pro Combo set to XXIO X 12 5-PW. Playing ZX 2 and 4 hybrid above that, no fairway woods. Consistency has much improved. Would never have looked at these irons, a mate bought them unseen and did not like them. They are pure with NS Pro 950GH Neo DST steel shafts. I play them 2 up and standard length, standing at 6 ft 4 inches…..it’s been the best performing iron set Ive  had. Well worth a look. 

[ButterCutter2]

if you're in OC, spend the $ for an iron fitting at cool clubs based at oak creek driving range. well worth it to find the head / shaft combo. i think brands wise they have fewer than club champion as they stock what they say is tested out to be best. but you could certainly try all the major oem's there.

[Switter]

A set of used Callaway XR Steelhead Irons which are both game improvement & distance irons... use these until you reach a 8 or 9 cap, then splurge for a fitting & new players clubs... JMO

[philly2kuk]

Well considering Brooke Henderson won in her first competition of the year with p790s, I’d say give those a whirl. If they’re good enough for a major winner 🤷🏼‍♂️

[Thayneil]

On 11/19/2022 at 2:43 PM, ovodeano said:

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

if you  hate the D Golds 105 you will really hate the 95s.The 95s not worthy of the name in my opinion

 

 

[bigdawg]

On 11/18/2022 at 7:44 AM, B.Easy said:

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!

 

I thought this was great advice and true to what I have experienced too. Especially the 4th point on turf interaction. Its a biggie.

[bogey_master]

I was in a situation very similar to you. I went to get fit a the PGASS and walked out with Callaway rogue st pro. I never really considered them but they preform great. They look pretty good, not as good as a blade. The feel is better than a game improvement iron, but also not up there with a blade. Honestly, if you care about performance they are great.

[Smith]

Do yourself a favor and try the Tour Edge E722 irons.  

[Ripken08]

On 12/2/2022 at 10:20 AM, North Butte said:

If the dude has tried 20 sets of irons in the last five years he has a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t work. Some people are addicted to fittings other people are addicted to buying irons.

Well said.  Fitting is overrated.  Correct length and lie  are sufficient for 98% of people. 

[20footputt]

Check out the Ping i230's they are way too forgiving for how thin they look, almost as good as a G series iron.  Great feel/sound, just a great overall package.

[ButterCutter2]

19 hours ago, 20footputt said:

Check out the Ping i230's they are way too forgiving for how thin they look, almost as good as a G series iron.  Great feel/sound, just a great overall package.

how would you compare the i230s in terms of forgiveness to the i500s or i525s?

[20footputt]

40 minutes ago, ButterCutter2 said:

how would you compare the i230s in terms of forgiveness to the i500s or i525s?

I only briefly played the i525 but didn't like them.  From my brief experience I think the 230's are more forgiving than the 525 especially on toe strikes which is my main miss.  

[ChristopherMcDonald]

Man I don't need i230's but I also don't not need them. They sound like they're doing it for a lot of guys

[NJgolfer11]

On 11/30/2022 at 10:35 AM, hd.softail said:

Great pick, clubs you can play no matter what handicap you are, enjoy! Paige Spiranac is on her 2nd set of these I believe and she's a heck of a lot better than us.

I’m sure you were on her social media pages just to look at clubs right?

[BoomShakalaka5]

On 11/17/2022 at 6:27 PM, 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.

Just get fit.  Worth it.  CC runs a deal if you spend over $999 fitting is free.  Well worth it.  

[Kurtis4K]

On 1/25/2023 at 10:37 PM, philly2kuk said:

Well considering Brooke Henderson won in her first competition of the year with p790s, I’d say give those a whirl. If they’re good enough for a major winner 🤷🏼‍♂️

I totally agree with this.  Unless you have a very high swing speed p790, 923 HMP, T200 are all extremely good options with plenty of forgiveness.  There is lots of mention on distance control and I agree that distance control is key and these options give you great distance on mishits.  

 

That being said, cannot not suggest getting fit.