Not letting my pride buy my clubs again!

[FiveByEagle]

Hello all! Hope you've had a good week.

 

So I have decided that I need golf to be more FUN. I currently game around a 12hcp and play 2021 T100's.

 

Backstory: As a middle schooler I was gifted a hand-me-down set of muscle backs and that shape has just been my preference since day zero.Even when I was a 40hcp, I didnt like the look of a "shovel" at address, and it drove me nuts. So even though they have been out of my skill range, I have always been significantly more comfortable with a compact head. Obvious trade off is obvious. But it was an emotional response,

 

Fast forward to now - been using the T100's since they dropped and they are great! Love the feel, love the result of a flushed shot. However on a relaxing evening after work, a party round with the boys, or even a blow off some steam round - my ratio of flushed shots to "not-so" flushed shots skews a bit to the right. Whats caused this entire thought is I recently played in a tournament in mid-Ohio, followed directly by a Florida golf trip with family. During these rounds, I was commanding with my woods, wedges and putter. Irons were OK but the thins, or slight toe-jobs would nearly always cause me to get into some serious trouble. And after playing 5 rounds in 5 days the noticeable lack of forgiveness really added up. So many shots I want back forever that really didnt need to be as bad as they ended up. 

 

Question: Wondering, what should I be considering? An (OK) player who plays often, wants a semi-compact head that is more control based than distance based. I have played the P770's and found them quite hot and explosive and I feel that gapping could become and issue. Pings i230's are on the radar - ZX5's are there, and with Mizuno, I am just not aware of their offerings very much. The i230's compact shape but not so actual compact size was very appealing and it felt a bit more forgiving than the T100.

 

Love some opinions!!

[MisterT]

I am a 12.6 index who plays the ZX5s and loves them. While they are largely "point and shoot" I feel I can work the ball a bit... but mostly they just want to go straight. There is nothing like the feel of a flushed iron and these give that feel when properly struck and a lessened distance loss when not struck on center. How much do I like them? I have a brand new set of the exact same specs sitting in my garage just waiting to be played!

 

Good luck in your quest.

[FiveByEagle]

Will really need to consider these.

[MelloYello]

There are now tons of options between the "player's" stuff and the GI category. Every OEM is going to have something to offer. A few popular options would be:

 

Srixon ZX5 (even the ZX7 is pretty big/stable for a "player's" club)

Titleist T200 (great look for a GI club!)

TaylorMade P790 (uber-popular club)

Ping i525 (fits the bill)

Edited September 1, 2023 by MelloYello

[getair23]

Don't overlook a combo set.  Srixon and the new Titleist T-Series make this very easy.  I would throw the new Callaway Apex and Mizuno in there e as well.  Probably a few more I'm missing.  

[colesdad2]

Definitely give the MP223 a look.  Similar handicap.  Never played a true blade, but always gravitated to smaller heads.  I moved from 919 Tours to the MP223 and find them quite a bit more forgiving.

[Chunkitgood]

If your pride is out of the picture, why the semi compact head?

 

Get some “shovels” and just get used to it.

[MountainKing]

P770's are much better if you weaken them through the set a bit and easier to gap.  I play a 48 degree PW as a starting point and play down weaker through the set.  The added loft helps cut off some of the unnecessary distance that makes gapping tough and adds some needed spin.  Although even in their standard lofts I didn't find them to be explosive, just a little lower on the spin than I'd prefer. 

[driveandputtmachine]

Of the irons mentioned so far in this thread and one other I will add in that are the best on toe strikes.....

 

1.  ZX5 and ZX7, do a split set, both are more forgiving than a lot on toe strikes.  You could stick with ZX5 for the whole set if you want as well.

2.  the i230 is not quite as forgiving on the toe, but more so than the others on this thread.

3.  The Cobra King Tours, I have them in the bag now and they are very forgiving on toe strikes.  The King CB are not as forgiving toe side as the tours.

 

My miss is toe side, I NEVER miss heel side, so I tend to end up in irons that have good to great toe misses.  I still have a set of ZX5 and ZX7 in my workshop because they are so toe side forgiving.

[vonbonds]

I’m an 11.8 currently and I came down to the ZX5s and I230s. I stayed in the Cleveland/Srixon family as I played UHX irons previously and went with the ZX5s for their sole over the Pings. I don’t think you can go wrong, go with what you fit into best or just want more, I’m not sure there’s anything much between them 

[Cellis]

1 hour ago, driveandputtmachine said:

Of the irons mentioned so far in this thread and one other I will add in that are the best on toe strikes.....

 

1.  ZX5 and ZX7, do a split set, both are more forgiving than a lot on toe strikes.  You could stick with ZX5 for the whole set if you want as well.

2.  the i230 is not quite as forgiving on the toe, but more so than the others on this thread.

3.  The Cobra King Tours, I have them in the bag now and they are very forgiving on toe strikes.  The King CB are not as forgiving toe side as the tours.

 

My miss is toe side, I NEVER miss heel side, so I tend to end up in irons that have good to great toe misses.  I still have a set of ZX5 and ZX7 in my workshop because they are so toe side forgiving.

I second the Cobra King Tours

[Kale_m]

T150 sound up your alley. Or the Callaway x-forged Cb (2021) 
 

I looked at them the other day. Look much more friendly then the 100’s

 

i am to in the same boat as you. Love the compact iron look. 
 

considering zx7 , Callaway apex Cb 

[taoslcl]

Im a 12.5 and really feel the PXG (Gen3-6) Ps are as good as anything out there and ridiculously forgiving. I have the gen 3s and sometimes hit shots that don't deserve to get off the ground yet they go within 80-90% of a flushed shot. 

[blades_are_life]

Ping Blueprints are absurdly forgiving on toe strikes.

[NJBigFish22]

T150/T200 combo set.  Or just the T200’s

[cradd10]

Jpx 923 hot metal pro.   

[Gsea]

Really want to take ego out of the equation. Ping G430s you're welcomed

[SwooshLT]

I230s is what you're looking for ...... above average feel , outstanding distance control and just a breeze to get in the air .... also not going wear at the same pace as others listed

[PNW]

Were you fit for your shaft? If you were 'commanding' with your woods and wedges but weren't squaring up irons properly then it could be a timing issue from your iron shafts. I'd look at that first and consider reshafting because T100 are about as forgiving as it gets for anything 'semi-compact.' ZX7/5, i230, King Tours are all great but not really materially more forgiving. 

 

Otherwise, if you really want to prioritize something more forgiving then look at a Ping 'retro loft' GI club like G430.

[PJE]

4 hours ago, cradd10 said:

Jpx 923 hot metal pro.   

This is a great option. You seek ease of use; this club fits the bill. But, unlike most GI clubs it has the shape you may be looking for and it’s not that big for a GI head. 
Plus, they’re relatively cheap ($962 for 7 clubs) with many free options on shafts and grips. The downside is it takes Mizuno 4-6 weeks to deliver a custom order. 

[Avidswampthing66]

Callaway Apex 2021 could be great for you and they have been running a good sale making way for the new new..  Srixon ZX5 are hard to beat in the category, but the spin can be a little low.  

[Tiptx1122]

I know the feeling as age catches up to us. I have played Players Distance irons for many years now and it's time to back off a bit. Not able to hit those 300 yard bombs like it was nothing. I have 2 of the best drivers and have played some of the very best drivers even some JDM drivers but my swing speed had dropped and my irons play hasn't been as sharp as it used to be.

 

My 1st big change has been going with GI irons as I picked up some Titleist T-350 with SteelFiber shafts and Wow! shooting for the pins has been fun again as my confidence level has been the biggest factor in switching. Now talking about driver my Tsr2 and Stealth 2+ both with some premium shafts are both everything I could ask for. Love em'.

 

Now with a stiff back from time to time I'm trying the TM Stealth Gloire Drivers as I have the Gloire 3W and love it. If it can keep my in the fairway more often and easier to swing without dealing with some frequent back issues this will be what I will finish the season with. I like the looks and the feel of the carbon face of my Stealth 2+ as this is why I went with TM instead of the Paradym Star. I don't care for the long stretch flat shape of the Star.  I'm starting to realize my limitations as it's much harder now to keep up with all the young bucks out there as I also feel that I must keep my ego uncheck when I do play with people my own age as one of the biggest things I hear is you must play this game a lot, and now to me its more about having fun and I'm having more fun than ever before so don't let your ego get in the way of playing good golf and having fun

[NoTalentLefty]

22 hours ago, Chunkitgood said:

If your pride is out of the picture, why the semi compact head?

 

Get some “shovels” and just get used to it.

This and a few others got it right. 9.1 here and playing PXG XPs and have 4-7 hybrids from Callaway. Easy to hit and my 9.1 is from playing only once a week. Now If I could only putt….

[Malc]

On 9/1/2023 at 6:10 PM, Chunkitgood said:

If your pride is out of the picture, why the semi compact head?

 

Get some “shovels” and just get used to it.

Made me laugh this, brutal.

[WristySwing]

On 9/1/2023 at 1:10 PM, Chunkitgood said:

If your pride is out of the picture, why the semi compact head?

 

Get some “shovels” and just get used to it.

 

And you can completely negate the "too strong lofts" by going down a club.  Almost all SGI irons are 1 club stronger of a traditional set.  Just order 1 club down at the length you would normally play. Take the G430 irons that are some of the more targeted clubs by the loft police. PW is 41.5, 9 is 36*, 8 is 31.5*, 27.5* 7i and so on. To me, that is a relatively modern set stepped one club strong as more modern clubs usually have a 27* 6i. Just order one club down, instead of 5i-PW as they are, order 5-GW and you could call it your 4-PW.  Who's going to know other than you?

 

We hit a loft to a yardage, not a number on the bottom to a yardage. If you hit a 23* club that is 38" long 190 yards it doesn't matter if that club is stamped 3i or PW, it's still going to fly that yardage.

[Lftygolfnut]

Apex 21 irons are your answer. Very forgiving/consistent and incredible feel. New versions may be coming out soon, but they're on sale now. 

 

 

[5 O'Clock Charlie]

On 8/30/2023 at 4:56 PM, FiveByEagle said:

So I have decided that I need golf to be more FUN. I currently game around a 12hcp and play 2021 T100's.

 

What does fun mean to you? Once you define that, you will have more clarity.

[Tiptx1122]

Well when you're hitting the ball with more consistency with both your driver/woods/irons with the accurate estimated yardage while having your ball hold the intended line you were aiming at to me is more fun for me. I know that no one can go boogie free at least most of us can't for there are good boogies and bad one and also I would rather be lucky at golf than good. I've always said when I first started to golf it was always the good shots that kept me coming back and I like it when I can go Wow! now that was a golf shot. I know dream on but just getting out and golfing is fun and not having a hole that can ruin your score 

[J_Tizzle]

On 8/30/2023 at 3:56 PM, FiveByEagle said:

Hello all! Hope you've had a good week.

 

So I have decided that I need golf to be more FUN. I currently game around a 12hcp and play 2021 T100's.

 

Backstory: As a middle schooler I was gifted a hand-me-down set of muscle backs and that shape has just been my preference since day zero.Even when I was a 40hcp, I didnt like the look of a "shovel" at address, and it drove me nuts. So even though they have been out of my skill range, I have always been significantly more comfortable with a compact head. Obvious trade off is obvious. But it was an emotional response,

 

Fast forward to now - been using the T100's since they dropped and they are great! Love the feel, love the result of a flushed shot. However on a relaxing evening after work, a party round with the boys, or even a blow off some steam round - my ratio of flushed shots to "not-so" flushed shots skews a bit to the right. Whats caused this entire thought is I recently played in a tournament in mid-Ohio, followed directly by a Florida golf trip with family. During these rounds, I was commanding with my woods, wedges and putter. Irons were OK but the thins, or slight toe-jobs would nearly always cause me to get into some serious trouble. And after playing 5 rounds in 5 days the noticeable lack of forgiveness really added up. So many shots I want back forever that really didnt need to be as bad as they ended up. 

 

Question: Wondering, what should I be considering? An (OK) player who plays often, wants a semi-compact head that is more control based than distance based. I have played the P770's and found them quite hot and explosive and I feel that gapping could become and issue. Pings i230's are on the radar - ZX5's are there, and with Mizuno, I am just not aware of their offerings very much. The i230's compact shape but not so actual compact size was very appealing and it felt a bit more forgiving than the T100.

 

Love some opinions!!

 

If you're thinking of the i230s, I'd recommend the i525s.  I'm a scratch(ish) golfer and play the i525s and I absolutely love them.  They look like blades, but play like SGI irons.  Totally slept on in my opinion, but I'll add the caveat, that they can feel terrible when you clank em, but I mean don't call clubs?

 

I have a set of i230's that I'm trying to sell and I personally was not a fan for my misses.  The good ones were GOOD, but my miss is low on the clubface and the ball just fell out of the air with the i230s, so I need more forgiveness low on the clubface.  Very dependent on what your miss is.

Edited September 4, 2023 by J_Tizzle

[VladDrag]

First, go to a PGA superstore or a golf galaxy and ask to hit a few of the new irons. Look at what's on the shelf. Get and idea of what you like the look of. Most of the irons in this category have reviews on youtube. Then, when you get an idea of what you like for irons, go get fit. 

 

Most brands have a compact/semi-compact iron with some tech that will offer forgiveness.  Different people on here are going to have favorites to them, but all of these irons perform very well. You have to figure out what works for you.

 

Titleist: T150 and T200

Taylormade: P770 and P790

Ping: /i230/i525  -- maybe even the i59 if you're a decent ball striker

Cobra: King Tour/Forged Tech

Srixon: ZX5

Callaway: Apex Pro/Apex

Mizuno: 223/225/JPX 923 Forged -- I believe they are coming out with replacements for the 223/225

 

My personal favorites in this category are the T150 and the King Tour. I seen the new Apex Pro in person, but I have not yet hit it. It looks good, and might be up your alley.