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Hi,
I am looking to purchase a set of 'as forgiving as possible' irons for someone that shoots in the mid to high 90s.
Most likely I would buy used so looking for recommendations on sets that might be 2-3 years old now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I would recommend the Callaway X-16 or X-18 irons.
The Cleveland CG golds are and so are the Hibores
Ping G5's are game improvement irons and just what you need.
I'm using a set of Bridgestone GC Midsize irons that I've really come to enjoy. I fall in the same handicap range as you and you can usually find these online for pretty cheap. Sent me a PM if you need more info.
I'll put in my 2 cents and say Titleist Ap1 , still a good shot , even if you don't get all of it.
I'll go with an older set of Callaways, either Big Berthas or something in the X series.
Best bang for your buck and will do you just fine until you get the cap consistently into the teens.
Mizuno MX25
Wilson Di7...long, forgiving, easy to hit and cheap. On sale at golftown for just over $200.
Check GOlfworks who have tested most irons and provide a nice way to compare. In your case slect the category "Ultra Game Improvement" and in this category the higher the number the higher the more forgiving etc the iron. Callaways are amoung the top.
http://www.golfworks.com/article.asp...cd2=1247143846
how would you rate the taylor made r7 xd? As a 25-30 handicaped are these decent clubs or should I look for more fogiving ones?
These may not be the best for a higher handicapper. Go to www.ralphmaltby.com and you will see the PDF downloads for irons from 2007-2009. Check them out, you will benefit most from the ultra game improvement iron.
Hmm... Dunno if I can trust that listing, some of the ratings are hard to believe.
For instance, Nike VR split-cavity is rated at 328, Nike VR full cavity is at 458, while the TW blade version is rated at 516. Nike Slingshot hybrid is at 457. Callaway X-Forged, notoriously difficult club to hit, is rated at 621, while X-22 Tour is at 594. I could believe such surprising differences between different manufacturers (although even that would stretch credibility), but I can't see how a blade would be more playable than a cavity back and a hybrid from the same factory. Am I missing something here?
I would suspect that for the more difficult to play irons then this may be true but for what this thread is asking I think the irons in that category (Ultra game improvement) are fine. I suppose you would have to look at the way he arrives at his MPF. I know that in the ultra game improvement category these ratings seems pretty accurate.
I'd suspect that the methodology he's using is a little outdated and is not taking into account the newer trends in club design. He seems to be only measuring COG locations and head sizes, while mass distribution is a big factor in how forgiving a club is. Hybrids especially seem to be judged too harshly there. And while UGI clubs seem to be rated appropriately higher than the rest of the clubs, I'd be weary of choosing between them based on this chart.
What I'd really like to see is a robot test of the different iron sets, including off-center hits, launch angles, distance etc. I've been searching for one for a long time...
I doubt that as he updates every year but you can check for yourself on his site. From my own experience it seems pretty accurate but "playability" may have its own meaning in his eyes but you make a good point.
From your experience, what clubs would you recommend as an ULTRA improved clubs
Taylor Made R7 CGB Max. Pure and simple. And I went through many before finding and settling on these. Been in my bag for three years now, no urge to switch.
cleveland hi-bore's....might not be real pretty but they sure do work good
Guess all the different replies go to show, that any set will do the trick. From year to year, the technology in the clubs improves. Just buy anything released this year or last and you will notice a big difference in your game (especially if your are currently playing with older clubs)
Callaway big Berthas or X14s, X16s would be a good choice. Very forgiving, long, easy to hit and gets the ball in the air easily. They will also grow with your game.
Forget the 3 and 4 iron for now. Start with a 4 hybrid.
Get a 12 degree driver.
A 5 wood with 19 degreees of loft
A 4 hybrid with 23 degrees of loft
Perhaps even a 5 hybrid.
That is where most of the damage occurs on long shots.
Work on your short game every chance you get.
It depends ....
Best thing to do is go to golftown and try a few.
I tried 6 different makes last week and settled with a set of Callaway Fusion irons.
They were on sale for $700.
I usually shoot in the 92-100 range. I shot a 93 (43-50) on Monday with some lousy driving and putting. (2 9s on par 5s and a 7 on a par 4). And that's my third game this year (first with these clubs and first round that was not a scramble format).
There was also a set of Mizunos that I really liked (on sale for $500).
I really didn't like the feel of the Nikes and Pings. Taylor Made was an OK 3rd on my list.
Well,
I did try the Callaway Big Bertha 2008, Ping G10, Adams AS04 but eventually decided on the Cleveland HiBore set (last years model).
Picked up a used set.
My experience as a 22 handicap and formally using regular irons (clones from Gigagolf online).....
Trajectory... I am now hitting much higher than before and the shorter clubs are hardly rolling after they hit the ground. Big improvement over my old irons as I hit a very low trajectory which caused lots of shots to roll right off the green.
Long irons... Well now hybrids. This is the big difference. I guess with the big sole on these hybrids I don't hit fat shots anymore. Although my best shots are about the same distance as they were with the old irons ... the average length is about 25 yards more. So many less mistakes keeps the distance much higher.
That is a nice feeling to actually think a 180y 2nd shot could hit the green. In the past almost all were mi****s that rolled up to the 100y marker OR I would just layup since the percentages were to play it safe.
Mid irons.... About the feel as before but and extra 10-15 yards. The main improvement is the lack of roll after it hits the ground.
Short irons.... This is the one questionable part of these clubs. They don't feel as 'nice' as my old irons. Not sure if this will be something I get used too. As far as the shot itself its as good or better then before because of the higher trajectory.
Just the 'feel' is a bit off.
Overall, if you can put up with the odd looking 'irons' and some teasing from friends about your clubs.... these can be a big improvement for someone that is a high handicapper.
Grabster