Irons to replace Taylormade RSI1s

[Mustu]

I've been playing the RSI1s for four full seasons now (which is a long time for me) and want to replace them. I'd like some feedback on what irons to try. Though I like the RSI1s I've never really liked the feel of the 5-7 (5 is the lowest iron I carry). They seem to make a crack sound when hit I'm assuming because of the speed slots (or whatever they're called) on irons lower than 8. I really like the way the 8-AW feel, but I'm assuming the speed slot is helping with forgiveness. A little about my game. I'm a decent player (usually around 9-11 handicap depending on time of year), but I hit it very short though I don't have trouble getting it in the air. I don't take divots so I'm a picker. I get decent scores because I keep drives in the fairway, have a good short term and don't get penalties. I average around 9 GIR/round so my iron game is not terrible.

I'm a lefty (so not a great selection in store) and don't like hitting off range mats or indoors so when I buy clubs I basically just order random things and play with them for a while. If they work out then great. If not, I'll resell them locally and usually don't take that much of a loss.

I bought a sets of Taylormade M1s and MCGBs over the summer. I didn't really notice much difference between the M1s and my RSI1s. I ended up selling the M1s because they were worth more and I had a AW in the RSI1s which I didn't in the M1s. I was excited to try the MCGBs due to how short I hit it. Hated everything about them and got rid of them after a couple of rounds.

I'm tempted to buy the Cobra F9 speedback. From reviews I've read here they sound pretty similar to the RSI1s, but maybe feel better with the forged face. Plus, they're pretty cheap now. I've never hit them.

Even though I don't like range mats I've hit Taylormade 790s, Srixon 585, Mizuno 919 Forged and 919 Hot Metal, Ping G410 and Titleist T300 at the store or demo days. Love the look of all those clubs except maybe the G410. Didn't hit the Ping G410s well at all (I think it may be because of the wide sole). The Srixon looked fantastic, but I didn't hit them very well. I actually like the feel of the 919HM better than the forged which surprised me and the HM of course were longer. The 790s, 919HM and T300 felt good and I hit them well. Honestly because of the range mats I don't trust how I hit any of them. I want to try the Ping I500 and Titleist T200 as well.

So, should I just get a set of the cheap F9s? They don't look as good to me as the other irons above. Anything else I should try based on my game?

 

[JohnKHawk]

Fellow lefty brother here. About the same HCP as you as well. There is actually a pretty good left hand selection for GI irons & it looks like you have tried a lot of the GI irons that I would have recommended. I would try the Callaway Apex CF19 irons or the new Cobra Forged Tec. I had the F9 irons & I wanted to like them but for some reason didn't like the feel of the shorter irons. Which I thought was weird. Maybe it was just my swing at the time. I don't know. But moved to the CF19's & gamed them for most of the rounds played this year. Will be looking to try the new Cobra Forged Tec for next year to see how they compare to the CF19"s.

[joekelli]

Srixon Z 585 IRONS would be worth looking into or the Mizuno JPX919 hotmetal's

[Nessism]

Mizuno Hot Metal's are arguably one of the top true GI irons available these days (along with the G410.) They are lower bounce than the Ping's so it sounds like they would be right up your alley. They sound and feel better than just about any other spring face iron in the market too. Great clubs.

[Mustu]

I was at the golf store today and the Srixon/Cleveland rep happened to be there. The lefty z585 was missing in his fitting box, but he found 9 and 7 irons in stiff flex in his van. I use regular so not a great comparison, but they really felt great and I hit them well. I decided to get something that I like the looks of and felt great. So, I'm going to buy the 919hm, z585 or T300/200. Whatever I see used at a good price. Figure I can't go wrong with any of them.