‘Game improvement’ irons

[bradleywedge]

Recently bought some ‘game improvement’ irons, which (at the moment), I can barely hit.

OK so I took the plunge and bought them on a whim (without fitting etc), but basically they were the model up from my previous set (T300 to T200) which I was hitting well.

Now obviously I’ve noticed some visual changes to the clubs, smaller face, thinner top line, thinner sole, hardy any offset, obviously this must make them harder to hit than my previous set?

The reason I ask is I am having trouble hitting the new set as well consistently. Ok when they connect right they are flying great and where I want but I am having a lot of misplaced shots and I am very inconsistent with them.

Is this normal? Is it a case of getting used to them? I don’t want to give up on them I just need to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Do I need to change my swing to compensate with the change of irons?

Love the clubs, just want them to work.

 

[kp17]

Unless I’m reading wrong but t300 would be more for game improvement, definitely more forgiving than t200.
You’ve went from t300’s to struggling with t200’s?

 

[nickjdavis]

Unless I’m reading wrong but t300 would be more for game improvement, definitely more forgiving than t200.
You’ve went from t300’s to struggling with t200’s?

Yeah...I read it the same way.

Allowing AI to do some brief research for me...

The Titleist T200 irons are designed for low-to-mid handicappers seeking control and precision, while the T300 irons cater to mid-to-high handicappers looking for maximum forgiveness and distance.

T200: Features a more traditional, compact blade design that offers excellent feedback and feel. It is forged for better responsiveness, making it suitable for skilled players who can shape their shots effectively.
T300: Has a larger profile with more perimeter weighting, which enhances forgiveness. The T300 provides a softer feel due to its polymer insert, making it more user-friendly for less experienced golfers.

T200: Focuses on accuracy and workability, allowing players to shape shots and maintain control on approach shots. It is designed for those who prioritize hitting greens and achieving lower scores.
T300: Excels in distance and forgiveness, featuring a larger sweet spot and lower center of gravity. This design helps launch the ball higher and farther, making it easier for higher handicap golfers to achieve better results.

No surprise that the OP is finding things a little more difficult going from T300 to T200....unless he has written things back to front of course and has gone from the T200 to T300....but it doesnt read like that is the case.

 

[bradleywedge]

Unless I’m reading wrong but t300 would be more for game improvement, definitely more forgiving than t200.
You’ve went from t300’s to struggling with t200’s?

Exactly that

 

[timd77]

T300 are the GI irons, T200 the ‘player’s irons’. I’ve recently made the same move. Kept the T300s for a while just in case. Found the T300s easier to hit and they go further, but the T200s are more controllable.

This all comes at a cost, mis-hits with the T200s are more noticeable, but that’s what I’d expect.

 

[Golf is fun]

A good swing will hit a good shot whether the iron is game improvement or not. If you're struggling to hit the T200s you probably need to change something.

However, have you considered blending the set? You could use your old T300s for the longer irons and T200s for the shorter irons. Obviously this would depend on whether the shafts match and you may need a slight loft adjustment to have decent gapping as the clubs transition.

 

[Klimski]

I don't really understand the question. You went to more difficult to hit irons and are finding them more difficult to hit.

 

[Backache]

It's really a question you can only answer yourself. Which set do you enjoy playing with more? Personally I prefer a set which I hit more consistently, but there nothing wrong with preferring looks or possibly the occasional feel of when its good its very good. But if they weren't working for me after a while I'd go back to what was working.
It's certainly not compulsory to stick with the set that is best for scoring.

 

[Springveldt]

I don't really understand the question. You went to more difficult to hit irons and are finding them more difficult to hit.

Exactly, I was confused reading this. The OP has went from GI irons to “players distance” irons, they are supposed to give you less forgiveness.

 

[bradleywedge]

T300 are the GI irons, T200 the ‘player’s irons’. I’ve recently made the same move. Kept the T300s for a while just in case. Found the T300s easier to hit and they go further, but the T200s are more controllable.

This all comes at a cost, mis-hits with the T200s are more noticeable, but that’s what I’d expect.

Ok so I think I misread the term 'game improvement iron' I thought those to be the T200's.

Anyway either way, just couldn't use the T200's so reverting back to the T300's, just thought I'd clear that up.

 

[timd77]

Ok so I think I misread the term 'game improvement iron' I thought those to be the T200's.

Anyway either way, just couldn't use the T200's so reverting back to the T300's, just thought I'd clear that up.

They’ve modified their range a bit now, but if you’re struggling to hit the t200s consistently, the t300s offer the forgiveness in their range. And they still look nice to me, not overly chunky.

The t100s being the hardest to hit.

 

[kp17]

The T series are just brilliant, I played muscle backs for years but switched to t100 in 2020. Love them.

 

[Smoj]

The T series are just brilliant, I played muscle backs for years but switched to t100 in 2020. Love them.

I really enjoyed my time playing from the 714 AP2s to the 2019 t100. I was thinking the other day if I ever need to buy a spare set, some 2021 t100s will be the ones I go to.

 

[Burnsey]

OK, someone has to say it - go for a fitting.

I'm not the worlds best golfer and got fit into T150 6i to GW. The set then consisted hybrids/fairways.

As I improved, I could introduce a 5i and they are T200* (high launch) to 7i and 8 - pW in T150's. Dropped the GW and have 3 Vokey wedges.

My game is consistent, distances shorter than many (150 6 iron) but gapping is perfect, moving into 24/20/16 fairways. After driver, that gives me 205 yards, reducing in gaps of 15 yards to 5 iron then 10 yards all the way down the set to 60 yards (full shots).

Because my gapping is repetitively accurate, I can club up depending on conditions really easily, so I tend to land where I want to land. Sadly, my faorway accuracy isn't quite there yet, but working on it.

I prefer irons to fairways and have thought of a T350 as a 4 iron, but my 24 degree fairway works well currently.

GI irons (for me) had too low a flight, so couldn't hold greens and although they went further, each shot distance could be hugely different to the last.

 

[Taz]

OK, someone has to say it - go for a fitting.

I'm not the worlds best golfer and got fit into T150 6i to GW. The set then consisted hybrids/fairways.

As I improved, I could introduce a 5i and they are T200* (high launch) to 7i and 8 - pW in T150's. Dropped the GW and have 3 Vokey wedges.

My game is consistent, distances shorter than many (150 6 iron) but gapping is perfect, moving into 24/20/16 fairways. That gives me 205, yeards reducing in gaps of 15 yards, then 10 yeards in my irons all the way doen to 60 degree.

I prefer irons to faorways and have thought of a T350 as a 4 iron, but my 24 degree fairway works well currently.

GI irons (for me) had too low a flight, so couldn't hold greens and although they went further, each shot distance could be hugely different to the last.

100% this

 

[Swinglowandslow]

Yes, if your score is very very important, then use the clubs that give you that. If you want sometimes to have that glorious buttery iron strike, then keep the lower T200s
I’m over 80, I’ve resurrected some Macgregor Muirfield blades, which I hit well enough times to give me top enjoyment. Maybe modern clubs would give me better scores, but it’s the enjoyment that I want more now.
Also, I think it true that if you want to improve, then the T200s will tell you if that’s happening better than irons that “mask “ your off strikes.
It might suit to try what Golf is Fun” says, or if scoring is all, then Burnley’s advice is the way to go.
But now you have T200s and T300s, a fitting is ……expensive?

 

[bradleywedge]

Yes, if your score is very very important, then use the clubs that give you that. If you want sometimes to have that glorious buttery iron strike, then keep the lower T200s
I’m over 80, I’ve resurrected some Macgregor Muirfield blades, which I hit well enough times to give me top enjoyment. Maybe modern clubs would give me better scores, but it’s the enjoyment that I want more now.
Also, I think it true that if you want to improve, then the T200s will tell you if that’s happening better than irons that “mask “ your off strikes.
It might suit to try what Golf is Fun” says, or if scoring is all, then Burnley’s advice is the way to go.
But now you have T200s and T300s, a fitting is ……expensive?

Yeah this post pretty much sums it up. My score is important but I'm not losing shots in Iron striking, just fancied a change.

I have sort of progressed through titleist irons. I originally had the 718 AP1's for a number of years and after some research bought the T300's, these have been good irons, and I don't know why I just fancied a change so opted for the T200's without doing enough research on them.

I was looking at a new set couple of years back and went to a shop for a fitting, but they were honest and said the T300's I had were fine and nothing new they had out performed them, so ended up walking out with same irons.

Also my pro I have lessons with actually asked why I had changed my irons, so I think enough evidence is there to stick with them which I intend to do.
I suppose its the old adage if it ain't broke dont fix it.

 

[Klimski]

Yeah this post pretty much sums it up. My score is important but I'm not losing shots in Iron striking, just fancied a change.

I have sort of progressed through titleist irons. I originally had the 718 AP1's for a number of years and after some research bought the T300's, these have been good irons, and I don't know why I just fancied a change so opted for the T200's without doing enough research on them.

I was looking at a new set couple of years back and went to a shop for a fitting, but they were honest and said the T300's I had were fine and nothing new they had out performed them, so ended up walking out with same irons.

Also my pro I have lessons with actually asked why I had changed my irons, so I think enough evidence is there to stick with them which I intend to do.
I suppose its the old adage if it ain't broke dont fix it.

Listen, in the end it's a hobby, perhaps even a passion, playing with stuff you like (for whatever reason) even though it may not be 'optimal' for your game is totally legitimate. I game a quite idiosyncratic setup because that's what I like...could (should) get fit etc but that's not me. So you be you and hit the sh*t out of those T200's!

 

[bradleywedge]

Listen, in the end it's a hobby, perhaps even a passion, playing with stuff you like (for whatever reason) even though it may not be 'optimal' for your game is totally legitimate. I game a quite idiosyncratic setup because that's what I like...could (should) get fit etc but that's not me. So you be you and hit the sh*t out of those T200's!

Never changing them now

 

[RichA]

I’ve been on the lookout for new irons for a while.
I’m bang average but like blades.
I’ve spent the last couple of years playing ok but not getting the best out of my heavy and stiff shafted Mizuno JPX921 Tour irons.
I want to move to something a little more GI with lighter graphite shafts.
A couple of fittings with various iron heads and shaft combos didn’t convince me to buy.
Sub 70 sold me a couple of 7-irons with different shafts to trial. Neither was an instant hit but the more I’ve used the one with the 70g regular shaft the better it has got and I can’t wait for the full set that I’ve ordered to arrive.
I think I’m saying that hour long fittings don’t work for everyone but that if you find the right setup with the correct shaft for you then you can adjust to it in a relatively short space of time on the golf course.