Time to replace game improver irons?

[dougajmcdonald]

I've been playing now for a couple of years and midway through last year I replaced my original set of clubs (a hand-me-down from my dad) with a set of fitted ping G30's.

These have done me well and I hit them fine, but recently a couple of things have been playing on my mind.

1. I was fitted when I was (compared to my current swing) hitting the ball badly / very differently. They are set to 2 degrees up which I don't think I need anymore.

2. The size of the heads is becoming a bit of an issue for me, I know normally larger heads are supposed to 'inspire confidence' but personally I feel like there is a huge lump on the end of the club and I can't seem to mentally get to a point where I feel as comfortable hitting them, especially the longer irons

3. A friend recently left his Callaway Apex irons in my car and said he didn't mind if I hit a few. I took the 7i and 5i to the range and really like the look of them behind the ball. I thought the smaller head would lead to worse strikes but this didn't seem to be the case.

My questions is this has anyone moved from a GI to a players iron and noticed a big drop in forgiveness? at the moment I feel like the larger heads are stopping my progressing as I can't seem to pick the best contact point on the face where the smaller heads seem to focus my swing more.

 

[Dan2501]

[video=youtube;O1oArb2lJVs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1oArb2lJVs[/video]

This should help. Use what you're confident with. You might see a small difference in forgiveness, but if you've got more confidence looking down at at a smaller head than do it.

 

[Odvan]

My questions is this has anyone moved from a GI to a players iron and noticed a big drop in forgiveness? at the moment I feel like the larger heads are stopping my progressing as I can't seem to pick the best contact point on the face where the smaller heads seem to focus my swing more.

With the greatest respect, not many mid-high handicappers can 'pick' the best contact point each time, after all, there's only one, isn't there?

I am currently playing GI irons (JPX HDs) and have been since I started out just over 2 years ago but also acquired some MP63s off here for a super price after getting those same feelings..

Like you feel, the bladed clubs look lovely behind the ball and as Dan links, it does give me confidence, rather than being scared of them. However, I haven't used them in comps despite shooting 40 points around the Hotchkin with them (amongst other good rounds) and won't do just yet. They aren't coming to Scotland with me, either.

The main reason is twofold; distance - the lofts are 2 degrees weaker and so affects the top and bottom end of my bag and of course, I'm not 100% certain on consistent distances with them, either. The second reason I'm not afraid to admit...when I hit em clean, they travel the same distance as my GIs and the better stop, for me, is noticeable. The emphasis there though, is on the word 'when' and so it boils down to forgiveness (and skill!).

Dont get me wrong, I don't chomp it around but those blips and the difference is extremely noticeable, it can be the difference between getting lucky and running onto the front of a green versus running into a bunker or the crap when you've hit a poor one. I'm off 12.7 so it happens more than I'd like.

As our resident forum bandit (Birchy) has often said to me, "if you want to be competitive, why make it harder for yourself". I agree with this completely but I also want to challenge myself - if I can't use them though, I'll bin em. I've got to get good enough to utilise them for what they are. Until then, the GIs will do the same job, probably better. I'm possibly playing the best I've played in 2 years so can't convince myself that bagging them is the right thing to do, just yet. But if I start playing badly, well, I'll need the GIs.....

My problem, I'm not a range man, don't practise and don't care for practising. If I were, my post may have been slightly different. I'm sure I could convert easily if I practised more. Ultimately, that is the key.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it and always know that if you buy well, you won't lose any money, unless you buy em new and you then find you don't get on....

 

[Smiffy]

I'd personally wait until you got down to say 10 or below.
Your current GI clubs have done what you expected them to do, get you down from 23 to 17 but there is still a plenty of room for improvement.
I've played with loads of single figure golfers who are still using a GI type of club rather than a blade.

 

[shewy]

I'd stick with them, isn't the Apex a GI club also? the Apex pro is the better player club

 

[pendodave]

hmmm.

I'm sure you could get a pro to check that the lie angle is still appropriate. I think Ping might tweak them for free if the pro is one that they normally deal with.

G30 are pretty decent. While every golfer is different, my gut feeling is that changing clubs is not the answer to improvement. If you're off 17, there's likely plenty of things to do before switching metal.

Not that it is particularly relevant, but I am off 12 with G5s. I've been playing long enough now to realise that it ain't the sticks...