Favorite ‘90s - ‘00s Irons

[mat562]

Through that period I played Eye 2 berylliums, Mizuno MP-14s, Nike blades and Titleist 681s, so I'll say those.

 

The Titleist 962Bs were great clubs, as were the Maxfli Tour LTD Forged irons. The Cobra Norman blades, Tommy Armour 845S and the Bridgestone Js CBs would be on the list too.

[GeauxGolfLSU]

The Titleist 981 DCIs were the first "real" set of irons I bought. I actually remember the day I bought them, because it was also the day I proposed to my wife. We had gone to a nice dinner and she was listening to me go on and on about how excited I was about my new irons. She was thinking that this wasn't the night. Lo and behold, I proposed. May 15, 1999. We will celebrate 24 years of marriage this May.

 

[Divot License]

Personally I say the Titleist 962b is the premier 90's iron.

 

 

https://www.titleist.co.uk/golf-clubs/irons/dci-962b

[bird_4_3]

Titleist 981 irons.  Those are some of the all-time great irons. 

[Lord Viking]

T-zoid pro

Played them up untill 2 years ago

[DoughBack18]

Cleveland TA3 form forged are a great set from that era. Played them well into the 2000’s. Nothing too flashy but they looked and performed well.

[sm_watts]

I saw these listed in earlier posts, but I didn't want them to get lost in lists:

Hogan Apex Plus

Maxfli A-10 (progressive cavity to blade set, nickel plated, sweet irons)

[swgolf12]

962B's

MP14/29's

Callaway X12/14 Pro Series

Hogan Apex/Plus

Cleveland 588P (David Toms)

Taylormade X300/Firesole Forged

 

[Herm33]

Don't think anyone has yet mentioned the MacGregor's from that time - PCB Tour's forged by Miura, or the follow up V-Foil's, which had a great combo set.

 

I agree on the Hogan's - played the Apex Plus exclusively from about 2000 - 2006 and currently still have a set plus a set of the '99 blades.

 

My dad played 962's for a while during this period as well, I think the set is still in his garage somewhere!

[NRJyzr]

For irons, I would be looking at Ram TG-898s, because of my affinity for Ram Tour Grinds.  Beyond those, I would look at the 99 Apex, which are legendary for good reason, or the Maxfli black dot Revolutions, or Australian Blades.  This model of Aussie Blades are the softest clubs I've ever hit, even softer than all the Mizunos and similar that I've hit/played over the years.

 

For driver and fairway woods, I would suggest taking a look at the Mizuno T-Zoid Forged line.  I've got the driver and a 13* fairway, tested them against more modern stuff last winter, on launch monitor and simulator.  Found they were only marginally behind the modern in ball speed terms (my TZoid driver at 43" was only 2mph in ballspeed behind my SpeedZone driver at 44").

Worth a look, and period specific.  🙂
 

[Maine Golfer]

shameless plug, I game the SW setup at 54 and sent this one to Jon.  If you like BeCU and want a "players shape" , you can get em cheaper than Ping eye 2 BeCu clubs. Im a big fan myself 

 

 

[Ty_Webb]

Mizuno TP-19s were great - from the early 90s. Faldo used them in 1992 I think. They might not be 90s, but the Ram Spin Groove wedges would be in my dream set from around that time. Driver - give me a 975d or maybe 983k Titleist with a Fuji Speeder 757. 

[fixurpitch]

Hard to beat the Hogan Apex /Apex Plus or the MacGregor VIP V-Foil 1025M.  Just add a few sleeves of Maxfli Revolution balls and hit the course. 

[BigBlue7]

Taylormade 320s are an all timer for me. Remember working my a** off at the course I worked at in high school so i could buy them

Edited January 24 by BigBlue7

[OrangeCrush]

Driver:  Titleist 983E followed by Callaway Steelhead Plus

FWY wood:  Steelhead+ or TM V STeel

Irons:  TM300 hands down!!

[jsundet]

How can there not yet be a mention of Tourstage Z101's.  Drop dead gorgeous!

[jda]

If you want a set from that era, you have to pick a set where the SW and LW match the irons.. sometimes even a W.  Without this, it just would not be right.  🙂  There was a simplicity to this and ease of shots.  IMO, more folks would be better with this today.

 

DCI or Parallax might be my choice for cavities.  Any of the Titleist or Wilson Staff blades are excellent if you are into those.

 

Scotty Santa Fe, Scotty Mizuno or TP Mills forged were huge improvements over the ball scooters before them.

 

Early 90s the J's Professional Weapon was the best driver, but they changed so much over the decade.  Even at the end, the shaft mattered more than the head with some good shafts out there... anything with a Speeder 757 would work for me.

 

[hammergolf]

I had two sets that were both really good for me:

 

Titleist DCI-B

Callaway X-12 Pro Series

[PARETO]

My BeNi ISI’s still my fave from that era. I game them often still to this day. So consistent. 

[PARETO]

14 hours ago, Binson said:

What says 90's irons more than some Pings, Hogans, Titleist DCI? The below is my order based on personal preference. But I expect for most based on looks alone, 2/3 will supersede my #1 options.

 

1a) Ping Zing 2 - 1994 

1b) Ping ISI - 1998

• I've waxed poetic about these many times. But they are a unicorn iron with forgiveness, thin sole, and feel with build quality that lasts. The wedges in the set are super versatile as well.
• The looks are polarizing, but I struggle yearly basically with trying to 'upgrade' from these with initial success, followed by struggle, and then putting them back in the bag and immediately scoring my best for the season.  Perhaps because it's what I first found success with? 
• The ISI are smaller and come in materials such as Nickel and Copper. 

2) Ben Hogan Apex Plus - 1999

• For whatever reason, I struggle with the shafts in my set.  My miss is also usually toe-sided so they aren't the irons I score best with.  But when I do make a good swing, I have yet to feel anything better.  
• A better ball striker will be very happy with a set of these in the bag.

3) Titleist DCI 962 (or 962B) - 1993?

• A Legendary Larry Bobka design that still holds up today. Sets can be found cheap in great condition since it's cast rather than forged.  
• It's an example of how great a cast club can feel. 
• David Duval played the 962B, which is a smaller version of the club. 
• The 990 is another well-liked model but I haven't personally hit them. 

 

Super relatable. 
I’ve loved my BeNi ISI set (with S and L) for countless years. The draw towards new and faster ball speeds always arises (right now winter testing some new Wilson Staffs- great irons actually) but my BeNi’s sit waiting for when I come back to my senses and bag ‘em again. 😂

[jdcho]

My first set of clubs I purchased with my own money was the lynx black cat tours.  Then, like a true club ho, I bought 

Mizuno T zoid pros

DCI 962b

MP 29s (still have a new set stored away)

 

sweet irons with shafts that were too stiff

[Port and Starboard]

Titleist 962, 962B, and 990's were great clubs.  Played all three after I finally beat the faces off of my Macgregor Tourneys

 

Ping Zing's were my favorite GI irons and I played them during the winter months for quite a few years because they were easy on the fingers on cold days.   The USGA can go to hell for outlawing them.

[Maine Golfer]

5 hours ago, Port and Starboard said:

Titleist 962, 962B, and 990's were great clubs.  Played all three after I finally beat the faces off of my Macgregor Tourneys

 

Ping Zing's were my favorite GI irons and I played them during the winter months for quite a few years because they were easy on the fingers on cold days.   The USGA can go to hell for outlawing them.

The USGA can take my 2 and 3 Ping Zing irons out of MY COLD DEAD HANDS. Yeah I love them, I prefer an iron to hybrid and I trust I can find a fairway. 

[theothertwo]

Tommy Armour Silver Scot 845

Lynx Parralax

MacGregor  Forged PCB Tour

Edited January 25 by theothertwo

[theothertwo]

Please delete.

Edited January 25 by theothertwo

[MattyO1984]

Titleist 990

I had the 990B and was I good enough for them? Absolutely not but I loved them. 

[RolandofGilead]

I’ve played the 1999 Hogan Apex and Wilson Staff FG-51 blades. Both excellent and absolutely worth playing if you can find a good set. Modern blades aren’t any better IMO.

 

I’m a huge fan of the Titleist 975 series of woods: the 975J with EI-70 and 975D with Dynamic Gold steel are incredible drivers. I switched from EI-70 to steel in the fairways and they definitely feel and perform better (for me).

 

I’m surprised the TM V Steel hasn’t been mentioned yet! Great woods, although I like my 3W on a graphite shaft a LOT more than steel.

 

Heres a few photos of my setups over the last couple years:

 

 

 

 

Edited January 25 by RolandofGilead

[jda]

If you want to make them modern, just take the 8 off and put a PW on there... at least one number, but probably more.  ...as good as a new set.

[dmgiffen]

Cleveland CG1 Black Pearls were one of my all time favorites.

[NRJyzr]

7 hours ago, Port and Starboard said:

Titleist 962, 962B, and 990's were great clubs.  Played all three after I finally beat the faces off of my Macgregor Tourneys

 

Ping Zing's were my favorite GI irons and I played them during the winter months for quite a few years because they were easy on the fingers on cold days.   The USGA can go to hell for outlawing them.

 

2 hours ago, Maine Golfer said:

The USGA can take my 2 and 3 Ping Zing irons out of MY COLD DEAD HANDS. Yeah I love them, I prefer an iron to hybrid and I trust I can find a fairway. 

 

 

 

Unless you're playing events where the Model Local Rule G-2 (fka Condition of Competition) is applied, Zing irons are still conforming.  

 

The groove rule stated everything was OK until at least 2024.  They also stated there would be an announcement regarding implementation of the rule with respect to equipment manufactured prior to Jan 1, 2010, at which point there would be four years until those clubs would be deemed non-conforming.

 

And, that announcement has not come.  One of our WRX brethren confirmed this with the R&A.

 

Go forth with your Zings and be comfortable in still meeting the rules.