More Forgiving Irons for Low HC…

[Kwward11]

Please don’t wreck me here, not going for the humble bragging. 
 

+1 handicap, driver SS hovers around 120, stock 8 iron distance hovers around 178-181. 
 

Kids and life have gotten in the way and not practicing as much anymore doesn’t make playing golf with blade/mc iron sets very fun. Currently playing a Mizuno 221/223 combo set or a P7MB/7MC combo set. 
 

I am looking at some more forgiving irons that don’t require as much precision in striking, but everything I’ve tried has made distance control impossible. Carry numbers are too far and make gapping difficult and then there’s the random well struck ball that randomly jumps and goes 7-8 yards further. 
 

Basically I’m asking if anyone has stumbled across any “forgiving ish” irons that play with similar dispersion to players irons or blades. 
 

For reference I’ve tried t200, ZX7, P790 and just can’t seem to get consistent carry numbers that aren’t outrageous. 
 

Any recommendations? 

[JetSpeed79]

When you tried the T200 did you hit the T150 or T100? Sounds like those would be a better fit for your game. 

[madeonecut]

I play the zx7’s and really like them coming from ap2’s. My two son’s play the Ping i210’s and i230. The Pings are simply a aim and shoot iron. Maybe go be them a shot

[drza3]

T100 for sure. Could even combo in t150 if you want. Very forgiving for the size 

[Kwward11]

I had the 2019 t100 irons, have no complaints about them. Was playing them back when I was practicing and playing a lot more, wasn’t sure if they were much different that the 223 or p790. Might try to go back to them. Also looked at the ping i210s but haven’t got to experiment with them yet 

[vman]

You should play blades……..have you no shame.

[settling4birdie]

Wilson Staff cb, Ping Blueprint S, Cobra King Forged tec 2023

[spring70]

have you tried i210/230?

 

[Kwward11]

36 minutes ago, spring70 said:

have you tried i210/230?

 

I haven’t. I210s were on my radar but haven’t got to try them yet. Seems like those and the t100 are the ones I might be looking for 

[Brooks_Cupcake]

55 minutes ago, drza3 said:

T100 for sure. Could even combo in t150 if you want. Very forgiving for the size 

No….dont combo the T150 with the T100. One or the other.

[Brooks_Cupcake]

@Kwward11 the new Blueprint S and Mizuno 243 are built end to end like a combo set. 
BPS tech is in the 4-5

243 tech is in the 4-7

depends on where you need to break the set

ZX5ii 4/5 ZX7ii is also a great option 

[craz-e]

Look at the Staff CB’s, Callaway Apex Pro and CB, PXG 0317 CB or T

These should all give you a bit more forgiveness and also feel good

[Brooks_Cupcake]

1 minute ago, craz-e said:

Look at the Staff CB’s, Callaway Apex Pro and CB, PXG 0317 CB or T

These should all give you a bit more forgiveness and also feel good

All except the Pro and CB….hence why all their staff is in the 2024 TCB and neither of those 😉 

[Nobody2]

I like the t100 and cally apex pro suggestions. Similar stats to you and was between t100 and miz 223 but prefer a thicker top line. If you want to spend more, the artisan half cavity is amazing. Def not a blade and there is a some help. 

Edited January 20 by Nobody2

[Kwward11]

Pings have always had my attention because they can keep the little bit “thin ish” top line but seem to have a longer blade from heel to toe which I really like. Can anyone confirm? Haven’t played pings since the s57 days 

[Valtiel]

30 minutes ago, Kwward11 said:

Pings have always had my attention because they can keep the little bit “thin ish” top line but seem to have a longer blade from heel to toe which I really like. Can anyone confirm? Haven’t played pings since the s57 days 

The Blueprint S recommendation makes sense for this reason, although i'd go to a big box store put one down on the ground to make sure it suits your eye. PING and TItleist have actually favored shorter blade lengths + tungsten weighting to achieve forgiveness whereas other designs have utilized longer blade lengths. 

I'm actually in an almost identical situation as you (life/family etc) save for the fact i'm half a tick slower. JPX921 Forged is what i'm likely moving to, and regarding the forgiveness + distance control issues i'm just tweaking lofts to get the right numbers. They have a longer blade length, low offset, and a thinner topline as well if you prefer that, and while they can be combo'd with something like the JPX Tours, the set itself is basically a combo already with the 4-7i being forged from a slightly harder alloy (chromoly) and the 7-PWi being traditional softer 1025 steel. I can snap a pic of what they look like at address if that sounds interesting, otherwise from a forgiveness/MOI standpoint, these make the most sense:

- PING Blueprint S
- Titleist T100
- Cobra King Tour

An interesting darkhorse option could be the Srixon ZX Forged as well. Yes it's a blade, but it's kinda built like a player's cavity without the cavity in that it has higher MOI than a traditional blade (basically the same as the ZX7) via more toe weighting which centers the sweet spot. The Mizuno 221 by comparison is a VERY traditional blade with low MOI and a slightly heelside sweet spot, so if you ever wanted something in a similar package but that performed more like a player's cavity then the ZX Forged is worth considering. 

Edited January 20 by Valtiel

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Kwward11 said:

Please don’t wreck me here, not going for the humble bragging. 
 

+1 handicap, driver SS hovers around 120, stock 8 iron distance hovers around 178-181. 
 

Kids and life have gotten in the way and not practicing as much anymore doesn’t make playing golf with blade/mc iron sets very fun. Currently playing a Mizuno 221/223 combo set or a P7MB/7MC combo set. 
 

I am looking at some more forgiving irons that don’t require as much precision in striking, but everything I’ve tried has made distance control impossible. Carry numbers are too far and make gapping difficult and then there’s the random well struck ball that randomly jumps and goes 7-8 yards further. 
 

Basically I’m asking if anyone has stumbled across any “forgiving ish” irons that play with similar dispersion to players irons or blades. 
 

For reference I’ve tried t200, ZX7, P790 and just can’t seem to get consistent carry numbers that aren’t outrageous. 
 

Any recommendations? 

Ping i230 would fit the bill perfectly. Great feel, great consistency, and really forgiving.

[Kwward11]

17 minutes ago, Valtiel said:

The Blueprint S recommendation makes sense for this reason, although i'd go to a big box store put one down on the ground to make sure it suits your eye. PING and TItleist have actually favored shorter blade lengths + tungsten weighting to achieve forgiveness whereas other designs have utilized longer blade lengths. 

I'm actually in an almost identical situation as you (life/family etc) save for the fact i'm half a tick slower. JPX921 Forged is what i'm likely moving to, and regarding the forgiveness + distance control issues i'm just tweaking lofts to get the right numbers. They have a longer blade length, low offset, and a thinner topline as well if you prefer that, and while they can be combo'd with something like the JPX Tours, the set itself is basically a combo already with the 4-7i being forged from a slightly harder alloy (chromoly) and the 7-PWi being traditional softer 1025 steel. I can snap a pic of what they look like at address if that sounds interesting, otherwise from a forgiveness/MOI standpoint, these make the most sense:

- PING Blueprint S
- Titleist T100
- Cobra King Tour

An interesting darkhorse option could be the Srixon ZX Forged as well. Yes it's a blade, but it's kinda built like a player's cavity without the cavity in that it has higher MOI than a traditional blade (basically the same as the ZX7) via more toe weighting which centers the sweet spot. The Mizuno 221 by comparison is a VERY traditional blade with low MOI and a slightly heelside sweet spot, so if you ever wanted something in a similar package but that performed more like a player's cavity then the ZX Forged is worth considering. 

Great info! Thanks so much! 

[Kwward11]

Welp, got some p7mc with kbs 130x if anyone has some t100 or i210/i1230 to swap! Hahaha thanks for all the help!

[Tingy]

Cobra King Tour, and you can go 1 degree weak, if you want less distance. Awesome irons. 

[Yuck]

1 hour ago, Kwward11 said:

Pings have always had my attention because they can keep the little bit “thin ish” top line but seem to have a longer blade from heel to toe which I really like. Can anyone confirm? Haven’t played pings since the s57 days 

I would try the i59s.  You can pick up a like new set these days for about $700.  High MOI, size closer to what you had with S57.  Very forgiving.  Downside is the feel / sound.  Indoors it is really noticeable.  Outdoors, it is only noticeable on horrible miss hits that some how still make it to the green.  Distance control on these is outstanding.  Set is based on 34 degree 7 iron and 46 degree PW, so these are not players distance irons, more like a players cavity, but more forgiving.  

[puttingmatt]

Currently playing the ZX7's,

Extremely good irons, I find them forgiving. But I found the MP4's to be 

very playable. You just have to decide what works for your game. No one can make this decision for your game. 

I can not recall that many issues with 

clubs, like others experience. Find what You like, stick with it. There is no magic,

Most players get the performance from the clubs that they deserve. 

Practice Time will make Golf Time 

a Better Time. Sorry, Can't buy shortcuts .

[Avidswampthing66]

3 hours ago, Brooks_Cupcake said:

All except the Pro and CB….hence why all their staff is in the 2024 TCB and neither of those 😉 

Chris Kirk, Si Woo Kim,  Will Gordon, Marc Leishman all play Apex Cb's.  Basically all their best players 

jk of course.

 

 

[PARETO]

Wilson Staff CB. Super playable, Compact Head and no distance goo injected for funny fliers. Plus they look soooo sweet. Wilson Staff is legit, and true value dollars and cents wise. 

[NZ315]

4 hours ago, Brooks_Cupcake said:

No….dont combo the T150 with the T100. One or the other.

Why do say don’t combo those? I am thinking 5iron T150 and 6-GW T100

[POKeefe]

Blueprint S or T100 would best align with your desired outcome. You also could go T150, but may want to keep the lofts on the weak side.

[Brooks_Cupcake]

21 minutes ago, NZ315 said:

Why do say don’t combo those? I am thinking 5iron T150 and 6-GW T100

They’re the same iron, that play completely differently

 

T150 launches higher, stronger loft and lower spin

T100 launches lower with weaker loft and higher spin

[LeftDash14]

2019 T100 have been great for me and were similar chs. Almost never get a hot ball unless it’s a flier lie.
 

I hit the t150 and they felt great but the 5 iron I hit was easily a club longer than t100. The most recent t100 are quite small vs 2019. Not sure I like that. 

[boggyman]

How is a t100 more forgiving than the P7mc he’s combing already?

Wilson Staff CB or Ping BP S would get my vote, I’m partial to W/S though. 

Edited January 21 by boggyman

[LeftDash14]

27 minutes ago, boggyman said:

How is a t100 more forgiving than the P7mc he’s combing already?

Wilson Staff CB or Ping BP S would get my vote, I’m partial to W/S though. 

I moved from CB to t100 and found tons of forgiveness so just sharing my result 🤷‍♂️ 

 

Guess they’re not far off p7mc but never been a fan of tm irons. I don’t find them as forgiving as the tungsten perimeter on other models.