Game improvement club- fact or revival

[General Fade]

Hi all
Not sure the thread titles right but would like to ask opinion from the lounge;

If game improvement clubs help people play, and get into golf, which is probably well needed in certain parts of, or all of, the country, and assist in reducing handicaps when would be the point in the players career of getting new or "better players" clubs?

If the handicap is dropping and the same entry "gear" or game improvement clubs are still being used what is the thought on the benefits going for a "better" players club?

Cheers

 

[USER1999]

There isn't a point at which you should change, there's a point at which you want to. It's about aesthetics really, rather than handicaps, or scoring. It's down to the individual.

Me? I play with what I like looking at. I only ever use the bottom edge and the hozel anyway, so I can play with anything. Sweet spot untouched.

 

[Region3]

There isn't a point at which you should change, there's a point at which you want to. It's about aesthetics really, rather than handicaps, or scoring. It's down to the individual.

Me? I play with what I like looking at. I only ever use the bottom edge and the hozel anyway, so I can play with anything. Sweet spot untouched.

Good to hear you've progressed on to the bottom edge. Versatility is key.

 

[Region3]

Oh, and I play with what I like looking at as well, although if I couldn't hit them I'd find something else to like looking at.

If I was playing to feed my family I might take a little extra help, but I'm only playing to keep my mars bar pocket topped up so I use what makes me happy.

I've also never understood the "I'll switch to players clubs when I get to x handicap". Either use what works, or use what you like looking at, but never change because you suddenly think you should be using better players clubs.

Fair enough if you suddenly become a much better ball striker and want something prettier, but that doesn't happen at any particular handicap.

 

[JustOne]

I thin there comes a time when you need to look at your 'weak shots' and potentially go and see if a proper fitting might help your game..... but that doesn't mean you necessarily have to change clubs.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Play with what works. I know a lot of single figure golfers who have perceived game improver clubs (Ping G range, Cally etc). They don't care about cavity backs and only worry about where its gone (usually straight)

 

[garyinderry]

I am moving from blades to the ap range from titleist soon. Pretty much used blades since I've had a club in my hand.

Looking forward to some forgiveness. Not looking forward to my offline shots going further offline.

Soon see what the fuss is about.

 

[chrisd]

Just keep changing clubs until something works! :lol:

 

[ScienceBoy]

I have never had a set of game improvement irons, budget perimeter weighed irons yes...

I have a set of mid cavities though, played them from beginner down to 11. It was a tough journey but I really think I would have and would now still be playing GI irons if I had the cash for set (and possibly a fitting), would have probably got me a little closer to that goal of single figures.

Everyone is different, I make do and enjoy it, I never truly know but with the quality of GI irons it would be a simple decision! I probably wouldn't change back to mid cavities unless there was a clear need.

 

[kasumavet]

In my senior years I have regressed from blades - cavity backs - hybrid irons. People kept telling me my deteriorating game was due to age and I should get more help from game improvement clubs. I did and got worse.... so..... couple of months ago I sought out my old set of McGregor VIP Tourney forged irons, re-shafted the 7-PW with NSPro Zelos7 lightweight shafts and paired them with the Adams Idea Tech V3 Hybrid 4/5/6's . Now playing the best golf for years.

 

[ManinBlack]

From a physics point of view I can understand the advantages of having the weight evenly distributed around, and as far away from the centre of gravity of the head as possible. I struggle to understand what advantages the opposite brings to anyone but the best players. OK, you might get a little more "workability" but, for most, this would be offset by poor, off centre, hits.

 

[Ethan]

In my senior years I have regressed from blades - cavity backs - hybrid irons. People kept telling me my deteriorating game was due to age and I should get more help from game improvement clubs. I did and got worse.... so..... couple of months ago I sought out my old set of McGregor VIP Tourney forged irons, re-shafted the 7-PW with NSPro Zelos7 lightweight shafts and paired them with the Adams Idea Tech V3 Hybrid 4/5/6's . Now playing the best golf for years.

I agree with this. Half decent players can play with blades so long as they have the right shaft and grip.

VIPs are beautiful clubs, real classics.

 

[Mr A]

Good question OP. I think, as plenty of others have said, it's really very subjective. When I was playing regularly I quickly got down to 20, and at the time I was seriously considering a smaller headed iron, as I felt no feedback with my GI irons. I felt a smaller head would help improve my ball striking, and was happy to trade that off against the forgiveness of my GI irons. Now I'm playing a lot less regularly and I know my chunky headed irons help me out quite a lot.

 

[delc]

Game improvement irons generally have anti-slice features built into them, such as offset and heel weighting. Also they have a low centre of gravity which promotes a high flight. These are all disadvantages for a good player who draws the ball. It is also more difficult to get an oversized club head through thick rough. All good reasons why better players prefer blade irons.

 

[Foliage Finder]

Im in the position of not having the choice as I play with hand me downs. I believe my OH's grandad who owned them previously was off about 14. They are older, and are perimeter weighted with a cavity back, but the clubheads are much smaller than what I've seen wandering around AG looking at newer GI irons.

I'm not sure if such a club category exists but to me they seem halfway between a blade and a cavity back GI iron.

My pro says they will be harder to hit well but I feel like there's something to be said for learning the hard way in such a way. Provided you're patient!

Maybe if there are examples of such a club in the modern realm, they may be a good idea for someone at that rank beginner/novice phase. This would then maybe cover a broader handicap spectrum.