New Irons for Inspiration ??

[Macster]

Hi all,
Ive used my Zing 2's for nearly 12 yrs now, and despite not playing THAT regularly, and almost never between Nov - March, I've managed to maintain my 12 H/Cap.

Been playing more this year, and very well under in general play, but hasnt always been the case in Medal play, altho I am down to 11.7.

The thing is, I'm really loving the look of some of the more 'players ' type clubs, and fancy changing perhaps.
Mizuno MP-57's, Titleist AP2's, etc,......something forged.
Perhaps not as forgiving, but from what I read in reviews, this can only help you in developing your swing and finding the sweet spot for hopefully an overall positive effect on my Handicap and overall game ?

Seems that perhaps the shaft can have a significant effect on the way an iron plays, and perhaps my 12yr old zz regular shafts on the Zings are well past their best ?

Any thoughts from anyone ?

Cheers.

 

[USER1999]

12 year old shafts will not be as good as new ones, both in terms of wear, and also specification.

Playing off 12 (as I do), you would definately benfit from custom fitting (sorry guys).

Any of the latest players irons would probably suit, so go try a few, see what you like, and then take the plunge.

I don't think they will necessarily improve your swing though, it is more a case of optimising your equipment to the swing you have, and hopefully get a more consistent ball strike through better matched equipment.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Is it about looking nice though or is it about a club that functions best for your swing. I have been really low and used the old bladed clubs of the 80's but would never dream of going back to a blade today because a) my game is no longer up to it b) they don't give me enough forgiveness and c) I'd lose too much distance on off centre shots

If you want to upgrade then there a lot of forged clubs out there but my advice would be to try as many as possible. I'm a little concerned that you think by playing with a harder to hit club you will improve your game. My advice would be to go out and have a couple of lessons and correct any swing flaws within your game

 

[USER1999]

There seems to be a popular misconception that by using a club with more feed back on off center shots (the feed back is that they don't go anywhere) it will improve your ball striking. I can't see how this will help, as unless you have lessons, knowing that you hit it out of the toe (for instance) will not help your swing, as there are a myriad reasons for this symptom.

Out of interest, I middled my 5i for the first time last night. I have had these blades for 2 1/2 years (I have been playing off 12 for 15 years), and have thought that I have middled them loads of times. No, the sound was totally different, as was the feel, and the ball flight. My playing partner also noticed (without prompting).

Clearly even modern blades are not that easy to hit.

 

[Macster]

I have tried the MP57 and AP2's on the practise ground, and altho they were both good, the AP's felt nicer for me.
I hit them both with a ice controlled draw, altho I didnt get any more distance particularly than with my Zing2 6 iron. (160-170yds.)

Ok, so I hit a few thin and a few right, but I think that was more to do with the number of shots straight after each other perhaps.

I'm just thinking that perhaps newer shafts/clubs can help me becoming more consistent hitting GIR, which seems to have been my only real flaw at present.

Maybe I should get myself down to Titleist in Cambridge for a full fitting ?

 

[USER1999]

That is where I went. and I thoroughly recommend it.

 

[andiritchie]

titleist all the way!!

 

[DCB]

titleist all the way!!

Nah ! MP57s are the ones!

Mind you whatever you get has to suite your game or it's a waste of time and money.

 

[Macster]

murphthemog: With respect, I cant beleive you have only just found the centre of your clubface after 2.5yrs ????
I may not them all outa da meat, but more often than not, so feel that I can therefore gravitate to something more sleek.

I suspect its probably more the shaft that can perhaps help me rather than the clubhead per se ?

DCB: I have to agree that those Mp57's look the dogz, but I just seemed to get a better feel outa da AP2's.

 

[andiritchie]

the ap2s come with the project x as standard its a great shaft

 

[Cernunnos]

Feedback is feedback. Yes centred irons swung just right almost feel as if you haven't hit anything, whether blade, forged, musclebacked or even cavity backs. But feedback from a good quality set will always be more usefull to the player. But regardless of the percieved almost hit with no feel of a well struck iron, there will still be a form of feedback in wel struck shots. However the most useful thing about unforgiving blades, is just that, they are unforgiving & if you don't learn very quickly that & what you've done wrong. Yes you get this with good quality cavity backs & or not forged too.

I've used a bargain bin blade in the past on & off the range & its helped my game in the past no end. However that's just me. And as I said in another thread its overdue time tyo break out the old 6I once more.

 

[OldWindy]

Whatever irons you plump for just remember to close your eyes and ignore the label, if you see what I mean. I went for the MP-60s simply cos I could feel the ball on the face of the club better than any of the others I tried. For example, I loved the look of the R7s but they weren't for me.

 

[USER1999]

ChrisMc, there appears to be a center, but then there also appears to be a center of the center, which is unbeleivably difficult to find. I was as surprised as you are. Nom I know it is there, it is even more frustrating.

 

[Marko77]

The AP2s are nice but have you tried the ZM forged? Would recommend giving them a whirl before making your final choice...

 

[Junior]

Going from something like ping zings to a forged blade may knock your game back a couple of months (initially) , as they are totally different. Try a few , ping i10's ? Mizuno MP60's and see what you prefer.

 

[Cernunnos]

Or How about Ping S58 or S59 irons. Better looking Ping irons than anything else thay do, with blade looks but still cavity lent

 

[Macster]

Went to a local club today today who have a Titleist fitting cart for the new irons, and tried the AP2's with the 5.5 Project X shaft, luvvvvvverrrrrlyyyyyy

Great clubs, and was getting a great ball trajectory with a nice faint draw, 2deg upright.

Think I'm gonna order them +1deg lofts, as my Zings are currently.

Was very impressed .

 

[thecraw]

Just before you take the plunge have you considered any of Pings "better player" irons? I have a set of S59's and they are superb, easy to shape the ball, offer great feedback and are stick quite forgiving. The new S57@s are out and in my opinion are a cross between my S59 and the S58 which came out as a replacement.

S57 looks lovely although I aint hit them yet. Could be tempted if I can hide £500 from her in doors!

 

[Macster]

To be honest, I did pick up a lovely set of S59 Tour's with 2 of the Tour Wedges early this year, but just could'nt get on consistently with them, so moved them on.

Looking back, I think that was more to do with my early season inconsistencies than the clubs perhaps, as I dont tend to play much Nov - March.

:-/

 

[andiritchie]

titleist irons with project xs in them lurvly!!