need new irons

[DPowell]

I've been happily playing Ping Eye 2s for the last 20 years but am considering switching to graphite shafts now that I'm turning 50 and seem to be beating the hell out of my joints (way too many buckets off driving range mats). I'm your basic mid-80s hack but still generate decent club head speed.

Any recommendations? I've been looking at the current Ping and Callaway models but can't really get a good handle just by swinging demos at my local store.

 

[Slingblade61]

Welcome aboard DP!

I should tell you that in certain parts of the country the local constabulary can cite anyone under the age of 75 for using graphite shafts in thier irons.

I'd try an R or A flex in steel before I resigned myself to graphite.

If your joints are bothering you stay off the mats and get to a chiropractor.

 

[Youngun5]

welcome,

many people here are advocates of mizuno as you'll see in the near future

i personally go for taylormade

point being that you need to go with what YOU want and think will benefit you the most

but since you just asked for recommendations let the fun begin...

cleveland has many of the TA models like the TA5 and TA7 that i think would suit you well

taylormade has the RAC os and os2 out

i hear good things about the nike slingshot irons along with the cpr hybrid set to get rid of long irons

adams always has good products out there for cheap, they've started making more hybrid sets too

this is just the tip of the iceberg... hopefully this helped

 

[DPowell]

What are the negatives to graphite shafts other than the obvious teasing and abuse that I'll receive from my "buddies"?

 

[DPowell]

OK, let me narrow it down to Ping and Taylormade. I'm considering the Ping G5 as I have some hope that they will feel similar to my old Eye 2s(which I love). On the Taylor front, what are the basic differences between the os and os2 and, is there anyway you can compare them to my Eye 2s?

Thanks in advance

 

[Youngun5]

i personally dislike ping and just can't stand the look of their clubs so i wouldn't know about the similarities between newer models and the eye2's someone'll have to check me on this but i believe they've started using softer metals to make the clubs translating to a softer feel at impact

i can't tell a difference between the os and os2, taylormade has developed a rep. for releasing product upon product with little time span between the two, obviously the os2 was the newest one to come out, so you'll prolly see it costing more anywhere you look.

but if you like your eye2's so dearly, i would first recommend going to a pro shop with a custom fitting center, if you tell them your problem they should be able to recommend a good shaft for you

if u have any more questions feel free to ask away

 

[Davebud]

Re-shafting

Why would it not just be a good Idea to reshaft the irons you have already got? Are the faces really worn?

 

[DPowell]

I'm not considering reshafting the eye2s because a) the faces have MANY miles on them and b) I want to have them as a fallback position if my graphite experiment goes awry.

Guess I better go find a dealer that has demos I can hit on a range rather than into the tarp at their shop.

 

[VtDivot]

DPowell -

eye2's are great clubs and I can understand why you've kept them so long. Since it seems to me that you're irons are an investment (you keep them longer than 1 season) here's my advice for you.

Go to a registered Ping fitter and get yourself either some G5's fitted to your specs with the appropriate shafts (perhaps graphite). These should last you the next 20 years

If you're on a budget, and want to remain brand loyal, I'd recommend the i3 o-size which you might be able to find on ebay in graphite.

PS - there's no shame in playing graphite shafts. Graphite will give you added distance without the extra effort if your SS starts to slow down as you get older.

 

[Lil]

Help! My husband wants a new set of irons for Christmas. I think he can't make a decision so he has tried to leave it up to me to take the blame.

He's 52. Has always had a 0-6 handicap, I'm not sure what it is now, but I heard a lot of complaints this summer. I've tried to do my own research, but end up getting more confused...would love to surprise him with the perfect set of irons, and appreciate any and all advice.

 

[Slingblade61]

Hi Lil,

put the thought of buying him new irons right out of your head.
The chance that you will get something he doesn't like is enormous.

If you want to get him a set of irons, go the gift card route instead.

$1000 to golfsmith and he gets to pick. That way you have no chance of any disappointment later.

 

[Lil]

Hi Lil,

put the thought of buying him new irons right out of your head.
The chance that you will get something he doesn't like is enormous.

If you want to get him a set of irons, go the gift card route instead.

$1000 to golfsmith and he gets to pick. That way you have no chance of any disappointment later.

Yeah, I know. Half the reason I think he asked was to see the expression on my face at the thought of it. He can't decide for himself. I did buy him a 450.00 graphite driver a couple years ago that he liked. He probably thought I could do it again...different story with irons.

I'll probably take your suggestion, but do you know anything about MacGregor V-Foil M675? I thought MacGregor was out of business, ha,ha. These keep showing up high in rankings.

I was looking at Callaway, and Taylormade, and just went to the highest priced set. I don't think he would want a graphite shaft in irons...cripes you're right...gift certificate! Thanks for responding.

 

[Augster]

Lil,

If he's a 0-6 handicap, you could go the gift certificate route, or surprise him with the Mizuno MP32's. I can't imagine ANY low handicap golfer in the search of new sticks NOT being excited seeing those babies under the tree Christmas morning!

To the OP, you are way too young for graphite shafts in your irons. Stick with steel, but get regular or senior flex if they have it.

 

[Pa Jayhawk]

Just swinging and setting up with the G5, it may make you reconsider if they are close to the G2. I went from the Wilson Cast Iron Tour to the Ping i3+. I originally looked at the G2 and intended to buy them, the sole was so wide going from my other clubs that it was distracting to even look at. I simply would have hated the club no matter how I hit them. I then looked at the i3+ and really liked the look and feel of the club. They make an i5 now, they have a narrower sole and less offset.

After playing the clubs for 1 1/2 years I probably would have been happier with the S59's or Mizunos. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the i3+, the way the feel and perform. They actually have better feedback than my prior clubs, and no less than what I've noticed on Blades or forged irons However, the offset is a little more than I care for. Coming from the cast irons with almost no offset, I really didn't notice the offset being an issue when demoing, and trying the clubs.

So anyways, you may save alot of trouble in deciding just by looking at the G5. As a beginner, I can see that it may not be distracting, but for someone with 20 years On Ping Eye 2's you may find them to be uninviting opposed to the i5 or the TM's