Handicap down to 7, ditch the GI irons?

[ThreePuttForPar]

Hi all,

 

Played a lot of golf when I was in my 20’s. Not so much in my 30’s. Now I’m 40 I got the bug again about 6 mo ago.
 

When I got the bug again I went through a few sets and settled on Titleist T300. 

 

Started back shooting high 80’s- mid 90’s, depending on the course, but have got back to breaking 80 once in a while on easier courses. 
 

I have been loving t300’s forgiveness and distance, especially when first getting back into it. But now that I’m finding the face more often again. I’m really contemplating something more like a Srixon ZX5/7, Miz 225 or Jpx pro, P770/p790, i525…

 

I’ve also never been custom fit, ever, in 25 years of golf. I’ve always just used the 90 return policy at my local Roger Dunn golf shop to “fit myself” by keep swapping clubs till I get something I like.

 

Anyone else blow the dust off their game with GI irons and then move back to mid-playerish irons?
 

Did you see any benefits other than feel?

 
Do custom  fits really make that big of a difference if you live near a shop where you can just keep trying all the different off the rack sets?

 

Is this more of an ego issue in an attempt to recapture my youth? 🤣🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Would love to hear experiences or feedback. Thank y’all!

Edited February 28, 2023 by ThreePuttForPar

[Milfordlefty]

Where are you leaking strokes in your game? Off the tee? 2nd shot on par 5 or long par 4? Approach shots? Chipping? Putting? While the allure of players irons may be there, will you see a net stroke return by changing irons but playing all the rest of the bag? While the long ball is the most fun, short game, short game, short game is where low scores are made. This is just my opinion.

[golfinbrad]

Nothing wrong with doing a fitting.  Trying different head/shaft combos can be both fun and educational.  I don't recommend going in with the mindset I'm getting a new set, period!  See how they feel, look and perform to what you have.  Congrats on getting the handicap down.  That doesn't mean you need to ditch the GIs.  If you are hitting them well, I would stick with them unless you find something better.  Replacing irons is not the same as a driver. 

[nitram]

9 minutes ago, golfinbrad said:

Nothing wrong with doing a fitting.  Trying different head/shaft combos can be both fun and educational.  I don't recommend going in with the mindset I'm getting a new set, period!  See how they feel, look and perform to what you have.  Congrats on getting the handicap down.  That doesn't mean you need to ditch the GIs.  If you are hitting them well, I would stick with them unless you find something better.  Replacing irons is not the same as a driver. 

^^^^^^Listen to Brad.^^^^^^

[golfinbrad]

1 minute ago, nitram said:

^^^^^^Listen to Brad.^^^^^^

HAHAHA.  Tell my wife that!!!!!

[i*windows]

you should do whatever you feel happy with and not rely on random guys and gals on the internet to justify your next purchase 😉

 

....

 

 

if you play off 7 you can probably play with anything, so tinker away!

 

Edited February 28, 2023 by i*windows

[blarkin97]

I would be one of those people that tells you to stick with the GI irons.  Unless you find a players distance iron that really improves accuracy / distance control.  I went from Ping G irons into Ping i210's to Maltby PTM.  The later 2 worked for a while until I stopped practicing every day and my handicap quickly jumped back up due to ball striking.  I am with some people on here who agree that you should play the biggest most forgiving iron you can stand to look at.  If it looks good / feels good to you, why not take the extra forgiveness for your off days?  Let's be honest we all have them.....

 

Fittings never hurt but even with that you could just try out different shafts to see if they tighten up dispersion for you?  Or just grab some T200 irons for the lower half of your set since you are comfortable with the T300 and thinking a combo set?

Edited February 28, 2023 by blarkin97

[ECgolf]

38 minutes ago, ThreePuttForPar said:

Hi all,

 

Played a lot of golf when I was in my 20’s. Not so much in my 30’s. Now I’m 40 I got the bug again about 6 mo ago.
 

When I got the bug again I went through a few sets and settled on Titleist T300. 

 

Started back shooting high 80’s- mid 90’s, depending on the course, but have got back to breaking 80 once in a while on easier courses. 
 

I have been loving t300’s forgiveness and distance, especially when first getting back into it. But now that I’m finding the face more often again. I’m really contemplating something more like a Srixon ZX5/7, Miz 225 or Jpx pro, P770/p790, i525…

 

I’ve also never been custom fit, ever, in 25 years of golf. I’ve always just used the 90 return policy at my local Roger Dunn golf shop to “fit myself” by keep swapping clubs till I get something I like.

 

Anyone else blow the dust off their game with GI irons and then move back to mid-playerish irons?
 

Did you see any benefits other than feel?

 
Do custom  fits really make that big of a difference if you live near a shop where you can just keep trying all the different off the rack sets?

 

Is this more of an ego issue in an attempt to recapture my youth? 🤣🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Would love to hear experiences or feedback. Thank y’all!

The key question to me is why are you looking to change irons? What do you want the new “mid-player ish” irons to do that your current ones don’t? I was in similar position this year. Got my handicap under 10 and wanted to reward myself with new irons and thought I might go more playerish than my Ping Gs. Truthfully, there was nothing that I needed my irons to do that my Ping Gs didn’t. I’m of the Collin Morikawa type philosophy (though obviously not in the same universe of skill) with my irons. I have a stock shot shape (which also happens to be a baby fade), and I play that almost always with my irons and only when absolutely necessary try to play a different shape, which is rare. My game improvement irons do not hinder that approach at all. In my view, the ability to “work the ball” more easily, w results in worse scores for me as I then play a variety of types of shots less well than my stock shot and spray it all over the place. 
 

I ultimately determined what I really wanted was something that looked and felt nicer than my Gs, but I didn’t need it to perform any different really. A vanity project in essence, not a performance need purchase, and I’m fine with that. It’s a reward and fun.  I thought I’d end up in some of the clubs you listed. Went for a fitting, and fell in love with the Srixon zx4 mkii, which is still a game improvement iron. But, look and feel of the zx4s is ions above my Gs. They are a huge upgrade in look and feel, which is primarily what I wanted. Liked them better than the zx5. zx7 not forgiving enough for what I want in an iron, and as explained above their workability is not something I feel I need. If, when I settle into them, the zx4s perform as well as the Pings, mission accomplished. But, truthfully, they have the potential to be better as well with the added distance while still being easy to hit. Time will tell. 
 

[blarkin97]

1 minute ago, ECgolf said:

The key question to me is why are you looking to change irons? What do you want the new “mid-player ish” irons to do that your current ones don’t? I was in similar position this year. Got my handicap under 10 and wanted to reward myself with new irons and thought I might go more playerish than my Ping Gs. Truthfully, there was nothing that I needed my irons to do that my Ping Gs didn’t. I’m of the Collin Morikawa type philosophy (though obviously not in the same universe of skill) with my irons. I have a stock shot shape (which also happens to be a baby fade), and I play that almost always with my irons and only when absolutely necessary try to play a different shape, which is rare. My game improvement irons do not hinder that approach at all. In my view, the ability to “work the ball” more easily, w results in worse scores for me as I then play a variety of types of shots less well than my stock shot and spray it all over the place. 
 

I ultimately determined what I really wanted was something that looked and felt nicer than my Gs, but I didn’t need it to perform any different really. A vanity project in essence, not a performance need purchase, and I’m fine with that. It’s a reward and fun.  I thought I’d end up in some of the clubs you listed. Went for a fitting, and fell in love with the Srixon zx4 mkii, which is still a game improvement iron. But, look and feel of the zx4s is ions above my Gs. They are a huge upgrade in look and feel, which is primarily what I wanted. Liked them better than the zx5. zx7 not forgiving enough for what I want in an iron, and as explained above their workability is not something I feel I need. If, when I settle into them, the zx4s perform as well as the Pings, mission accomplished. But, truthfully, they have the potential to be better as well with the added distance while still being easy to hit. Time will tell. 
 

I am back into a set of Ping G irons although I paid way more than when I sold my first set in 2019 😞

 

Might have to give the ZX4 mkII a shot or Sub70 699 V2 just because I want black irons lol

[chinaski]

Try and get some irons you can test of off the grass. Turf interaction is more important than forgiveness. GI only really help if you have trouble with launch or are always hitting off the toe.

Edited February 28, 2023 by chinaski

[ECgolf]

3 minutes ago, blarkin97 said:

I am back into a set of Ping G irons although I paid way more than when I sold my first set in 2019 😞

 

Might have to give the ZX4 mkII a shot or Sub70 699 V2 just because I want black irons lol

The Gs are really phenomenal irons in my opinion. When I said I was getting new irons my playing buddies were all like “Why? You hit them great.” I just wish they looked and felt better. Hoping I don’t end up back in them (not selling them just in case). So far, zx4s are good though, but spin less. 

[blarkin97]

I forgot how good the G's feel for GI irons so I would be shocked to have something feel better that performs the same

[ECgolf]

5 minutes ago, chinaski said:

Try and get some irons you can test of off the grass. Turf interaction is more important than forgiveness. GI only really help if you have trouble with launch or are always hitting off the toe.

My experience has been that game improvement help me on more variety of missed than that. I don’t have trouble launching at all. But, thin shots end up pin high often with game improvement. Slightly fat shots work out better than they should as well. Lots of help with game improvements has been my experience. But I know these things vary by player. 

[ECgolf]

2 minutes ago, blarkin97 said:

I forgot how good the G's feel for GI irons so I would be shocked to have something feel better that performs the same

Zx4 feel way better to me. Too early for me to say on performance yet other than definitely less spin on longer irons if that is an issue for you. 

[Long Shot]

32 minutes ago, golfinbrad said:

Nothing wrong with doing a fitting.  Trying different head/shaft combos can be both fun and educational.  I don't recommend going in with the mindset I'm getting a new set, period!  See how they feel, look and perform to what you have.  Congrats on getting the handicap down.  That doesn't mean you need to ditch the GIs.  If you are hitting them well, I would stick with them unless you find something better.  Replacing irons is not the same as a driver. 

Good advice here. To take it a little further, don't discount a mixed set. Keep the game improvement in the longer irons, and get slightly slimmer irons in the short irons. A fitting would be a good place to test that out. Especially since you have T300's, there are T200 or T100's you can blend in if you hit them well. Many players of all abilities (even pros do this, Shane Lowery comes to mind, using GI irons (ZX5) in his 4-5, and slimmer clubs in his 6-P (ZX7). It may also be cost effective as you can keep what you have and start off with maybe the 8-P in the slimmer irons and used the 7 iron and down in your current set (especially if the shaft are working for you).  Keep us updated on how this goes for you. 

[RoyalMustang]

Just go with what you are most comfortable with. I have tried some GI irons and never really gelled with any, but that doesn't mean you won't. I have played blades down to a 7-iron without issues with a similar handicap to you as well. It just depends on how consistent your swing is. 

[gdb99]

I have been all over the map with irons. From blades to super game improvement irons. 

 

Lots of tour players have played with game improvement irons. Titleist AP1’s, G series Pings, Callaway X series. 
 

You can get to a scratch with what you have. 
 

But if you think they are holding you back, whether they don’t spin enough to hold greens, or don’t let you hit certain shots you need to hit, then look at something new. And a fitting can be helpful.

I had a fitting a few weeks ago, and the new player’s distance irons do not have enough loft for my swing, 80 mph 7 iron. Spin, launch, and land angle were all too is low for my swing. But the fitter didn’t think it was a problem. 
I tried more a lofted iron, and every number went up.

 

so make sure if you are going to get a fitting, don’t just look at distance, like my fitter did to me. Make sure your numbers are all better than what you have, and see if you can demo an iron or 2 for a few rounds on your course. 

 

 I’m back to playing my 22 year old super game improvement higher lofted irons. I had a couple pretty good round last month…

 

Good luck.
 

[ChipNRun]

Be careful of the players distance irons. Make sure you don't get more distance + wider dispersion. In comparisons I've done, I got tighter groups for each club with higher-lofted GI than with PD.

 

If you want more distance, focus on fine-tuning your driver.

 

As for a fitting, this can show you examples of what different head + shaft combinations produce. You may find something is better, or you may find what you have is just as good as the new stuff.

 

Also: if a fitting shows areas where a change could help you, you don't have to buy everything at once.

[ThreePuttForPar]

3 hours ago, Milfordlefty said:

Where are you leaking strokes in your game? Off the tee? 2nd shot on par 5 or long par 4? Approach shots? Chipping? Putting? While the allure of players irons may be there, will you see a net stroke return by changing irons but playing all the rest of the bag? While the long ball is the most fun, short game, short game, short game is where low scores are made. This is just my opinion.

Definitely losing on approach shots, wedges, and chipping. I guess it’s more the range sessions that make me think I want to switch. It’s partly vanity, I feel like something heavier and a bit smaller would help me to really focus on strike and where the club is throughout the swing. But yeah, short game short game short game.

[ThreePuttForPar]

3 hours ago, golfinbrad said:

Nothing wrong with doing a fitting.  Trying different head/shaft combos can be both fun and educational.  I don't recommend going in with the mindset I'm getting a new set, period!  See how they feel, look and perform to what you have.  Congrats on getting the handicap down.  That doesn't mean you need to ditch the GIs.  If you are hitting them well, I would stick with them unless you find something better.  Replacing irons is not the same as a driver. 

I have been thinking this would be a good option, I just worry that there is pressure to buy, and having never done a fitting I assumed you don’t do it unless planning to buy. Feel like it would just annoy the fitter.

[ThreePuttForPar]

2 hours ago, ECgolf said:

The key question to me is why are you looking to change irons? What do you want the new “mid-player ish” irons to do that your current ones don’t? I was in similar position this year. Got my handicap under 10 and wanted to reward myself with new irons and thought I might go more playerish than my Ping Gs. Truthfully, there was nothing that I needed my irons to do that my Ping Gs didn’t. I’m of the Collin Morikawa type philosophy (though obviously not in the same universe of skill) with my irons. I have a stock shot shape (which also happens to be a baby fade), and I play that almost always with my irons and only when absolutely necessary try to play a different shape, which is rare. My game improvement irons do not hinder that approach at all. In my view, the ability to “work the ball” more easily, w results in worse scores for me as I then play a variety of types of shots less well than my stock shot and spray it all over the place. 
 

I ultimately determined what I really wanted was something that looked and felt nicer than my Gs, but I didn’t need it to perform any different really. A vanity project in essence, not a performance need purchase, and I’m fine with that. It’s a reward and fun.  I thought I’d end up in some of the clubs you listed. Went for a fitting, and fell in love with the Srixon zx4 mkii, which is still a game improvement iron. But, look and feel of the zx4s is ions above my Gs. They are a huge upgrade in look and feel, which is primarily what I wanted. Liked them better than the zx5. zx7 not forgiving enough for what I want in an iron, and as explained above their workability is not something I feel I need. If, when I settle into them, the zx4s perform as well as the Pings, mission accomplished. But, truthfully, they have the potential to be better as well with the added distance while still being easy to hit. Time will tell. 
 

Yeah ,probably mostly vanity if I’m honest. Not really looking for distance. I replied to someone else, I like the idea of heavier and smaller for the range sessions to really work on slowing down tempo and focusing on strike. Not sure if that worth over $1k

[ThreePuttForPar]

2 hours ago, blarkin97 said:

I am back into a set of Ping G irons although I paid way more than when I sold my first set in 2019 😞

 

Might have to give the ZX4 mkII a shot or Sub70 699 V2 just because I want black irons lol

This is one of my fears, wasting money switching, and then wanting to go back. Ugh. Zx4 mkii is looking nice…

[golfinbrad]

Just now, ThreePuttForPar said:

I have been thinking this would be a good option, I just worry that there is pressure to buy, and having never done a fitting I assumed you don’t do it unless planning to buy. Feel like it would just annoy the fitter.

Understand.  First, they will likely charge a fee, so it isn't like you are wasting their time.  Second, be up front with the fitter.  Let them know where you have come with your handicap, the reason you are trying others and see what happens.  Regardless of what the results are, I would not buy that day.  If there is something you like, get a quote and think about it.  Most fitters understand the price impact.  I have never walked away from a fitting feeling the same way I do leaving a car dealership.  Unless you are set on a particular brand, go to one that has several.  Another option is look for demo days in your area.  Those always make for a fun day.  You can fit whatever they have at no charge.  Now they won't fit you, but you can be fit if you like them.  Good luck.  Demos and fittings are always fun just to try the different stuff.

[ThreePuttForPar]

This is some really helpful and thoughtful input everyone. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I think everyone here knows how we can spin out on equipment changes. I’m so stoked to be part of this community. Thank you.

[golfinbrad]

1 minute ago, ThreePuttForPar said:

This is some really helpful and thoughtful input everyone. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I think everyone here knows how we can spin out on equipment changes. I’m so stoked to be part of this community. Thank you.

Welcome WRX.  Awesome people with a wealth of knowledge.  Just be careful, because you can become a club ho real quick!!!! 

[Pepperturbo]

4 hours ago, ThreePuttForPar said:

Would love to hear experiences or feedback.

I wouldn't change equipment until you have figured out your golf goals, and why you're considering more difficult equipment.   Reason being, more difficult equipment will demand more for you.

 

Reaching 7 using T300's is a fine accomplishment.  Nevertheless, I suggest you think about how much T300 forgiveness helped you get there, and what will likely be needed differently using a more challenging head. 

 

When I took up golf at 40, I started with pings off the shelf.  After talking with a relative (x-PGA pro) about my golf goals, was told if I want to be a ball striker, control spin, distance and trajectory, I need to switch to blades.  Eight months later switched to MBs, been playing MBs, including long irons, for years.   At 70+ yrs, I can still wallop an 620 MB 3 iron and my ole Mizuno 1 iron.  Recently I decided to change to T200 2i & 4i, and T100s 5-W, to see what the hubbub was about.  Hitting a forgiving T200 long iron is NOT equivalent to hitting the sweet spot of non-forgiving MB long iron.   So far, striking T200 4i well doesn't demand what 620 MB 4 iron demands.

Edited February 28, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[ChipNRun]

46 minutes ago, ThreePuttForPar said:

I guess it’s more the range sessions that make me think I want to switch.

 

Too much range time can be a roadblock to your improvement.

 

Pars and birdies come from playing actual golf holes, not pounding out 50 seven-iron shots, with no penalty for mishits. Find a time when the course is fairly open, and play three or four holes in detail. This means...

1. Hit a couple of safety drives, and a couple of challenge drives (going for extra position) on each hole.
2. Hit a couple of approaches from 150 yards out from fairway from safety drives, then drop a couple in the rough 170 yards out for missed fairway approaches. Also, hit a couple of approaches from fairway bunkers if hole has one.
3. On a par 5, drop a couple of balls 230 yards out and try to get home in two.
4. Hit a few greenside pitches and chips from different directions into green.
5. If time, practice a few lag putts from awkward places.

Do this from different sectors of the course about once a week, and it will improve your ability to score - or scramble/salvage - from troublesome places.

 

Alternate: Some people will do steps 1 through 3 on one day, steps 4 and 5 the next. (Steps 4 and 5 - greenside only - are a good choice if it's late in the day).

 

The range is good for checking your ball strike and working on swing tempo. But until you get off the flat level range ground and practice in the wild, you are stunting your further development.

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

I've played with folks using GI irons that are near scratch, why change what's been working?

[ThreePuttForPar]

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

I wouldn't change equipment until you have figured out your golf goals, and why you're considering more difficult equipment.   Reason being, more difficult equipment will demand more for you.

 

Reaching 7 using T300's is a fine accomplishment.  Nevertheless, I suggest you think about how much T300 forgiveness helped you get there, and what will likely be needed differently using a more challenging head. 

 

When I took up golf at 40, I started with pings off the shelf.  After talking with a relative (x-PGA pro) about my golf goals, was told if I want to be a ball striker, control spin, distance and trajectory, I need to switch to blades.  Eight months later switched to MBs, been playing MBs, including long irons, for years.   At 70+ yrs, I can still wallop an 620 MB 3 iron and my ole Mizuno 1 iron.  Recently I decided to change to T200 2i & 4i, and T100s 5-W, to see what the hubbub was about.  Hitting a forgiving T200 long iron is NOT equivalent to hitting the sweet spot of non-forgiving MB long iron.   So far, striking T200 4i well doesn't demand what 620 MB 4 iron demands.

[ThreePuttForPar]

12 minutes ago, ThreePuttForPar said:

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

I wouldn't change equipment until you have figured out your golf goals, and why you're considering more difficult equipment.   Reason being, more difficult equipment will demand more for you.

 

Reaching 7 using T300's is a fine accomplishment.  Nevertheless, I suggest you think about how much T300 forgiveness helped you get there, and what will likely be needed differently using a more challenging head. 

 

When I took up golf at 40, I started with pings off the shelf.  After talking with a relative (x-PGA pro) about my golf goals, was told if I want to be a ball striker, control spin, distance and trajectory, I need to switch to blades.  Eight months later switched to MBs, been playing MBs, including long irons, for years.   At 70+ yrs, I can still wallop an 620 MB 3 iron and my ole Mizuno 1 iron.  Recently I decided to change to T200 2i & 4i, and T100s 5-W, to see what the hubbub was about.  Hitting a forgiving T200 long iron is NOT equivalent to hitting the sweet spot of non-forgiving MB long iron.   So far, striking T200 4i well doesn't demand what 620 MB 4 iron demands.

Expand  

It is funny to think that I want to ditch the equipment that got my scores down the minute they do. I think the goal is that i would in fact like to be a better ball striker. I’m not overly concerned with scoring as much as enjoying shots. Right now my game is more bomb and gouge. I’d really like to add some more finesse. Identifying the goal is a lot of what I needed to do, all of the feedback here is helping me to realize what exactly it is I’m searching for.

Edited February 28, 2023 by ThreePuttForPar