Are my irons holding me back?

[ScienceBoy]

Took up golf in March after playing it for a few years casually as a kid (making a total of 7 years break from regular golf).

I still have the same irons from my mid teens, PowerBilt Grandslam oversized. I have recently purchased a new putter, Ping G15 driver and wood as well as some new wedges.

This leaves the irons the only old things in my bag, the rest is all brand new.

My current handicap is 16 and someone let me have a go with an r7 8-iron (hardly any offset compared to my current irons) and I hit it very well (about 5 feet from the pin with a draw shape, loads of spin to stop it in about 2 feet).

I have been told I have the swing of a single figure player but my long irons lack punch (but are straight) and hardly get in the air compared to the shorter irons (feels as if they don't get any backspin going).

How much are these old irons holding me back? I have hit the odd wonder shot with them but its pretty rare compared to my gap wedge and my driver and woods (the new clubs pretty much hold my handicap together).

 

[brendy]

Are the clubs in good condition (steel or graphite shafts?) and what handicap do you play of?
My instinct would be to upgrade them now rather than later so you have all winter to get whatever new clubs you decide upon to get acquainted.

 

[ScienceBoy]

They had about 2 years use in my mid teens then 7 years of about 3-5 rounds a year then about 3 rounds week since March.

Throw in the odd range session before March each year and now 3 times a week on the range... They look on the used side of good condition.

I currently play off 16 but it is flicking between 15 and 16 depending on my iron play. I usually find most fairways but my course is long and I cannot get the relative performance out of my 6-4 irons that I feel I should do (needed on all the par 3s and about 5-6 of the par 4s too from the whites) compared to my wedges and my woods.

The lower irons also feel to lack what I expect when compared to clubs I have hit in the nets when browsing... I really hate big offsets and thick top lines, these current clubs do not have either, I class them as moderate (compared to g15 irons!!:

Dont worry, I clean my groves after every round, I played today and its next on my list of things to do before I play tomorrow!

 

[Nikki]

I'd defo replace them...

Modern irons are sooooooo much better.


I'd say get yourself some r9's or some i15's if you have guts and think you're a decent ball striker.

Otherwise the G15's are brilliant.

I'd say give the i15's a go!!!

 

[ScienceBoy]

Both the r9s and the i15 irons looks great for me... it is just the cost.

I am just saving up for the irons, and I will be done by mid winter. It is just what to buy really but that I will deal with once I choose to get rid of these ones. I must admit I am attached to them a little, they have done a lot for me but also I know they are on the way out, I frequently find myself a club longer than higher handicappers on par 3s

 

[Imurg]

Don't discount decent 2nd hand clubs.
Callaway X-20 Tour are great irons. Loads of forgiveness but not huge topline or offset. Can be got from ebay - be careful though - for less than 200 quid now. A set in good nick will last you a good long while.

 

[brendy]

To me, if you are having bother getting good distance out of your longer irons, maybe get somewhere you can trial newer game improvement irons, I wouldnt necessarily jump at 'expensive is best'
I always say this, but callaway x-series irons are the best clubs out there for guys looking to get good distance, forgiveness and a bit of uniformity between each club's distance.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I will go for new irons I think, those aimed at players of my level who do not like the thick top lines, wide soles and large offsets.

Thanks for all the tips, I think I can conclude that my irons might be holding me back. The next step is to asess them against new clubs for different levels to see what fits me best.

I was not totally convinced that changing irons would make a big difference in the long run but being a scientist I know that experimentation is required.

Thanks again for all the help and breaking that last little string making me hold onto my old (semi) faithful irons.

I think by the end of the year I will have to say

"Goodbye old friends..."

 

[Split_Fairway]

try looking at last seasons tileist ap1's

 

[ScienceBoy]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, some guys at my club have offered me a good deal on irons as has the pro on some in the shop. I need to try them all out first but things are looking up.

Back to my old irons, they put in a good case by helping me on the way to 40 points in todays stableford. I really cant say they helped me score many as it was mostly my short and long game that scored the points but they did contribute to getting me into decent positions.

I still feel I need new ones judging on todays performance, they were the weakest part of the game all round bar two or three good shots.

 

[sev112]

the powerbilt gs was a good little clud; you didnt see too many on teh shelevs, because iirc they were distributed generally in eth states

my first graphite shafted metal woods were the PB Gss and they were a lovely club - in fact one of my colleagues is still using them, and i get a pang of jealously when i see him hit the lttle headed 5 wood miles still. Not bad for a 15 year old club.

I guess the inconsistency is possibly more related to the ageing shafts rather than the club head itself.

Depending on your budget, have a look at MD SUperstrong irons - excellent quality and value for money

 

[ScienceBoy]

I guess the inconsistency is possibly more related to the ageing shafts rather than the club head itself.

You might be on to something there, the one I usually hit best is the 6 iron and it is the only one I had reshafted after I had an accident with it and it got bent.

I must admit they are not terrible clubs, they have served me well but as tech has moved on so much and so has my golf swing, I think I should still consider a replacement.

BTW I had the 5 wood, 3 wood and the driver.

The head flew off the driver, right into the middle of a pond so I could not get it back.

The head from the 3 wood flew off on a range and I was too embarrassed to get it back.

The 5 wood is still in my father in laws shed!

Thinking back these Power Bilt irons were meant to be a long term set as the half set of Fazer irons I started with had massive offsets and were not being sold any more when I needed to expand to a full set.

I really think they have done their job for me and maybe could even be sold on to another beginner.

I just feel I have outgrown them over this summer, it is still going to be a wrench to let them go.

 

[Swinger]

A friend of mine has just changed his over. He brought them new when they first came out and playes a fair bit.
He got on fine with them and does play off +1 so doubt the clubs are that much of a problem. He is enjoying the feel of his new forged clubs but they are still fairly oversized.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I definitely think shaft technology has moved on and you'd benefit from more up to date clubs. It doesn't mean you need to break the bank as there are plenty of bargains to be had 2nd hand. Add in the fact that Mizuno and TM (no surprise) have new models imminently hitting the shelves means that current lines will need to get shifted. Also I'd look at cavity backs even with aspirations for single figures even if you look at shallower versions. I know you talk about cost but it you try the I15 in particular I think you'd hit them well.

 

[Spartacus]

I still have the same irons from my mid teens, PowerBilt Grandslam oversized.

someone let me have a go with an r7 8-iron (loads of spin to stop it in about 2 feet).

compared to the shorter irons (feels as if they don't get any backspin going).

How much are these old irons holding me back?

Er, judging by your picture, maybe all the grass, mud, seed dirt etc in your grooves!

 

[ScienceBoy]

He he he, they are dirty! But sadly that is not what is contributing...

I clean them once to twice a week depending on the amount of golf I play. As soon as I saw the state of them in the pic I got scrubbing. I tend to use the cleaning session the night before a competition round as a way of focussing in on playing well. I never go out in a competition without clean clubs (and quite often friendly rounds too!)

 

[NickSwan]

Get down your local driving range that does custom fitting with flightscope or similar ball tracking system and try out as many different new irons as you can. As others have mentioned shaft technology has changed quite a bit over recent years.
Hybrids would be a good option as well rather than a 3 iron. The great thing about going to a range is they'll let you try everything out.

Nick

 

[ScienceBoy]

I agree this is very important. My golf swing is as pretty much as good as I can get it.

The one thing I wanted to do before I got new irons was get a good solid swing going or at least know how to get that swing.

I am there now and my driver fits this swing perfectly! (I bought it while having the lessons).

When I have a free weekend I will go and spend a day trying stuff out.

Is it bad that the more I talk about moving on from my irons the more I want to keep them for just a little longer?

 

[NickSwan]

I don't think so - plus you need to remember it may take you a little while to get used to any new clubs you buy - especially if they are custom fit because they might decide you need slightly longer/shorter clubs.

When I got custom fit I got the pro who I get lessons from to come along as he knew my swing and what we'd been working on.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I will consult my pro, he pretty much helped me build the base for this swing (he did the stance and grip but has yet to change my swing)

I think he can recommend what will suit me best as I think he has a good idea of my potential. I don't think I can get him to come along anywhere but if I run things by him I am sure he will be happy to advise.

Thanks for another great packet of advice and another good response to my posts!

I have thrown myself into these forums as from the moment I started reading here I liked the conversations, the friendly and supportive advice and the lack of negative jabs and jibes!

Everything here seems to be said in a way to help the OP or reply but also educate and retain harmony.