New Irons...

[LeftyRM7 292]

I’ve been thinking about making a change for a while now and I plan on getting fit for some irons this spring. That being said, I’m looking for suggestions on a good set of irons that is forgiving but not loft jacked. I hit my current 5/6 iron(Callaway XRos)about the same distance, so I don’t believe a few degrees less loft will help matters. I’ve demoed a few Mizunos over the last few years and they’re at the top of my list. I really like the loft gapping idea of the Ben Hogans so I’ve ordered their demo Edges to try. The only other set that stands out to me is the Srixon 585s. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jbmullin 784]

Likely not helpful but why would you limit yourself to a couple specific brands?
Set up a fitting and go into it with a willingness to try everything regardless if it’s loft jacked or other. There seems to be a trend of using GI long irons then going to the more player performance short irons. You get the distance/forgiveness in the longs and the feel/accuracy in the scoring club’s.
I’m constantly tinkering with my clubs, I’ve actually already been fit twice this year for new irons, the set I bought in Jan i liked a lot but after seeing reviews for the new gear that is out ( mavrik, Ping, Taylormade) I went yesterday and did a full on fitting again and ended up selling them my 2 month old clubs and buying a new set of Mavrik’s. The performance, accuracy was to much to ignore.
Sorry to ramble but set up a fitting , go into it with an open mind and get fit for the best possible set up of irons, it’s a big investment. My 2 cents. Best of luck.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[LeftyRM7 292]

I believe you have to have some idea and direction of what you do/don’t want. It’s impossible to “try everything”, that’s how you end up back in 2 months buying another set...

I’d say about 6 different heads would be plenty. No reason to try something I have no interest in buying. I have an idea of what I want and I give the fitter room for suggestions. Still have to work on shafts and make spec adjustments and figure out set makeup. It’s just not possible to go in and get all that done in 60 minutes without knowing what you want going into it. Pretty quickly it would turn into a demo session, which you could do for free at a big box store. That’s a good place to start to narrow your search though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[blackngold_blood 7,069]

I believe you have to have some idea and direction of what you do/don’t want. It’s impossible to “try everything”, that’s how you end up back in 2 months buying another set...

I’d say about 6 different heads would be plenty. No reason to try something I have no interest in buying. I have an idea of what I want and I give the fitter room for suggestions. Still have to work on shafts and make spec adjustments and figure out set makeup. It’s just not possible to go in and get all that done in 60 minutes without knowing what you want going into it. Pretty quickly it would turn into a demo session, which you could do for free at a big box store. That’s a good place to start to narrow your search though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

“Trying everything” doesn’t necessarily have to mean “hitting” everything. The place you are getting fit can’t realistically have every iron available to hit However looking at all of the ones they do is a good idea. Even if that only means putting them in the address position or taking one swing with them. One look or swing can eliminate a club without taking up too much of the fitting time.
The question you need to ask yourself about your fitting is simple
Do I want the best clubs for me or do I want the best performance out of the clubs I like?
The answer to that question will tell you how to proceed with your fitting.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[chisag 20,009]

... As a 20 index we have no idea of your ball striking skill or exactly what kind of iron you should be looking at. Tough to ask for suggestions when you narrow down the choices to a few OEMs that may or may not have irons that fit what you are looking for. Every OEM makes great irons, it just depends on ability and personal preference. You mentioned 585's and there are Cobra Forged Tecs, Callaway Apex and Mavrik Pro's, Mizuno JPX 919 HM's, TM P790's, Wilson D7's, Titleist T200's and Ping i500's just to name a few that are similar. And that is just Players Distance Irons. As a 20 index you might need Game Improvement Irons or maybe ready to move up to Players Irons. 

... I remember when I started playing MP33's and thought they would be even better with a slightly thinner top line. I found out Darren Clark had his MP33's made special with a thicker top line because he just liked his irons to look that way. So you can see it is almost impossible to pick an iron for someone else without having some parameters to go by. So maybe go to a golf store and tell us what you liked, then maybe we can give some suggestions based on our personal experience. 

 

[Mowine4me 31]

I agree that by the time you go in for a 60 minute fitting you need some sense of what you want.  Game improvement, players distance etc.  You should tell the fitter your price point so they won't put you into a shaft that moves the set out of your range.

That said, if you can find a quality fitter your trust then you should take advantage of their expertise.  I was just fitted for the Cobra Forged TEC, a player's distance iron similar to the 585.  It was not a club I planed on trying until the fitter put it in my hand.  Ended up being my best fit.  

[Hecaviator 35]

Hey Lefty. I am about a 17, going higher I fear. Whatever you choose to do, I strongly recommend getting properly fit for your new clubs. A good fitter can dial you in pretty nicely, especially in terms of the combination of heads and shafts. I had never been properly fit for irons until last September, when I bought a set of Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metals after extensive testing over several months. I have found that I can hit them fairly well, and that the KBS C-taper LIte shaft worked for me.

Then, in December I had a chance to buy a barely used set of Hogan Ft. Worth Blacks with UST/Mamiya Recoil graphite shafts (F3) at a great price and jumped at it. We winter in New Zealand so I brought them down here and have been playing them two or three times a week. I have been pleasantly surprised at how forgiving they are given that they are pretty "bladey". They are traditionally lofted (7 iron is 34 degrees) versus the Hot Metals which are jacked (7 iron is 30 degrees). Yet the Hogans are, if anything, a bit longer club for club. I will be leaving the Hogans here and switching back to the Mizunos when we return home in April.

Bottom line, I think you should invest the time necessary to find a club (and shaft) that are best suited to you. For me both Mizuno and Hogan are a big step up. Both companies make quality products. When I spoke with Hogan during my initial search for new irons, they recommended the Edge model so that might also be the best bet for you as a 20 HI. But my experience with the Ft. Worth Blacks has been a pleasant surprise. 

FWIW, I like the technology of the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer for narrowing the choice of shafts, but I insisted that we do five sets of three swings with the MSO. I have professionally worked with data for 45 years and wasn't ready to accept that one set of three swings was sufficient, especially given the inherent inconsistency of my swing. The KBS shafts showed up as the preferred option in three of the five sets of three swings, so that is what I went with. The UST/Mamiya shafts were a shot in the dark that happened to work out. Both the KBS and UST shafts are "regular" flex, for whatever that is worth. 

[LeftyRM7 292]

I agree that by the time you go in for a 60 minute fitting you need some sense of what you want.  Game improvement, players distance etc.  You should tell the fitter your price point so they won't put you into a shaft that moves the set out of your range.
That said, if you can find a quality fitter your trust then you should take advantage of their expertise.  I was just fitted for the Cobra Forged TEC, a player's distance iron similar to the 585.  It was not a club I planed on trying until the fitter put it in my hand.  Ended up being my best fit.  

Yes, thanks for the input, I just put the Forged TEC on my list. Im looking more toward the players distance category now. I just don’t get the loft jacking of the GIs, not for me. Plus I want something I can grow into as I get better. Just booked my fitting for the end of the month, that gives me a few weeks to demo more on my list to get a better idea. Glad to see it’s actually 90 minutes, not 60. Same fitter I used last year for my putter.

I just don’t see how anyone could go into a fitting without some idea of what they want and a “short list” of what they want to test. Looking at clubs to get the looks and feel seems like a giant waste of time when you’re paying for it. I’m there for the data and expertise of the fitter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LeftyRM7 292]

Hey Lefty. I am about a 17, going higher I fear. Whatever you choose to do, I strongly recommend getting properly fit for your new clubs. A good fitter can dial you in pretty nicely, especially in terms of the combination of heads and shafts. I had never been properly fit for irons until last September, when I bought a set of Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metals after extensive testing over several months. I have found that I can hit them fairly well, and that the KBS C-taper LIte shaft worked for me.
Then, in December I had a chance to buy a barely used set of Hogan Ft. Worth Blacks with UST/Mamiya Recoil graphite shafts (F3) at a great price and jumped at it. We winter in New Zealand so I brought them down here and have been playing them two or three times a week. I have been pleasantly surprised at how forgiving they are given that they are pretty "bladey". They are traditionally lofted (7 iron is 34 degrees) versus the Hot Metals which are jacked (7 iron is 30 degrees). Yet the Hogans are, if anything, a bit longer club for club. I will be leaving the Hogans here and switching back to the Mizunos when we return home in April.
Bottom line, I think you should invest the time necessary to find a club (and shaft) that are best suited to you. For me both Mizuno and Hogan are a big step up. Both companies make quality products. When I spoke with Hogan during my initial search for new irons, they recommended the Edge model so that might also be the best bet for you as a 20 HI. But my experience with the Ft. Worth Blacks has been a pleasant surprise. 
FWIW, I like the technology of the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer for narrowing the choice of shafts, but I insisted that we do five sets of three swings with the MSO. I have professionally worked with data for 45 years and wasn't ready to accept that one set of three swings was sufficient, especially given the inherent inconsistency of my swing. The KBS shafts showed up as the preferred option in three of the five sets of three swings, so that is what I went with. The UST/Mamiya shafts were a shot in the dark that happened to work out. Both the KBS and UST shafts are "regular" flex, for whatever that is worth. 

Thanks for the input! Mizuno is number one on my list. I’ve demoed a few different Mizunos over the last few years and loved them. Being lefty, it’s harder to find clubs to demo.

I’m hopeful when the weather turns around here my handicap will come back down. Dipped under 20 last fall then crept back up this winter. But I’m just happy I can play year round!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jim418 132]

PXG 0211 irons are now $125/club with their 3 standard shafts. Down to a price comparable to other top level irons. Worth checking out if there is a PXG fitter in your area.

[PMookie 17,650]

PXG 0211 irons are now $125/club with their 3 standard shafts. Down to a price comparable to other top level irons. Worth checking out if there is a PXG fitter in your area.

Those were really good in my fitting a year ago when they launched. Loved them!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[silver & black 6,462]

Okay............... calling on all of the forum members that I have a lot of respect for.............chisag, RevKev, RickyBobby, Cnosil,,Shankster, BidgStu, and any that I have left out due to having one too many pours of Bourbon...................... I am seriously having a big fight with myself over purchasing anew irons, namely the Mizuno MP18 SC/MMC irons. I love the feel and simple, clean look of the SC's. I don't hate the look of the MMC's. I think I like the SC feel and look over the MMC. I hit the MMC a bit farther that the SC, but the dispersion is nearly the same.

 

I love the shaft MORE in the MMC (Nippon Modus vs. KBS Tour 120.) I could game either, but I love the smooth feel of the Nippon. Help!

Edited March 11, 2020 by silver & black

[chisag 20,009]

... You are asking advice from someone with 4 sets of irons I play and 3 more sets in the basement?!? Obviously buy both!   My honest advice is buy the heads you like the most and then re-shaft if necessary. I have probably owned well over 50 sets of irons and every time I compromised, sooner or later I ended up buying the ones I really wanted anyway. If money is a concern, buy the SC's and play them a season then re-shaft with Modus next year. That said, I do think the MMC's are a better all around iron because the SC's are really MB's. Forgiving for an MB no doubt, but nothing like a perimeter weighted CB. The question of are you playing for the joy off playing or trying to shoot your lost score should provide an answer. 

... The good news is in the end you really can't make a mistake with your 2 choices. I hope that helps. 

[silver & black 6,462]

8 minutes ago, chisag said:

... You are asking advice from someone with 4 sets of irons I play and 3 more sets in the basement?!? Obviously buy both!   My honest advice is buy the heads you like the most and then re-shaft if necessary. I have probably owned well over 50 sets of irons and every time I compromised, sooner or later I ended up buying the ones I really wanted anyway. If money is a concern, buy the SC's and play them a season then re-shaft with Modus next year. That said, I do think the MMC's are a better all around iron because the SC's are really MB's. Forgiving for an MB no doubt, but nothing like a perimeter weighted CB. The question of are you playing for the joy off playing or trying to shoot your lost score should provide an answer. 

... The good news is in the end you really can't make a mistake with your 2 choices. I hope that helps. 

Thank you chisag. I play for the love of playing. I am a Cabinet maker by trade. I have an eye for clean, simple, well executed lines. That is probably why I am a Mizuno fan. I love the look of the 18 SC's. I don't hate the MMC's. I hit the MMC's farther.... due to the 2* loft difference. But, my MP64's are the same lofts as the SC's. I really like the Nippon shaft over the KBS Tour 120................ by a little bit. I'm trying to figure out out if the iron head wins out over the shaft...lol.

[Sluggo42 8,009]

That’s like choosing between vanilla or chocolate ice cream... they’re both really good...

but it’s an easy choice, go with the mmc’s and the shafts you like better. The mmcs are more forgiving, but still feel mizzy sweet, AND, you get your shafts you prefer. And that’s coming from a mizzy fan boy who just switched to Hogan’s from MP5’s.

but honestly, that would dang near be a coin flip

[LeftyRM7 292]

Well, with everything going on in the world I had the chance to move my fitting up a week and so I went Saturday. Glad I did because now it appears everything will be shut down for a few weeks, except my job, but that’s another story. Anyways, I’m stuck between 2 options so I’m looking for some input...

No surprise that I hit the Mizuno Hot Metal well considering I had all but made my decision months ago that I’d end up with a set of them. What I wasn’t expecting is that 1) I’d find a club I love just as much 2) there would be no discernible difference in performance between the two. The last few weeks I’ve really been obsessed with the Cobra Forged TEC and it didn’t disappoint. I’m leaning towards the Forged TEC now but my only worry is that over the course of a season it won’t be as forgiving as the Hot Metal. I’ve only ever played cavity backs so I don’t know if there will really be a difference or not. Any input on the TECs or hollow body irons in general would be greatly appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LoganT 203]

What shafts ended up giving you the best results? Not sure about cobra but mizuno offers a good selection of shafts at no upcharge. 

[LeftyRM7 292]

What shafts ended up giving you the best results? Not sure about cobra but mizuno offers a good selection of shafts at no upcharge. 

Nippon NS Pro 950. Both Cobra and Mizuno offer it at no charge. I was shocked at how many shafts Cobra offers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LoganT 203]

7 hours ago, LeftyRM7 said:

Nippon NS Pro 950. Both Cobra and Mizuno offer it at no charge. I was shocked at how many shafts Cobra offers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s good that they both offer your shaft. I haven’t played a hollow body style iron but from what I’ve read/heard about them they will be similar forgiveness to your traditional cavity backs. They are basically a cavity back iron but with the cavity on the inside of the head. If you are seeing similar performance from both heads I would then lean on looks and feel to make the final decision.

[Hasselhaas 0]

I’m a big mizuno fan and would love the hot metals but Cobra has been making some really good irons of lately being the f-max, the new SZ game improvements and the new forged tec; and yes they actually have a decent shaft selection as well for no up charge. If you hit both of them the same it’s definitely going to come down to what feels/sounds and looks the best to you.  It could be the best club in the world for you but if you can’t stand how it feels/sounds or looks behind the ball your probably going to want to get into another set earlier then normal.