Best SGI irons/hybrids for an aging senior golfer?

[Noodler]

My dad is looking for a new irons/hybrid combo set.  I don't keep up with the models of SGI type clubs, so I'm not sure what to recommend that he focus on in his upcoming fitting.  As a senior golfer he is most concerned with gaining ball speed/distance.  He hits a high enough ball, but has been losing distance over the years.  He is currently playing Mizuno JPX-800 HD irons with Ping G30 hybrids.  His set makeup is 3/4/5 hybrids with 6-PW irons, but he's considering changing the 6 to a hybrid, so the availability of a 6 hybrid may come into play for his decision.

 

To help him reduce the number of swings he'll need to make in the fitting, can you help me narrow down this short list to the top 3 to test?

Ping G410 (or new G425)

Ping G710

Mizuno JPX921 Hot Metal

Callaway Big Bertha B21

Callaway MAVRIK  or MAVRIK Max

TaylorMade SIM Max or SIM Max OS

[bladehunter]

G400 410 or 425 have to be the top 3 hybrid choices in total.  I can’t imagine an easier to hit club.  
 

I wouldnt waste his swings on the sim max hybrid.  I liked mine as a 2 iron stinger machine. But it’s infinitely more demanding than g410 hybrid.  My 2 cents. 

Edited November 9, 2020 by bladehunter

[jjfcpa]

I'm 73 and can't really say I was losing distance because I didn't start golfing until I turned 67.  However, I do try to use clubs that allow me to perform up to my abilities.  

 

I've played a number of clubs over the years and my most recent set was the Callaway Apex CF19's - also played the CF16's.  However, I just felt that I was having too many mishits that were hurting my game, so on a whim, I purchased a set of Titleist T300's.  Like most golfers, I sort of felt that Titleist was an elitist brand, but I have been extremely pleased with the T300's.  Did some comparison shots with the CF19's and they were easily a 1/2 club longer and many fewer mishits.  

 

I also bag the Mavrik 3 and 4 hybrids which are excellent and a Mavrik 5w.  Also playing a Mavrik driver.  I have no issues with these but considering moving to the Mavrik Max to get a little more loft and forgiveness.

 

I tend to focus on the short game so I practice a lot with my wedges and putter, not so much with the rest. 

 

Hope this helps.

[platgof]

If he needs distance the G710 has no equal. I play the G700 and the short iron soles are rather large for green side work, but these irons really go. I am mixing my G700 and Cobra F9 irons, Cobra for short game, and G700 for 7 iron up.  I will be looking at the G710 in the future. Hopefully a G725 will come out soon, no black finish or Accra? 

[ChipNRun]

I'm 70, and hit my driver about 220 yards and my 7i 140 yards.

 

I tested out the new Mavrik family in February just before the COVID shutdowns hit. Have him try out the Mavrik Max irons. They have more loft than the base Mavriks, but I could hit them 10 yards longer.

 

The Catalysts are the stock shaft, but have him try others to fine-tune the Max performance.

[Noodler]

Thanks for the replies so far.  My dad is a fan of the Ping clubs in his bag and I know he would definitely want a Ping iron for his testing.  I watched some G710 vs. G410 videos and learned a lot about them. 

 

I'm a Mizuno fan (obviously) and I have hit the JPX919 HM irons, but I wonder if they can keep up with some of the more distance oriented irons that are now available.  I also have callaway woods in my bag and have been looking at the MAVRIK line of irons and hybrids, they look promising.

 

I'm not seeing a lot out there on the SIM Max irons, so those may fall off the list.

[boggyman]

Why not go all hybrids? Ever consider the Cleveland HB Turbo Launcher, or the Cobra T Rails? Just two more options to consider.  

[Tanner25]

+1 on the hybrid irons from Cleveland. Also, Tour Edge has new offerings (521 e & c) which seem interesting and are a good value. 

[Davidv]

7 hours ago, boggyman said:

Why not go all hybrids? Ever consider the Cleveland HB Turbo Launcher, or the Cobra T Rails? Just two more options to consider.  

I agree these 2 options definitely worth a look, from your list I would suggest Ping 710.

[Tax77]

GMax if he likes Ping. Big and chunky and they launch. They're 5 years old now but I don't think a more forgiving set exists. He wouldn't need a 6 hybrid in that set, the 6 and 7 are absolutely massive. You can fit almost 3 golf balls across the face of the 6 iron.

[SwingMan]

On 11/9/2020 at 4:48 PM, Noodler said:

My dad is looking for a new irons/hybrid combo set.  I don't keep up with the models of SGI type clubs, so I'm not sure what to recommend that he focus on in his upcoming fitting.  As a senior golfer he is most concerned with gaining ball speed/distance.  He hits a high enough ball, but has been losing distance over the years.  He is currently playing Mizuno JPX-800 HD irons with Ping G30 hybrids.  His set makeup is 3/4/5 hybrids with 6-PW irons, but he's considering changing the 6 to a hybrid, so the availability of a 6 hybrid may come into play for his decision.

 

To help him reduce the number of swings he'll need to make in the fitting, can you help me narrow down this short list to the top 3 to test?

Ping G410 (or new G425)

 

Ping G710

 

Mizuno JPX921 Hot Metal

 

Callaway Big Bertha B21

 

Callaway MAVRIK  or MAVRIK Max

 

TaylorMade SIM Max or SIM Max OS

 

 

This is going to be way out of the GolfWRX realm, but I suggest Tour Edge -- check out their various lines in www.touredge.com. Try the EXS 220 line or Hot Launch

Edited November 11, 2020 by SwingMan

[Noodler]

23 hours ago, boggyman said:

Why not go all hybrids? Ever consider the Cleveland HB Turbo Launcher, or the Cobra T Rails? Just two more options to consider.  

 

Interesting idea, I'll ask him.

[Noodler]

1 hour ago, SwingMan said:

 

This is going to be way out of the GolfWRX realm, but I suggest Tour Edge -- check out their various lines in www.touredge.com. Try the EXS 220 line or Hot Launch

 

I hadn't considered Tour Edge at all, but now I'm curious.  I know they get good press from the Senior tour and they have some nice stuff.  I'm just not sure if they're available at the fitter.

[scomac2002]

As a senior golfer and a higher handicap player at that, there are a few things that you need to be wary of.  SGI are not necessarily the pancea they are made out to be be.  It really comes down to getting the correct shaft for your swing and mating that up to the head with the best turf interaction.  AS a result I'm leery of full hybrid sets.  I like using wedges that match the irons for consistency, but that leads to a combo set of progressive irons most often.  I want a little more versatility from my short irons and wedges than I would get with a full hybrid set or strict SGI clubs with really chunky soles designed with one thing in mind -- to stop digging.

 

I'm not up-to-date on the new stuff so I can't make specific recommendations.  Distance irons are wonderful, but most often that means I'm stopping with the 7 rather than the 6 without getting into some sort of hybrid club.  Leaves me wondering what I've actually gained in that case?

 

If there's anything further I might add it is to go graphite now and get that switch out of the way.  His body will appreciate it even if he finds the transition difficult because of weight as much as anything.  Don't be afraid of ultralight either.  If you're not swinging over 100 mph you won't overload the typical 60-75 gm graphite iron shaft.  

[SwingMan]

20 hours ago, Noodler said:

 

I hadn't considered Tour Edge at all, but now I'm curious.  I know they get good press from the Senior tour and they have some nice stuff.  I'm just not sure if they're available at the fitter.

 

You'd probably have to find a PGATSS. They have the lineup there. Tour Edge also has a 30 day play guarantee through their website.

[iNeedMoreGolf]

Id say mav max or even standard mav is great

[duffer18]

On 11/10/2020 at 12:10 AM, Noodler said:

Thanks for the replies so far.  My dad is a fan of the Ping clubs in his bag and I know he would definitely want a Ping iron for his testing.  I watched some G710 vs. G410 videos and learned a lot about them. 

 

I'm a Mizuno fan (obviously) and I have hit the JPX919 HM irons, but I wonder if they can keep up with some of the more distance oriented irons that are now available.  I also have callaway woods in my bag and have been looking at the MAVRIK line of irons and hybrids, they look promising.

 

I'm not seeing a lot out there on the SIM Max irons, so those may fall off the list.

I'm 69, with more than a few body parts that don't work like they used.  I've tried the JPX 919 HM.  For me, they were nice but did not perform as well as the TM SIM Max OS irons.  I've played them in regular Ventus shafts---the things are rocket launchers.  My driver swing speed is around 92, and the 7 iron goes 160.  But I had some trouble with hooks with the TMs, which are my miss.  If he doesn't have a problem with hooking, then the TM SIM OS are very nice.  I ended up buying some used XXIO Eleven irons---expensive new, but good used ones can be had much cheaper.  They go further than the 919s but are not so offset as the TMs and are straighter and almost as far.  Lightweight shafts and counterbalanced.

[Milfordlefty]

Another Cleveland suggestion, but have him look at this idea. A mixture of Launcher HB Turbo irons and Launcher UHX irons. They are same length/loft, so easy to pick a club for the stop/start point between models. Same shaft options for both lines. See my bag below. I am using the HB Turbo in 4i and the rest UHX. UHX in 5-7 are hollow body, so sort of like a hybrid but with a more traditional iron "look" at address. I am pleasantly please how high the 4i goes for the loft (I am finding I am using the 4i as my trouble club, meaning when I need to punch out of trouble, it is the go to club, with great success). If you want to stick with your OP options, you can't go wrong, a fitting will tell best for him. Good luck with the search for his next set of irons.

[Noodler]

I did chat with my dad about the idea of going with the "all hybrids" option, but he's not quite ready to get that aggressive for his irons choices.

[Cooc]

I bought a complete set (3-SW) of Majek K5s hybrids with large grips. Had read a number of reviews of best clubs for seniors & chose these. Super glad I did. I am 73, and these are the best clubs I have ever played with in over 55 years. I had been using Taylor Made irons for the past 15 years. I feel confident standing over the ball and they are very easy to hit. I have picked up 10-15 yards per club & have averaged 4 1/2 strokes less per round. I would recommend them to anyone, but especially seniors. They also are very nicely priced & won't break your wallet.

[Noodler]

Fitting scheduled for after T-day at a PGASS.  Thanks for all of your input.  I'll update the thread with what he ends up choosing.

[CROUSE99]

Good luck at the fitting.  I'm a slow swinger who has trouble elevating irons.  I am playing Mavrik Max with PX Catalyst shafts in senior flex. When I make a good swing (for me ), they launch the ball higher than any irons I have played.

[platgof]

On 11/14/2020 at 9:58 AM, Noodler said:

Fitting scheduled for after T-day at a PGASS.  Thanks for all of your input.  I'll update the thread with what he ends up choosing.

It will be the G710. When he sees it on the launch monitor..... I hope they are decent around the greens though. 

[Noodler]

29 minutes ago, platgof said:

It will be the G710. When he sees it on the launch monitor..... I hope they are decent around the greens though. 

 

I've told him that the G710 is one he really should focus on.  He was excited about the G410, but it sure sounds like the G710 is the better option for what he needs.  Of course the launch monitor will prove this all out.

 

How is the black finish on the G710?  Is it durable?  I actually don't think he will care, but I was just wondering.

[Sean2]

You can't go wrong with Ping, or the Callaway Mavrik's. I am 65 myself and would encourage you to take him for a fitting to ascertain what would work best for him. 

[platgof]

I hope you are aware of the wait time for the G710, months, not weeks!

[Nessism]

I think the 710's are a good choice.  He should go for a fitting and hit the 410 or 425 (if he can wait a few months too.)  Since he's been playing Mizuno it would be worthwhile to hit the Hot Metal's as well.  They sound and feel better than the Ping G series.  All of these are great clubs and the decision comes down to personal preference and opinion.

[Noodler]

36 minutes ago, platgof said:

I hope you are aware of the wait time for the G710, months, not weeks!

 

Yep, my dad is aware of the major delay for most things Ping lately.  It will test his patience, but if they're the right clubs for him I will encourage him to wait for the right stuff.

[platgof]

I will be testing both the 710 and the 425 next year. I am not a big fan of hollow clubs, but my G700 were eye openers for sure. They are very long and straight. My biggest problem is staying in shape.

[platgof]

Played yesterday with a G700 5-7 iron and F9 8-aw, and it was money. I had the set of irons I needed, with this one. Felt very confident no matter what iron i pulled out. The G700 8-aw are not working for me, and the F9 5-7 irons seem to be lacking as well, but the combo I played was spot on. Very impressed. I could get some Cobra Forged Tech and match the set?

Edited November 23, 2020 by platgof