Old irons vs new irons

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jonnyx10

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Hello,

I am thinking of changing my irons - I am currently using old titleist dci 981's which have served me well and have got me playing to a handicap of 9.

I hit them well and don't have any complaints on them really, however would changing them for new modern irons really improve my game or make a massive difference? Thoughts?

I quite like the look of the titleist ap2!
 
Welcome along. Nothing wrong with trying new gear!!! Why not try and find somewhere with a launch monitor and see if you can compare your current irons with the AP2 or other models and see if the numbers give a case for changing. However playing off 9 I'd argue the oldies are still goodies
 
there's incremental improvements in irons year on year - small degrees more 'help' with slight off the middle strikes little more face to ball speed from those that just miss sweetspot but the majority of the shot results are still down to the 'pilot' but for sure you'll get a little ways more assist

biggest thing to help would be a good dynamic fit on a launch monitor to get the best club specs particularly in lie angle, shaft & grip fit whatever the club

but if titleist by a titleist Pro account or at a main titleist center if you can get to one
at index 9 looking to get better don't just guess the specs you need off of the 'shelf'
 
Buy new bats. Whole pile of models out since those. if you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket then make it happen.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I went to my local golf shop today and hit various clubs. When I actually had a go with the ap2's I didn't really like them.
Think I'm going to go for the Taylormade Tour Prefered MC - They look a nice iron and 200 quid cheaper!
 
jonnyx10 said:
Thanks for the replies.

I went to my local golf shop today and hit various clubs. When I actually had a go with the ap2's I didn't really like them.
Think I'm going to go for the Taylormade Tour Prefered MC - They look a nice iron and 200 quid cheaper!
Click to expand...
Cracking irons :thup: good choice
 
As I am staying in Glasgow for the next few weeks I am going to have my old Wilson Staff Fluid Feels (purchased as new in 1984) brought up and I'll keep them here. I will have a go whacking a ball round Deaconsbank Muni and see if I can still hit them or if they are dead (as they have the original shafts). If I can hit them then I'll maybe venture further afield. Now that's playing old.
 
You are certainly heading in the right direction auditioning clubs before purchase, but have you considering having a 'proper fit'? Club fitting has moved a long way from the 981 days!

There are quite a few reasonably priced (and a few quite expensive hi-tech) fitting centres about - that have no particular association with manufacturers and fit clubs and shafts that work best for you (though it's to your swing on that day). The results are normally a set of clubs much more suited to your particular swing, and maybe even a warranty that that's the case!

My (£50) set is from 1989 though and suit me really well so there's room for dabblers in classic sets too!

Be aware that 'loft creep' has meant that (at 35 degrees) your 7 iron is probably the equivalent of an 8 on many (Game Improvement) sets - though still a 7 for the TM MCs
 
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Yes i guess on the day of getting fitted for a set of new irons, it depends on how you hit the ball on the machine!
I can safely say I had an 'off' day when trying out various clubs.. Think it was the pressure from every element of your swing and striking being analysed haha

I'm going back to the shop next week to compare the TM MC to my DCI's before I make my purchase. I'm hoping they will get my handicap down to low single figure within the next year or so! :)
 
jonnyx10 said:
Yes i guess on the day of getting fitted for a set of new irons, it depends on how you hit the ball on the machine!
I can safely say I had an 'off' day when trying out various clubs.. Think it was the pressure from every element of your swing and striking being analysed haha

I'm going back to the shop next week to compare the TM MC to my DCI's before I make my purchase. I'm hoping they will get my handicap down to low single figure within the next year or so! :)
Click to expand...

I very much doubt that THEY will! But the inspiration to practice and play more (and the rather more direct feel they give than the 981s) could well do! I believe Wedges, Putter and Driver that you are confident with (not necessarily in that order) are more likely to help your game than a new set of irons! And, of course, proper practice is far more likely to!
 
We will have to see if they make a difference once I play a few rounds with them.

Anyone recommend any other irons to try out? That may be similar to the Taylormade MC
 
jonnyx10 said:
We will have to see if they make a difference once I play a few rounds with them.

Anyone recommend any other irons to try out? That may be similar to the Taylormade MC
Click to expand...

Ones similar would be i20 or Ap2

Not sure on the Mizuno version
 
I went to have a look at the tour Prefered irons today. Will take a bit of getting used to, due to switching from the old titleists with heavy s300 shafts to the TM.
But I didn't put my money down on the clubs because after seeing the Taylor made tour Prefered MB, it made me question what to go for.

I know the MB blades will be less forgiving, so I will have to perform in order to utilise them. Or do I go for the slightly more forgiving MC?!?!

The bloke in the store said, it simply comes down to what looks and feels the best - which would be the MB blade. Frustrating! Ha I just don't want to buy clubs which a few months down the line regret.
 
jonnyx10 said:
I went to have a look at the tour Prefered irons today. Will take a bit of getting used to, due to switching from the old titleists with heavy s300 shafts to the TM.
But I didn't put my money down on the clubs because after seeing the Taylor made tour Prefered MB, it made me question what to go for.

I know the MB blades will be less forgiving, so I will have to perform in order to utilise them. Or do I go for the slightly more forgiving MC?!?!

The bloke in the store said, it simply comes down to what looks and feels the best - which would be the MB blade. Frustrating! Ha I just don't want to buy clubs which a few months down the line regret.
Click to expand...

What do you play off? Have you tried hitting the clubs on a monitor and comparing your current ones with the TM models you're interested in. Surely that would give you a more definitive idea of which performs best although up to a point I agree that it comes down to feel and looks
 
I'm playing to 9 (although today I had a shocker! Haha)
But having said that, its my putting where I drop my shots. My irons and ball striking is my stronger part of my game - which is why I'm thinking, do I dare go for the pretty blades muscle backs!
Oh, and I need practice on the putting green...
 
jonnyx10 said:
I'm playing to 9 (although today I had a shocker! Haha)
But having said that, its my putting where I drop my shots. My irons and ball striking is my stronger part of my game - which is why I'm thinking, do I dare go for the pretty blades muscle backs!
Oh, and I need practice on the putting green...
Click to expand...

Clearly a competent golfer so I can see why you like the muscle backs but I stand by the original point that a launch monitor will give you proof on what club works best for your swing and whether MB's will actually benefit other than looking shiny in the bag. Of course if the old ones are shown to be better you could always get a new putter and put the current one into early retirement
 
the_coach said:
there's incremental improvements in irons year on year - small degrees more 'help' with slight off the middle strikes little more face to ball speed from those that just miss sweetspot but the majority of the shot results are still down to the 'pilot' but for sure you'll get a little ways more assist

biggest thing to help would be a good dynamic fit on a launch monitor to get the best club specs particularly in lie angle, shaft & grip fit whatever the club

but if titleist by a titleist Pro account or at a main titleist center if you can get to one
at index 9 looking to get better don't just guess the specs you need off of the 'shelf'
Click to expand...

This chap talks good sense. There is hardly any difference in distance with any same loft iron in the last 6 years apart from maybes a small improvement from mis-hit carry. Drivers are even less different in the last 10 years. All manufacturers adhere to the same specifications.

The absolute key as the coach has stated is lie angle, shaft and grip. get that right and the head is down to personal preference.
 
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