To Change Irons - What Factors ?

[User 105]

I'd be interested in the forums views.

At what point do you decide it's worth considering 'better player' irons ?

I've been playing for just over a year and use G10's at the moment, which have been fantastic for a beginner like me. My scores have dropped from 110 region to consistently shooting high 80-low 90 scores. My HC is 20 right now and falling.

I have had regular lessons and my ball striking has improved considerably and continues to do so.

So at what point do most players start to benefit from using a better player club. Something like the i15's etc ?

Don't get me wrong, I love the G10's, nothing wrong with them. But if my game has got to the right level where I'd benefit from a better club then I'd start to consider a change.

Oh, the only slight criticism I'd have of the G10's is they do fly quite high, which can be a right pain as it's gets quite windy at our track.

 

[thecraw]

I would still stick to G10's off of 20 mate.

They are a great iron for you and tbh I dont think you will benefit from a "players" club yet.

One of the guys I used to play alot with still has his trusty G2's and hes off 1!

 

[User 105]

Thanks craw.

That's my thinking right now as well.

What I'm trying to wrap my head around is what would drive me to want\need to change ?

I could probably quite happily play with the G10's until they fall to bits. But I'd expect there would be a point where I'd got good enough to get an advantage of a better club.

As I say, just trying to wrap my head around where\what that point might be. Be it hcp, quality of strike, ability to shape shots etc.

 

[Fyldewhite]

I'd echo that, stick with them.

I've recently changed my irons (an aging set of TM 320's) to the G10. I tried the i10's and the new i15 as well and although they probably looked better there was no difference in performance so I saved £200 by getting a 4 month old set of G10's and I'm extremely happy with them. Forget all the "better players club" and "shaping shots" bollox and use clubs that are easy to hit and concentrate on "shaping" them straight!! More dividends to be had IMHO for all handicaps but especially if you are off 20.

 

[colint]

another vote for staying put. I play a "players" club, but thats only really because I hit it better than a GI iron for some reason. I like the fact that I have to be pretty disciplined on getting a good contact as they're pretty unforgiving, but trust me there are plenty of times when I duff one and I know it would have been a better result with a standard club.

Rocco Mediate plays Callaway X22, which is one of the most forgiving clubs available. His take on things is "why make things more difficult", which is good advice I'd say.

 

[Largsgolf1974]

Would have to agree, if its not broken why change it, unless you just fancy something different? lets be honest, how many times do you change your car just because you can. (or is that just me)

Ping are great clubs and they are obviously working for you, What i would say though, When you do think of changing i cannot stress custom fitting enough!!!

I have just ordered myself a set of blades, but i played with blades as a lad and feel really comfortabkle with them, they give me more confidence standing over a shot than bulky cavity backs. suppose its just a matter of opinion.

 

[USER1999]

Whilst I expect most would benefit from staying with GI irons such as G10s, for me, they are ugly. I can't look at a clumpy club and feel any confidence at all. I think shaping shots is a bit over rated. Most have a natural shape and should stick to it. I know quite a few cat 1 players who wouldn't dream of trying to shape the ball the wrong way.
I am not sure why more don't play with GI clubs really. Snob value I expect. The only reason I can think of is to get a lower, more penetrating flight. Why this is desireable on most English golf courses I don't know. Sure, if you play alot of windswept deserts, but most of us don't.

My guess is, you know when to change when you pick up a shiny looking blade to admire the finish, and can't leave the shop without it.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

I changed my irons (previous set Mizuno TP9s (blade)) as I hadn't played for a while and I wanted a cheap set of cavity backs to get some confidence back in my game. Once I've got my official handicap (one card down, two to go) and I start seeing some improvement I may consider going back to them but, as has been said on this thread, if it ain't broke - don't fix it so I may stay with the CG reds.

Clear now??? Good - coz I'm not.........

 

[RichE]

For most people who have been playing for quite a while clubs will have changed at some point. Given you've only been playing for a year and are looking to continue to improve, i'd echo whats been said and stick with what you have. You could comfortably get down to 10 and still use these irons - i have a friend who plays of 6 and uses them.
Having spent much money on new kit only to find myself changing it, unless your really unhappy stay as you are and you'll see a continued improvement.

 

[pokerjoke]

i would say stick with the irons you have until you get your handicap down lower,the clubs you have are well capable of taking you down 2 that level,then get yourself fitted for a set,that will keep you goin until the changes in 2024

 

[freddielong]

There has to be a reason to change will your new clubs give you something your current clubs dont, do you need more playability (how do you picture your shots are they straight at it, or do you try to shape the ball and control its height) - I have never gamed GI clubs there wasn't such a thing when I started and when I have tried them, I find them clumpy and unresponsive compared to my blades.

 

[User 105]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Very useful.

The reason behind the question wasn't really because I want to change, it was more to understand if there would be any benefit in changing as I get better and if so what would trigger the change.

I think based on the above my G10's should see me happily down to at least a 10 hcp. I think once, if I get there, I can consider this again.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I wanted to change to a player club this year and promised myself if I got to 10 I'd do it. Stalled at 11 but decided I wanted the TM TP's anyway but lo when it came to testing it was apparent I don't have the game to do them justice. It would have been money spent to massage my ego and to be honest a waste.

I decided to go with the R9's and although I can and did hit the R9 TP's ok I wasn't happy with the heavier shaft and so again decided that not to try and "play" my way into a new set just because. I have to say I have been hitting the I15's a lot and I love them. If these are classed as better player clubs they are probably the only ones (with maybe the exception of the Cally X 20 and 22 pro versions) that I can hit. Even the three iron is a relative doddle to hit and very smooth and pure.

If it wasn't for the fact that I am a bit of a TM fiend and really hit the standard R9's well I'd definitely have got the Pings. I think they are a great club. However I think my R9's will do me proud and will see me into single figures next year and once I get there what reason is there to change. At the end of the day only you know your game so if you think you can use a better player club off your handicap go for it. If there is any doubt then I'd suggest maybe waiting and seeing where your handicap is at the start of the season and deciding then. Providing you aren't looking at just Ping a lot of the 2010 models will be out by then

 

[Redwood]

Westy,

As you can see from my sig, I'm a 24 hcapper, and hit the I5's, and get on fine with them. They aren't considered the hardest iron to hit, by a long chalk, but are more of a players club than the G series.

I used to have the G5's, but in the summer at my course the fairways were so dry and very bare that it made hitting clubs with wider soles quite hard, which is why I tried to go for something with a thinner sole.

If I had played on a normal in-land parkland course, or a course where the fairways didn't dry out too much I would have stuck with the G5's.

In short, I'd stick with what you have unless there is a specific need that you need to fulfil that you think the G10's are giving you problems with.

Cheers
Redwood

 

[Deke]

I have been playing less than one year and my first set of irons(cleveland cg red tour) is probably considered to be for the better player! The main reason i bought them is because i hit them better than any other irons i have tested(cobra fp,nike cci,wilson staff di7).I can hit them with a good degree of accuracy,mostly from the middle or the toe,and the fair sized cavity and gelback seem to sort out most miss hits.I still struggle for distance with my mid irons,and wouldnt dream of trying to work the ball flight yet,but imagine as i gain in skill,mr irons will still be suitable for my game.God knows when i can afford new ones,so they should hopefully do me a good length of time.Different swings and shapes need different irons and these suit me well,if your current set dont suit you get another that does,as long as you hit as many types and makes as possible,you should end up with something better,regardless of manufacturers pigeon holes.If the shoe fits wear it!(Hope this is not too long winded!)

 

[Tommo21]

I made the biggest mistake only a few weeks ago by getting a set of R7 TPs. I thought it would be a natural progression from my standard R7s. Nothing could be further from the truth and I’m waiting on a standard set again having stupidly sold my old one’s to a good friend of mine.

I think better player irons are what you play better with, not necessarily playing with better player irons.

In saying that, I got a loan of a set of titleist ZB irons and I was surprised how well I played with them. So if your going to change make sure you are 100% sure and don’t change just for the sake of changing.

 

[GasMan]

Save your money that you'd pay for the new set and put it into lessons with a good pro instead - far better investment imho.

 

[User 105]

Gasman, already do this.

I have at least a lesson a month so I can allow the changes to bed in before the next one.

 

[Tiger]

Only thing you could consider is changing your shafts which could in turn improve your ball flight - making it more penetrating to take the wind out of play and giving you a bit more distance. When I was custom fitted the standard shafts gave me a really high ball flight so I ended up with the project x 5.5 which gave a much more piercing flight.

Other than that I'd echo the other comments. If my handicap was in freefall like yours the last thing I would do is mess with the winning formula in the bag.

Happy golfing.