Most Wanted GI Irons

[revkev]

Although I’m content with my current bag set up I was very interested in the results of this test.

 

Certainly the Srixon’s look amazing but I’m curious as to the significance attached to each category in determining the most wanted. Irons aren’t one club but rather an ensemble made up of long, mid and short.

 

I appreciate the breakdown as well since I don’t carry an iron over 6 in my bag.

 

For the winner is it .33, .33, .33 or is more importance attached to short than long or vis a versa and if so, why?

 

For myself I look at mid iron performance first as those are the clubs that will be used the most in the ensemble.

 

I’m thinking that many players who game this category forego 4 iron in favor of some sort of driving iron or hybrid.

 

Thoughts or comments?

 

 

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[NiftyNiblick]

If I could play,  I don't see anything out right now that could displace clubs that I have already.

I might try one of those (T)Less drivers to see if a big titanium head specifically designed for a descending blow would really work.

 

Other than that, my old clubs hit good shots every time I made a good swing.

They were all both long enough and straight enough to make me competitive with whom I played where I played.

 

And if I thought that bathing at Lourdes would make me fifty or even sixty again,

I'd love to take that tacky-looking new gear on!

 

No part of my game falling apart was equipment related.

My clubs all deserved to keep their jobs.

 

 

 

[Rickp]

If I could play,  I don't see anything out right now that could displace clubs that I have already.
I might try one of those (T)Less drivers to see if a big titanium head specifically designed for a descending blow would really work.
 
Other than that, my old clubs hit good shots every time I made a good swing.
They were all both long enough and straight enough to make me competitive with whom I played where I played.
 
And if I thought that bathing at Lourdes would make me fifty or even sixty again,
I'd love to take that tacky-looking new gear on!
 
No part of my game falling apart was equipment related.
My clubs all deserved to keep their jobs.
 
 
 

What were your old (current) clubs?


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[Rickp]

Rev,
I’m always looking at new equipment and these Srixon are interesting but so are the Callaway Rogue.
I carry and play up to a 5i while the 4i is pretty much for ballast. Between the 5i and driver there are hybrids/fareway woods that move in and out daily.
I hit the Callaway Rogue and loved them but only a slight improvement over current irons not justifying $1,000+.
Is bathing at Lourdes an option?


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[NiftyNiblick]

9 hours ago, Rickp said:

What were your old (current) clubs?

 

I also have FW15s which I barely ever got to play.

I wouldn't go to them if I were playing, though.

[MaxEntropy]

15 hours ago, revkev said:

I’m thinking that many players who game this category forego 4 iron in favor of some sort of driving iron or hybrid. 

Excellent point!

I would be very curious where the Bridgestone JGR HF2's we are testing would have fallen in this list. I know I love them but don't have much experience with the others. I know @GolfSpy Rob has experience with almost the entire list , so maybe we need to see his Most Wanted list, too.

[cnosil]

This category was pretty interesting to test. I found that there were bigger performance and feel differences from top to bottom; at least for me, with these clubs. Generally I don’t notice a difference when testing the clubs. I would say there were definitely clubs I would not put in my bag.

[revkev]

This category was pretty interesting to test. I found that there were bigger performance and feel differences from top to bottom; at least for me, with these clubs. Generally I don’t notice a difference when testing the clubs. I would say there were definitely clubs I would not put in my bag.

I think there’s a huge difference in this category - some are closer to player’s distance - I’m going to guess those are the ones you liked, while others are closer to Super GIs.

Any comments on the long iron thing?
@Rick these tests are important to me for future reference. I’m not spending 1,000 on irons (not worth it to me) but I would spend $400 as in what a used set of these babies will be three years from now.

If I’m healthy enough to still be playing then I will worry about it. I went with G30’s earlier this year because they did well in the Most Wanted GI category three years ago. They fit what my fitter told me to look for


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[RickyBobby_PR]

17 hours ago, revkev said:

 

Although I’m content with my current bag set up I was very interested in the results of this test.

 

Certainly the Srixon’s look amazing but I’m curious as to the significance attached to each category in determining the most wanted. Irons aren’t one club but rather an ensemble made up of long, mid and short.

 

I appreciate the breakdown as well since I don’t carry an iron over 6 in my bag.

 

For the winner is it .33, .33, .33 or is more importance attached to short than long or vis a versa and if so, why?

 

For myself I look at mid iron performance first as those are the clubs that will be used the most in the ensemble.

 

I’m thinking that many players who game this category forego 4 iron in favor of some sort of driving iron or hybrid.

 

Thoughts or comments?

 

 

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With everyone having a different preference I think the ability to play the mid to long irons is where focus should be in choice of what to play from both the ability to hit a club as well as set makeup.

i agree most buying in this category are going to pass on the 4i and there may be a large group like you who pass up the 5i as well. I think there’s a group that will play something less forgiving in the mid-short irons and look at this category to fill 4i and maybe 5i slots to give some added help over a players iron.

i wish demo/fitting carts had more head options outside of the 6 or 7i to test. Imo if a person can hit the 4-5i in a set the can play the rest of the set. If not then they may want to move on to something more forgiving or maybe combo set.

i know a lot of words and probably didn’t really say much but to sum it up the mid to long irons are where the focus should be imo

[Rickp]

I think there’s a huge difference in this category - some are closer to player’s distance - I’m going to guess those are the ones you liked, while others are closer to Super GIs.

Any comments on the long iron thing?
[mention=5272]Rick[/mention] these tests are important to me for future reference. I’m not spending 1,000 on irons (not worth it to me) but I would spend $400 as in what a used set of these babies will be three years from now.

If I’m healthy enough to still be playing then I will worry about it. I went with G30’s earlier this year because they did well in the Most Wanted GI category three years ago. They fit what my fitter told me to look for


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My big problem buying used is being Left Handed. Selection is fair for new products, slim used.


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[Joker]

I hit a lot of these when I got fitted earlier this year. Went with the AP1s. Don't go by a list, go by what's best for you.

[MaxEntropy]

13 minutes ago, Joker said:

I hit a lot of these when I got fitted earlier this year. Went with the AP1s. Don't go by a list, go by what's best for you.

The way I always view these lists is as a starting point for if/when I am in the market for new equipment, not that I am only going to look at the winner of the Most Wanted.

[fixyurdivot]

It seems pretty clear to me the answer to the OP's question is PE2's.   According to this method of analysis it would be the GMax that should be the most sought after.  

https://www.golfworks.com/images/art/MPF_PING.pdf

Presently, the G400's would be my choice but, like @Rickpstated, the frugal side of me has a hard time dropping that much coin for 8-10 yards and slightly tighter to the center-strip groupings. 

 

[Rickp]

The way I always view these lists is as a starting point for if/when I am in the market for new equipment, not that I am only going to look at the winner of the Most Wanted.

Exactly, the lists are a guide. Trying out the clubs head to head with my current irons is the only way I can see the difference.
I am looking at the Rogue carefully.


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[PING Apologist #9]

My game dictates that I'd better have SGI irons or death, so I'm gaming the GMax. I'd love to be able to say I could move away from them, but for now they just had better stay. Rather than spending big $ on a new set (and all of these look awesome BTW), I recently re-shafted them with stiff-flex Project X tubes hoping I could settle down the high dispersion I was experiencing with the stock PING R-flex sticks, and so far, so good. I hadn't considered dropping the 4i before Rev, but perhaps that's a move I can try if I can get my balky 3H to come around. I may just ditch it (3H) instead since I really like hitting my 5W more and am "OK" with the 4i for shots out to 180 or so. This part of my bag has had some need for better gapping, that's for sure...

[GB13]

54 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

It seems pretty clear to me the answer to the OP's question is PE2's.   According to this method of analysis it would be the GMax that should be the most sought after.  

https://www.golfworks.com/images/art/MPF_PING.pdf

Presently, the G400's would be my choice but, like @Rickpstated, the frugal side of me has a hard time dropping that much coin for 8-10 yards and slightly tighter to the center-strip groupings. 

 

But if the G400's would be your choice, you can find G series or G30's in decent shape for a quarter of the price. The designs haven't changed much and they did well in previous most wanted testing. 

I am doing a similar thing with my irons. I hit the I210's and they were absolutely amazing. Now I am getting a set of I200's (with Steelfibers) for $400. Prices are a revolving door with golf clubs. 

[Joker]

1 hour ago, MaxEntropy said:

The way I always view these lists is as a starting point for if/when I am in the market for new equipment, not that I am only going to look at the winner of the Most Wanted.

I don't think you're most people though. There are plenty of people out there that will go out and buy clubs based off a list. The Srixons are very nice but they are not for everyone when it comes to this category of irons. They are much closer to a players iron than a Rogue or G400.

[fixyurdivot]

3 minutes ago, GB13 said:

But if the G400's would be your choice, you can find G series or G30's in decent shape for a quarter of the price. The designs haven't changed much and they did well in previous most wanted testing. 

I am doing a similar thing with my irons. I hit the I210's and they were absolutely amazing. Now I am getting a set of I200's (with Steelfibers) for $400. Prices are a revolving door with golf clubs. 

Good point.  But then the 8-10 yards in distance become 5-8 yards, and the dispersion moves out from center.  Did I mention that I'm pretty content with my game? 

[fixyurdivot]

5 minutes ago, Joker said:

I don't think you're most people though. There are plenty of people out there that will go out and buy clubs based off a list. The Srixons are very nice but they are not for everyone when it comes to this category of irons. They are much closer to a players iron than a Rogue or G400.

Also a good point.  One question I have is what defines a "players iron".  I often hear that phrase and immediately think single digit handicap (on high index courses) and muscle back irons. Then I see many that would fit that description playing mid to high MPF irons - including many pro's.  

[Joker]

47 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Also a good point.  One question I have is what defines a "players iron".  I often hear that phrase and immediately think single digit handicap (on high index courses) and muscle back irons. Then I see many that would fit that description playing mid to high MPF irons - including many pro's.  

When I think players iron it's anything between a blade and a shovel. Something like an AP2, i200/210, MP-18, X-Forged/Apex Pro, etc.

[cnosil]

I think there’s a huge difference in this category - some are closer to player’s distance - I’m going to guess those are the ones you liked, while others are closer to Super GIs.

Any comments on the long iron thing?

I generally prefer the more players look instead of the SGI look which is why the srixon were my personal favorite. I thought the CBX was a great iron as well. The TM and Cobra irons didn’t do it for me.

As for the long iron the test uses the 5 iron as the long iron which is probably in more layers bags than not. My bag used to stop at 5 and since I put the Wilson’s in my bag the iron has remained but I probably don’t use it enough to warrant a spot in the bag, I hit my hybrids well.

[tony@CIC]

22 hours ago, revkev said:

 

Although I’m content with my current bag set up I was very interested in the results of this test.

 

Certainly the Srixon’s look amazing but I’m curious as to the significance attached to each category in determining the most wanted. Irons aren’t one club but rather an ensemble made up of long, mid and short.

 

I appreciate the breakdown as well since I don’t carry an iron over 6 in my bag.

 

For the winner is it .33, .33, .33 or is more importance attached to short than long or vis a versa and if so, why?

 

For myself I look at mid iron performance first as those are the clubs that will be used the most in the ensemble.

 

I’m thinking that many players who game this category forego 4 iron in favor of some sort of driving iron or hybrid.

 

Thoughts or comments?

 

 

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I would have liked to have seen more details especially on the long irons and what led to such dramatic differences in ratings between them and mid irons. For instance C300 - long irons were 15th place and mid irons 4th place. Thanks to MGS mods I've been gaming my C300's since May and with the exception of my 4i my 5i-PW are pretty consistent.  

[NiftyNiblick]

6 hours ago, revkev said:

 

I’m not spending 1,000 on irons (not worth it to me) but I would spend $400 as in what a used set of these babies will be three years from now.
 

Just curious about one thing, Rev. 

You're into computer fitting. 

Most serious players seem to be in this day and age.

You want things fitted to you, understandably.

 

Therefore, if you buy a good set of three year old irons that you like,

and then have them reshafted and regripped as to your fitter's recommendation,

and then have the lofts and lies tweaked to your fitter's recommendation,

isn't that four hundred bucks awfully close to a grand now?  Or maybe more, depending on the shafts and grips?

 

You can't maximize spin metrics and all the other technical stuff that you've mentioned

buying off the shelf from EBay,  can you?

 

I bought my DCI 962s new in 1997.

but then, later on, when I put Aldila NV Pro 105s on them,

along with all the tweaks,

it was like buying them brand new again.

I did it because I couldn't buy something that I liked more.

IF i were just buying the DCI 962s then,

say, three years used,

I wouldn't be saving a dime over buying a new set.

 

If i could still play, I'd be really hoping that you know something that I don't!

You usually do, but then you've got Connections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

[GB13]

7 minutes ago, NiftyNiblick said:

Just curious about one thing, Rev. 

You're into computer fitting. 

Most serious players seem to be in this day and age.

You want things fitted to you, understandably.

 

Therefore, if you buy a good set of three year old irons that you like,

and then have them reshafted and regripped as to your fitter's recommendation,

and then have the lofts and lies tweaked to your fitter's recommendation,

isn't that four hundred bucks awfully close to a grand now?  Or maybe more, depending on the shafts and grips?

 

You can't maximize spin metrics and all the other technical stuff that you've mentioned

buying off the shelf from EBay,  can you?

 

I bought my DCI 962s new in 1997.

but then, later on, when I put Aldila NV Pro 105s on them,

along with all the tweaks,

it was like buying them brand new again.

I did it because I couldn't buy something that I liked more.

IF i were just buying the DCI 962s then,

say, three years used,

I wouldn't be saving a dime over buying a new set.

 

If i could still play, I'd be really hoping that you know something that I don't!

You usually do, but then you've got Connections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

I got fitted for the aforementioned Pings, I figured out shaft, lie, length, all of it. 

I found a set with the right shaft and length, and it cost me all of $7 to get the lie adjusted properly. And it would only cost me another $7 to get lofts adjusted. 

You just have to look for the right shafts and heads and then the cost is quite low to tweak it from there. 

[revkev]

Just curious about one thing, Rev. 
You're into computer fitting. 
Most serious players seem to be in this day and age.
You want things fitted to you, understandably.
 
Therefore, if you buy a good set of three year old irons that you like,
and then have them reshafted and regripped as to your fitter's recommendation,
and then have the lofts and lies tweaked to your fitter's recommendation,
isn't that four hundred bucks awfully close to a grand now?  Or maybe more, depending on the shafts and grips?
 
You can't maximize spin metrics and all the other technical stuff that you've mentioned
buying off the shelf from EBay,  can you?
 
I bought my DCI 962s new in 1997.
but then, later on, when I put Aldila NV Pro 105s on them,
along with all the tweaks,
it was like buying them brand new again.
I did it because I couldn't buy something that I liked more.
IF i were just buying the DCI 962s then,
say, three years used,
I wouldn't be saving a dime over buying a new set.
 
If i could still play, I'd be really hoping that you know something that I don't!
You usually do, but then you've got Connections.
 
 
 
 
 
 
.
 

Actually you can in one of two ways - you’d be amazed at what you can find on ebay. Based on a ball fitting last winter I knew that I needed a bit wider platform in my 6 and 7 iron and a lighter graphite shaft. I also know that I’m 2 degrees flat in Ping’s line and that the G series with their stock graphic shaft fits the bill. I hit the jackpot by finding a set 6-PW on eBay with a 55 gram steel fiber shaft in it for under $350 that was already 2 flat. Regripped them for $80 and I was all set.

I did bring my current irons to a fitter and had them reshafted and tweaked once. That was about a $300 but that included my hybrids and fairway wood.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on shafts to improve your numbers. You just need to find one that fits your swing.


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[GregB135]

Rev - With your preferred bag setup, focusing on mid-iron performance first, then short iron sounds ideal. Then narrow down the list by what suits your game, preferences, and needs. There is so much variety in the GI category that it is being sub-divided into Super-GI, GI, and Players Distance (maybe more). Once you determine which characteristics match your needs, the candidates from the list will emerge.

[PlaidJacket]

On 10/9/2018 at 10:08 AM, fixyurdivot said:

It seems pretty clear to me the answer to the OP's question is PE2's.   According to this method of analysis it would be the GMax that should be the most sought after.  

https://www.golfworks.com/images/art/MPF_PING.pdf

Presently, the G400's would be my choice but, like @Rickpstated, the frugal side of me has a hard time dropping that much coin for 8-10 yards and slightly tighter to the center-strip groupings. 

 

I clicked the link and scrolled through the Ping list of offerings and observed Maltby's playability factor for each club. I've never played a Ping iron. For whatever reason I've not really considered them. Never really cared all that much for the look I suppose. Now don't anyone get offended - that's not my intention. You'd probably not care much for the look of my Wishon's either. Anyway... my simplistic observation of the Maltby chart of Ping irons says to me: "Ping - Industry Leader of Super Game Improving Irons." Aside from only a handful; Maltby rates Ping mostly as GI all the way up to Ultra GI irons. (BTW - I think my Wishon 771's are GI category irons. Great. I need some game improving. LOL)

Since most of us Forum members are die hard "get fit for your clubs" kind of folks you'd think perhaps we'd be playing a set of irons made up from multiple brands - styles - and playability factors. For example: Ping Gmax 5i & 6i, Srixon Z585 7i, Callaway Rogue 8i-9i, Ping Gmax PW, Mizuno T7 52*, Cleveland 56* RTX-3 Cavity, and a C3i SW. 

Any takers out there?

[revkev]

I clicked the link and scrolled through the Ping list of offerings and observed Maltby's playability factor for each club. I've never played a Ping iron. For whatever reason I've not really considered them. Never really cared all that much for the look I suppose. Now don't anyone get offended - that's not my intention. You'd probably not care much for the look of my Wishon's either. Anyway... my simplistic observation of the Maltby chart of Ping irons says to me: "Ping - Industry Leader of Super Game Improving Irons." Aside from only a handful; Maltby rates Ping mostly as GI all the way up to Ultra GI irons. (BTW - I think my Wishon 771's are GI category irons. Great. I need some game improving. LOL)
Since most of us Forum members are die hard "get fit for your clubs" kind of folks you'd think perhaps we'd be playing a set of irons made up from multiple brands - styles - and playability factors. For example: Ping Gmax 5i & 6i, Srixon Z585 7i, Callaway Rogue 8i-9i, Ping Gmax PW, Mizuno T7 52*, Cleveland 56* RTX-3 Cavity, and a C3i SW. 
Any takers out there?

I’m effectively doing this currently

4 and 5 hybrids

G30’s 6-9

SCORs to the bottom of the bag (very much players irons)


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