Good Irons vs Avg Irons...

[AaA]

Hello All,



I was wondering how much of a difference “better” (i.e., more expensive name brand such as ping, Cleveland, etc..) clubs, specifically irons, change your game. I currently own Adams Tight Lies and they seem fine to me. I always thought that a bad shot with Adams would result in a bad shot with Ping irons for example, but I recently read a review on some Ping irons where they claim that the clubs are far more forgiving than an average club. I’ve never played with anything other than my Adams, so I have yet to experience this first hand. I shoot in the mid 90’s, but like many people, on any given day, I could and should be in the 80’s if it weren’t for a “few” bad shots.



But basically I’m looking for opinions on whether or not certain irons actually do “forgive” more often or are proven to be better in some way shape or form.



Any further comments on the subject are welcome. Thanks!

[The master]

Welcome to the board.

Sorry I have to cut this short I'm busy but I think the only difference is the name.

Snakes eyes vs 690 mb for example there will be absoulutly no difference in performance.

[Rockford35]

Welcome aboard!

I was sitting in the same seat as you just a few short years ago. I figured my Ping clones were the same as every other set out there, I just needed to figure them out.

Not so.

I finally decided to pick up a set of Big Bertha Irons as a present to myself for an achievement I had made in my life. I went to the shop, grabbed the 7 iron and went to town.

Now, my best expression for the feeling I had with these new found stick of glory was "like hitting an orange". The ball felt so soft off the face and the sense of feel was incredible. I knew a push with my eyes closed.

There really is a difference in the types of metal and the research that goes into OEM clubs over clones. Many component groups offer great clubs as well that have just as much, if not more than average, research and development going into not only th heads, but the shafts as well.

Be aware that a shaft has as much to do with feel and response, as well as results, when dealing with OEM and component clubs. I would be willing to bet that you are using an iron that isn't set up to your swing. Most people that haven't been checked are.

Give yourself the benefit of the doubt and go and try out a few sets. Try a game improvement set from each one of the Big Guys (Taylor Made, Nike, Callaway, Titliest, Cobra, ect) as well as a "better player set". Sometimes a club that works for one doesn't work for another. Take me for example, I can't stand Titleist clubs. They make fantastic stuff, i just can't stand over the club for some reason. To each their own.

Nothing against your current setup, but I think it's always in the best interest of someone that is going to dedicate some time to the game to check out what is available to make their games more fun as well as using your talent to your potential.

Life's too short for poor clubs!

Again, great question and have fun at Shot Talk!

R35

[buddha33]

Welcome to the board.

Sorry I have to cut this short I'm busy but I think the only difference is the name.

Snakes eyes vs 690 mb for example there will be absoulutly no difference in performance.

Don't get caught up in the "more forgiveness" hype, AaA. Clubs can only do so much to mask a bad swing. I'm a living testament.

You have a decent set of clubs right now. Use the money you'd be willing to spend on new clubs and invest in lessons. That's a surefire way to better results.

[AaA]

Hey thanks, guys!
Rockford,

What do you think about the Adams clubs? Have you had experience either first hand or heard through word of mouth about them? When you say you think that I'm using an iron set that isn't set up to my swing, what exactly does that mean? Are we talking about stiff flex shaft vs. regular? How would I get that analyzed? Hopefully that doesn't cost an arm and a leg like everything else in this addictive sport!

Thanks again!

[Rockford35]

Adams?

I really think the only club I have hit is a Tight Lie fairway wood. Never saw what the big deal was. But that's my opinion....

When I mentioned the set you are using, I meant the components of the clubs. I am assuming by your questions that you are a higher handicapper, no? So, you are looking for a setup with game improvement in mind. Bigger sweet spot, more forgiving, higher ball flight. More than likely you have a "standard" setup, where the ball flight is "normal", the shafts are "standard regular" and the clubheads are nothing special in terms of being forgiving.

Just go try out a set of Big Berthas. They have Uniflex steel shafts in them (basically set up for everyone). Then try hitting a X-18 Pro with S300 Dynamic Gold stiff flex shafts. You'll feel the difference instantly.

It's all in the setup. Take an off the shelf driver, get a shaft that matches your swing put into it, and never buy another driver again.

Unless you're a club ho, which is almost guaranteed (like all of us!).

Getting your swing analyzed is cheap. I think around here it's free most of the time, or 20 dollars other places. It takes about an hour, you get a recommended list of shafts and clubs to use and it basically sets you on the right foot for club selection.

But, don't let the computer fool you. If something feels right and works right for you, buy it and never look back. Feel and personal preference are where it's at.

R35

[Loop]

AaA, it all depends on how you want to play the game.
If you want game improvement clubs that are more forgiving, all the big brands make nice irons. Callaway is the most reputed, with their x14, x16 and big bertha series.
I don't know much about Adams, apart from the 5 wood I had, which I found very good.
In the clubhead, if you're looking for more forgiveness, get a cavity back, perimeter weighting clubhead, with a lower center of gravity.
If you find that your ball flight is too low, get a shaft with a lower kick point.

If you're looking for a swing improvement club, get less forgiving club, like a blade muscleback, since the sweet spot (a nickel) is smaller than the ones on cavity backs (a quarter...).
I use blades, because it is very small, and at least, I know where the sweet spot is. It is harder for the higher handicapper, but it is a good club for practice in the driving range.

But all in all, the most forgiving club won't make miracles out of a bad swing.

BTW, Ping makes custom fitting for your clubs. They analyse your swing, point of impact on the clubhead and sole, measure your length.... and then make the clubs fitted to your current swing...

[AaA]

Yes, I am a high handicapper, but I actually hit my irons well when I make good contact. Every now and then I chunk it and the occasional shank is present, but for the most part, I'm pretty confident about pulling out my 5 iron from 175 and feeling good about putting it on or near the green.

I have taken lessons which was a tremendous improvement and it has been a complete testament to how well I've hit some shots. I don't have a problem with low ball flight and my divots are starting from the front of the ball, not behind! All in all, I think I'm decent with my irons (it's my short game and my erratic tee shots, although improving dramatically as of late, that kills my game). Which is what prompted me to ask the question in the first place. If I do hit my irons fairly well, would I benefit from more reputable clubs? But like you guys said, it's about feel and comfort for the most part. I think I have a good enough answer to take away. It might be in the length, shaft, or whatever. Maybe a good place to start is swing analysis. Anyway, I'm satisfied for now.

Once again, thanks to all for the replies. I look forward to browsing and posting on this forum in the future. Be cool!

[Silver]

Adams are perfectly reputable clubs. If you have a set of Adams that you hit well, you certainly don't need Callywaytooexpensive, TaylorMadeReleasesNewClubsEvery30Seconds, Tittyless, Mizuno (although you can't go wrong with Miz), or ClevelandOMGVijayPlaysMeSoBuyMe. As far as I know (and I know more about equipment than about my bloody awful swing), there's nothing wrong with Tight Lies.

the occasional shank is present

....you said the magic word:

www.mlebeau.ca/movies/shanks.wmv

Like that?

[AaA]

Silver,

Classic reel, my friend! Yes, those are the shanks I was referring to. Fortunately, they don't happen that often, but every once in a while when I'm feeling cocky, and I try to propel my 5 iron 200 yds, it will find a way to remind me that I'm not that good! Keep up the practice, though. I wouldn't give up this sport for anything!