Best mix of butter feel/forgiveness in older/cheaper irons?

[dozey123]

looking to spend <$300

Hey I'm looking into a set of new irons. I've been playing the Hogan Edge CFT's for the past 5 years. They are great clubs but I want to try something a little smaller with less offset and a buttery feel, while maintaining some forgiveness. I also want older/cheaper clubs. I'm looking to spend $300 or less. Right now I'm considering the Tourstage z101s, Tourstage 202s, Mizuno MP-60s (though a bit out of my price range), Macgregor MT Pro-Cs, Macgregor MTs, and Srixon i506s off the top of my head. For those of you that have hit these could you compare the feel and the forgiveness between them. Also, any other irons you think I would like that fit my criteria?

Oh, and I would also like some input on how these feel on off center hits. Feedback is fine, but ideally I'd like an iron that is butter soft on the sweet spot and still ok feeling on off center hits, not wrist rattling.

Thanks

[grlichti]

Try a set of MacGregor M685 Forged irons (era 2007) but still available in shops. They can be gotten on Ebay new, or like new, frequently for well under $300 per set, sometimes a lot less. I bought one set and loved them so much I bought an identical set and had them matched loft, lie and length as a spare. You get great high ball flight and wonderful distance.

 

You hit them well and it is like hitting a big blob of soft butter with a nice sound. Hit them thin and they tell you, but are very forgiving. Maybe not as much as the Game Improvement oversize but they set up beautifully without looking retarded like so many of the giant oversize offset versions. And despite being forgiving are designed to be a "players" iron.

 

Maybe their only negative is, like any forged club, they are not super durable. They are not blades, but can work the ball. The other nice thing is they have slightly weaker lofts than many clubs so you are not hitting an 8 iron disguised as a Pitching Wedge. That said, like mentioned above, distance is outstanding, but with great high ball flight. You can hit them low if you try, but naturally you get a high, yet long trajectory. Just my two cents.

[dozey123]

Thanks for the suggestion. They sound like good candidates for what I'm looking for. I'll have to try to track some down to try out, although with MacGregors that is tough where I live. Have you tried the Pro-Cs? How do the M685s compare to the Pro-Cs?

[obsessedgolfer]

Most Mizzys are butter the 60s are great clubs, I wish I had the game to play them.

[dozey123]

How do the 60's do in forgiveness compared to the others I listed and the M685s?

[Gehly]

the 60s aren't that forgiving. the older MX 900s are the most fogiving, while still buttery feeling forged head...and should be able to get a set under 300.

[skinny99]

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=232457

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=234066

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=234125

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=233803

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=233315

 

Here are a few suggestions. Todd

[putterzz]

Nickent 3dx pros, long, good feel, forgiving, well made......and can be had for cheap

[nrokuro]

The old t-zoid pros you can get for a really good price and if you wanted to get blades a shot you can get mp-14s for $100 shipped(like i got mine for) if you look around on ebay long enough.

[TheNatural72]

Nickent 3dx pros, long, good feel, forgiving, well made......and can be had for cheap

 

I gotta agree with this suggestion. The 3dx pro can be bought new off the bay for under 300 I think. I Would also suggest The Taylor Made Rac Lt2. They were designed by the same guy actually . Finally the Wilson pi5 is a very solid iron that can be had rather cheap. You cant go wrong with any of these 3 sets of sticks.

[abewley]

hogan edge pro's.... get the cheap and they are super clubs and decently forgiving.

[illini40]

Nike Pro Combo OS.

 

They are a great forged iron with great feel. Very soft. While they are OS, they don't look it. They are very forgiving and easy to hit. The offset is less in the short irons, and obviously due to be a combo set. They can be had pretty cheap, even a set in very good shape. IMO, one of the best sets of Nike irons made. I've had a couple of sets and am still wondering why I am not playing them now.

[Masse1369]

Why not a set of 675C's? Love mine!

[dozey123]

Thanks for the Nickent 3dx pro suggestion. I'm reading nothing but good reviews about them. Seem to be a great blend of soft feel and forgiveness, not to mention they are dirt cheap!

[haroldminer]

A few weeks back I bought a set of Mizuno MX-25s off ebay, new in the box from GPPGolf. I paid 275 shipped.

[hursty]

Srixon I-506's? Just picked up a new set for under $300. 2-PW with Nippon shafts. Lovely feel & forgiving for a "playa's" set of irons.

[STRICK-9]

Srixon I-302's...a little smaller look than the 506's but exceptional feel and durability.

[Turbs]

Good Morning,

You might want to try the Wilson Staff fi5's, thet cann be had new in your price range. They are a progressive set and are dimonds in the rough..... they dont get a lot of love around here but you get the best of both worlds. Perimiter weighted 3 & 4 irons to cavity 5, 6, & 7 irons and then blade 8,9 & wedge. They are very forgiving and you get such great feedback on every shot, I love mine.

 

Google them and you will see a wide range in prices, but if you do your leg work you will find them in and around the 3 bill mark.

 

Good hunting and good luck in your search.

 

Cheers from up here turbs!

[Swing_King]

The Srixon's you mention are great clubs, especially with Nippon shafts. I still think the MX20 is the best cavity back iron Mizuno have made.

[jmck]

In addition to the Mac Pro-Cs, look at the model that came before them: VIP 1025 CM. I think they're a little more forgiving than the Pro-Cs and they'll be even cheaper. Also, if you like the chrome look of the Hogans, the VIP 1025 CMs will be more similar to those than the stain (or gunmetal) Pro-Cs.

 

Good luck on the search!

[swartzd]

MacGregor Pro-Cs are really butter and way better looking than the older model Macs IMO. They can be had for under $300 new on ebay.

[Sikxer]

Callaway Fusions.. You should be able to find a nice set for close to $300 or maybe a little more. They are worth the extra few $ believe me. mmmmm.. so buttery!!

[CosmosMpower]

Thanks for the Nickent 3dx pro suggestion. I'm reading nothing but good reviews about them. Seem to be a great blend of soft feel and forgiveness, not to mention they are dirt cheap!

 

I'm also very happy with my 3DX pros. The Nippon shafts are great.

[jmck]

An obvious one for a Hogan fan that I forgot is the Apex FTX. Really pretty clubs. Not as forgiving as some of the other stuff that's been mentioned, but definitely smaller with less offset and a buttery feel. They seem to be in the $100-$250 price range on ebay, depending on condition. Also, if you get a set of them you could keep your CFT long irons, then switch over to the FTXs around five or six iron. That would be a pretty nice set.

[hardten]

I have hit or owned a number of irons suggested by posters ie srixon 302,hogan pros,mac 1025s,and more . No question all are very good sticks and to say one is better is total individual preference. You will never get a consensus. FWIW I think the Mac Pro -Cs ,Ms,CMs have to be one of the best deals I have seen in 30+ years of playing and buying lots of stuff. I have a set of Cs that are 2nd string ,at least when season starts then who knows, to AP2s and the Cs are beautifull,great feel and playability,forgiving for THAT style of club, and CHEAP. If you want more forgiving try the Mac MTs. I haven't hit those but I read they are very forgiving while maintaining a somewhat player profile and are CHEAPER than thr Pro Forged.