Need guidance... looking for most forgiving Irons that provide spin

[JChip]

I am looking for an iron set that are very, very forgiving but also provide significant spin (particular 8, 9 iron and PW) for adult male. Thanks for suggestions

[Pnwpingi210]

Ping i210/230/240 if you want something that is relatively compact.

 

Mizuno hotmetal high launch if you want something larger

[ProjectX]

If you want spin you want loft which removes a lot of "forgiving" irons because the lofts on those are strong as hell these days. The only irons that seem to come to mind would be Titleist T250* Launch Spec and Ping i240 Retro Spec. Both of these irons offer decent forgiveness with the ability to carry very traditional lofts that are about 3-4* weaker than the standard set these days(35* 7-iron for each). Personally opting for the T250* Launch Specs myself as they tested better than the i240 for me. But those are the two worth looking at with these goals in mind.

[jarediogolf]

What are your current irons?
 

Most irons 8-PW should provide a reasonable amount of stopping power.
 

If it’s still not enough, look to a ball with more spin. Kirkland is a good option if you’re on a budget.

[eric61]

I’d be really eager to hear from @knudson81 on whether the i240 or the T250 Launch Spec are more forgiving and spin more. I think he has both!

[Ger21]

Maltby TS4 is incredibly forgiving for what it is, without crazy strong lofts.

 

"Forgiveness" usually means more distance, which is usually accompanied by a reduction in spin.

[knudson81]

8 hours ago, eric61 said:

I’d be really eager to hear from @knudson81 on whether the i240 or the T250 Launch Spec are more forgiving and spin more. I think he has both!

 

I don't have my T250 LS here yet, I think they start shipping those in August. But I should be able to hit both 7 irons and pitching wedges when they arrive. The i240 from a short range session last week is really impressive. High launch, softer feel than the i230, and very tight dispersion. Not as long as I expected.

[POKeefe]

Maltby TS3 feels like the obvious choice here.

[eric61]

1 hour ago, knudson81 said:

 

I don't have my T250 LS here yet, I think they start shipping those in August. But I should be able to hit both 7 irons and pitching wedges when they arrive. The i240 from a short range session last week is really impressive. High launch, softer feel than the i230, and very tight dispersion. Not as long as I expected.

I'm pumped for the T250 Launch Spec review once you have those in hand! 

 

When you say the i240s were not as long as you expected -- can you throw out an average 7 iron carry distance? As a long-time listener, I think I have enough context to translate how that compares to other irons!

[knudson81]

26 minutes ago, eric61 said:

I'm pumped for the T250 Launch Spec review once you have those in hand! 

 

When you say the i240s were not as long as you expected -- can you throw out an average 7 iron carry distance? As a long-time listener, I think I have enough context to translate how that compares to other irons!

 

I think I was  expecting a little more "players distance" out of the new i240 and it is more of a precision distance type of iron. Very, very consistent distances from center strikes to misses. For me a great strike with a 7 iron is about 160 carry and these shots include misses, not all just perfect shots. This is from one small range session, like 12 balls each and every club that day read very low on spin. 

 

 

i240: 155.1yds / 6,320 / 111.7 / 20.1*

P770: 157.2 / 6,284 / 113.2 / 19.1*

3DP Tour: 155.7 / 5,780 / 112.2 / 17.1*

 

carry / spin / ball speed / launch

[NNJ]

I second the ping i series with the right shaft added. Even in power spec lofts I got great spin 

[Pnwpingi210]

2 hours ago, knudson81 said:

 

I don't have my T250 LS here yet, I think they start shipping those in August. But I should be able to hit both 7 irons and pitching wedges when they arrive. The i240 from a short range session last week is really impressive. High launch, softer feel than the i230, and very tight dispersion. Not as long as I expected.

Sounds like the i240 is a return to the i210.  That thing launched high high, spun a bunch, and went right wear you pointed it.  Also felt really soft for a cast iron.

[knudson81]

9 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

Sounds like the i240 is a return to the i210.  That thing launched high high, spun a bunch, and went right wear you pointed it.  Also felt really soft for a cast iron.

 

I think the i240 is in the same vein! The first like 5 balls could have been hit into a bucket it seemed. I literally was super shocked and how high and straight the ball went. The feel is definitely softer to me over the i230 on center strikes and while the misses are a little more harsh, not near as loud and firm as i230

 

[BlkNGld]

For spin and forgiveness I'd say Hot Metal HL or G440 in retro spec.

[davo32683]

I've found the newer P770 to be a great combo of forgiveness, spin and looks

[Veebee3]

What kind of forgiveness are you seeking? Front to back dispersion, toe/heel miss, thin/fat miss, pure distance, etc.?

[ChaosTheory]

I watched a video from the spy site that had a great discussion about the topic of what is a super game improvement iron nowadays.  Their position was that it has become all about distance and jacked lofts.  Which means lower launch and less spin.  But, people who need forgiveness usually need higher launch and spin.

 

And that for the target buyer, higher launch and more spin should be a much higher priority than “maximum forgiveness”.  
 

@JChip , what kind of ball do you play?  
 

 

[jacot23]

14 hours ago, POKeefe said:

Maltby TS3 feels like the obvious choice here.

Those are very, very forgiving?

 

 

[nosedive32]

7 hours ago, ChaosTheory said:

I watched a video from the spy site that had a great discussion about the topic of what is a super game improvement iron nowadays.  Their position was that it has become all about distance and jacked lofts.  Which means lower launch and less spin.  But, people who need forgiveness usually need higher launch and spin.

 

And that for the target buyer, higher launch and more spin should be a much higher priority than “maximum forgiveness”.  
 

@JChip , what kind of ball do you play?  
 

 

This is a really important question. Short and mid iron iron spin is where you see some of the biggest differences in ball. Changing ball can make a big difference.

 

Anything that comes in a high launch version on the Game improvement side is an option iron wise if you want a wide sole and more offset.

 

For a narrower sole and less offset but still forgiving just pick something in the players distance or players distance adjacent category that has tech (tungsten weighting, hollow, may or may not include magic goo) but isn't too strong in loft (I'm thinking stick to the stuff in the 31-33 degree 7 iron range)

 

 

[POKeefe]

8 hours ago, jacot23 said:

Those are very, very forgiving?

 

 

Yes. I have the “slightly less forgiving” TE+s and I feel like they’re as or more forgiving than game improvement irons I’ve played in the past, but without all the jumpers/flyers. 
 

Agree on golf ball as others have said too. I’m a big fan of the Maxfli Tour X to add spin.

[jacot23]

27 minutes ago, POKeefe said:

Yes. I have the “slightly less forgiving” TE+s and I feel like they’re as or more forgiving than game improvement irons I’ve played in the past, but without all the jumpers/flyers. 
 

Agree on golf ball as others have said too. I’m a big fan of the Maxfli Tour X to add spin.

Well phooey, I’m building a set of TE+ right now, sounds like maybe I should’ve went with TS3… Was going to do 5-8 TE+ and 9-GW TS4, but may just do all TE+, as TE+ DBMs are great looking clubs.

 

 

[ChaosTheory]

38 minutes ago, jacot23 said:

Well phooey, I’m building a set of TE+ right now, sounds like maybe I should’ve went with TS3… Was going to do 5-8 TE+ and 9-GW TS4, but may just do all TE+, as TE+ DBMs are great looking clubs.

 

 

 

It's just splitting hairs between those two models.  Don't give it another thought. 

[ChaosTheory]

I imagine part of the SGI decision flow chart is, are you a slicer?  Then, are you a flipper?

 

If a person slices, it probably helps to have stronger lofts and less spin.

If a person flips, the strong lofts could be helpful, but they are already not spinning the ball, so I don't know.

If a person is simply a low swing speed player with reasonable mechanics, the last things they need are stronger lofts and less spin.  IMO.

 

I think the higher loft versions of the hot irons are the best compromise for the low swing speed player.  (I've been asking for this for years.)  Obviously the club companies are coming to the same conclusion. 

 

Some might say, "But it's just a number on the sole!"  No, it's not.  It's also club length.  The player should swing a 34d 7 iron faster than a 34d 8 iron, unless they've simply made the 8 iron longer and lighter to be the old 7 iron.  A lot of companies have kept the traditional lengths, though.

 

 

[POKeefe]

3 hours ago, jacot23 said:

Well phooey, I’m building a set of TE+ right now, sounds like maybe I should’ve went with TS3… Was going to do 5-8 TE+ and 9-GW TS4, but may just do all TE+, as TE+ DBMs are great looking clubs.

 

 

TE+ are very easy to hit. Nothing wrong with the combo you’re doing at all. When I run my 44 and 48 down, I’ll likely replace them with a PW and GW in the TS4 at 45 and 50*. 

[dmeeksDC]

12 hours ago, jacot23 said:

Those are very, very forgiving?

 

 

The TE+ is a nice choice. I have not played that one but I have played the TS3. Update us on what you think. I am into these kinds of clubs. 
 

Forgiveness is a term used broadly these days and has come to mean which iron provides a decent result no matter how horrible or erratic or non-repeatable the player’s swing is. A lot of golfers don’t need all that.
 

OP is looking for forgiveness AND spin and shouldn’t underestimate forged irons, depending on the design. TS3 has a low CG, a generous blade length and solid MOi. For many, many golfers these will play as well as the multi-material heads and in fact for me these designs have been a little better in terms of preserving spin on middled shots hit a little thin. Get that nice hop and stop on that miss. A lot of the high-tech clubs will save ball speed on those, but not so good on saving spin. I have learned the hard way that over the green at most courses goes from bad to worse in a hurry. 
 

Another one I’d look at is the New Level 702CB+. A 1020 forged iron with a tungsten plug in the toe sole, a beveled leading edge and low CG. Same thing. Super easy to hit. Really feels great, produces nice shots on toe-side misses and thin shots. That’s all I need. I’m playing these. The 8-PW are trusted weapons. Dart throwers. 
 

The new Callaway X Forged Max could be a possibility. Haven’t hit that one yet. If a player is literally all over the face, maybe they need full tech help. But if you know your miss, there are options.