Titleist DTR Irons vs a more modern iron

[mrmotorbikeman]

I have been playing with Titleist DTR's from 1988 since I started playing golf around 12 years ago. I used to play every weekend until I was 18, when uni costs and travel forced me to stop being a member. Since then I have played on and off for the past 6 years, but have recently begun trying to play more regularly again. I was a 17 H/C when i stopped, but it was falling fast, and I normally played to about 12.

I hit the DTR's well, or at least feel like I do, apart from the occasional hand stinger with a 3 or 4 iron. I believe that they are 1" shorter than standard and have a flatter lie. I am 6' tall, so probably not 'fit' for me at all.

What I would like to hear your guys opinions of is if you think I would benefit from switching to a more modern iron or not. Having always used the Titleists, and got on well with them, I naturally have been looking at the AP1 and AP2 irons. For someone that would only play 20/25 times a year would there be any benefits from the expense outlay that would improve my game or make it more enjoyable, or would the difference between the DTR's and anything newer not be that great?

 

[theeaglehunter]

I think in the time period in which you have been out of golf technology has come a long way and put simply you would definitely benefit from a more modern set of irons. The Titleist AP1 / 2s would be a good place to start, but definitely get custom fitted and try some different brands. Your consistency will almost definitely improve with new clubs as they are likely to be more forgiving if you go for that style of club.

Good luck with your search and welcome to the forum.

 

[MVP]

Even an older set..last year or 2 http://www.discountgolfstore.co.uk/2270/Titleist-695CB-Irons---3-PW---Steel-Shafts.html like this would be a lot easier to hit consistently!

there are plenty of ranges with demo clubs of all types of sets would stick to titleist cos your familiar! try the lot. but like i said theres a ton of last season clubs great deals as manufactures are bringing out new stuff left right and centre

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think there have been huge advances in technology even in the last five years and so you probably aren't playing the most forgiving equipment. You are obviously a decent striker and so I guess it comes down to whether you can justify paying c£500 for a set of irons to use so infrequently or whether you want to persevere with what you have.

In my opinion you should look around for a second hand set of decent player clubs (X20 tours etc - sorry not a Titleist fan so not sure of any of their makes and models) and maybe go down that route. With all the new equipment coming out even the AP1 and 2 may start to fall so you may get a bargain.

Welcome to the forum and hope you hang around. Let us know a bit more about yourself like where you are from and where you play

 

[Leftie]

I have been playing with Titleist DTR's from 1988 since I started playing golf around 12 years ago.

Welcome to the forum mrmotorbikeman.

I am a tad confused. Did you study arithmetic at uni or are you stuck in a time warp?

 

[theeaglehunter]

I've just noticed you're from jolly old Cambridgeshire What course do you tend to play at? I live in Cambridge itself.

 

[mrmotorbikeman]

Welcome to the forum mrmotorbikeman.

I am a tad confused. Did you study arithmetic at uni or are you stuck in a time warp?

i meant that the clubs are from '88, but that i started playing 12 years ago in '96. the clubs were my uncles old set, hence the odd fitting options for someone of my height. the two dates aren't meant to coincide, but i guess you could read it that way

and i obtained a first class masters of physics degree at uni so i kinda guess i did study arithmatic haha

 

[mrmotorbikeman]

I've just noticed you're from jolly old Cambridgeshire What course do you tend to play at? I live in Cambridge itself.

i tend to play at Lakeside Lodge in Pidley currently, as its only a 10 min drive away, and fairly cheap green fee's. am willing to listen to suggestions of other tracks to try though. hoping the weather is going to be half decent to try and get a round in tomorrow

 

[Leftie]

i meant that the clubs are from '88, but that i started playing 12 years ago in '96. the clubs were my uncles old set, hence the odd fitting options for someone of my height. the two dates aren't meant to coincide, but i guess you could read it that way

and i obtained a first class masters of physics degree at uni so i kinda guess i did study arithmatic haha

Just joshing M8. HID thinks that I should be renamed as Which Tyler - leader of "The Pedants Revolt" 1381.

 

[Herbie]

I have been playing with Titleist DTR's from 1988 since I started playing golf around 12 years ago. I used to play every weekend until I was 18, when uni costs and travel forced me to stop being a member. Since then I have played on and off for the past 6 years, but have recently begun trying to play more regularly again. I was a 17 H/C when i stopped, but it was falling fast, and I normally played to about 12.

I hit the DTR's well, or at least feel like I do, apart from the occasional hand stinger with a 3 or 4 iron. I believe that they are 1" shorter than standard and have a flatter lie. I am 6' tall, so probably not 'fit' for me at all.

What I would like to hear your guys opinions of is if you think I would benefit from switching to a more modern iron or not. Having always used the Titleists, and got on well with them, I naturally have been looking at the AP1 and AP2 irons. For someone that would only play 20/25 times a year would there be any benefits from the expense outlay that would improve my game or make it more enjoyable, or would the difference between the DTR's and anything newer not be that great?

If your clubs were in good nick I would be happy to use them as I have always liked them, but as has been said, technology has moved on and if you changed with your h/c you couldnt possibly lose, only improve either by a small amount or even a huge leap.
So what bike have you got? Oh and welcome.

 

[dandpl]

Dear MrMotorbikeman

Hi my first post.........

I have used DTR irons for a number of years to a handicap of 9 ..now 57 handicap 10.5 I felt maybe the new technology could help.

I live in France but while home in the uk had two club fitting appointments and settled on Ping rapture irons and G10 driver.

I can not belive the difference now my game is improving ....its not the good shots are so much better its the bad shots are so much better that makes the differnce. These sticks are like precision instruments! Its not that the DTRs were bad its just time has moved on and now I wish I had changed long ago.

Go to a Pro or two have your clubs fitted for you and enjoy your game!

dandpl

 

[MVP]

Dear MrMotorbikeman

Hi my first post.........

I have used DTR irons for a number of years to a handicap of 9 ..now 57 handicap 10.5 I felt maybe the new technology could help.

I live in France but while home in the uk had two club fitting appointments and settled on Ping rapture irons and G10 driver.

I can not belive the difference now my game is improving ....its not the good shots are so much better its the bad shots are so much better that makes the differnce. These sticks are like precision instruments! Its not that the DTRs were bad its just time has moved on and now I wish I had changed long ago.

Go to a Pro or two have your clubs fitted for you and enjoy your game!

dandpl

Ping Raptures are marketed as the Ultimate beginners clubs. I wouldnt call them precision instruments but they are built entirely around forgiveness and reducing the bad effects from off centre hits!
A few off the guys on here would be surprised to see a 9-11 handicap favour them over so called 'players irons' aimed at the lower handicap mark.

Do you find with your raptures they affect your ability to shape shots etc etc?

 

[mrmotorbikeman]

thanks for the info guys, it does seem like the age of the clubs means that there are advantages to be had with a newer set. technology does move on, i was just interested to know how much you guys thought it had. seemingly quite a lot! this just brings out the other dilemma of aiming towards ame improvement or 'players' irons. i dont feel that i strike the ball that badly, and am reasonably consistant with the DTR's, so dont want to go for anything that will be too forgiving, and not actually help me improve my swing. i guess the response is to go and try a few.

would you guys advise a local pro, or somewhere like American Golf or Discount Golf as a place to visit?

i too am suprised to see such a low handicapper rate the ratures. from what i had read, i too was under the impression that they forgave all but the worst hits.

in response to herb, i ride classic bikes in off-road competitions, 2 BSA's from 1960 and 1965, and a Royal Enfield from 1960.

 

[HTL]

Best to go to a local pro mate who know how to custom fit, Or go to one of the titleist national fitting centres. Or if you fancy a road trip go to the Belfry and try everything out.

 

[dandpl]

Hi MVP

I do not consider my 10.5 a low handicap in the first place but as to the Rapture Irons that I have had now for about 3 weeks they do feel so much better to me!

When I was being fitted I tried many other of the club option from the other suppliers as well but with the help of a TRUSTED club pro who I have known for many years these seemed the best for me.

As I visit the club twice a week and spend as much time practising as playing I find little difference in the distance I achieve with the irons but they are just so much more consistent as to direction, shaping shots seems as easy as before.

Perhaps I have had my head in the sand when it comes to equipment over at least the last 10-12 years, as I always blamed my swing but the new tools sure do help.

Regards

dandpl

 

[theeaglehunter]

If you fancy Titleist clubs, go to the titleist national fitting centre at Brampton. It's not far away from you and an excellent facility, which will guarantee you find clubs suited to you.

 

[mrmotorbikeman]

I know it might sound a bit snobbish, and closed minded, but I have always regarded Titleist highly, and having used these DTR's for ages and generally got on well with them, I guess I'm just mentally confident with Titleist clubs.

I switched woods to the Titleist's listed below (both 2nd hand, but with minimal use at a good price) from some Progen Full Bore woods, and found I hit them much better and more consistantly. Now, is that due to them being a better club, or is it simply the mental confidence of having that 'T' word on the club? I guess its that un-known factor that is making me want to stick with Titleist

Do you have to pre-book a visit to Brampton, or can you just arrive and have a browse and get talking to someone?

 

[theeaglehunter]

You have to book mate if you want a fitting on the day you go, if not I think you could probably go and talk to them and arrange a fitting for another day.

 

[MVP]

I switched woods to the Titleist's listed below (both 2nd hand, but with minimal use at a good price) from some Progen Full Bore woods, and found I hit them much better and more consistantly. Now, is that due to them being a better club, or is it simply the mental confidence of having that 'T' word on the club? I guess its that un-known factor that is making me want to stick with Titleist

Modern day drivers and woods have made the biggest improvement, like the adverts suggest they are.longer straighter, more forgiving then drivers 10 years ago.

 

[mrmotorbikeman]

The improvement that the woods have shown has really made me think seriously about the relative improvements that irons might give, hence this thread!