How Often Do You Upgrade Irons?

[DoubleDrops]

I’m getting an itch to but a new set of irons. I’ve had mine for a few years now and they’re still in good shape, but a new set is mighty tempting. 
Just curious - on average, how long do you keep a set of irons before trying something different?

[jacot23]

Before I found Golfwrx, every 4-5 years.

 

After, well, let's just say, way too often.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Before discovering GolfWRX: hardly ever.

 

After discovering GolfWRX: well, let's just say I have about 20 different iron sets I rotate😂

 

 

[T_Golf_23]

….. if you go more than a few holes playing the same set you lose your WRX card…. 
 

I don’t really know if this is the best place to ask that question… 

i will tell you this, I have tried some of the latest and hottest irons… nothing is quite like Bridgestone J40CBs or Calloway Razr MB or Nike Forged Combo …. 
 

my point is that iron technology is not moving at the same pace as driver tech… although…. My 3 year old driver performs better than the current stuff too… and my putter is a Nike method 003…. 
 

and I have all the new stuff in my”back up” bags. Or my Monday -Tuesday-Wednesday…. Sunday bags…. 
 

buy new stuff when your existing stuff is wearing out or you find things that perform better, but newer isn’t always better if your current stuff is the right fit…. That is what my gamer bag is… it’s a bag of the best fit combination of stuff I have…. But I will never stop tinkering….even if it’s just a lot less …. 
 

the question is …. Why do you think you need new irons… ??? 

 

[Bye]

Normally 5-6 years for a set of irons. Generally they hang around longer than the other clubs in my bag. 

[Roody]

Got my Ping G2's in 2005. Replaced those with Callaway Apex's in 2014. Then replaced those with the new Callaway Apex Black's this past October. So about every 8 years. 

[MtlJeff]

I never upgrade lol but I sure buy a lot

[ae1985]

I was using Mizuno mp30's before recently getting fit for ping i230's so I rarely upgrade.

[LeftyMatt24]

Like most before WRX I kept the same set for at least 5-7 years and now well I’ve had a lot of iron sets over the last three years. I’ve actually had my TCBs for a year which is my record on WRX but I am itching for a new set even though I don’t need it haha 

[jwhite86]

Usually, every 4-5 years,  Basically, when I get tired of looking at them

[jdl]

Not often, have owned 4 sets over ~30 years.

 

My dad's old Titleist irons he gave me. Still have them and the persimmon woods in the attic somewhere.

First set I bought myself was a set of knock-off Titleist DCIs. Ended up letting my boss borrow them on his visit here from the UK, never saw them again.

Next set I purchased was Mizuno T-Zoid Pro IIs. Still have them, every once in a while I'll take out that 3 iron and amaze myself that I could hit it.

And my current set, Callaway RazrX Tours. Have gone to a couple of fittings recently in quest of replacements (Callaway TCBs last year) but the relative improvement in the data numbers just isn't all that much so I still play 'em.

 

Somehow I have not been banned from Golf WRX. 🤣

Edited April 18 by jdl

[TLUBulldogGolf]

I used to wear through a set in about 2 years. I'm on my 3rd year with my current set, short irons are getting borderline but they have another year or two in them. I don't really change unless they wear out. 

[dubbelbogey]

Rarely - current set is from ~2006. Prior set was also over a decade old when replaced.

 

As for wear, I've found that clubface wear is mainly accelerated when hitting balls when the clubhead already has sand/dirt on the face. As in when repeatedly hitting balls on the range without wiping it off in between shots. Driving ranges are often very sandy and therefore very abrasive. Since I already like to take a decent amount of time between shots on the range, giving the clubface a quick swipe with a towel between shots is no hassle to me. Since I've gone to taking this step, my wedges (which tend to wear fastest) last far longer, and regular irons even longer than that.

 

 

[Abh159]

My current set is about 12 years old. Until the grooves are all but gone they won't be replaced.

 

I like them, and I hit them well. Why would I want something different?

[Ethan DelGrosso]

I've been playing for just about two years and am on my fifth iron set. I am a kid (18) and don't have to waste my money on drugs alcohol or child support so I spend it mostly on golf. As I've gotten better I've upgraded and I feel like once I find something I'm happy with I wont feel the need to upgrade. I am also 6'4 and have had to experiment to match my height. I feel you should upgrade whenever you feel like it and it's financially responsible(or not lol). Just make sure to UPGRADE and not just get something different because its different. Here's a little list of my journey.

 

1. April 2021- December 2021- Taylormade Rocketbladez, Sitff 85 gram Rocketfuel shafts, Standard length, loft, lie (Hand me downs from my father)
2. January 2022- July 2022- Titleist T-300, True Temper AMT Red shafts,  Standard length (till april then +3/4inch), loft, lie D2.5 (First upgrade to something new and a little less bulky)
3. July 2022 - September 2022- Titleist 695 CB, Dynamic Gold s300 shafts, +3/4 inch length, Standard loft and lie D4 (I got these for $150 as an attempt to try smaller head while learning to hit down on golf ball and making major swing changes)
4. September 2022-April 2023- Taylormade p770, Dynamic golf x100, +3/4 inch length, Standard loft and lie (This was an attempt to replicate what I liked about the 695's in a newer, better club head. Swingweight came out too heavy D7 or so and i decided to get fit in March.)
5. FIRST FIT SET OF CLUBS! April 2023 - Taylormade P7MC/P770 combo, KBS $-Taper S 120 , +1/2 inch, (may tweak loft when P7MC come in), lie 1 degree flat, D3. (I am getting the P7MC portion of my set in a couple days but the P770 5 and 6 came early and they are incredible. 

[BagofToast]

I’ve had my current set since 2018 and the set before that was 5 years old. Will likely get new iron over the summer. 

[jomatty]

3 sets last year and today I played my first round with my second new set of this year.  Obviously this has nothing to do with logic or needing irons.  It is fun to play new stuff though and I buy used so it really doesn’t cost much as long as I force myself to sell the “old” ones.  I try not to have more than 3 sets at any given time.

[vandyfan]

I have been on my same set of irons for almost two years now (though I have quite the wandering eye). I have played golf long enough that I know there is not truly a transformational set of irons out there for me. I have settled into the profile that works best for me (moderate size, moderate offset, lowish CG). I would do well to focus my efforts/$$$ on swing faults and fixes that have been identified through lessons and then take more follow on lessons. 

 

If/when I buy clubs it is because I like getting new stuff. Irons are an exception where I try to exercise some discipline (though now I am looking HARD at building some Maltby DBMs before they get discontinued). 

[scott406]

Normally every 5 years I look to upgrade my irons

 

Everything else in my bag could last a week or less

I will have to say that this is the most content I have ever been with my bag

Something is obviously wrong with me

 

 

 

[fred faldo]

it's April in Ohio and I have already switched irons

[Velcade]

My first set of irons I purchased in 2010; my second set of irons I purchased in 2023.

[grochol17]

Going back as far as I can remember when I bought different iron sets...

 

Mizuno T-Zoid Pro: 1997 - 2002ish

Taylormade 300 Series Forged: 2002 - 2008

Mizuno MP 60: 2008 - 2016

Mizuno MP H5/25/5 combo set - 2016 to present (swapped out the 25s for H5s at the start of the '22 season)

 

[jusme]

Every 20 years or so 

[mktrout]

whenever I want to

[Pepperturbo]

Sets last 2-7yrs.  Iron play is #1 so has to be a good reason for change.  I really like my 620 MBs & CBs.  The only reason for buying T200 & T1001 irons is stronger lofts may help to recover traditional loft yardage loses; so far, I was right.

 

Edit: This annoys me mostly because it takes too long for me to get comfortable with irons and wedges and ball, to see past the newness.  I should have known better than to buy new design T200 & T100s irons. 

 

Played T200 & T100s for ten months only to realize the lofts are too strong and T200 has a tendency to misfire.  Hence, I just bought a set of the new 2023 T100 3-PW irons.  Meanwhile I am back playing with 620 series.

Edited August 8 by Pepperturbo
Update

[getitdaily]

Had jpx900t from release until 2 years ago. Got 921tours 2 years ago. I won't change from these irons for quite some time...years. changing irons is a pain in the butt...getting lie angles just right and swingweights right is just too much work. 

 

95% of my long game practice is on a mat in my backyard so I'm extending the life of them by not hitting off turf much.

Edited April 18 by getitdaily

[Maroon_19]

Tour Edition cavity backs are the first set I remember, but I don't remember when I got them
Hogan Edge irons - 1988?
Mizuno MX-20 irons - 2002

Mizuno JPX919 Forged irons - 2019

Artisan irons coming soon - planning on this being my last iron purchase... who knows 🙂

Edited April 18 by Maroon_19

[mantan]

Every new set I say ‘this will be my set for years and years….

 

ZX5- had them 2 years. Planned on at least 5-7, but they got damaged at a shop and had to be replaced by my current set. 
 

565- had them for 2 years. Absolutely loved them….except the shafts.  So got the ZX5s

 

Ping G25s. - played them 3+ years. All I needed.  Looked good and forgiving.  Take them out of my ‘ cold dead hands’. Then got horny for the soft feel of 565s

 

Rinse and Repeat.  Although I always plan for 5-7 years, it usually ends up being 2-3. 

 

 

[teedub21]

How many times in a month or in one season?  

 

Have three sets sitting in my office right now.  One bought last summer, one set bought two months ago and one I just got yesterday.

 

 

Edited April 18 by teedub21

[driveandputtmachine]

Upgrade?  Roughly 4 times in the past 25 years.

 

How many new sets have I bought is a different answer.  

Currently

1. Sub 70 600 Pro 4-8 and 639 CB 9-PW (Going to be sold)

2. Bridgestone J40CB

3. Srixon ZX7

4. Titleist T100

5. PXG 0317 blades

 

I played the Srixon from when they were released.  I bought the sub 70 to toy around with, played them twice and they have been gathering dust.  PXG 0317 showed up late last year, went immediately in the bag.  Titleist T100 arrived a few weeks ago, and they are in a holding pattern until after my 14 v 14 Ryder Cup style event that starts in two weeks, not wanting to switch irons right this second.