When to change irons?

[MDGolfHacker 7,020]

Hacker I will defer one thing but will admit I may be the only one. I like old beat up rusty clubs. In fact those 2013 Callys in my bag look out of place but I still have the rusty old 588s and rusty Cameron so all is not lost. I just like rusty old clubs but I will admit I ain't normal anyhow. I am the MGS resident rusty club ho

Rusty clubs are great, as long as it makes you happy Big STU! Not advocating change for change's sake my backup bag in FL has all my favorite clubs I still use, like an FT-5 driver, Cleveland titanium 3W, TM wedges circa 2002, and Tommy Armour silver Scott irons.

 

MDGolfHacker

[Beachbum 5]

To me, irons are the bread and butter of my game so I am reluctant to change unless it is really needed (IE swing changes, equipment failure, poor fit).  I am aware the tech changes all the time, but advances in club tech over a few years aren't going to transform your game. Plus being that your irons are only a few years old I can't imagine you are going to see a lot of difference in something new unless your swing has changed drastically and/or they were fitted improperly. 

 

But that being said I am also notorious of getting the "itch" for new stuff so I completely get the attraction to something new.  I think if you follow through with your plan to take your 7 and compare it against some new ones you will find that you confidently can keep the 588's in your bag.  Then while you are at the shop maybe buy something else new to scratch the itch.

[dang3rtown 966]

Most people change irons when their game changes, the clubs wear out or they get a tax refund their wife doesn't know about.

 

M father is an interesting guy with a different philosophy...

 

My father is a fantastic golfer (he went head to head with Tom Watson in the 1966 Missouri state HS championship and lost by a stroke, later attended U of Arizona on a golf scholarship) and he changes clubs once a decade whether he needs to or not (just kidding, if they didn't fall apart, he would keep using them)! He is currently gaming some Tour Edge exotics from the mid 2000s that have rusty shafts, rusty heads and no more than 80% of the grips clinging to life on any one club. The soles of his irons are so worn, they have changed their bounce characteristics. His woods are a collection normally found in the the used bin at a city's cheapest muni course and his putter is an off brand I have never heard of that appears to be a Odyssey 2 ball design knock off. His bag resembles some sort of hobo bindle. Now, he is a member at a very nice, private club and every time the caddy brings out his decrepit sack of clubs and makes a futile attempt at engaging the "stand" feature, I have to swallow my laughter. Now, despite all of this, at the ripe old age of 68, he without fail kicks my ass up and down the fairway.

 

I'm sure at least one shaft will disintegrate soon and that means a decade has nearly passed and new clubs are on the horizon. He will undoubtably spend a solid five minutes researching "cheapest possible golf clubs", make his purchase and proceed to whip my butt all over again.

 

P.S. Will post pic of bag soon.

 

Edit: PPS, just so people understand how worn his gear is, he plays 200 plus rounds per year.

[tony@CIC 18,654]

Most people change irons when their game changes, the clubs wear out or they get a tax refund their wife doesn't know about.

 

M father is an interesting guy with a different philosophy...

 

My father is a fantastic golfer (he went head to head with Tom Watson in the 1966 Missouri state HS championship and lost by a stroke, later attended U of Arizona on a golf scholarship) and he changes clubs once a decade whether he needs to or not (just kidding, if they didn't fall apart, he would keep using them)! He is currently gaming some Tour Edge exotics from the mid 2000s that have rusty shafts, rusty heads and no more than 80% of the grips clinging to life on any one club. The soles of his irons are so worn, they have changed their bounce characteristics. His woods are a collection normally found in the the used bin at a city's cheapest muni course and his putter is an off brand I have never heard of that appears to be a Odyssey 2 ball design knock off. His bag resembles some sort of hobo bindle. Now, he is a member at a very nice, private club and every time the caddy brings out his decrepit sack of clubs and makes a futile attempt at engaging the "stand" feature, I have to swallow my laughter. Now, despite all of this, at the ripe old age of 68, he without fail kicks my ass up and down the fairway.

 

I'm sure at least one shaft will disintegrate soon and that means a decade has nearly passed and new clubs are on the horizon. He will undoubtably spend a solid five minutes researching "cheapest possible golf clubs", make his purchase and proceed to whip my butt all over again.

 

P.S. Will post pic of bag soon.

 

Edit: PPS, just so people understand how worn his gear is, he plays 200 plus rounds per year.

FYI 68 isn't that old - it's the new 50!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[BGE89 14]

One thing that I have noticed with irons is the lack of changes made in the "Players Irons" category. I would be unable to comment on game improvement irons but I have tried out many different models of CB's and MB's over the last 10 years.

 

I have come to the conclusion that different iron sets have different weighting and feel, as well as turf interaction. I have found very little difference in Launch Monitor numbers when comparing so called "Players Irons". I came to the conclusion that the look and feel are the most important factors for me so I don't change irons much. I get a 4 month golf season where I live and I usually play 3-4 times a week. I have found that after 5 seasons of play my irons start to show a lot of wear and it is time for a new set.

 

For me it comes down to the wear and tear of the iron, as I do not see a performance change in new iron tech. when using a launch monitor, however, the 716 AP2 & Apex Pro 16 give me a jump in ball speed and distance but I think this is dues to me playing MB/CB combinations for the last 10 years

[JohnSmalls 6,199]

Most people change irons when their game changes, the clubs wear out or they get a tax refund their wife doesn't know about.

 

M father is an interesting guy with a different philosophy...

 

My father is a fantastic golfer (he went head to head with Tom Watson in the 1966 Missouri state HS championship and lost by a stroke, later attended U of Arizona on a golf scholarship) and he changes clubs once a decade whether he needs to or not (just kidding, if they didn't fall apart, he would keep using them)! He is currently gaming some Tour Edge exotics from the mid 2000s that have rusty shafts, rusty heads and no more than 80% of the grips clinging to life on any one club. The soles of his irons are so worn, they have changed their bounce characteristics. His woods are a collection normally found in the the used bin at a city's cheapest muni course and his putter is an off brand I have never heard of that appears to be a Odyssey 2 ball design knock off. His bag resembles some sort of hobo bindle. Now, he is a member at a very nice, private club and every time the caddy brings out his decrepit sack of clubs and makes a futile attempt at engaging the "stand" feature, I have to swallow my laughter. Now, despite all of this, at the ripe old age of 68, he without fail kicks my ass up and down the fairway.

 

I'm sure at least one shaft will disintegrate soon and that means a decade has nearly passed and new clubs are on the horizon. He will undoubtably spend a solid five minutes researching "cheapest possible golf clubs", make his purchase and proceed to whip my butt all over again.

 

P.S. Will post pic of bag soon.

 

Edit: PPS, just so people understand how worn his gear is, he plays 200 plus rounds per year.

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing this.  Sounds like something my dad would do if he were a golfer.

[dang3rtown 966]

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing this.  Sounds like something my dad would do if he were a golfer.

 

I tried to snap a pic yesterday but it didn't quite work. I'm golfing with him on Tuesday so look for an update then!

[Honest Wes 113]

I've been playing the Cleveland 588 MT irons for about 3 years now. They still perform well for me and are one of the best irons I've played. That said, is it time to look for new irons with all the new tech and distance that is advertised with the BB OS, Cobra King OS, Z545 etc. Thanks for your comments.

Go to a reputable fitter and try a different shaft. You can get a heck of a shaft upgrade for the cost of new irons.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[golfinnut 1,149]

Whenever I think the new technology will help my game!  HA! 

 

I know it's the Indian & not the arrow but I like to think there is something out there that will make me better.

[cksurfdude 8,295]

Whenever I think the new technology will help my game! HA!

 

I know it's the Indian & not the arrow but I like to think there is something out there that will make me better.

I'm with you: totally in the Disney fairy tale mindset that the next better "magic wand" is sitting out just waiting for us to come and adopt it....... ;-)

[dcorun 38]

Thanks everyone for your input. The members on MGS are knowledgeable and helpful. I'm going to try the F7 One Length in regular and forged and see what happens. I'm also looking at the Z565. I will get fitted if I decide they outperform my current irons enough to spend the money on new ones especially the Z565.  

[TBT 2,760]

I have been playing TM Speedblades since they came out in 2014, they a perfectly adequate set of irons but I keep seeing new sexy looking irons come out and I get "new club fever"!

 

I have demo tested several sets and I'm seeing some noticeable improvements in distance and dispersion, so I've decided that this is the year to upgrade......now I've got to figure out which set is for me.

[ole gray 16,645]

I have been playing TM Speedblades since they came out in 2014, they a perfectly adequate set of irons but I keep seeing new sexy looking irons come out and I get "new club fever"!

 

I have demo tested several sets and I'm seeing some noticeable improvements in distance and dispersion, so I've decided that this is the year to upgrade......now I've got to figure out which set is for me.

 

Lot's of hawt ones to choose from for sure! The Srixon irons are sharp looking and have good reviews. Personally I like The Cally Steelheads .

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[poprocksncoke 1,344]

Golf Clubs are like a car to me, although not as expensive.  When something new comes out, its so enticing and you think to yourself, "I gotta have that."   But if they are working well for you why change unless you find something you know will work better for you?

[yungkory 10,333]

Golf Clubs are like a car to me, although not as expensive.  When something new comes out, its so enticing and you think to yourself, "I gotta have that."   But if they are working well for you why change unless you find something you know will work better for you?

 

The problem is the insecurity of not knowing whether or not they'll work better for you. You'll come up with every excuse from here to the moon until you finally buy them. At least - that's what I find is happening to me. Currently going back and forth with myself on the shafts in my irons.

[cksurfdude 8,295]

The problem is the insecurity of not knowing whether or not they'll work better for you. You'll come up with every excuse from here to the moon until you finally buy them. At least - that's what I find is happening to me. Currently going back and forth with myself on the shafts in my irons.

Went for an irons fitting recently - glad I did, has ended up being well worth it!

[HDIr0n 15]

As of last year I was using the same irons that I had competed with in High School and College (early 2000's). I still hit them well, but needed some help in forgiveness. I went from Taylormade LCG to Rocketbladez Tour irons, and love the look and feel of the Rocketbladez. 

[ZachSvec 32]

Irons seem like have a hell of a long life span and really there doesnt seem to be a set time period in which you need to change. Like some before me have said just take yours to compare to some newer models at your local shop and if you see something that you think warrants a new purchase get fit and pull the trigger.

[ddryan 1,213]

If it is not broke, don't fix it...  I have changed irons from 20 year old technology (Hogan Apex Edge Pro- with the ever so slight cavity back) to Taylor Made Burner 2.0 because I was losing distance and direction on mis-hits (not enough time to practice ;-0).  After two seasons and getting my swing back to where it should be, I grabbed a set of Titlist AP2 714's so I could begin working the ball again- TM was difficult to hit anything but straight, and had very little feel compared to the Hogans or the Titlists-

 

That said, and I saw a conversation about working the ball and who does and who does not- I would say (sorry Yoda) I try, and get results most of the time- I am better with a draw than a cut, but when pressed, I manage.  Nobody is carrying my bag on the weekend but me, so I am not perfect- but then again, neither are the best players- it is all about managing your mistakes- and I would say if you make fewer mistakes with your current sticks, keep em.  If you beg, borrow steal or otherwise grab a set and like them better (offsetting the "new club" bump in performance) and you make fewer mistakes with them, then you have a winner.

 

my 2cents!

[TBT 2,760]

Thanks everyone for your input. The members on MGS are knowledgeable and helpful. I'm going to try the F7 One Length in regular and forged and see what happens. I'm also looking at the Z565. I will get fitted if I decide they outperform my current irons enough to spend the money on new ones especially the Z565.

 

Let's us know how the one-length thing works for you, it's definitely caught my attention