New irons for mid handicapper

[Paulcox74]

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade my irons in the New Year and was after some advice/feedback.

Have got myself down to 10.9 over the summer/autumn and want to hit the ground running when the new season starts with a push towards single figures.

Have been reading lots of reviews on irons suitable for low to mid handicappers and have tried a few out on the range. Have no real allegiance to any brand and to be honest there isn't much between the ones I've tried. The following are the ones I've tried/am considering:

Titleist AP1 & AP2
Ping i20
Callaway RAZR X Tour

Anyone have any experience of using these, good or bad?? Any others similar to the above anyone would like to recommend?

I'm currently using some hand-me-down Mizuno MX17 irons.

Thanks

Paul

 

[MadAdey]

Are you not tempted by another set of Mizuno? I have heard quite a few people raving about the JPX pro irons.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I would not restrict yourself to clubs aimed at "mid handicappers" but rather go out and try a range from SGI to musclebacks.

See what style suits your eye, find out what clubs do what for your game by going to a specialist fitter with a launch monitor (not a golf superstore's rose tinted version).

If you are short on cash I would err on the side of caution and get something more like the G20 rather than the I20 or the JPX825 series (either the pro or the normal ones)

 

[Paulcox74]

Are you not tempted by another set of Mizuno? I have heard quite a few people raving about the JPX pro irons.

Should have added the JPX 825 pro's to the list above as I did actually try them at the same time as the i20s and RAZR x Tours. Didn't get on with them as well as the other two though so sort of ruled them out. Might give them another whirl though.

 

[Paulcox74]

I would not restrict yourself to clubs aimed at "mid handicappers" but rather go out and try a range from SGI to musclebacks.

See what style suits your eye, find out what clubs do what for your game by going to a specialist fitter with a launch monitor (not a golf superstore's rose tinted version).

If you are short on cash I would err on the side of caution and get something more like the G20 rather than the I20 or the JPX825 series (either the pro or the normal ones)

Will give the launch monitor a go but wanted to whittle the list down a bit first. Did you have any SGI or musclebacks in mind?

 

[ScienceBoy]

Will give the launch monitor a go but wanted to whittle the list down a bit first. Did you have any SGI or musclebacks in mind?

Anything by Mizuno

 

[thecraw]

Mizuno = most over rated brand in the world!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My test list for 2013 is the same as the OP although I might add the TM Rocketbladez tour version into that as well

 

[Alex1975]

Mizuno = most over rated brand in the world!

On the forum maybe, duno about the world...

 

[ScienceBoy]

Mizuno = most over rated brand in the world!

Over rated maybe, still best for me? Hell Yeah! Recent launch monitor session confirmed!

 

[justagolfer]

Hi Paul 74,

First I don’t think 10.9 is mid handicap…I think you have to be around 16 to be mid or is that average. Whatever. No doubt someone out there will know different.

If you are still of an age to improve ( I say that because I’m 66 and just trying to hang on to my 11:5.)
I would give the AP2s serious thought. I gave mine up at the start of the season for Ping i20s. Nothing wrong there but I think I will be going back to the AP2s. Next season….I’m no expert but you did ask. I looked at the G20s they have an even thicker sole than the i20s so if you fancy the Pings have a look at the i20s.. They are very good value for a quality club the AP2s are expensive.
Best of luck with your choice and that elusive single figure H/C.

 

[Wolfman]

MIZUNO JPX 825 Pro and MP53

Make sure you get fitted as they tend to be 2 deg flat as standard

 

[Andy]

Try the Taylormade MC's or even the MB's. Both lovely clubs but the MB's are a thing of beauty.

Both very easy to hit. I've got the 4, 5 & 6 iron in the MC if you'd like to try them?

 

[Val]

Try the Taylormade MC's or even the MB's. Both lovely clubs but the MB's are a thing of beauty.

Both very easy to hit. I've got the 4, 5 & 6 iron in the MC if you'd like to try them?

Are you using a combo set Andy? I tinkered with getting 7-P in MC and leave 4,5,6 in CB.

 

[Paulcox74]

Hi Paul 74,

First I don’t think 10.9 is mid handicap…I think you have to be around 16 to be mid or is that average. Whatever. No doubt someone out there will know different.

If you are still of an age to improve ( I say that because I’m 66 and just trying to hang on to my 11:5.)
I would give the AP2s serious thought. I gave mine up at the start of the season for Ping i20s. Nothing wrong there but I think I will be going back to the AP2s. Next season….I’m no expert but you did ask. I looked at the G20s they have an even thicker sole than the i20s so if you fancy the Pings have a look at the i20s.. They are very good value for a quality club the AP2s are expensive.
Best of luck with your choice and that elusive single figure H/C.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, all very useful!

justagolfer - still think I can improve (I'm 38) although not sure by how much!

Got to admit I have been leaning towards the AP2's out of the ones I've tried but like I said there doesn't seem to be much between any of them. From initial research it doesn't look like there is much difference in price between the AP2's and the i20s.

Decisions decisions...

 

[Paulcox74]

Try the Taylormade MC's or even the MB's. Both lovely clubs but the MB's are a thing of beauty.

Both very easy to hit. I've got the 4, 5 & 6 iron in the MC if you'd like to try them?

Thanks Andy. Someone else has also mentioned the Taylormade MCs so I'll add them to the list to test. Thanks for the offer of trying them but having consulted Google Maps and I don't think we could me much further apart!!

I'm in Stevenage, Hertfordshire (and in the process of trying to update my profile!)

 

[Andy]

Are you using a combo set Andy? I tinkered with getting 7-P in MC and leave 4,5,6 in CB.

I had 4-6 in the MC's & 7-PW in MB's Martin but now have the full set of MB's

 

[MadAdey]

Very difficult getting new irons, especially when you are open to all manufacturers, rather than just going for one. I am in the situation of what irons to get next year. I have just got a set of MP33 mizuno from Ebay for the winter to see what playing with blades is like.

I do not know who to start with when I do get some new irons. All I know is they need to be compact with a thin topline.

Just to chuck a curve ball in...... have you thought about the Cobra S3 Pro. Certainly on the list of clubs I want to try.

 

[Paulcox74]

Very difficult getting new irons, especially when you are open to all manufacturers, rather than just going for one. I am in the situation of what irons to get next year. I have just got a set of MP33 mizuno from Ebay for the winter to see what playing with blades is like.

I do not know who to start with when I do get some new irons. All I know is they need to be compact with a thin topline.

Just to chuck a curve ball in...... have you thought about the Cobra S3 Pro. Certainly on the list of clubs I want to try.

Hadn't really thought about Cobra to be honest. Might be a silly question but any reason why the Cobra S3 Pro's are on your list and not the Cobra AMP irons?

 

[Andy]

Thanks Andy. Someone else has also mentioned the Taylormade MCs so I'll add them to the list to test. Thanks for the offer of trying them but having consulted Google Maps and I don't think we could me much further apart!!

I'm in Stevenage, Hertfordshire (and in the process of trying to update my profile!)

Sent you a PM Paul