How Often Do You Upgrade Irons?

[mudmarlin]

Probably 5-6 years but only when something comes out that I really like.  It doesn’t happen often.  I won’t settle and won’t buy or play a new set just because…

[MK7Golf21]

Years ago, there was a guy on here that would get a new iron set every 1-2 weeks, brand new. It was the craziest thing I've seen. At the end of the year we added up what he had spend on new irons and it was like north of $50,000 or something. He disappeared after someone added it all up, lol. Think it surprised him but he was selling off most the sets after he used them for a week.

[philly2kuk]

My last set of g25s lasted six years and I’m on season four with my g410s. Based on current performance they’ll be here to the six year mark as well.

[LCGALBERTA]

I got my current set back in June 2021, but my last set I had for 5+ years maybe. I usually like to get comfortable with a set of clubs, and build that confidence up with them. Plus club technology nowadays doesn't really change drastically year to year. I like to have the mindset of buying quality gear once, take care of it and it lasts a few years. 

 

 

[this_is_golf]

I’m on my fourth set since the start of last season. 🤷‍♂️

[dandoholy]

40 minutes ago, this_is_golf said:

I’m on my fourth set since the start of last season. 🤷‍♂️

 

in true GolfWRX fashion.  I've picked up 4 sets as well though I did sell 2 of them so...

[this_is_golf]

1 hour ago, dandoholy said:

 

in true GolfWRX fashion.  I've picked up 4 sets as well though I did sell 2 of them so...

I sold 3 of them so trying to support my addiction. 

[T_Golf_23]

Here is the WRX question….. how do you know when it is time to let a set go…. 
 

I have  so may awesome sets….. stuff That just isn’t around anymore…. Most built from scratch… 

 

there is the obvious stuff that just doesn’t work….I sell that…. I have even listed sets for sale on the golf course…..  But I always feel like I will regret letting go of those classic sets that I can game very effectively…. They just are not going to play as well as my i230 iron for example…. I take the out from time to time….. especially if I get in a funk…. It seems to reset me…. But i could play a new iron set every day for a month …. 
 

my gamers are chosen on performance… the irons that hit The most GIR…. My whole bag is put together this way…. Through experimenting… it is the bags that find the most GIR … from driver to wedge…. Then obviously putter is the least average outs per a round… 

 

but my collecting sets are classics that just feel amazing to hit …. Look beautiful…. But still perform sufficiently to put together very respectable rounds… but they are just exciting to play with … they always create chatter with my groups …. It is what keeps the game fun for me… 

 

Every single golf club I own was bought used… 
 

i have not bought a set in months…. I had a list of cool stuff I wanted … I now have my stuff…. But how much is too much and when do you let go…. ?? 

Edited April 18, 2023 by T_Golf_23

[craz-e]

Probably the longest serving clubs in my bag, I only change when I find something better. Could be a year, could be 5 years.

[Socrates]

Mine are in their 10th season.  Thought I had upgraded a few years ago.  Didn't work out.  Nothing out there is better than what I've got, IMO.  Maybe one day?

 

Driver ??  Might be time to retire the G400 if I can find anything better.  Maybe a TSr3 or GASP!!! an Aerojet?  Or maybe not.  I might just put on a new grip and call it GOOD.

 

I figure I'm about $10,000 ahead of most of the addicts on WRX. 😉 😬

Edited April 18, 2023 by Socrates

[ChipNRun]

I'll work backwards - I try new irons all the time... moreso before COVID shut down old-style demo days. But, I only switch when new stuff is noticeably better than status quo...

 

Lately, I struggled to find the right shaft as I got older...

 

OK, Here is the Lineup...

Spalding Synchro-Dyned irons (~ 1953 model) 1966-1974

Worked well until I put on 20 lbs. in Marines and started hooking ball

MacGregor MT flatsole blades (1971 model) 1974-1994

Stiff shafts straightened things out; worked great in seasons I could practice a lot

Pro Tour (Ping Eye2 clones) 1994-2008

Tech shift: perimeter-weighted heads took 5 strokes off game in first month

Calla X20 2009-2010

Shifted from stiff back to regular shafts

Calla X20 Tours 2010-2017

Went with more aggressive head; increased GIRs (had 2009 side-by-side fit with X20)

Tour Edge CB Pro Tungsten 2018-21

Pursued even gapping and hollow to help launch. Shafts just too heavy.

Calla Mavrik MAX 2021-Present

Finally went with graphite shafts --> smoother swing, more consistent yardstick, less strain on body

-----------------------------------

Also...

• TaylorMade SLDR (I got selected to test them in 2014, now anchor my backup bag).
• Nike Vapor Speed 2015-2016 Custom fit, bad build, dumped as Nike exited clubmaking

[MattM97]

I got my current set of 585/785 irons in 2019, they are still in great condition just from the amount I've played but since then my swing has changed especially my speed, they still work but I just feel like a new set but more importantly shaft is needed just for some better feel. So this year later in the season or in the off season I'll upgrade my set, that puts me at 4-5 years.

[areksoo25]

I could say 3 sets in 20 years (with the newest set just a week ago), but there was also a gap of nearly 15 years of inactivity.  So really I'm averaging about 3 years.  

 

To be fair, the first set was a no name hack set.  The second set was used.  Great when I started again in 2019, but as I improved, it's too much of a beginner set now.  The JPX 923 HM Pro fit my game now as a mid handicapper and should still be solid even as I improve further.  If I ever get to a low handicap, then I'll reward myself with blades.  But realistically, that ain't happening any time soon.

[JB_007]

I joined here in middle of 2018, my first season golfing.  I’ve bought and sold  between 40-50 set of irons in that time.  A lot of repeat sets (looking at you T100). I “upgraded” whenever something new seemed of interested. Shockingly I always believe the next set will stay.. 
 

Most of this was back before COVID when you could buy and sell and break even.. not so much anymore

 

before anyone asked, my scoring always came down, and at this point I shoot the same score regardless of irons. 

[gvogel]

The last full set of irons that I bought was 712 AP1 in 2012.  I bought a few short irons (714 AP2 - same 105T shaft as the AP1) for the fun or it.

 

I'm buying a new set this year because of elbow surgery last fall.  Graphite shafts.  Leading contenders are Ping G 425 (already have a 7-iron and 9-iron to try), T300, and Hot Metal (either regular or HL).

[spacecowboy]

The following list will explain why iron play is probably the weakest part of my game.  Been playing since about ‘87 and of the sets I can remember owning…

 

Mizuno ? From Service Merchandise

Various sets built from components

Ping Eye 2

Yamaha SX25 Hal Sutton Grind

Ping Zing

Stan Leonard (vintage forged set from my Dad)

Tommy Armour 845

Ping Zing 2

Ping isi

Mizuno MP14

Mizuno MP37

Ping i3 Blade

Tour Edge ?

Mizuno MX23

Mizuno TZoid 

Maxfli Revolution

Titleist 804 OS

Ping S59

Ping G10

Titleist 775

Titleist 755

Titleist 635 CM

Titleist AP1

Titleist AP2

Titleist AP1 710

Titleist AP2 710

Titleist AP1 712

Titleist AP2 712

Titleist AP1 714

Titleist AP2 714

Taylormade PSI TP

Taylormade PSI

Nike Covert Forged

Titleist AP1 716

Mizuno Pro 225

Ping G410

Callaway Apex 19

Titleist T300 21

Cobra Forged Tec 2020

Titleist T300 19

Edited April 19, 2023 by spacecowboy

[Kacy]

 5-6 times from 2010 - 2020. I started playing Srixon z785s in 20 and have yet to hit anything I like more.

Edited April 19, 2023 by Kacy
X

[Socrates]

1 hour ago, spacecowboy said:

The following list will explain why iron play is probably the weakest part of my game.  Been playing since about ‘87 and of the sets I can remember owning…

 

Mizuno ? From Service Merchandise

Various sets built from components

Ping Eye 2

Yamaha SX25 Hal Sutton Grind

Ping Zing

Stan Leonard (vintage forged set from my Dad)

Tommy Armour 845

Ping Zing 2

Ping isi

Mizuno MP14

Mizuno MP37

Ping i3 Blade

Tour Edge ?

Mizuno MX23

Mizuno TZoid 

Maxfli Revolution

Titleist 804 OS

Ping S59

Ping G10

Titleist 775

Titleist 755

Titleist 635 CM

Titleist AP1

Titleist AP2

Titleist AP1 710

Titleist AP2 710

Titleist AP1 712

Titleist AP2 712

Titleist AP1 714

Titleist AP2 714

Taylormade PSI TP

Taylormade PSI

Nike Covert Forged

Titleist AP1 716

Mizuno Pro 225

Ping G410

Callaway Apex 19

Titleist T300 21

Cobra Forged Tec 2020

Titleist T300 19

So, that's the sets from the last 3 years.  Where are the rest? 😬

[GatorNate11]

At my peak here? There were times I changed clubs multiple times prior to a round because I couldn’t decide which ones I wanted in the bag that day. These days? Almost never. I’ve gotten familiar enough with my stuff from using it for some years now that anything new doesn’t feel right

[Roejye]

Wow, I was just thinking about my current irons and I realized I started playing regularly in 2018 and I'm on my 5th set of irons. I started out with some Wilson k-28's that were hand me downs from dad. Then I bought some Cleveland VAS, started getting really left with those so I got myself some Cleveland 588 mts. Luckily I won a full bag fitting with club champion from golfwrx and now I hope to be set for a decade. I'm finding out I have a slight mental block with clubs at the 10 years old mark. 

[Stonewalled]

Mid 80's till 2010  one set Ping clones. 

 

2010-2015 maybe 5 sets a year, just feeling my way along.

 

2015-2020 was just insane, had a few contacts so the addiction was spreading unchecked.... 50 sets a year plus way too many driver's, putters, woods's, wedges etc. Ridiculous. 

 

Tapered way  off  in 21.

 

Went hard last year. Had another contact. Seems I like having a dealer😃

 

One new putter so far in 2023. But I'm looking everyday for new to me irons, but so far iv'e held off. Not easy to do. 

 

[BCULAW]

Every 6-8 weeks since about 2005, but I'm ill.  

[sittingbull]

Between last year and this year 5 total..

Staring out with some Titleist ap1 irons that i played with for a few years then to JPX 921 HM then to TM Stealths then PXG 0311p and now back to the Stealths. 

[dandoholy]

I collect irons that I know I have no business playing.

 

Moved to the T100's this year but have my P7MB's, MP221s, and MB101's lying around.

[Hawkeye77]

Like many, the answer is "what time is it?"

 

Setting up an appointment to review the bag in a few weeks, two new sets of irons last year, one new driver, two new wedges, lol.

 

Irons I think are "set", just want to confirm but hit some new ones, Driver has too go because I think the new Paradyms look stunning (no idea how any of them will perform, lol), fairways need updating, I NEED a 7 wood, NEED one, hybrid needs updating, wedges too light.  

 

Only safe club is putter, it's going nowhere.

 

Work to be done!  

[dandoholy]

4 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Only safe club is putter, it's going nowhere.

 

 

Until it goes cold one afternoon and the pro shop display starts looking better and better...

[DevilDog]

Last upgrade I made was when I got MP-33s some 20 odd  years ago.  Still playing them.  Why?  I am consistent with them.  I have tried newer irons but don't hit nearly as many greens in reg as I do with the 33s.  

[puttingmatt]

Every 2 years or about .

Currently have a players distance set

Callaway Rogue ST Pro that is just a fantastic set.  These are keepers for  my southern set, Northern set may get a look at when back  this summer. 

 

 

[soap1984]

If you are a good player and play frequently, I would say a good set of irons should last at least 4-5 years without 'needing' to be replaced. I buy at least one new set a year but, like most others on here, I have a problem. If I were taking your question literally, I would say I actually "upgrade" about every 3 years - I am much better at buying irons than I am at actually changing clubs. 

[DixieD]

Like socks