Suggestion for New Irons

[Marty86]

I'm looking for suggestions. I'm looking for a set of more forgiving irons. I hover between a 18-14 HCP  with my strength normally being putting and wedges with woods being shortly after. Irons are definitely the weakest part of my game. I currently play the 921 Forged (yes I probably should have gotten more forgiving irons) and am looking for something with a bit more forgiveness on misshits as I don't have as much time to play or practice like I did. I am more of a sweeper than a digger with my irons. 

 

I'm open to suggestions. I would prefer them not to be shovels but I know forgiveness and a clean look don't go hand in hand really.

 

I appreciate everyones input ahead of time.

[POKeefe]

Mizuno 225/245, Rogue ST Pro, P790's, Apex Pro come to mind. I think the ZX5's are a bit thick, which is why I went with the Z7 line, but you may like those as well.

[boycer]

Hotmetal/ hot metal pro or sxizon zx4.  

[gvogel]

Don't look past the Titleist T350 irons.

 

Getting the right shaft should be the most important thing.

[Ripken08]

Same boat as you but a 9HC.  Just did outdoor fitting Friday and ZX4 MKii, T350 won.  Hit them better than my HMPs which are also in this list.  Mine was a shaft issue.

[JAMH03]

You need a 7 wood, (20º wood) a hybrid to hit the green on your first try from inside of 100 yards. And to lessen your 3 putts. Irons are more about your identity and aspirations than they're governing your score.

To speed yourself along I'd say keep your stats and you'll see where you're losing strokes.

You want a suggestion anyways?

Pick between Callaway, Mizuno and Ping. You can find something that has a good bit of cache some resale and good enough to break par with.



 

[POKeefe]

2 minutes ago, JAMH03 said:

You need a 7 wood, (20º wood) a hybrid to hit the green on your first try from inside of 100 yards. And to lessen your 3 putts. Irons are more about your identity and aspirations than they're governing your score.

To speed yourself along I'd say keep your stats and you'll see where you're losing strokes.

You want a suggestion anyways?

Pick between Callaway, Mizuno and Ping. You can find something that has a good bit of cache some resale and good enough to break par with.



 

This is sage advice. Particularly looking at the stats. The Arccos app showed me clearly that I hit a 6i really well, but every 5i I tried I just didn't hit well. However, I was doing well with the 4 hybrid. So ego put aside and replaced the 5i with a 5h. Srixon and Mizuno do a really good job of making their hybrids true iron replacements 1 for 1.

[braincramp52]

The PXG Gen 6 XP irons have it all. They don't look like shovels and they're forgiving with great feel. 

[ChipNRun]

Consider some of the cavity-back game improvement irons. The more solid head of the CBs gives you better control on the short irons than do the hollow-head GI or PD irons. And, with proper shafts, the CBs will give you more consistent distance yardstick between irons.

 

Some examples:

• Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons
• Ping G425 irons (If you can still find set... Retro-Spec loft option good for those seeking more spin)
• Callaway Apex CB irons (give 'em a try... early reports: for low to mid HDCP golfers)

And, once you get the new, slightly more forgiving CBs, practice with them. 💥 Both on range, and out on course. For on course, find day when course is fairly open, and play three or four holes in detail. Swap to  other holes the next week. Practice iron approaches from ideal fairway lies, first cut, and chop outs. Learn to make those $1,500 tools sing!

 

Work on your approaches. 💥

Short game helps you break 90. Chipping, wedges and putting prevents you from scoring badly. 

Beyond that, it's your GIRs. You need to work on approach shots to really improve scoring.

A 50-foot chip shot: 2-3 more strokes to get down.

A 15-foot GIR first putt: 1-2 more strokes to get down.

[topgolfhero24]

A lot of ppl mock them but pxg at their new pricing are hard to beat for what you’re looking for 

[braincramp52]

8 hours ago, topgolfhero24 said:

A lot of ppl mock them but pxg at their new pricing are hard to beat for what you’re looking for 

At 71 years old I wanted a iron that was very forgiving with great feel and good looks at address. The Gen 6 XP's check all the boxes. And being a vet they were priced as good as any other quality iron on the market.

[rsballer10]

On 10/30/2023 at 11:55 AM, Marty86 said:

I'm looking for suggestions. I'm looking for a set of more forgiving irons. I hover between a 18-14 HCP  with my strength normally being putting and wedges with woods being shortly after. Irons are definitely the weakest part of my game. I currently play the 921 Forged (yes I probably should have gotten more forgiving irons) and am looking for something with a bit more forgiveness on misshits as I don't have as much time to play or practice like I did. I am more of a sweeper than a digger with my irons. 

 

I'm open to suggestions. I would prefer them not to be shovels but I know forgiveness and a clean look don't go hand in hand really.

 

You've got a set of great clubs. I wouldn't think of the 921F as a better players iron, or unforgiving. I played the 919F as a 8-10HC and to me their kind of the "1 size fits all" type of club. Forgiving enough for mid handicaps, but forged and compact enough that a better player could tolerate. 

 

If you are a sweeper that doesn't hit their irons well, my suggestion would be to work on your delivery of the club with your irons. Irons benefit from a hands forward, weight forward "trap" type of swing. Getting irons with a wider sole will probably make contact worse not better.

 

Are you sure your game is solid from 100 yards and in? Generally speaking (which may not apply) I don't see a lot of mid handicap golfers with a strong short game. In the limited time you do have to practice, I'd make the bulk of it in this area. Shooting low 80s/high 70s gets so much easier once you start making pars from off the green, instead of bogeys from on the green.