Have irons improved all that much over the past 10 years?

[GaijinGolfer]

Im piecing together my new set of clubs through Ebay purchases and Ive got it pretty much all done except for irons.

Id like to ditch my el-cheapo set of Knight irons for a nice set of Titleist irons.

Ive seen quite a few Titleist DCI 981s and 990s go for $100-$200 a set (3-PW).

Is it worth paying more money for a set of AP1s or do you think that a set of 981s would work just as well?

[Bogeyman82]

A lot of people are still playing older irons. Some guys on tour (Tim Herron comes to mind) are still playing with Ping Eye2's.

 

Overall I don't think that they have changed all that much.

[HarboursideTC]

I used to own a golf pro shop and I still have access to anything that I want (or think that I need) at very reasonable costs, if not free. I have demoed every club on the market in the last few years and owned quite a few different sets. So, what do I play? PING EYE 2'S!!!

 

Although these clubs were made almost 20 years ago they still work great. Nothing beats the BeCu models. For less than $250 you can buy sets of Eye 2's and ISI's on eBay. Just make sure that you get the serial numbers before buying and call Ping to check on the authenticity.

[GaijinGolfer]

Im leaning more towards a set of Titleist DCIs. Nothing against Ping, they are a great company, but Im a Titleist man.

Right now Ive got a set of cavity-back Knights and I hit them pretty well, but the soles of the short irons are getting pretty beat up.

Thanks for the input. I was kind of already thinking what you guys had said, but its nice to have my views confirmed by people who know more about this sport than I do.

[EverydayInVA]

I own a shop also, and the other owner as well as anyone else on these boards should know the difference in irons over the last 10 years. FORGIVENESS, golf clubs over the last ten years have become more forgiving than they ever have been, the consistency in the quality has improved, and the shafts have improved. I don't knock people for playing older irons, IF THEY WORK FOR THEM. Everyone here knows that golf is all about being able to count on the club in your hands, and if you are comfortable with them then that's all that matters. The only points I want to get across are that you should be fit for any clubs you get, and that forgiveness is not a bad thing, probably 75% of golfers out there are playing clubs with less forgiveness than they should be, set the ego aside and play better golf.

[mat562]

As a blade player, I don't think there have been any significant changes (other than the preoccupation with jacked-up lofts) in the last decade, or in the last twenty years if we're honest when it comes to that design of iron.

 

The trick is still to find something that has the shape and sole that you prefer the look of and that suit you, and, other than the muscle shape and position (and consequently the COG and ballflight that you're after) there are no other real choices to be made.

 

In terms of quality or consistency of product, I don't see a difference among the premium brands.

[scotte]

I don't think that for a consistant ball striker their is anything newer that is better. the only improvements irons have really made is with the super game improvement irons so that new golfers don't ever have to learn how to swing, they don't have to wory about having their hands in front of the ball or their head behind it. they can swing the club like a bat and still get a good shot from it.

 

Also, for me, I have tried the game improvement stuff, and it is just too hard to hit, the soles are thick, the offset is huge, for me they are the oposite of forgiveness.

[parpar41]

YES ! - irons have improved remarkably over the last ten years.

 

 

Unless your handicap is single digit; you should most definately try hitting a Game Improvement iron ( one of the styles with the wide channel behind the face/ broad sole) such as the MacGregor MT-Mid, the Wilson Ci7 or any of the Callaway GI irons.

 

I know that GI irons are targetted at the guys who can't break 100, and i know that some of them are but ugly, but they are so easy to hit that I really believe that guys who shot rountinely in the 80's should at least give them a try.

 

I just got a set of MacGregor MT-mids ; they are nice to look at and they are very easy to hit long and high.

 

they make golf even more enjoyable.

[dlygrisse]

If you are looking in the Super Game improvement category yes, especially when finishing the set out with hybrids. Clubs like the Callaway FT, Ping Rapture, are much easier to get up in the air and are more forgiving on mishits. If you are looking for more of a players club, or players cavity I dont think you will see much of a difference, IMO it is more important to get them fit for your swing than worry about some new feature or medallion in the cavity. So IMO get a decent set of Titleists or Pings on ebay used and take them to a club fitter and make sure the lie angles are correct and the grips are sized and of good qulity. It also helps to get a set that has shafts that work with your swing.

[scotte]

hi parpar41. I don't want to upset you, I just want to friendly disagree. I agree that game improvement irons are not for single digit handycap, but what if the guy is playing alot and wants to get better? with all that offset on the gi iron he will never learn to keep his hands in front and head behind. with those soles he will never be able to hit a divit after the ball. not to mention ristcock, and rolling over the hands wont work with most gi irons.

 

I understand what you are saying that for a guy who just wants to play golf the GI irons are great, and all you have to do is swing them like a bat, and great results happen. but what if this guys wants to build a real swing?

 

I have tried myself to play gi irons and can't hit them clean. I am a 4.2 ghin, and personally I think the gi irons are the hardest things to hit. I hit behind the ball with them, the club usually bounces into the ball, they are very difficult. not only that, but you never have to keep the ball in the center of the face.

 

Just my thoghts, i don't mean them mean or to upset you, just to remind you that everybody has different ideas on golf. I am lucky I get to play everyday and live on a course.

[TheRawEdge]

Not until Scratch started making irons......then they improved ALOT. :)

[Dill Pickleson]

i think as far as irons are concerned its about hitting it close and not far, so i think if you can find a cheaper iron that you can hit close to the pin than save your money

 

not to thread jack, but are you still gonna play the 975j, cause an upgrade there would actually make a substantial difference, ive been playing the J for a few years, and i just picked up a 906F2 13* and i now hit that farther than my 975J, so i got a D2 on the way, if you upgrade driver youd probably gain 30 yards, but as far as irons i think yes they have improved, but does it help you hit it closer to the pin, im not sure.

[GaijinGolfer]

not to thread jack, but are you still gonna play the 975j, cause an upgrade there would actually make a substantial difference, ive been playing the J for a few years, and i just picked up a 906F2 13* and i now hit that farther than my 975J, so i got a D2 on the way, if you upgrade driver youd probably gain 30 yards, but as far as irons i think yes they have improved, but does it help you hit it closer to the pin, im not sure.

I actually just bought the 975J on Ebay. I had been playing a 10 year old Knight driver, but the head of the Knight driver has a pop-up mark on it and I figured it was time to replace it.

I got the 975J dirt cheap on Ebay. I was actually going to wait until next year and just get a new driver and new 3-wood, but I found both on Ebay for pretty cheap, so I decided to upgrade now.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Right now my plan is to buy used from Ebay. Id like to find a set of DCI 981s, but if I get a deal on a set of DCIs that arent 981s, Id be happy as long as they are still cavity backs.

Ive got a Titleist DCI Black Diamond 1-iron and a DCI 962 2-iron and I hit those just as well as I hit my Knight oversize cavity-backs, so I dont think that it really matters whether or not I have the most forgiving clubs there are. If I can buy on Ebay and save a lot of money vs buying a new set of AP1s, why not?

[dmboak]

I'd say that Irons haven't really changed a lot...except some of the designs have gotten a lot more space aged.

[Ridgecrest18]

Im piecing together my new set of clubs through Ebay purchases and Ive got it pretty much all done except for irons.

Id like to ditch my el-cheapo set of Knight irons for a nice set of Titleist irons.

Ive seen quite a few Titleist DCI 981s and 990s go for $100-$200 a set (3-PW).

Is it worth paying more money for a set of AP1s or do you think that a set of 981s would work just as well?

 

 

The 981's was and is a great set of irons....... If you can find a set that is good shape, you would do well to seriously think of picking them up. They were a very forgiving offering for Titleist, that also retained a good deal of workablity. JMO, but I always thought it was one of the better set of irons they made.

 

Good luck w/ your decision.

[GaijinGolfer]

The 981's was and is a great set of irons....... If you can find a set that is good shape, you would do well to seriously think of picking them up. They were a very forgiving offering for Titleist, that also retained a good deal of workablity. JMO, but I always thought it was one of the better set of irons they made.

 

Good luck w/ your decision.

Thanks. Im watching a few sets of 981s on Ebay right now, so we'll see. :) It kinda makes me mad that I had a set of 981s back in '00 and then I gave up playing golf and sold them. Oh well, lesson learned!

[BigMike300c]

i am useing Ping Eye 2's that are older then me.. and hitting them better then my R7's

[EJ Mac]

I think it really depends on the individual. Personally I prefer The Adams Idea Pros from last year. I just played my 4th round with them the other day and was very pleased with them, especially with a 90 yd 3/4 PW bunker shot that landed 6 feet beyond the pin and sucked back below the pin to about 3 feet and nearly went in. Distances are spot on with these and striking it better than I have before.

[Sartorial]

I did something sinilar and the bag below was purchased for < $500. I got the 704.CB's for $200 on that auction site and could not be happier. Great condition with new cord grips and $30 for loft and lie adjustments and they are perfect. If you are looking at DCI's, check out the 704's, 804's, 695's as they can be had for cheap depending on condition.

[puttputty]

That depends on what kind of game you play and how often.

 

Irons tend to lose their grooves after a while so you have to get them sharpened to get the same kind of spin you had when you first bought them.

 

Forged, Cast or Multi-material? These are the questions you have to ask yourself first, then whether you want MuscleBack Cavity-Back or Multi-material back.

 

If you're looking for technology, then by gosh yes, the clubs have changed.

 

You can fine tune your game much more now, also due to different Shaft qualities and weights.

 

A lot of good players swear by Forged MuscleBacks (or Blades) - but even then many Tour players are also using these new forged modified cavity-backs that let them hit the ball easily. The same philosophy goes for the replacement of longer irons with easier to hit Hybrids.

[parpar41]

hi parpar41. I don't want to upset you, I just want to friendly disagree. I agree that game improvement irons are not for single digit handycap, but what if the guy is playing alot and wants to get better? with all that offset on the gi iron he will never learn to keep his hands in front and head behind. with those soles he will never be able to hit a divit after the ball. not to mention ristcock, and rolling over the hands wont work with most gi irons.

 

I understand what you are saying that for a guy who just wants to play golf the GI irons are great, and all you have to do is swing them like a bat, and great results happen. but what if this guys wants to build a real swing?

 

I have tried myself to play gi irons and can't hit them clean. I am a 4.2 ghin, and personally I think the gi irons are the hardest things to hit. I hit behind the ball with them, the club usually bounces into the ball, they are very difficult. not only that, but you never have to keep the ball in the center of the face.

 

Just my thoghts, i don't mean them mean or to upset you, just to remind you that everybody has different ideas on golf. I am lucky I get to play everyday and live on a course.

 

 

Not really sure we disagree.

 

All I want to suggest is that the golfer who shoots in the 80's shd at least give a GI iron a try and then decide for himself.

 

I also agree that GI irons are definitely NOT for someone with a 4.2 hdcp factor.

[Famousdave]

IMHO, irons have improved significantly over the past ten years.

 

In 1995, I purchased a set of the original Lynx Black Cats. (Then, Lynx was an independent golf company and not a house brand for Golfsmith.) At that time, the Black Cats were one of the better sets of GI irons for a mid-capper. When I bought them, I had a 15 hcp.

 

In 2006, I purchased a set of Ping G5's - also one of the better GI irons at that time. I had an 12 hcp at the time of purchase.

 

For me, I noticed a world of difference between them particularly in the area of forgiveness. It really takes a lousy swing to hit a poor shot with the G5's. The Black Cats also were forgiving, but to a much lesser degree. I noticed it from the first time I played with G5's, and I still notice it today. Everything else was about the same ... shot shape, trajectory, distance, and ability to stop on the green. Only the level of forgiveness had changed dramatically.

 

Just my 2 cents ...

[Hougz79]

It's been said a ton;

 

For forgivness, yes, there have been some pretty impressive improvements over the past 10 years.

 

For the "players" market, I feel that in head technology, not much different. Different sole grinds (which can make a huge difference), shapes, and materials are availible to appeal to different tastes, but by definition, players clubs shouldn't have a "ton" of technology and be more traditional. I will say that pure blade technology has improved tenfold, while still not "forgiving" they are much more pleasant to hit than 10 years ago.

 

The biggest difference is shaft technology. Even that is limited however. 10 years ago Dynamic Golds and Rifles were availible. The Project X and Black Gold have been great additions to each True Temper and Rifle's lines. You will see a difference switching from DG to PX. However, an older set of Titleists (especially if they have DG shafts) will play very well today. However, lofts, lies, and grooves may need to be checked.

 

Good luck on your purchase. It sounds like for the price point you are lookin at you will be extremely pleased.

[Asleep]

I find some significant improvements in technology that are well implemented over just the past 2 years.

 

I think it took some time to turn good ideas into functionally improved irons, but there is much worth trying out these days.

[GaijinGolfer]

Just so you guys know, on Sunday night I won an Ebay auction for a set of Titleist DCI 981s (3-PW). I managed to get them for $123, which I dont think is too bad.

The seller is 3Ballsgolf, so I figure I dont need to worry about the clubs being counterfits and that they are in the condition that the listing described.

Im pretty excited about it. Before I gave the game up 8 years ago, I played a set of 981s and really liked them.

Its nice to finally upgrade from cheapie Wal-Mart clubs to brand name clubs. Now its all just a matter of working hard and improving my skills so that I can boom drives, hunt flagsticks and sink long putts.