How often do you replace your irons?

[HAC]

I read something that suggested it should be every 300 rounds because grooves get worn after that. I have never replaced irons that quickly. Of course, since I retired, I am now playing a lot more, but for me that would every four years ago or so.  Thoughts?

[Kenny B]

If you spread the contact out all over the face like I do, I think you can get 500-600 rounds... easy!  

[GolfSpy_APH]

I just replaced mine this season and had my Ping i210 from 2018 and that was probably around 400 rounds. That being said they were still in great condition and more than usable or fine (cast vs forged), however I wanted to change things up. Previously I had a set if Ping iE1 which were a couple years old. I would say around 3-4 years on average. 

[null]

I've had my current set for over 3 years now, which is the longest I've had a set of irons in about 10 years.

I was fit for my irons by True Spec in June 2019 and they fit my like a glove.  I don't play or practice often enough to have worn the faces so they are still in the bag.

I plan on getting my next set of irons in Summer of 2024 for my 40th birthday.  Will be fit again and will likely go with graphite shafts.

[null]

11 hours ago, HAC said:

I read something that suggested it should be every 300 rounds because grooves get worn after that. I have never replaced irons that quickly. Of course, since I retired, I am now playing a lot more, but for me that would every four years ago or so.  Thoughts?

To help answer the second part of your question, I wouldn't be concerned with any sort of numbers.  Focus on the performance.  Have your noticed a change in distance control?  Have you been getting more fliers that jump off the face with less spin?  That is when you should look at a new set, as those are telltale signs of your grooves wearing.

One way to double check is to book a fitting or get some time on a GC2 or GCQuad.  Hit your irons and take a look at the numbers and look at launch and spin deviation from shot to shot.  Then, hit a newer iron and see if that spin/launch is tighter.  If there is a noticeable difference, it is time for new irons.

[Middler]

9 minutes ago, Golfspy_Lukes said:

To help answer the second part of your question, I wouldn't be concerned with any sort of numbers.  Focus on the performance.  Have your noticed a change in distance control?  Have you been getting more fliers that jump off the face with less spin?  That is when you should look at a new set, as those are telltale signs of your grooves wearing.

One way to double check is to book a fitting or get some time on a GC2 or GCQuad.  Hit your irons and take a look at the numbers and look at launch and spin deviation from shot to shot.  Then, hit a newer iron and see if that spin/launch is tighter.  If there is a noticeable difference, it is time for new irons.

+1, sounds like good advice. For a higher swing speed player who relies on higher trajectory/descent angles and spin to stop approach shots on a dime, worn grooves will be an issue eventually.

However, the OP stated he's retired. So OTOH, I know several very good older players who have 10-15 year old irons, but they launch low and rely on landing short and releasing on approach shots and greenside shots - perfectly serviceable 90% of the time.

"300 rounds" or some generic guidance isn't necessarily useful.

[HAC]

13 minutes ago, Golfspy_Lukes said:

To help answer the second part of your question, I wouldn't be concerned with any sort of numbers.  Focus on the performance.  Have your noticed a change in distance control?  Have you been getting more fliers that jump off the face with less spin?  That is when you should look at a new set, as those are telltale signs of your grooves wearing.

One way to double check is to book a fitting or get some time on a GC2 or GCQuad.  Hit your irons and take a look at the numbers and look at launch and spin deviation from shot to shot.  Then, hit a newer iron and see if that spin/launch is tighter.  If there is a noticeable difference, it is time for new irons.

I plan to ask one of pros at by club to look at the grooves and give me their thoughts. But, I want to get additional views and yours are quite helpful.

[null]

2 minutes ago, HAC said:

I plan to ask one of pros at by club to look at the grooves and give me their thoughts. But, I want to get additional views and yours are quite helpful.

Glad I could help.

Here are some youtube videos that could be of assistance, too

Wedges, even more so than irons, are subject to wear due to the variety of crappy lies you use the from (sand, waste area, etc).  Here is video that shows the differences between worn and new wedges.  Different clubs, but same type of conclusions could be made about irons:

 

[cardia10]

I would usually say once per year, but I've been hung up on Ping S55's for longer than I care to mention. I've bought and tried other sets and the S55s aren't the longest at all, but they are so predictable, This is actually my first every Ping iron set, but it has me considering their newer models for sure. The 210's look like a boat on the bottom to me with the sole width and I'm way too cheap for the 230's at least for a few years so the S55's may last at least 5 years. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

53 minutes ago, cardia10 said:

I would usually say once per year, but I've been hung up on Ping S55's for longer than I care to mention. I've bought and tried other sets and the S55s aren't the longest at all, but they are so predictable, This is actually my first every Ping iron set, but it has me considering their newer models for sure. The 210's look like a boat on the bottom to me with the sole width and I'm way too cheap for the 230's at least for a few years so the S55's may last at least 5 years. 

I think this also has something to do with Pings irons being cast vs forged. The i210's I had were used for a good 5 years and hundreds of rounds, but looked in near new condition still. Forged irons seem to show and wear their nicks a lot sooner so for those who like their clubs looking brand new well it can show both ways...

[cardia10]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I think this also has something to do with Pings irons being cast vs forged. The i210's I had were used for a good 5 years and hundreds of rounds, but looked in near new condition still. Forged irons seem to show and wear their nicks a lot sooner so for those who like their clubs looking brand new well it can show both ways...

Very true, my S55s look great. They have a wear spot showing in the area around the sweet spot but nothing at all like a forged iron would show. 

[WaffleHouseTour]

I’ve had my current irons for three seasons, and replaced the shafts at the end of last season. If they are working, why change?  I’m not looking for length but accuracy and better contact. It’s my swing that needs fixing. 

After reading the MGS article I sharpened the grooves on my Gap and Pitching wedge. Extend their life a bit. 

All that said, those Cobra forged Tec were very tempting. If they ever release another Black forged Tec that may do it for me. 

[cksurfdude]

When is it time to replace your irons?

..when they misbehave, become oppositional-defiant and no longer respect your authority ...

[TheCanadianBogeyman]

I would like to say I replace them when I see a performance drop off in spin/distance.  But in reality, my swing is not consistent enough to be super confident that I'm not the reason for the change in numbers.  In reality, I replace them whenever I see something new and shiny and I can't stop myself.... which sadly is waaay more often than I actually should.

[HAC]

13 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

When is it time to replace your irons?

..when they misbehave, become oppositional-defiant and no longer respect your authority ...

So, after every round????

[tony@CIC]

On 10/18/2022 at 9:07 AM, Middler said:

I know several very good older players who have 10-15 year old irons,

I play with guys with G15's and they'll outplay me any day of the week. My Speedzones are 3 + years old, I play at least 150 rounds a year and they look brand new. My wedges , especially SW and LW are replaced about every 2 years. 

[gmmiddle]

I replace every time one ends up in the water, or deep in the woods. 

[Bobbers]

3 hours ago, gmmiddle said:

I replace every time one ends up in the water, or deep in the woods. 

I slipped an old club into one of my playing partner's bags a couple of months ago.  Waited until I'd hit a bad shot, dunked one in the middle of a rather large pond via a shank.  Asked my buddy if it was ok with him if I borrowed his pitching wedge.  He said, "be my guest".  Grabbed the club I'd planted in his bag and did something akin to a shot putter's spin, launching the club on a beautiful arc where it splashed into the pond very near where my shot had come to rest.

The look on his face was absolutely priceless...  I waited a minute and as his look of amazement started to turn to something darker I suggested he count his clubs...

(And lest anyone worry about my polluting the pond, it was one that was being drained for some work the following week.)

[David Leighton Reid]

I played with a set of Mizuno MP H4 forged irons for 6 years.  For the past 2 years I have owned a set of PXG 0211 irons with graphite shafts and this year I purchased a set of PXG Gen 3 0311 irons with steel shafts.  I do not plan on replacing either set any time soon.  

[GolfSpy SAM]

On 11/8/2022 at 9:10 AM, Bobbers said:

I slipped an old club into one of my playing partner's bags a couple of months ago.  Waited until I'd hit a bad shot, dunked one in the middle of a rather large pond via a shank.  Asked my buddy if it was ok with him if I borrowed his pitching wedge.  He said, "be my guest".  Grabbed the club I'd planted in his bag and did something akin to a shot putter's spin, launching the club on a beautiful arc where it splashed into the pond very near where my shot had come to rest.

The look on his face was absolutely priceless...  I waited a minute and as his look of amazement started to turn to something darker I suggested he count his clubs...

(And lest anyone worry about my polluting the pond, it was one that was being drained for some work the following week.)

This is next-level pranking. I'm very, very pleased with this story Well done.

[G56788]

On 11/7/2022 at 4:50 PM, cksurfdude said:

When is it time to replace your irons?

..when they misbehave, become oppositional-defiant and no longer respect your authority ...

I usually put my clubs in a closet when they misbehave so they can think about what they’ve done…

More seriously though, I’ll consider replacing irons when they no longer fit my game. For example, in a perfect world, I’m still hitting my Mizuno MP-62s. But I don’t have the time to play or practice as much as I used to, so I bought a set of more forgiving irons to keep the game enjoyable. 

 

[CrazyGolfNut]

I depends on several things but I try to keep irons for around 400 to 500 rounds before I replace them.  My last set had 468 rounds on them.  Wedges about every other year. 

Edited November 12, 2022 by CrazyGolfNut

[russtopherb]

I replace them whenever I find a crazy good deal that my GAS doesn't allow me to pass up.

[SagedCrusader]

17 years...and I'm not proud of it lol

[Golfspy_CG2]

I should probably recuse myself from this topic

[GolfSpy_APH]

7 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I should probably recuse myself from this topic

I think you're the left candidate for this topic. 

[Jim Shaw]

I have a set of Miura's that are probably 8 years old, I have been seriously thinking about changing them for the past year or so. The process I am going to go through is, get fitted for the proper shafts for my swing speed to achieve the carry numbers I want, then find the heads that achieve those numbers, then look for the best price. I only need 5-pw so shouldn't be too expensive. 

[TylorJudd]

This upcoming season will be 20 years on a set of Cleveland TA7's...... 

[TylorJudd]

2 minutes ago, TylorJudd said:

This upcoming season will be 20 years on a set of Cleveland TA7's...... 

To be fair to my irons though, they have been reshafted with Project X Rifle 6.0. I was fitted to for T200's in September and my irons actually performed similarly other than a distance gain from the T200. I'm going to drop my 5,6,7 out of my bag and have those shafts out into my lower irons at my custom length with new grips. I just sharpened the grooves last week. When they work, they work I guess hahah. 

[chisag]

15 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I should probably recuse myself from this topic

 

... I think we all know you only replace your irons when new irons are released. Sometimes before.