Am I fighting a losing battle ?

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Martin70

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Hi, new here so hello first of all.

Returned to golf this year after a 5 year break. I had sold my Ping irons so picked up a set of Callaway S2H2 irons on ebay as they were so cheap.

On the whole I get on with these clubs however there was a nagging feel of something missing. Before I quit I started from an 18 handicap and finished on 15 but I wasn't playing very often at all and I want to improve this time round.

Out of boredom one day I found this http://www.callawaygolf.com/global/en-us/golf-equipment/classic-golf-equipment/s2h2-irons.html

It got me thinking - I've not been as good from 120 yards in this year as I am used to and do you think the lack of bounce is the likely reason?

I'm fine with the Pitching wedge from short distances in but am definitely not hitting it as well as I used to with my old wedge.

If this is the case would you recommend me buying a new set of irons completely or just replacing the wedges? If I can afford it I am leaning towards new irons as these really need a regrip as well and I would guess they aren't the friendliest clubs for someone of my ability. That said when I connect they feel great.

Thanks for any advice.

Martin
 
I'm in a similar situation after a long time off from golf. Finding the 'feel' for shots 120/100 yards down takes a bit of time in my opinion. Especially if you've got new clubs too!
If you are not comfortable with the rally short irons/wedges there is lots of choice in wedges from Cleveland, Cally, Ping, Titleist etc etc available from 48ish degree to 64 degree and everywhere in between with a multitude of bounce options. Try and get your hand on something just to see how it feels hitting it-might help you decide which way you go re: club change, lessons or just a few new wedges.
 
I would get a couple of lessons. How often are you going to be playing now you're back into golf? If its not that often I would perhaps see how the lessons pan out and then decide if new clubs will make a difference
 
People who market golf equipment really are excellent at their jobs.
They have somehow managed to convince us the reason we hit bad shots is not our technique but is purely due to the equipment we use! wow!

like everyone else, lessons first or practice a lot first - then reconsider
 
Martin70 said:
So having no bounce on any club won't be harming me then?
Click to expand...

I'd be amazed if the reason you are not hitting it as well as you used to was because of a bounce angle.
I thought bounce came into play most when in the bunker of when hitting half shots.
But from 120 yards that shouldn't be the case.

Also - think of all the old greats of the game and how good they were - they didn't have all this technology but could get up and down from all sorts of distances. But if you have your heart set on some new wedges I would recommend having a look at Clevland's wedges as they have a great range, Vokey designed Titleist clubs are also a favourite of many golfer.

Get yourself to an American Golf outlet and see what takes your fancy, then get onto ebay if you want to find it cheaper
 
Thanks for the advice all.

I think I will compromise by adding a Cleveland G15 (can find these for 50 quid everywhere at the moment) 56 degree as I'm pretty sure I should at least have some bounce for the sand and book a couple of lessons - never had one so no idea what to expect.
 
Whilst I don't disagree with the suggestion of lessons, I seem to recall the S2H2 irons aren't particularly forgiving. And if they really don't have any bounce across the set (which I've not heard before), I don't believe they'll be doing you any favours in that department either.

It is true that you need bounce on you sand wedge when playing out of the bukers, but all irons typically have some bounce. This ranges from around 2-3* in your 3 iron upto 8-10* in your PW. Depending on your swing, this would make a difference. Are the S2H2 really 0* bounce through the set?

Personnally I would consider another set of irons... with 'normal' specs... and with a forgiving cavity back design. But then I'm an equipment junkie so I would not suggest you take any advice from me.

:-)
 
Sorry to bump an old thread but I just wanted to update it.

I ended up buying a new set of Callaway RazrX HL irons from AG and it seems to have done the trick. I'm hitting it much more consistently now right through the set and I'm pitching like I used to as well. I added a black Dunlop sand wedge for about 8 quid to them and I love it from 70 yards in - it's got 14 degree bounce whereas I used to have zero.

I think perhaps the old set were just too unforgiving for me and I've now got confidence in my ball striking. They were what I would consider pretty cheap too I got 4-PW for £279 - they are probably cheaper now I would guess. I can't see me changing clubs now for a very long time.

I've not ignored the suggestions about a lesson or two - that's on hold until I shake the winter rust off.
 
if you are playing somewhere really soggy, then yes bounce can have a massive impact. in fact go and buy at least 1 wedge with the most bounce you can get. it will feel like cheating!
 
garyinderry said:
if you are playing somewhere really soggy, then yes bounce can have a massive impact. in fact go and buy at least 1 wedge with the most bounce you can get. it will feel like cheating!
Click to expand...
I don't think that's particularly good advice!

Just because someone is not a 'low bounce' player, doesn't mean they are a 'high bounce' one! It's a case of finding the right amount - which may well be 'high' of course!

And there is a difference between 'bounce' and 'effective bounce' too!

The H2S2 did indeed have zero bounce - flat sole. That, however, probably wasn't quite the problem it might seem, firstly because fairways were a lot lusher back then and also also because of the relatively narrow sole. Compare the H2S2 PW with a Ping G series one and. Because of its super-wide sole the effective bounce of the Ping is actually a lot less than the actual bounce.

@Martin. Good to see you've found a set that works! S2H2 irons were before Callaway's Big Bertha forgiving irons!
 
One thing that's not been mentioned Martin is what ball are you playing with. It's all right hitting the green from 40-60-80-100 yd etc but if it's running through every time then it might not just be clubs. I play with titleist vokeys48,52,56 and proV1x and they stop on a sixpence. other balls can run on 10 yards plus.

re bounce and all that, I have struggled at times to get any consistency with my pitching wedges because of the ground being so soft. One of me playing partners who plays off a lot lower handicap than me suggested pitching with 9-8 and 7 irons and getting more club on the ball. Hey presto it worked a treat for me. Strange thing is that this last week the course has got firmer so it will be a month of finding distances again etc re clubs and balls. A few sessions at the driving range are planned.
 
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