Aspirations vs. Reality

[DCB]

Following on from the "Best Looking Irons" thread I thought it would be interesting to see what people thought regarding the type of irons that they aspire to use.

Dodger made a statement regarding the equipment we play and the difference between playing ability and percieved playing ability. There was some intersting responses to dodgers views. In reality we probably all think we are better than we relly are. As a result are we soft talked by the marketing hype around certain types of club in the mistaken belief we are capable of playing them well?

I remember going through the same thought process that others on here have made. "When I get down to singe figures I'll treat myself to new irons". I succumbed to the thought process and went out and got fitted for a set of MP30s. They were the sought after club at that time. I probably had one season where I played reasonable golf, then it started to unravel. It took me a long time to admit to myself that I couln't play consistent golf with that type of club.

I've still got the MP30s and they are a nice looking club, but their day has gone. Their replacement, my MP57s may well have outsayed their welcome as well. The statistics over the past few seasons show that I'm not good enough, not consistent enough to play these type of irons. My handicap has risen four strokes in the past five years. There are various factors, but the main one is,if I'm not on top of my game, I get hurt by inconsistent shots in the mid iron range because I cant play that type of iron consistently any more.

I'm currently playing with an older game improvement type set and the difference is marked compared with what has gone before.

Anyone else admitted to themselves that they are in this situation ?

Or does it not matter what type of iron we play, does it really make a difference ?

Gentlemen, over to you

 

[SammmeBee]

I think you're not far off the mark....I used to use blades because I thought I could hit them (and I could) but since I got myself a set of x-14s many moons ago, I have seen the light and seen you need to take advantage of as much help as you can get - especially with the longer irons....

Another thing, and perhaps more importantly, which I only learnt at the start of last year - use the swing you have, don't try to hit the perfect shot eveytime - there's little point going down the range and beating yourself up trying out a 'new' swing everytime you go out to play...have your swing thoughts yes, practice yes but use what you have and you will become a better 'player'....

 

[drawboy]

DCB I find this post fascinating as years ago I changed from Ping irons which I played off 15 with to blades which in the space of half a season got me playing off 9. I changed nothing,I didn't practice more or indeed play more it was just a better strike and more accuracy with the new irons. The swing didn't change so I must have had the swing already so the irons must have played a part. I wouldn't listen to anyone and I mean anyone who told me not to aspire to "better" irons because I cannot use them. I am at the moment carrying Mizuno mx25's but these are going in the new year for some more Mizuno blades and hopefully I can do the same as I did all those years ago.

 

[Macster]

As the starter of that particular thread, here's my 2penneth.....

I'm not sure exactly what made me grow to dislike the Zing2's that I'd used for 12yrs or so, but I found myself suddenly looking down on them, with their 'chunky' looks, and suddenly feeling like a change.
As said, I thought to try a more conventional club would be a lot harder, but having demo'd the AP2's at the range, I found I could hit them just as consistently, and with no noticeable drawbacks.
Sure, it took me perhaps 2/3months to fully feel totally comfortable, but once there, I saw my Handicap come down from 11.8 to 9.2 over this summer, so they've worked for me.
Obviously, I have been playing well this year, and applying myself better, but the clubs have undoubtably worked, and helped.

So, the question is, 'could' I hit the Titleist MB's ? Well, there's only one way to tell, and as soon as they are here, and available, I'll be trying to give them a go, and see what the results are like.
If I get on with them, who know's, perhaps they;'l also help me get 2 shots further down next year too ?

Personally, for me, loving the look of the club in your hands, and the feeling that that brings, is a definite requirement to positive ball striking.

To never try them just because you dont think you're good enough, would be a massive shame.

 

[DCB]

Drawboy,

When I got to 9 I changed to the MP30s from Maxfli Revolution Black dots. Short irons were very similar, 8-W. However it was the 5-7 irons that cost me shots in the long run through lack of consistency. Oh, the feeling of a pefectly struck shot is wonderfull, but with limited time to practice and play, I need all the help I can get nowadays. Those perfect shots became few and far between.

I played off 8 for a year, got down to 7.6 at best, but it was hard work. Then the rot set in.

A long hard inward look at my game this year has led to some changes. I've had a series of lessons, more to come next spring, but I need to be more consistent in my ball striking to score well. To that end, I'll take any help from club designe that I can even if it means a move to game improvement type irons s the way to go.

 

[haplesshacker]

As some of you know, I currently use MX19s. Not the prettiest of clubs, and I really don't like the offset. I tried some TM TP Irons at a demo day, and I was really surprised how well I hit them. I also tried some MX200s and some MP52s (I do like Mizuno irons!), and I got on better with the 52s, again rather surprisingly.

Whether a smaller headed club makes me concentrate that much more about each shot, or the offset and weighting was better suited to me, I don't know. But I was striking the ball so much better than I was with the MX19s.

I'm not going to kid myself and say that I'm good enough to use these clubs on a bad day, or even on the course. But it was interesting to see what they were like. However, if I can try the 68s on the range for a bit of a go, I'd like to. But I'm never going to buy a set! I know my limitations. Though I will say that whether it's all out beginners clubs, GI set of semi bladed, I don't think you should rule something out just because of your h'cap. You could be ruling out something that actually works for you. But you shouldn't kid yourself that just 'cause they look good, that they'll be good.

It would be interesting if you could hit different clubs blindfolded, and then see what the result is. But of course, you can't!

 

[drawboy]

Drawboy,

When I got to 9 I changed to the MP30s from Maxfli Revolution Black dots. Short irons were very similar, 8-W. However it was the 5-7 irons that cost me shots in the long run through lack of consistency. Oh, the feeling of a pefectly struck shot is wonderfull, but with limited time to practice and play, I need all the help I can get nowadays. Those perfect shots became few and far between.

I played off 8 for a year, got down to 7.6 at best, but it was hard work. Then the rot set in.

A long hard inward look at my game this year has led to some changes. I've had a series of lessons, more to come next spring, but I need to be more consistent in my ball striking to score well. To that end, I'll take any help from club designe that I can even if it means a move to game improvement type irons s the way to go.

Hey I wasn't having a go at you, we all play what we are comfy with, I was just saying that just because they are supposedly for the better player people shouldn't shy away from bladed clubs if you have a good swing you can play with anything on the other hand a dog of a swing will not play consistently with any club.

 

[kid2]

Personally, for me, loving the look of the club in your hands, and the feeling that that brings, is a definite requirement to positive ball striking.

To never try them just because you dont think you're good enough, would be a massive shame.

[/QUOTE]



This is the whole reason that i really want to treat myself to a set of Wilson Staff FG Tour irons.....I love the look and feel of them and i Know there's a chance that i my not hit them properly its a chance im willing to take thats why off of 20 ill still keep my Di7's as a safety net.

 

[RGDave]

Anyone else admitted to themselves that they are in this situation ?

I seem to go for clubs that are intended for the less able players. Whilst I've never had a set of ultra-G-I irons, I've also chosen irons (in the past) that sit firmly in the G-I group. My experience of playing with a set of TP Mizunos soon got me off the idea I might get better shots with better irons. The odd one was awesome, but the rest noticeably poor.

I went to try a few drivers back in May (or June) and actually asked to try some in Senior or extra light regular. My theory was that if you believe everything, light (weight) and flexy (not too stiff) helps to give distance over accuracy.
Interestingly, although I have a slowish unhurried swing there's simply no chance I'd benefit from Senior flex. I would have happily left with a club shafted for tortoise swings, but the LM put me safely in the reg category.

In short, I play stuff aimed at the regular golfer and have not risked going outside of that. One day I might fix all the inherent faults in my swing (??) and move up to better irons and stiffer woods.

t.b.h. If I can knock it round in 75-80 with beginner's/average kit I'd be mad to mess....the fact I don't is lack of practice (work!"£$%) and silly mistakes....hardly the fault of my clubs.

 

[RGDave]

As some of you know, I currently use MX19s. Not the prettiest of clubs, and I really don't like the offset. I tried some TM TP Irons at a demo day, and I was really surprised how well I hit them. I also tried some MX200s and some MP52s (I do like Mizuno irons!), and I got on better with the 52s, again rather surprisingly.

Whether a smaller headed club makes me concentrate that much more about each shot, or the offset and weighting was better suited to me, I don't know. But I was striking the ball so much better than I was with the MX19s.

Hapless. f.w.i.w. I simply can't play with offset clubs. If I'm going to hit a bad shot, it can just as easily "turn over" as "fade/slice". Offset just makes me scared to hit the thing properly. Also, many of these clubs have SO much weight in the sole that you simply aren't rewarded with a proper shot the way you should. Handicap isn't everything...I know folks that actually hit it good, but not so straight and the reverse (like me).
If you felt right about MP52s, then maybe a club like that is better for you. Admittedly, you might hit a few bad 'uns now and again but they aren't too scary if you ask me.
I'd have a set if they weren't so damn expensive.....

 

[DCB]

Drawboy,

no probs

What I was trying to say was, I chose a club that I liked the look of, a club that inspired confidence when I looked at the club behind the ball. The trouble was I wasn't good enough to get the best out of it consistently. Whilst the scenario of going to a players club may well work for some, I know from my bitter experience, it doesn't work for all.

 

[SammmeBee]

Drawboy,

no probs

What I was trying to say was, I chose a club that I liked the look of, a club that inspired confidence when I looked at the club behind the ball. The trouble was I wasn't good enough to get the best out of it consistently. Whilst the scenario of going to a players club may well work for some, I know from my bitter experience, it doesn't work for all.

You are right DCB but I also think if you have a custom fitted club that you if you swing right will go in the right direction and disctance also helps give you the confidence to hit better shots....

 

[pokerjoke]

it not the irons that is the problem its your mindset,your talking negative and that produces negative results,change to a posotive attitude and all will change but you have 2 believe.Iknow that sounds a bit patronizing but its a proven fact.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I really aspired to the TM TP's but alas having tried them at a demo day they weren't for me at this stage. By the time I get my swing to where I am trying to then there will have been a whole raft of new models out by then so its hard to say what I'd aspire too (probably be too old to use them time I've sorted the swing anyway). I guess a set of Titleist or Mizzy blades if TM didn't have anything I wanted

 

[Imurg]

I think I've continually upgraded my irons over the years. Started with a cheap set of Howson DJ100's that got me to about a 14 handicap when I changed to TopFlite Tour irons - don't laugh, they were played on tour by Ronan Rafferty and Peter Baker to name 2 - that were a world different. Much more solid and easier to get a good strike. When they wore out I got Ping i3's and although a better set, they never really felt right. After my enforced break (literally - the ankle) a set of Cally X-20's appeared until I'd got swing back and then I moved up to X-20 Tours.
I seem to be striking these as well as I have ever hit a golf ball, I can regularly break 80 and am playing well - where do I go from here? Do I <u>need</u> to go anywhere until the X-20T's wear out? I'm approaching 50 (too damn fast!) and wonder if I'm really going to get much better, sure I think high single figures is attainable but the X-20T's will be good enough to get me there. It would be nice to have shiny new sticks but would they help?
As I said in the "Best looking irons" thread, the best looking for me gets it nearest the hole - honestly, at the moment I don't think any other irons would.

 

[birdieman]

If we ever truely faced reality with golf would we ever go back to a golf course?
It's the 'what if' or 'the unknown' which keeps the fire burning and makes us come back again and again for more torture chasing a wee white ball round a field with an often crushed but never extinguished optimism that we can do it in less shots than ever before!

Buy whatever irons you like the look of, if you dont like how they look you won't be happy. Playing golf is meant to make you happy!

There was a time not so long ago before Mr Ping invented cavity back irons when everyone played blades. Folks just learned how to get on with them.

 

[freddielong]

I am lucky enough to be from an era before cavitys I have always used blades and will always use blades to me they suit my game.

To use a car analogy to me cavitys are like a car with power steering, abs and all the xtras that make driving easier, good for cruising and getting about but when you want to race, they just get in the way.

 

[RichE]

I may have found myself in that exact predicament. I'm not saying the MP60's are the most difficult club in the world to hit - certainly not compared to say a true bladd or MP68/ Titleist MB. However, my golf has gone south so to speak over the last 2 years and i'm seriously looking at a change. Lessons are already part of this.
I couldn't go back to something like a G10, MX100 or MX1000 (no disrespect to anyone who owns these) so am looking at something just a bit less forgiving but still classed as a players club - which i believe i have found in the Ping i15's. Not everyone's cup of tea and not all might agree and to be honest not as nice a looking club compared to the MP60.
Looks aside, and should i buy them, if it helps me play more consistently and improve's confidence thats the way forward for me.
No one player is the same and people should go with what suits their game and how they approach it so they can have as much fun on the course as possible.

 

[MarkE]

I am lucky enough to be from an era before cavitys I have always used blades and will always use blades to me they suit my game.

To use a car analogy to me cavitys are like a car with power steering, abs and all the xtras that make driving easier, good for cruising and getting about but when you want to race, they just get in the way.

Give me power steering et al any day. Even F1 use it nowadays.
I love the look and idea of using blades but the reality is i'm not good enough to get the best out of them.

 

[USER1999]

Back to the driving analogy, why do you think F1 drivers use a semi automatic then? Because it makes changeing gear easier.

Most Pro's use cavity backs, and I am not convinced that some of those using blades wouldn't be better off with some help.

Ok, Tiger has blades, but then as world number one, and possibly the best ever, it is hard to criticise his choice of sticks.