Progression from GI Irons?

[RollinThunder]

I went through a bad run of form last year, then had some lessons this year, and I'm delighted to say that my swing is coming on leaps and bounds, and I'm chuffed to bits about how I've came on in every aspect.

Apologies for the possibly incorrect terminology, but I've been looking into whether a set of "player's irons" will benefit my game. By "player's irons" I mean not game-improvers, but not necessarily muscle backs or blades, but irons with the weight a bit more central, that will give a bit more when hit in the centre, for example the PING i20s or i25s.

I've done a few experiments with impact tape at the range, and my striking is pretty good, 9/10 strikes being where I want them to be, and I love to play around with shaping the ball (my favourite thing in golf!), so I was wondering if a progression from PING G series to the I series will benefit my game, as I've heard from people and PING themselves that the I series are better for those who like to shape the ball and can strike it well.

I'm currently using PING G20 irons, so standard game-improvement irons. Without a doubt they are very good, forgiving irons, but as my striking has improved, could a better-player iron improve my game in terms of distance and shot shape?

Any wisdom?

 

[nemicu]

The only person who can accurately answer your question is probably yourself. Since nobody knows your game or have seen you swing a club either, it's impossible to tell if using a certain iron would be of any benefit to your golf or not. It's not difficult these days to demo irons and see for yourself how it performs - then you will have a definitive answer.

 

[Imurg]

If you already shape the ball with G20's then beware...

As you get closer to pure blades it gets easier to shape the ball - you might find you start to overcook the movement to the detriment of your scores.
Also don't get caught in the "I'm improving so I need better player clubs" trap.
They may or may not help you - so many variables.

Try some - see if you borrow a set for a round or 2. After that you'll have a better idea.

 

[el marko]

No.

Play with the clubs you feel most comfortable with. Be able to hit blades wont make you a better iron player.

 

[DannyOT]

I switched from wilson di-7s to nike vr pro combos for various reasons. I found the di-7 shafts to be too chunky and the heads too big; this was obviously good when starting out but I just didn't enjoy how they looked and felt. I also found that the lofts were very strong and I didn't really want the sort of distance/flight they produced as I could never generate much spin with them.

I don't know if anything has changed with my swing/contact since I have had the combos but I can actually get the ball to stop within 5 feet of where it landed which I had never been able to do before.

 

[Hunka Turf]

could a better-player iron improve my game in terms of distance and shot shape?

Generally speaking you may find it easier to shape the ball, but it's unlikely you'll gain distance. The opposite might even be true. You'll also sacrifice some forgiveness on days when you're not hitting it well.

 

[RollinThunder]

Thanks everyone.

I'll have a look when a fitting day comes at my club, or buy a cheap set to try out if I stumble across some.

Apologies for the lack of clarity, I get a bit confused between the vocabulary, What I should have said is a mid-handicapper iron, such as the PING i20 or i25, that sort of style, with the weight more central, but still with some forgiveness, definitely not a blade or muscle-back.

I used to have some PING i5s, and I used to get more distance from them, but that was before I took up golf seriously, and when I just used to smash it as hard as I could. Like said, the good hits will be fine, it's the bad hits what punish you, whereas GI irons are a lot more forgiving on the bad days.

 

[sev112]

I went the complete opposite, not by design or choice really, more circumstances

Became a better player the more GI I went

 

[DAVEYBOY]

I switched to Nike Pro Cobos and I don't believe there is much difference in terms of forgiveness, the big difference is in loft as my Nikes are a whole club less in terms of loft, my new 7 iron was my old 6. The massive difference is the look and size of the head which is the reason I switched as I can't stand the look of a massive GI head and it actually makes me feel like I am going to chunk the ball when setting up.

 

[Foxholer]

Play with the clubs you feel most comfortable with. Be able to hit blades wont make you a better iron player.

I disagree! The better quality of strike required to hit blades WILL tend to make you a better iron player.

However, using blades just makes the game harder imo. Your improvement will only be noticed if you use the blades to practice and the 'comfortable' ones to play 'proper rounds' with! And try hitting a 6 iron, or longer, blade out of damp spring clover!

Combo is the way to go imo!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Think you can only really tell from giving them a try

But I reckon that you would see a marked improvement with the I25's - impressive irons

 

[RollinThunder]

Think you can only really tell from giving them a try

But I reckon that you would see a marked improvement with the I25's - impressive irons

I know, everything on the PING website just ticks my boxes:

"The 17-4 stainless steel i25 irons deliver forgiveness and distance with control to inspire confident shot making."

Unfortunately, they're a bit too expensive to just "give them a try"

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I know, everything on the PING website just ticks my boxes:

"The 17-4 stainless steel i25 irons deliver forgiveness and distance with control to inspire confident shot making."

Unfortunately, they're a bit too expensive to just "give them a try"

Does your pro shop have any demo irons ?

 

[bluewolf]

As an alternative, have you had a look at the I20's? I've tried them both and didn't see enough of a difference to make the extra cost worthwhile... As evidence of this, I bought some I20's over the weekend. 3-SW - Mint condition with CFS Stiff shafts for less than £350.. If I thought the I25's were significantly better, I'd have bought them...

 

[Imurg]

I know, everything on the PING website just ticks my boxes:

"The 17-4 stainless steel i25 irons deliver forgiveness and distance with control to inspire confident shot making."

Unfortunately, they're a bit too expensive to just "give them a try"

Bit cheeky but buy a set from Golfbidder, use them for a round and send them back for refund within 7 days.
Costs you the postage but as a last resort......

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd speak to the pro you've been having lessons with. He obviously knows your swing and game and see what he suggests. I had the TM Tour Preferred (the older version not the new incarnation) and did go back to a GI set with G25's. However they never really suited my eye and gone back to a "player club" with the I25 and find they give me everything I want from a club. Nice compact head but plenty of forgiveness. Plenty of good irons on the market and so the only way you'll find out is to try as many as you can

 

[chrisd]

I went the complete opposite, not by design or choice really, more circumstances

Became a better player the more GI I went

I've just done the same as Sev. Changed from Titleist AP2 to Callaway Hot x2 and I'm definitely hitting 2 or 3 shots a round that I wouldn't have pulled off with the "better" clubs but the good shots are still good with the GI clubs