New irons for my teenage son?

[Timbo]

My 15 yr old son (quite a willowy build) has been saving up his wages for a new set of irons to replace his steel shafted Ping Eye II's. He plays off 20 at the moment, and hopes to make 15 by the end of the Summer.

We've just returned from a local Pro who had him hit a selection of clubs (Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Nike, Yonex) in both steel and graphite, with the best results coming from the Yonex Cyberstar VM-1 graphite.

Unfortunately, having looked around the internet before he went, he reckons they are an old club, and doesn't want to buy something that is obselete, however much his old Dad tells him "It's not what you've got it's how you hit it!!"

I can see his point of view to a certain extent, as he's had to save for several months for his cash, and £400 is as much as he's had to pay for anything.

Does anyone have any observations on Yonex (good or bad)to try and help with his decision?

Many thanks

 

[nicksampo]

I'm sorry I don't know anything about those irons but the new Yonex VMXs get really good reviews and having tried them I would recommend them. Nice and forgiving but not overly chunky.

 

[Cernunnos]

VM-1 is one of last years models & is almost a replacement for the C280 which I was using prior togoing to Ping. The VM-1 is a good iron, though I will say I prefer the C280 irons from Yonex, which imo look better too.

Thing is new models don't necesarily mean better either. Yonex have a habit like most brands in bringing out a new model each year, or should I say new models.

I think Yonex clubs take some beating & buying a previous season's model is actually a smart move, as you'll always get a better deal on a new set of last seasons clubs. Though do your homework & make sure your pro has priced accordingly, as you should get a good amount of change from your £400 for a previouys seasons model, which now has just been superseeded by the VMX irons.

To be honest if his best results are coming from the Yonex VM-1 irons then that is more than likely the right choice

 

[Macster]

I cant help about Yonex I'm afraid, but I'm very surprised he's recommending Graphite, I wouldnt have thought he'd need it.

I know a lot of low handicap young players, and none of them use graphite in their irons.

As far as 'what irons' would suit him, I would have thought that to a large extent, its what he likes the look of and feel of.
Not sure where you are based, but a booking at Titleist or Ping Custom Fitting centre's would see him set up with irons specifically to him, and no pro can do that as well imo. (Launch monitors, shaft options, head options etc etc.)

 

[birdieman]

Graphite shafts tend to go further and higher but that ain't necessarily a good thing for controlling the ball flight, exact distances and predicatable flight patterns are more crucial in irons. Steel shafts would seem more usual for a youngster for whom hitting it hard is likely not a problem.

Whatever model he buys they'll be out of date within a year probably but as a youngster I expect he'll think Yonex aren't uber cool like Nike, Taylor Made or Cobra for example.

If he doesn't like the clubs that'll possibly reflect in his scoring and on course demeanor, try and get him something he wants within a certain price range. I remember as a teenager yearning for some decent sticks but my parents didn't play so couldn't understand costs etc really.

I would think whatever Tiger and Sergio and Kim etc play would appeal to youngsters, some Nike pro-combos or slingshots or Taylor Made R7's might do the trick?

 

[Cernunnos]

ChrisMc it really depends upon swingspeed & Yonex probably do some of the best graphite shafts designed especially for irons on the market. If Graphite shafted Yonex clubs are good enough for Monty, then should be good enough for anyone.

If it were any other brand using graphite in irons I would certainly be more dubious.

Though I'd be tempted to try the steel shafted option in them to save on money.

EDIT:

Birdieman made some good points, though I Think Yonex can be seen as super Uber cool, as he'll be owning some real quality clubs that no tom dick or harry will own. And I'd say Yonex have always done some stylish clubs. The C280 irons were really nice. The VM-1 ok.. though I'd bet if he sees the new VMX he'll probably start salavating.

One additional recommendation, it could be worth looking at Cleveland clubs. Maybe possibly Srixon too.

Oh & Residual values on Yonex are actually quite good, just a quick look on golfbidder is proof of that.

 

[Smiffy]

Graphite shafts tend to go further

Not so...
My recent session at Mizuno's fitting centre in Surrey proved that, in my case at least, I was getting better distance with a steel shaft than graphite.
10 yards more in fact, with less spin (back & side) so subsequently shot dispersion should be better too.
Rob

 

[DCB]

Best of luck to you. I've just been kitting out my 11yr old daughter with new clubs, so to an extent I know what your going through. There is this thing with the youngsters / juniors that they must have the best of and latest of the available kit on the market.

If your son is puting his money to it, then he has to make a decision as to what make and what model he's after. You can only guide him. If he buys this years model, he'll only be surprised when it is less than half price this time next year. Deprerciation on clubs is almost as bad as when buying a new car. For me, last years model would be a better buy. I remember trying to buy Wilson Augusta clubs i the late seventies as a teenager, they were about £160, took me a couple of months to save up. Went to get them and they had been sold the weekend before. Probably wouldn't have been able to hit them though.

 

[Cernunnos]

DCB, You are looking for clubs for your 11 year old. I'd be tempted to look at Cleveland CG-Pinks depending upon how tall she is.

My Partner is 5ft & uses CG-Pinks as they are some of the best & lightest weighted iron heads in an iron on the market. The shafts & grips & headds are specifically designed in the smaller & more willowy player. She needed very little fitting for her stature, only in loft & lie.

http://www.americangolf.co.uk/golf-clubs...raphite--5-sw-/

I know for a fact these can be gotten for £370, probably less now as they've been about for a season.

 

[Macster]

"Depreciation on clubs is almost as bad as when buying a new car"

I Dunno - I recently sold my Zing2's for £170, and they cost me I think £399 12yrs ago !!

Quality Clubs will hold value reasonably well.

 

[DCB]

Cernunnos,

My daughter is going to be 5'8" - 5'10" when she's fully grown I think. She's already outgrown the junior set she used up till last summer. I managed to pick up a set of ladies Mizuno Tava irons on ebay for a very nice cost, most of them hadn't even been used! She's got a MD rescue club and a new driver is on the way to. So she'll be ready for the new season and I'll be broke!

My wife plays as well but obviously they need their own clubs. Its going to be interesting as they fight over the golf shoes this year, both the same shoe size at the mo.

Better kitted out than ever I was as a youngster.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think if he has his heart set on a "name" then there will ultimately be very little you can do to dissuade him. My advice would be to try and explain how this years model will be next year cheap bargain and that the technology and specs won't have changed that much.

Is it more a case of him hitting the uncoolest ones best and the fact that his mates might rib him for not having the latest model. If he goes out and shoots low with them at the end of the day who will be laughing then

 

[bobmac]

I'll start by saying at 15 you know everything and
dads know nothing.
It's his money, if he spends wisely he will benefit, if he spends unwisely he will learn.
What I dont understand is why he wants to change his Pings?
It's the old chestnut again.
Get lessons and check the lie angle on his pings are right for him. They may be a bit toe down if he's grown out of them
Good luck

 

[RGDave]

My advice would be to try and explain how this years model will be next year cheap bargain and that the technology and specs won't have changed that much.

Is it more a case of him hitting the uncoolest ones best and the fact that his mates might rib him for not having the latest model. If he goes out and shoots low with them at the end of the day who will be laughing then

I agree, yes, siree.

I buy "old" kit more often than not. I've had 2 sets of Tommy Armour 845s, some Mizuno irons (TP blades and T-zoid) and recently some Macgregors. Never paid less than £100 or more than £240 - NEW. Why, because I like a bargain and the "improvement" on irons from year to year is marginal.

If he was off 10 and playing like a mad-man obsessed with the game, I'd say sink the lot (£) on a C/F set of nice "showy" irons by the big boys. If not, find a decent set of irons that play well and be safe in the knowledge that in a year or so (maybe with a different swing or improved game generally) then it's the wise thing.

 

[birdieman]

Graphite shafts tend to go further

Not so...
My recent session at Mizuno's fitting centre in Surrey proved that, in my case at least, I was getting better distance with a steel shaft than graphite.
10 yards more in fact, with less spin (back & side) so subsequently shot dispersion should be better too.
Rob

Yes so....

Why no steel shaft in your driver then?

Graphite is lighter than steel, therfore you can generate more clubhead speed with a graphite shaft. More clubhead speed equals distance. In order to get the correct swing weight with graphite the shaft needs to be longer than steel. That extra length will also generate more clubhead speed.
Whatever graphite shafts you tried were likely a different flex or kickpoint than the steel ones you hit and your timing may well have been off with the graphites but I stand by my statement that graphite shafts per se will allow you to hit it further than steel.

Monty plays graphite as he's old and out of shape and needs the yards.

 

[haplesshacker]

I suspect that to a teenager that 'image' is everyhing, despite what is acually hit well, though of course you might be lucky.

I haven't got a clue as to what a teenage golfer would think is cool.

We might think that Cally is an old mans brand, but does a teenager think that Mizuno or TM is an old mans brand?

I'd just let him buy what he thinks is right for him. Lets face it, we buy clubs that aren't right for us!! Let him learn his own way.

Only my opinion of course.

The other option is to send him on a CF day at The Belfry. Just think what a great day the two of you could spend together, and it won't be you telling him what's best for him. Add to that, the memories that he'd have with you at the fitting session. Priceless.

 

[Smiffy]

Our 12 year old Son has just started having lessons at the local range, and he seems to be getting on reasonably well. He is still showing an interest after his fourth lesson which I am really pleased about because kids normally get fed up with something after half an hour or so!
He's at that awkward age where "junior" sets are a tad too small, and mens sets a little too large, so we've just bought him a cheapy set of ladies clubs to hack his way around with for now. If he keeps his interest going then I will pass my current set of irons on to him when he gets big enough to use them and Mum can take over the ladies clubs if she is interested in taking the game up again. I did make sure that I didn't get a ladies set that were pink or powder blue though..

Hopefully I've done the right thing

 

[Timbo]

Thanks for all your comments. I've had a bit of a chat with him, as has a couple of his mates, and it looks like he will plump for the VM-1's. It would appear that they may be cool after all!!

On the subject of graphite vs steel, he consistantly hit the graphite shafted clubs better than the steel equivelants of whatever brand the pro gave him to try. He (the pro) reckoned that as my lad is only a slight build 15 yr old, the lighter shafts allow him to generate more club head speed than the heavier steel ones. He may have to change to steel in a few years time, but for now the graphite works better.

The next thing is the thing I hate most, the price negotiation. The pro has them "On Offer" at £449 (from £549), with £70 trade in for his old Pings. American Golf has them available at £345! I appreciate the time and effort put in by the pro, and he has to make a living, but a £170 saving is a lot for a lad who only gets £25 a week washing glasses at the local pub!

 

[surefire]

Graphite shafts tend to go further

Not so...
My recent session at Mizuno's fitting centre in Surrey proved that, in my case at least, I was getting better distance with a steel shaft than graphite.
10 yards more in fact, with less spin (back & side) so subsequently shot dispersion should be better too.
Rob

Yes so....

Why no steel shaft in your driver then?

Graphite is lighter than steel, therfore you can generate more clubhead speed with a graphite shaft. More clubhead speed equals distance. In order to get the correct swing weight with graphite the shaft needs to be longer than steel. That extra length will also generate more clubhead speed.
Whatever graphite shafts you tried were likely a different flex or kickpoint than the steel ones you hit and your timing may well have been off with the graphites but I stand by my statement that graphite shafts per se will allow you to hit it further than steel.

Monty plays graphite as he's old and out of shape and needs the yards.

Not true, more clubhead speed means more force is transferred to the ball, assuming you hit the sweetspot. This force could be used to ultimately generate height or distance.

Plus like you said, to get the correct swingweight you have to lengthen the shaft, if this makes the shaft too long you will miss the sweetspot so the extra clubhead speed will either be wasted or will be used to send the ball further into the sky\ground\sideways but not further down the fairway.

Maybe on a robot a graphite shaft will go further but with a real person it may not. Unfortunately golf is played by people and not robots!

 

[DCB]

Timbo,

Find out exactley what AG would do for you as a trade in, the deal may not be so good if you are trading in. Get the numbers and then go back to your pro and see what he can do.

If the actual AG cost is nearer the pro he may be able to do a deal. Get down to AG and ask the question, they're all after your business after all.