HughJars
Q-School Graduate
ty, the last post couldnt be more ironic.
Perceived forgiveness.
- Thread starter kid2
- Start date
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
in the context of handicap distribution the mid point is around 21
in the context of ball striking capability (ie in terms of difficulty and competence) it's about 9 ie with a bit of work most who can strike the ball OK can get to 9 easily enough......and with a good short game they can get to 5. Then the hard work starts!
FWIW I agree completely with Hugh's observations here - but having also been slated for posting about reality a few months ago I generally leave such discussions alone because, apparently, this is a 'support group' not a reality 'show' .....
One Planer
Global Moderator
First things first.
Neither of the players clubs I've owned have been blades. MP32's are a cut muscle back and my MP63's are a Muscle cavity.
Secondly.
When, at any point, did I say I was was qulified? I have something called an opinion, which, the last time I checked, I was entitled to.
Third, and finally.
In my opinion, any one can hit any club they like. I personally have no issue. A heavy contact with a GI iron is exaclty the same as a blade. A thinned shot with a GI iron , is still thin regardless of the club.
As for missing the sweetspot. If you miss the sweet spot with a GI iron, you've still missed it. Granted you will get a better result with a GI iron, but you still lose distance when compared to a shot out of the screws.
I would venture, and again, this is my opinion, that if you were to miss the sweet spot of a 7 iron, in both GI and equivielnt player club, the distance between the 2 balls would be no more than 10 yards. I can say this with some form of certainty as I have experoenced this switching from my TM R7 irons to MP32's.
I hope this clears my point up.
HughJars
Q-School Graduate
I appreciate you expressing your opinion Gareth.
In my qualified experience however, your opinion is incorrect.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Couldn't see a reply to this, though it may have got lost in the Hugh/Alex 'debate' (I go with Hugh btw - my ego playing clubs I prefer the look/feel of probably costs me a shot or maybe 2 a round, but I'm 'happy' with that).
I don't think it prevents thins immediately. Wide sole (as in G10, for example) is likely to help prevent some fats (not those caused by over-steep swings though). The effect of having more confidence in the connection (fewer fats) could well mean that fewer thins happen because the aim is adjusted. Main effect seems to be the relative consistency of result when the sweet spot is missed - so if a centred strike goes 150, and off-centred one could go 135 with GI club rather than the 110 with 'player' clubs or 80 with blades!
S
Snelly
Guest
I am sorry Murph but I have to disagree. I am quite a good ball striker and have been playing for 30 odd years, most of that with a low handicap and what I have used during various points (corresponding with my level of play) in that time has had a considerable effect on specifically, the chances of hitting a good shot.
I agree with you though that when you get to a certain level, you can use anything. When I was at my best (late 80's) I was using Titleist Tour Model Forged and they were like butter knives but I never had a problem at all. And I also completely agree that if you are really no good, then the clubs are utterly irrelevant and no manufacturer can give you a club to make you better. it just doesn't happen.
At my current level of play though, I think it does come into the equation. I got some Mizuno blades from Rick this year and without a shadow of a doubt, they made golf significantly harder than it was with my Callaway X-16 pro irons. In addition, I am finding it easier to get a good score with more good iron shots using Ping Zing 2's than with the Callaways. Maybe I am just in that middle ground that you talk about? I am if we agree that the middle ground starts at a lower handicap I guess?
Some of this is psychological I would think but not all. I can hit a good shot with a Mizuno bladed iron of course, but I am certain that I have a higher chance of doing so with a Ping Zing in my hand. No doubt about it. It is easier. It is more forgiving.
As I have said before, blades are for people who like blades and good luck to you all with them. Enjoy. But in my experience which is pretty extensive, they make golf a little bit harder. I will argue all day (or until I am bored) with anyone who disagrees because this is a fact. Not just an opinion.
Last edited:
One Planer
Global Moderator
FWIW an MP63 is nothing like a blade :thup:
In your quailfied experience then, does that mean all handicap golfers should use GI/SGI irons as, well, we don't hit the sweet spot every time?
I don't need much pushing to get me to post pictures on here, but, just to prove a point:
Exibit A:
Exibit B:
Exibit C:
Exibit D:
Exibit E:
.......... .And I conclude that it was Professor Plum, in the dining room, with the candle stick
Again, FWIW, I was professionally fitted for these irons (MP63) eaarlier this year.
At the fitting, the fitter (.... Also a teaching pro) asked if I was sure these were what I was after. After hitting a few balls with impact tape on the face, he said I would have no issues.
Pictures courtesy of a 14 H/C chomper who, plainly, can't his his irons
mikee247
Challenge Tour Pro
I feel this sums it up in my experience also but Im open to more discussion on the matter!
Having used blades in the past plus a set of Mizzies that sit in the garage 
, I find my i20's offer me more forgiveness on not so sweet strikes. That said the shot shaping ability is better with a bladish iron Ive used in the past. I dont think I'm good enough personally to generate a consistent strike every time for a blade to utilise its ability but thats me at this moment in time. For the record Im not sure why people get so flustered when others make comments... I cant see any personal attacks going on here....
If you come on a forum then people will have opinion and some might not express them to how you might like. So dont come on a forum then... For gods sake lets not overly moderate (I speak from professional experience) these things or it will be come very dull without anyone expressing an opinion or disagreeing on anything. I think Hugh offers some valuable and professional advice that is worth listening to and is his opinion. :thup:
JustOne
Ryder Cup Winner
tsped83
Tour Winner
Can people not just use what they want to use? Regardless of whether or not they're the best fit for them and their handicap/ability?
I use big fat G20s, I love them, they smoke. I wouldn't dream of hitting a blade or players iron, but if I chose to (albeit unwisely in my opinion) then who should care other than me? If I want to make things a little bit more challenging than using shovels, then good for me.
I would like to add a general disclaimer to this post: if you do not use Ping G20 irons then you are plainly an idiot.
I use big fat G20s, I love them, they smoke. I wouldn't dream of hitting a blade or players iron, but if I chose to (albeit unwisely in my opinion) then who should care other than me? If I want to make things a little bit more challenging than using shovels, then good for me.
I would like to add a general disclaimer to this post: if you do not use Ping G20 irons then you are plainly an idiot.
Foxholer
Blackballed
If you want time off for lunch (or boredom) I'm happy to step in!
I've played several sets of blades - TP9s, Muiras, MP37s and Vega V-Muscles. A joy to hit, but were costing me several shots a round - even as a relatively good ball-connector (if maybe not striker). Current Combo set works very well.
In the same way as many of you will find, on Monday, that heather means 9-iron at best, any blade stronger than a 8 is no use from juicy parkland grass.
Gareth. Those are very good contact marks. The Pro was right to question/challenge you though and doing so simply stresses Hugh's point. You may be correct that anyone can hit blades, but hitting them well is a different story.
Btw. If you are striking the ball that well, why are you off 14? Dodgy putting? Short Game woes?
kid2
Money List Winner
maybe if you played more forgiving clubs that are designed to help you, you may lose the high handicap?
Hugh, I think your getting your wires crossed somewhere pal...... It was me that said more people could probably play them more than they think..... And it was also me that said I was only playing 3 yrs.......
I respect that you've been a club fitter but the reason that I posted the thread was in my Olli ion GI clubs are being pushed more and more by manufacturers.... This year's new model X is 8% more forgiving than last years Y...... Its this type of tripe that sees players new to the game get rid of clubs that there's nothing wrong with... I don't buy into it a whole lot but if you take the Maltby ratings which are scientific to say the least you would see that Pings S56 have a higher rating than some GI clubs....
Also you may or may not agree but those S55 are night and day different to a proper blade... As are my Wilson FG Tours as are Titleists AP2's........ The resin I think maufacturers are saying there's more forgiveness in such an iron in my view is to get more people buying them.......
Also I think that club fitting can be a little miss leading in way...... Your either on a perfectly flat mat or a perfectly flat range...... That's fine for that hour or 2 while getting fitted..... When have you see a perfect lie on a course.... Even tee boxes are not level which kind of goes against being fitted... I can see the advantage of getting a shaft fit for your speed but surely at a club golfers level theres a bit of a grey area as regards lie and loft....
S
Snelly
Guest
He's at it again.......
I am starting to think that you're not very bright...
JustOne
Ryder Cup Winner
Get in line mate.... you're about 300th in the queue :thup:
How come you keep saying you have only been playing 3 years when you joined here in feb 2009
kid2
Money List Winner
maybe if you played more forgiving clubs that are designed to help you, you may lose the high handicap?
Took it up may 09 pal.... Ruptured my right Achilles tendon may 10th 09 playing ball...... Spent June,July,august and some of September that year in a cast..... Swung a club in competition of march the following year 2010...... Played all that year all 2011 and at the start of 2012 in february I ruptured my left Achilles tendon plating ball again...... Spent march April may June out in a cast..... Had physio after that for 2 months o that put pay to 2012..... I'm back fit again for this seasn so if I was to break it down I ould say Iv been playing competitively for about 38 months or so...:lol:
How come you keep saying you have only been playing 3 years when you joined here in feb 2009
richy
Journeyman Pro
How come you keep saying you have only been playing 3 years when you joined here in feb 2009
I was just about to post the same thing.
Unless he posted on here for a year before he started playing
JustOne
Ryder Cup Winner
How come you keep saying you have only been playing 3 years when you joined here in feb 2009
Kid2, it doesn't matter what you post on here there's always someone trying to catch you out!!! :rofl:
lesson learned?
A
Alex1975
Guest
