Upgrading from 1990's King Cobra/Snake Oversize Irons. What to expect?

[Saucerito]

Hello,

I'm currently planning to upgrade from some 1994 King Snake (King Cobra knock-offs) Oversize irons with graphite shafts and would like to know what to expect with newer irons. These were my Grandpa's and the only irons I've ever used. I assume they're senior flex as he was in his 70s when he got them. I believe these clubs are 1/2"-1" too short for me as well. From what I've gathered online, generally speaking, I should be looking at stiff flex steel shafts and game improvement irons - and I should get fitted.

A little bit about my self/game first:

• I'm 29, athletic, and trying to get back into golf with more consistent play. 
• Baseball background with what I think is high swing speed and a wicked slice with the driver most of the time. I've started using my 3 iron off the tee for this reason.
• People usually tell me to slow my swing down
• I've been playing off and on for probably about 15 years, but generally 0-6 times a year, so not enough to generate any kind of consistent improvement.
• Unofficial handicap is around 23-24.
• Never taken lessons, but I intend to and think I can significantly reduce my handicap through lessons/clubs/playing smarter (maybe I'm being overconfident though)
• I'd say I hit my irons inconsistently. I can hit all of them well but my 3 iron will slice sometimes (especially towards the end of a round) and I will occasionally pull or push my shorter irons. I'm always good for a couple toppers and fat shots every round as well. Distance isn't really an issue for me when compared with swing consistency.
• I intend to buy used (1-2 models old) irons and I don't intend to upgrade often unless I really get into golf and improve my handicap a lot

Questions:

• With the improvements in technology since 1994, I'm unsure of what category to place my King Snakes - game improvement?
• If so, would all modern game improvement irons be a distinct upgrade besides just increased distance?
• I guess I still don't really understand what is meant by forgiveness. If I hit the ball with an open club face to my path, I expect it to slice. If I hit it fat it shouldn't go far and if I top it, it should roll? How does forgiveness in modern irons help those errors? Does forgiveness actually make up for swing errors?
• How much of an effect do you think moving to correct length/flex steel shafts and modern heads have for me?
• I came into some Titleist 714 AP2s, but will sell them if needed. My understanding is that these are for low to mid handicaps. Do you think it would be beneficial for me to try to "play into" these clubs assuming they are fitted correctly or just go and find some game improvements (JPX Hot Metals or similar)?
• Even though the AP2s are not game improvement, would they have more forgiveness (due to modern technology) than my King Snakes?

Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks, Will

 

[RollingGreens]

Huge difference with a good fitting. You have a club profile that fits your needs. You have lofts that are slightly stronger to offset some distance issues allowing you to use less club, hopefully that means better accuracy. The lie angle may be altered allowing for better face contact. Shafts may alter the ability to get the ball in the air easier or decrease spin. They say club technology changes every 3 years. Imagine 30 years of upgrades

[RollingGreens]

Just saw you were using senior flex. High swing speed like you say, it has to be incredibly difficult to hit the ball with the shaft flexing all over the place

[null]

Where do you live?  It’s be worth the $100 or so to get a fitting without the intention to buy anything new. During the fitting you can get knowledge about your swing, what the pro recommends, and what type of irons you gravitate to

[Saucerito]

26 minutes ago, RollingGreens said:

Huge difference with a good fitting. You have a club profile that fits your needs. You have lofts that are slightly stronger to offset some distance issues allowing you to use less club, hopefully that means better accuracy. The lie angle may be altered allowing for better face contact. Shafts may alter the ability to get the ball in the air easier or decrease spin. They say club technology changes every 3 years. Imagine 30 years of upgrades

When you say I have a club profile that meets my needs, are you referring to the the AP2s or just a generality about what I would get with a good fitting?

26 minutes ago, RollingGreens said:

Just saw you were using senior flex. High swing speed like you say, it has to be incredibly difficult to hit the ball with the shaft flexing all over the place

That's what I've read. Guess I'll just have to try out these AP2s with stiff steel shafts when they come in.

21 minutes ago, jlukes said:

Where do you live?  It’s be worth the $100 or so to get a fitting without the intention to buy anything new. During the fitting you can get knowledge about your swing, what the pro recommends, and what type of irons you gravitate to

I'm in League City, TX - just SE of Houston. Golf Galaxy and GolfTec nearby. I just don't know what I'm going to get going to Golf Galaxy - depends on who is working and how qualified of a fitter they are.

My intention was to find a local pro to take lessons with before getting fitted to get his feedback on my swing and ensure I don't get fitted and then change my swing significantly.

[null]

9 minutes ago, Saucerito said:

When you say I have a club profile that meets my needs, are you referring to the the AP2s or just a generality about what I would get with a good fitting?

That's what I've read. Guess I'll just have to try out these AP2s with stiff steel shafts when they come in.

I'm in League City, TX - just SE of Houston. Golf Galaxy and GolfTec nearby. I just don't know what I'm going to get going to Golf Galaxy - depends on who is working and how qualified of a fitter they are.

My intention was to find a local pro to take lessons with before getting fitted to get his feedback on my swing and ensure I don't get fitted and then change my swing significantly.

Sounds good. Senior flex shafts are really no bueno if you are young and athletic. Will be very hard for you to make consistent swings. 
 

if I was you I’d at least go to golf galaxy to get a general idea on swing speed and recommended shaft flex and then seek out a used set of srixon 545 irons. 545s are forgiving enough for a beginner but are really playable by even single digit cappers. They’d be a great set to start your golf journey with 

[Saucerito]

On 2/15/2021 at 2:23 PM, jlukes said:

Sounds good. Senior flex shafts are really no bueno if you are young and athletic. Will be very hard for you to make consistent swings. 
 

if I was you I’d at least go to golf galaxy to get a general idea on swing speed and recommended shaft flex and then seek out a used set of srixon 545 irons. 545s are forgiving enough for a beginner but are really playable by even single digit cappers. They’d be a great set to start your golf journey with 

Thanks for the suggestion.

[null]

15 minutes ago, Saucerito said:

Thanks for the suggestion.

No problem.  Do you have a general idea of carry or total distance with your driver and 7 iron?

[Saucerito]

1 hour ago, jlukes said:

No problem.  Do you have a general idea of carry or total distance with your driver and 7 iron?

Very general idea or at least this is what I presume my carry distances to be:

PW: 135

9: 145

8: 150-155

7: 160-165

6: don't currently use

5: somewhere in between 3 and 7

4: don't currently use

3: Around 195-200 if hit straight but can vary quite a bit

Driver: I've never measured since I haven't been playing with it recently, but a well hit straight shot would probably go over 250 (this may be total distance and not carry though)?

Edited February 17, 2021 by Saucerito

[null]

Definitely a stiff flex for sure, perhaps x but stiff is a safe bet. Probably want to make sure the shafts are in the 110-130g weight range.