New Irons...Advice & Suggestions please.

[RaCs]

Morning all,

Hope you all had a good weekend!

As you can see from my signature I have now managed to achieve and surpass my target of 18 by year end! Lets see if i can now stay there and get even lower if possible!

I promised myself a new set of irons once I achieved my target in order to to try and futher improve my game and I reckon now is the time! Plus as my 30th birthday is comming up shortly the missus has agreed to purchase the set of my choice!! So need to take advantage! haha

I just wanted to obtain your views and advice on which would be best suited for a mid handicapper like myself! I am currently split between 2 sets.....The Nike VR Pro Combo Irons and the Titleist AP1's. As you can see I am a sucker for Nike so I am probably more swayted towards the combo irons! The current nike irons (2010 Slingshots, super game improver irons) I game have served me well as I have gone from 28 handicap from May 2012 to 17.8 in September 2013. And this has been achieved WITHOUT any lessons or club fittings whatsoever and by playing once a week and twice a week when i have had the chance! My local is also the San Roque Golf Club which boasts 2 championship courses so I have been tested! I have had my fair share of ups and downs but I feel proud on what I have achieved by working on my game pretty much on my own. I now want to get myself a set of game enhancement irons.

In order to improve I have 2 points I want to do perhaps by year end: 1. Have a few lessons with the local pro to try and refine my swing and technique even further to become even more consistent and 2. Actually get fiitted for then new irons.

I have done so research on the Combos and AP1's however I would be grateful if any of you who currently game either of theses sets to let me know their strengths and weaknesses and how they have helped you and what i should be looking at in each set! I am also open to suggestions of other sets.

Thanks guyssssss

 

[Ethan]

Well done on getting your handicap down so much at a tough track like San Roque.

On the question of what irons to get, it is really an impossible question. There are loads of excellent sets of irons suitable for wide ranges in playing ability, and the choice between them depends on your personal preferences, eye for the look, feel, and subtle aspects of your swing which we cannot see.

If you are fast improving, also remember that your needs this time next year, when you may be at or near single figures, may also be different from now.

Whatever you get, make sure you get fitted for the right shaft, length, lie and grip size.

 

[TXL]

Along with Ethan's good advice, perhaps you should ask the Pro when you have the lessons. At least he will know your swing and be able to advise appropriately.

 

[RaCs]

Along with Ethan's good advice, perhaps you should ask the Pro when you have the lessons. At least he will know your swing and be able to advise appropriately.

Thats a brilliant idea. I might just do that actually! Thanks guys!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I like the look of the new Titleist AP 1 model but try before you buy. To be honest I wouldn't limit yourself to two makes or models. I desperately wanted the Callaway X Hot Pro and went to a fitting with my teaching pro. Couldn't hit them well enough. Same with my second option the Ping I20 and in the end I was recommended the G25. I went to another venue to an independent fitter who had never seen me before. Tried the I20 again, Rocketbladez tour and the Mizuno JPX Pro but the best on the day was the G25. Made the choice of what to buy simple after that

 

[Foxholer]

Indeed, check with your Pro and try plenty out to find what works best.

One thing worth considering if it does end up as a playoff between the 2 you've mentioned...

The Combos are quite a big jump from the current super GI ones. The AP1s are not quite such a big jump. I've seen both being used bey single figure guys, so you won't need to change them just because improve by the same amount.

 

[Siren]

Go to a pro who has a decent selection of irons and ask him to cover them all up.

Then whatever club works out the best for you buy.

I use the Ap1s myself and they are a great club, but they may not be for you, the best thing you can do is purchase whatever you hit the best despite its make :thup:

 

[CirenBhoy]

Don't get suckered in by going by the brand ( I do this) get the clubs that do the job for YOU.
Get advice as to the best local place for custom fitting, and listen to their advice.

You can't see the brand when the club is striking the ball.

 

[NST]

I was just about to post something very similar. I started playing last July and my last three rounds at three different places have been 15, 16 and 18 over. I am using Nike slingshot irons that I got second hand when I started. I've had them cut down an inch and lie made 2 degrees flatter. I've got a fitting at callaway this week, which was free through AG. I've also booked a fitting at TM, Wentworth. When I got the confirmation email it states there is a £200 charge! I couldn't see this on the website when I was booking.

Anyway will the measurements from callaway carry over to most iron sets?

Edit, just to add I want a set of irons that will last me two to three years and hopefully see me through shaving another 3 shots off each year.

 

[gareth12324]

have to agree with most on here, go to a pro or maybe more than one, if you can find a golf shop near you with the mizuno dna testing kit as that can tell you quite a lot, I had my titliest irons custom fit and had normal steel shafts put in with a few alterations to length and lie. But after a trip to a mizuno dna testing the shaft showed up to be wrong and I had them all re custom fitted by the shop and proceeded to knock a couple of shots off my handicap in 1 round and have kept it off for the past 6 months. Get some pro advice and just try try and try every single set you can, though the TM speed blades look interesting so maybe try and get a demo day with them