Help Me Pick My Experimental Iron Set

[snowmangolf]

Currently gaming MP243’s and looking to buy a set of (more forgiving/stronger lofted) irons on Ebay for around $400. I need some recommendations. 

 

Looking for the equivalent to JPX HMP, Srixon ZX5’s, Titleist T200’s, etc. 

 

What are some of the best used irons from the last 10 years that check all of these boxes?

[Pnwpingi210]

Apex standard

g430

Cobra forged tec

zx5

Ap1

[DixieD]

Find a great set of z585 for that price, wonderful irons. 

[BCULAW]

PXG 0311P Gen 3 can be found around that price - great feel and consistent performance with a bit of help with distance. 

[RogerinNewZealand]

Srixons easy to resell

AP1 also.

Japan ebay tourstage bridgestone

 

 

 

[SwingBlade]

...

Edited Wednesday at 06:57 AM by SwingBlade

[borker]

1) Taylormade RocketBladez Tour - A lesser-known, underrated and forgiving cast "players" iron that also offers a good blend of more compact head, less offset and more workability than the larger non-tour RocketBladez irons. Although outside your 10-year criteria, these can be found on eBay for $300 in great shape. Justin Rose gamed these on tour for a few tournaments. Only catch is these are more traditional lofted (47 PW). I still sometimes contemplate myself getting a set of these back to game. The non-tour RocketBladez might be more in-line for your criteria but I felt the Tour ones were better overall and not much drop-off in forgiveness. 

 

2) PXG 0311 P or XP - can be found in that price range. Gen3/4. 

 

3) TaylorMade 790's - These are well regarded as pretty forgiving, strong-lofted players iron that are very well established and seem to be on pace for an "all-timer" we talk about for years to come. Any year, I don't think one year version is better than another, but I could be wrong.  If you haven't tried these they must be on your list.

 

4) Ping G-Series

 

4) Callaway Rogue ST Max OS - By far, the easiest irons I have hit in past 10 years. Felt like cheating. Better than Ping G-Series IMO. The non-OS Rouge ST Max are also just as forgiving and slightly smaller. But beware, these are shovels.

[snowmangolf]

1 hour ago, SwingBlade said:

The 243's are beautiful but so much more demanding than a set of T-150's or maybe a Srixon Zx-5/ZX7 combo set. I feel that even my MP-33's are noticeably more consistent & forgiving than the 243's.  The 243's & 241's are such cutting edge weapons that few +HDCP players seem to be using them for scoring.  
 

I understand if the 243's are kind of your high end keeper set.  I feel that way about my MP 33's and my CB 57's.  But, my combo Zx4/ZX5/ZX7 scoring set is so much more forgiving and consistent than my high end keepers that I'm glad I spent a little more to get them fit and optimized.   The keepers are my fun sets  and help my swing to be more tuned but I have no delusion that I will ever be able to use them for scoring. 
 

Just food for thought, as scoring certainly isn't always the most important aspect of enjoying golf.  Taming a beast can also give much satisfaction. 
 

 

So interesting hearing this from you. I had a brand new set of T150’s in my bag before deciding to switch over to the 243’s. I found that I was hitting the 243 more consistently and further (and they felt so much better) than the T150’s. Higher ball speed numbers, better smash and seemed more forgiving on mishits for me. 

[GDB67]

OG callaway Apex. 

[NYballer]

For something different, give Honma's a look.  TR20P or V.  Forged and very nice.  Can easily be purchased in your price range.