Combo sets

[revkev]

I've been a fan of combo sets for a long time and actually bagged a combo set from Nicklaus golf for five or six years - I played very good golf with those irons.

 

I know that I'm not the only golfer who is a moderate speed lower handicapper who benefits from a wider platform in my mid irons and hybrids for mid irons.

 

The problem is that there doesn't seem to be anything's big out there that transitions smoothly from wedge to short iron to mid iron. In fact if anything I would complain that GI clubs look the worst in the short irons. They really don't look all that bad at 6 or 7 but at PW it's a freak show.

 

Why is that? Is there anything out there that might offer a smooth transition?

 

 

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[null]

I think there's a lot of options

 

Mizuno MP18 first and foremost with 4 iron types to blend.

 

The Srixon 85 series is designed to blend, similar to the mp 18

[StrokerAce]

drop the PW from the set and carry 4 wedges?

[NiftyNiblick]

I've been a fan of combo sets for a long time and actually bagged a combo set from Nicklaus golf for five or six years - I played very good golf with those irons.

 

I know that I'm not the only golfer who is a moderate speed lower handicapper who benefits from a wider platform in my mid irons and hybrids for mid irons.

 

The problem is that there doesn't seem to be anything's big out there that transitions smoothly from wedge to short iron to mid iron. In fact if anything I would complain that GI clubs look the worst in the short irons. They really don't look all that bad at 6 or 7 but at PW it's a freak show.

 

Why is that? Is there anything out there that might offer a smooth transition?

 

 

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This goes back to the old Pings where the sand wedge had the same huge offset as the 1-iron.

Up until then, sand wedges were often ON-set.

 

I don't understand why the packaged mixed set is necessary. 

The major OEM clubs are all available for sale individually, not just in sets.

 

Putting together your own mixed set should work out better that buying what somebody else put together.

You can decide what a smooth transition looks like.

 

Match the shafts and grips when you order the clubs individually and that should do it..

Matching swingweights gets tricky.

 

Frankly, I think that as technology improved, cosmetics got correspondingly worse..

The stamping part of that is my biggest personal issue.

I don't like the manufacturer choosing the club number / loft correlation.

Since there are no standards anymore, I want to choose that correlation myself. 

 

The majority of MGS members don't seem to care, but I cared a lot.

Peer pressure never moves my opinions, The wrong numbers put an annoying distraction in my head

because I played too long with the correct correlations.

[jaskanski]

I'd take a look at the Titleist AP1 for a more compact look in the wedge department. The transition looks pretty smooth to me - and the GI factor is right up there too.

[revkev]

drop the PW from the set and carry 4 wedges?

I've considered that although in my case it would be 5 wedges.

 

I have SCORs at 44,48,52,56,60. Of course then I have the visual at 9 iron but it doesn't seem as bad there -

 

This is much more of a vent than anything else - I can live with what I have - I played two years with a driver that I despised and shot numerous sub par rounds with thing - what I didn't despise were the results so it stayed in the bag.

 

I should bring the SCOR 44, G30 PW and 9 iron to the short course a couple of times and experiment with them.

 

 

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[RickyBobby_PR]

AP2/3 is a good combo

MP18 was designed to be able to make any type of combo between the sets

Z7x5/5x5 makes a good combo

[fozcycle]

I've been a fan of combo sets for a long time and actually bagged a combo set from Nicklaus golf for five or six years - I played very good golf with those irons.

 

I know that I'm not the only golfer who is a moderate speed lower handicapper who benefits from a wider platform in my mid irons and hybrids for mid irons.

 

The problem is that there doesn't seem to be anything's big out there that transitions smoothly from wedge to short iron to mid iron. In fact if anything I would complain that GI clubs look the worst in the short irons. They really don't look all that bad at 6 or 7 but at PW it's a freak show.

 

Why is that? Is there anything out there that might offer a smooth transition?

 

 

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Try the Cobra King F8's. Been playing them all summer 5H, 6-LW Irons with 3 different makeups(Full Hollow 6,7; Cavity Back 8-PW; Specialty Wedge LW/SW/LW). For details of their performance check out the Cobra Connect Challenge thread......

 

 

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Cobra Connect Bag: Cobra F8 Driver(10.5*) 3-4W(14.5*) & 5-6W(18.5*)w/Mitsubishi Tensei ck Blue Regular; Cobra F8 3 Hybrid, 5 Hybrid & 6-PW, Gw(49*) SW(54*) LW(58*) all w/UST Mamiya Recoil 460 ES regular shafts. Lamkin Cobra Connect grips with Arccoss tracking sensors. Putter: Evnroll ER6 33”. Bag: Cobra Ultralite Cart Bag(Peacoat/Silver).

[revkev]

I have no intent to purchase new irons at this point.

 

I over reached with this thread - I should simply have asked why is it that GI mid irons have a reasonable look to them while the short irons are so ugly?  That was true even when I gamed Mizuno 825 pros - those short irons look like trowels.  What is it about the short iron technology for those type clubs that requires them to look so ugly?

[fozcycle]

The Cobra F8 PW/LW/SW/LW are 45/49/54/58 are very nice looking.

 

Also The new Ben Hogan's.

 

 

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Cobra Connect Bag: Cobra F8 Driver(10.5*) 3-4W(14.5*) & 5-6W(18.5*)w/Mitsubishi Tensei ck Blue Regular; Cobra F8 3 Hybrid, 5 Hybrid & 6-PW, Gw(49*) SW(54*) LW(58*) all w/UST Mamiya Recoil 460 ES regular shafts. Lamkin Cobra Connect grips with Arccoss tracking sensors. Putter: Evnroll ER6 33”. Bag: Cobra Ultralite Cart Bag(Peacoat/Silver).

[russtopherb]

I thought that Cleveland did a great job with the 588 line a few years back. You had the Altitudes for long irons, MT hollow body with forged faces for mid irons, and then the TT player's distance for short irons/wedges. 

 

All the lines had the same lofts so you could mix & match easily. 

[Shankster]

The current Bridgestone Japan model X-Blade is the perfect combo set. 3-7 half cavity, 8-PW MB. Can't wait till they hit the US market. You could even sprinkle in the X-CB at the top if you wanted.

 

The more and more I think about it, I will be leaning towards a phrakenPhil bag.

 

A few blades. A few cb's. A GI 4 iron. Driving iron. Lotsa wedges....

 

Makes sense.

 

[MWGolf23]

 

 

I've been a fan of combo sets for a long time and actually bagged a combo set from Nicklaus golf for five or six years - I played very good golf with those irons.

 

I know that I'm not the only golfer who is a moderate speed lower handicapper who benefits from a wider platform in my mid irons and hybrids for mid irons.

 

The problem is that there doesn't seem to be anything's big out there that transitions smoothly from wedge to short iron to mid iron. In fact if anything I would complain that GI clubs look the worst in the short irons. They really don't look all that bad at 6 or 7 but at PW it's a freak show.

 

Why is that? Is there anything out there that might offer a smooth transition?

 

 

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The MP-18 line is designed to blend. Blade > SC > MMC > MMC FliHi. I have blades from PW-8, SC from 7-4 but I'm updating it likely to SC 7-6, MMC 5 and MMC FliHi in the 4. Just to add that added forgiveness and help with launch to the higher end of the bag. Great irons.

 

And the JPX 919 line is a more forgiving and modern line. Tour > Forged > Hot Metal

 

Depending on your ball striking, you could blend all three, the Tour from like PW-8, Forged 7-6, and Hot Metal 5-4 would probably be a good overall blend. You can just have the lofts bent to provide even gaps. The JPX line will look the most different at address compared to MP-18 with the top line and width of the soles increasing the more forgiving you go.

 

Both Mizuno lines feel awesome. Free custom shafts and grips. I'd get fitted. Great irons. Blended set's make so much sense.

 

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[texasgolfdude]

I've tried combo sets but have never been successful in finding the ideal transition. I do like the combo set theory but I guess it's just not for me.

[MWGolf23]

The Srixons also are meant to blend. Another fine line. I feel like they are a sharp set. 985 > 785 > 585

 

The 585s I think would be more forgiving than the MP-18 MMC, but not as forgiving as the Hot Metal. That is just a guess by what I've experienced with them. The 575s were very popular and very good performance. The looks of the MP-18 line won me over. Go with what you also love the look of and that you're confident in.

 

You could look at a used blended set of of the last year's line for cheaper even. I've started to see blended MP-18 sets surface now too.

 

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[gaussman1]

This goes back to the old Pings where the sand wedge had the same huge offset as the 1-iron.

Up until then, sand wedges were often ON-set.

 

I don't understand why the packaged mixed set is necessary.

The major OEM clubs are all available for sale individually, not just in sets.

 

Putting together your own mixed set should work out better that buying what somebody else put together.

You can decide what a smooth transition looks like.

 

Match the shafts and grips when you order the clubs individually and that should do it..

Matching swingweights gets tricky.

 

Frankly, I think that as technology improved, cosmetics got correspondingly worse..

The stamping part of that is my biggest personal issue.

I don't like the manufacturer choosing the club number / loft correlation.

Since there are no standards anymore, I want to choose that correlation myself.

 

The majority of MGS members don't seem to care, but I cared a lot.

Peer pressure never moves my opinions, The wrong numbers put an annoying distraction in my head

because I played too long with the correct correlations.

That's a very good point about being able to order individual clubs in any line

[Slap]

This is a fun topic and something I'm about to jump into and tryout. I just replaced my 60 and 56 with new ping glide 2.0 wedges. I dropped the 60 because I'm not confident in hitting soft shot around the greens and the grind bounce was too low for my skills.  So I went with the 56/SS and 52/SS. So far these are working out great and the 52 goes as far as my set U wedge. 

But as RevKev points out going from the glide to the G wedge just looks odd. I want to replace the W with the gilde 46/SS. 

I just picked up used Ping i200's in the 9 and 8 to help with the blend to GI longer irons. 7,6,5 are still the G's.

All the shafts will be a bit different from glide to i200 to the G's but the flexes should match up pretty similar. I was fitted for the glides but I need to compare the flights of my G irons W, 9, and 8 to my new to me glide and i200 replacements.

Any thing I should watch out for while I try this set out? A range day is in order when the i200s arrive. 

[Shankster]

Wish they made that Titleist Phil Mickelson set in RH. Now that was a combo set.

[Kwoodfield]

Progressive sets are the future. Look at the number of tour players that have backed off playing blades from 2i down. Many have started adding more cavity back irons for their longer irons. The main issue I have noticed with doing this if you aren’t paying attention to detail is the loft gaps. I had to have several irons bent but now there are 4 degree gaps from my 2i down to my 58 degree wedge. Couldn’t get into the s7 wedges from mizuno.

 

 

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[deejaid]

In 10 years iron sets are going to be rare. Instead, You’ll buy a set of wedges, or “Scoring Iron Set” if you will; 44*, 48*, 52*, 56*, 60*, 64*.

From Driver to 40* will be all individual purchases; fairway woods, hybrid, driving irons, single irons, etc.


Everyone wants to hit driver-wedge so OEM’s might as well focus on those clubs.



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[Shankster]

In 10 years iron sets are going to be rare. Instead, You’ll buy a set of wedges, or “Scoring Iron Set” if you will; 44*, 48*, 52*, 56*, 60*, 64*.

From Driver to 40* will be all individual purchases; fairway woods, hybrid, driving irons, single irons, etc.


Everyone wants to hit driver-wedge so OEM’s might as well focus on those clubs.



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So you’re saying we will be going back in time. I love it.

[00sportsman]

50 minutes ago, deejaid said:

In 10 years iron sets are going to be rare. Instead, You’ll buy a set of wedges, or “Scoring Iron Set” if you will; 44*, 48*, 52*, 56*, 60*, 64*.

From Driver to 40* will be all individual purchases; fairway woods, hybrid, driving irons, single irons, etc.


Everyone wants to hit driver-wedge so OEM’s might as well focus on those clubs.



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I mostly agree.  I can see manufacturers paying more attention to the segment of the golfing population that is trying to find what works in each individual slot in the bag.

I do think there will always be a relatively substantial call for a complete set, however.  I expect there will continue to be a pretty big proportion who aren't going to put the time, energy or thought into piecing a set together.  They'll still want to go in and buy an iron set, matching 1,3,5 and a putter.

[BIG STU]

10 hours ago, Shankster said:

 

So you’re saying we will be going back in time. I love it.

 

Exactly what he is saying--- The real old timers as in back in Bobby Jones days put them together a set. Lots of times it was as to when they could afford another club. But back in those days it may be different brands etc. Basically you look at guys like me I am not really brand loyal (except for Macgregor and Hogan) but look at my signature which is sorta tame now compared to years past. I do not brand hate over marketing cycles business practices etc. I will play what works for me.

Now on the 4 and 5 wedge thing I think I did carry 4 wedges for a while. A lot of it is when you learned to play the game. Us old schoolers we grew up with only 2 wedge options a PW of 47* to 51* and a SW usually 55* to 56* We learned to manufacture shots. For me carrying 4 wedges left me with too many decisions and doubts. I am basically an instinct player. I select my wedge and get over the shot and let my mind hopefully tell my body what to do. Basically my 56* is my workhorse wedge. I also play a lot of old school bump and runs around the green with a 7 iron and trust me when I can get that putter in my hand it is there. I also do a lot of belly wedge shots around the green. But it is really what suits your game as to how many wedges you carry or what you do on the top end lofts too. Yes absolutely one has to tailor their equipment to their needs no matter the age ,brand or type ( ie: blades CBs or shovels) LOL back in the day I carried Spalding Elite blade 5 thru PW my 1 3 4 irons were Ping Eye2. If you look at my signature you will see basically I carry only 12 clubs that leaves my options open. Today it is supposed to be cold and windy I may sneak that old Eye2 1 iron in 

[Shankster]

Stu, I didn’t even have a sand wedge when I started. Was all bump and runs, when I finally got one it was game on.

The no sand wedge thing is probably why I’m such a good chipper, that or the countless hours of practicing.

[deejaid]

So you’re saying we will be going back in time. I love it.

How about 80 years? The 1940 Wilson catalog and their “Scoring Zone” Clubs.

They even called them pitching irons.




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[Shankster]

How about 80 years? The 1940 Wilson catalog and their “Scoring Zone” Clubs.

They even called them pitching irons.




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Where’d you find that? I’d like to have something like that to hang in my office to go with my leather bound books.

[deejaid]

Where’d you find that? I’d like to have something like that to hang in my office to go with my leather bound books.

It’s in the Kaplan Wilson Golf book. There is a Macgregor, a Wilson, and an H&B book compiled by Jim Kaplan showing many of the old brochures and catalogs.





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[deejaid]

Exactly what he is saying--- The real old timers as in back in Bobby Jones days put them together a set. Lots of times it was as to when they could afford another club. But back in those days it may be different brands etc. Basically you look at guys like me I am not really brand loyal (except for Macgregor and Hogan) but look at my signature which is sorta tame now compared to years past. I do not brand hate over marketing cycles business practices etc. I will play what works for me.
Now on the 4 and 5 wedge thing I think I did carry 4 wedges for a while. A lot of it is when you learned to play the game. Us old schoolers we grew up with only 2 wedge options a PW of 47* to 51* and a SW usually 55* to 56* We learned to manufacture shots. For me carrying 4 wedges left me with too many decisions and doubts. I am basically an instinct player. I select my wedge and get over the shot and let my mind hopefully tell my body what to do. Basically my 56* is my workhorse wedge. I also play a lot of old school bump and runs around the green with a 7 iron and trust me when I can get that putter in my hand it is there. I also do a lot of belly wedge shots around the green. But it is really what suits your game as to how many wedges you carry or what you do on the top end lofts too. Yes absolutely one has to tailor their equipment to their needs no matter the age ,brand or type ( ie: blades CBs or shovels) LOL back in the day I carried Spalding Elite blade 5 thru PW my 1 3 4 irons were Ping Eye2. If you look at my signature you will see basically I carry only 12 clubs that leaves my options open. Today it is supposed to be cold and windy I may sneak that old Eye2 1 iron in 

Too many wedges, it’s why I gave up on the Ft. Worths. It was an interesting idea, having the wedges match the irons and continue the 4* increments all the way through the set but it caused too much indecision for me sound the greens.

I’m back to a 51-52* Pitching or Gap wedge depending on the set and my Hogan Sand Iron. Much more comfortable and getting dialed in with more practice with fewer clubs.


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[revkev]

Exactly what he is saying--- The real old timers as in back in Bobby Jones days put them together a set. Lots of times it was as to when they could afford another club. But back in those days it may be different brands etc. Basically you look at guys like me I am not really brand loyal (except for Macgregor and Hogan) but look at my signature which is sorta tame now compared to years past. I do not brand hate over marketing cycles business practices etc. I will play what works for me.
Now on the 4 and 5 wedge thing I think I did carry 4 wedges for a while. A lot of it is when you learned to play the game. Us old schoolers we grew up with only 2 wedge options a PW of 47* to 51* and a SW usually 55* to 56* We learned to manufacture shots. For me carrying 4 wedges left me with too many decisions and doubts. I am basically an instinct player. I select my wedge and get over the shot and let my mind hopefully tell my body what to do. Basically my 56* is my workhorse wedge. I also play a lot of old school bump and runs around the green with a 7 iron and trust me when I can get that putter in my hand it is there. I also do a lot of belly wedge shots around the green. But it is really what suits your game as to how many wedges you carry or what you do on the top end lofts too. Yes absolutely one has to tailor their equipment to their needs no matter the age ,brand or type ( ie: blades CBs or shovels) LOL back in the day I carried Spalding Elite blade 5 thru PW my 1 3 4 irons were Ping Eye2. If you look at my signature you will see basically I carry only 12 clubs that leaves my options open. Today it is supposed to be cold and windy I may sneak that old Eye2 1 iron in 

This post resonates with me. My first set was driver, 3 wood, 3,5,7,9 putter. I added a utility wedge along the way and played with that set until I graduated from college - I was breaking 80 regularly with it at that point.

Having written that it’s easier for me to have more wedges. I chip with either the 52 or 8 iron and pitch and hit sand shots with the 60.

Back to the blended set whether by brand or within the same brand it just makes sense for many players.


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[PlaidJacket]

7 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Basically my 56* is my workhorse wedge.

Same here Stu. I do carry 4 wedges but the 56 is my most versatile wedge by far. I play more shots from a variety of lies and situations with this club than any of the other 3 wedges.