Are Taylormade R11 irons "game improvement"

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='Uk#8' timestamp='1331259114' post='4466371']
Seem like a game improvment to me just like the R9 irons. Also, they are about the same as the cbs or whatever the big cavity iron is called in the tp forged series.
[/quote]

I found the R9 irons to be totally different than the R11 irons. The R9s are not as easy or forgiving as the R11s. If you can hit them pure, the R9s can generate serious distance.

[Sabaka]

They are kinda funky to me, at least from the perspective of looking at the Maltby numbers on them. The MOI, C dimension and overall MPF rating would infer they are pretty forgiving. Yet, they have a very high VCOG, with healthy soles and noticeable offset. My take is that they would be a very forgiving club for someone with a digger or steeper swing at impact. For someone like me, a sweeper/slider they would be problematic. I would probably struggle with them - lots of thin shots on hard, tight fairways or lots of shots that felt weak compression. They might be OK on nice spongy summer Zoysia. But, I admit to not having hit them so this is just my observation from looking at the numbers.

[retfr8flyr]

I think if you try them you will be surprised. I am a sweeper/slider and they work great for me.


Earl

[samlive23]

I live in quebec, canada and at what price do you think I can have a set of r11 steel regular? I try them on golftown simulator and got 15 yds more with every irons compare to my 2003 Top Flite tour irons. I like to ap1 but hate its top line so I decide myself to don't buy them. Cobra amp's too were nice hitting club but I think that the orange will be old-fashioned in 4-5 years so... If you can help me I'm a 18 handicap and 15 years old 5''11 and 125 lbs player.

[BeTheBall]

[quote name='00bolt' timestamp='1330989706' post='4443373']
Iv been golfing for about 5 years now, and finally ready to upgrade my irons. Well, I want to more than anything.

I have been using Adams A3 (not OS) since I started. They have been nice clubs, but im just ready to look at something new and shiny, not to mention, I figure technology has improved over the years and would like to utilize this.

Im about a 15 handicap, so Im not great by any means. Im just now getting to the point where I can pretty consistently hit straight shots (for the most part). I rarely find myself TRYING to shape shots, so I think Id still rather have a set of clubs that HELP me a little bit.

But Im like everyone else, I dont want to stare down at a huge club, I like the look of something thinner and makes me feel more comfortable.

So that being said, what would be a good club to get? I want something that will not only still help my off shots, but be something that I can continue to grow into the next few years..

I was considering the following

R11
R9 - maybe a nice used set... maybe TP version?
MP52
MP53
Ttileist AP2 (AP1 seem kinda thick top??)
[/quote]

Nope. Had R11s but are "tweeners" not GIs. bought used set of JPX 800s and love em, med sole, med offset, large sweet spot. 4.2 index

[Singapore Joe]

Very interesting conversation. Thank you for all the views shared.

I am a high capper and play R11 irons but struggle to hit them well. I just played - after a while - my second set of clubs with ye olde Burners and I just love the way I hit them. The shafts and grips are identical and the only difference (other than the clubhead) in the setup is 0.5 degree difference in the lie angles.

In the defence of R11 they are consistent: when I hit them well the distances are very predictable unlike the Burners where the distances fluctuate pretty wildly [a good shot on P, for example, can be anything between 110 and 140 yards]

I can think of a couple of reasons for this
1) The way the shafts are installed makes the R11 much stiffer than Burners and that ruins my shots - somehow I just fail to load the shaft the way I do with Burners and a lot of shots are low and long with very little spin;
2) The lie angle difference makes it hard for me to hit the more upright R11 irons [but in a recent fitting I was given a Cleveland test club that is +2 degrees upright];
3) I just don't hit 'em well enough but get away with less than good shots with Burners;
4) The hard and dry fairways in Australia (compared to SE Asia and Europe where I play my second set of clubs) makes hitting any iron more difficult.

I am inclined to think of (3) as the main reason. However, I am wondering whether a different shaft could help so that I don't need to ditch the R11 altogether. The current shafts are Aldila VS Proto 85 Stiff and maybe something softer would help me hit the R11 even if this shaft works well with Burners.

Any thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated.