How many of you "seasoned" golfers have gone to distance irons?

[ChaosTheory]

He did say that was for 9 holes.  So a mid handicapper.

[ChaosTheory]

Most of the slow swinging seniors I play with who play strong hot irons are getting nothing useful from them as far as I can see.

 

 I think they’d be better served with more loft, not less, at a given club length.  That’s my personal approach.  

Edited January 10, 2021 by Snowman9000

[mocokid]

On 1/9/2021 at 8:44 AM, braincramp52 said:

I'm finding myself kind of torn on what to do this upcoming season. I having a hard time dealing with distance loss in my irons but I don't want to give up the feel and look of a smaller footprint iron like my V6's. I know most everything is dependent on lofts but I was wondering how many of you have sacrificed a little feel and looks and went to a distance iron? And did you regret it or has it been a huge improvement? I'm 68 and although I'm distance challenged I have a repeatable enough swing that I can play about anything up to a 6 iron. I played Wilson Staff blades last year and hovered between a 3 and 5 handicap (9 hole) all season. I know it's easy to say just hit a extra club but for me the shorter the iron I have in my hand the better off I am.

Ping400 knocked Titleist ap1 out of my bag.  Go ping easy to hit and distance.  

[braincramp52]

21 minutes ago, mocokid said:

Ping400 knocked Titleist ap1 out of my bag.  Go ping easy to hit and distance.  

I've already had them and the 410's. Plus every other G series since the G2.🤣

[nsxguy]

1 hour ago, Snowman9000 said:

He did say that was for 9 holes.  So a mid handicapper.

 

Quoting someone you're replying to would help that person see your post - else he/she might miss it.

 

Anywho, yes, as I look back, he did say that but there's no such thing as a "9 hole handicap index".  9 hole COURSE handicap, sure, but not a handicap index.

 

Handicaps CAN be calculated with 9 hole scores but a handicap index is an 18 hole handicap index.

 

So, assuming he is an "8" INDEX with that length, not quites so "incredible" but still rather "unusual" as an 8 capper from around 5400 yards most likely will to shoot right around even par occasionally and average somewhere around 2-3 over par (for 18 of course) on his 8 best out of 20.

 

So I'll go with unusual. 👍

 

for pointing out the "9 holes". My bad.

[elwhippy]

Going back to a less forgiving set. I want to be able to very flight and shape shots more. 

[braincramp52]

2 hours ago, nsxguy said:

 

Quoting someone you're replying to would help that person see your post - else he/she might miss it.

 

Anywho, yes, as I look back, he did say that but there's no such thing as a "9 hole handicap index".  9 hole COURSE handicap, sure, but not a handicap index.

 

Handicaps CAN be calculated with 9 hole scores but a handicap index is an 18 hole handicap index.

 

So, assuming he is an "8" INDEX with that length, not quites so "incredible" but still rather "unusual" as an 8 capper from around 5400 yards most likely will to shoot right around even par occasionally and average somewhere around 2-3 over par (for 18 of course) on his 8 best out of 20.

 

So I'll go with unusual. 👍

 

for pointing out the "9 holes". My bad.

Call me unusual then. I'm too old and not good enough to embellish anything. 

Edited January 10, 2021 by braincramp52

[LeftyMac]

I don't really understand the attraction of "distance irons".  So you take a 5 iron and put a 6 or even a 7 on the sole , throw a ton of weight down low and suddenly you score better?  I suppose the big advantage is that you get to carry 4 wedges the first two of which used to have 9 and PW on the sole.  

[Pepperturbo]

Maybe you should consider graphite shafts.  It's not an inexpensive change, but you may find yardage improvement without buying different and or stronger lofted irons.

 

 

Edited January 12, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[braincramp52]

37 minutes ago, LeftyMac said:

I don't really understand the attraction of "distance irons".  So you take a 5 iron and put a 6 or even a 7 on the sole , throw a ton of weight down low and suddenly you score better?  I suppose the big advantage is that you get to carry 4 wedges the first two of which used to have 9 and PW on the sole.  

The attraction is having a shorter iron in your hands . If I can have a iron in my hands that is the length of a 7 iron but it goes the same distance as my 5 iron its a win for me. 

[braincramp52]

11 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Maybe you should consider graphite shafts.  It's not an expensive change, but you may find yardage improvement without buying different stronger lofted irons.

 

 

I might consider graphite in a different set of irons but I can't see it being cost effective any other way.  It would cost me $400 just for the shafts. 

 

 

[nsxguy]

2 hours ago, braincramp52 said:

Call me unusual then. I'm too old and not good enough to embellish anything. 

 

OK, you're unusual.

 

Mind telling us what the course rating, slope and par is where you play ?

 

Any chance you'd mind posting your last 20 rounds from GHIN ? Statistics always fascinate me.

[Pepperturbo]

17 minutes ago, braincramp52 said:

I might consider graphite in a different set of irons but I can't see it being cost effective any other way.  It would cost me $400 just for the shafts. 

 

 

That's true.  The graphite shafts I am currently testing cost $80-$90 ea, plus installation of $14 ea.   I am not sure golf equipment and or playing golf can ever be seen as cost-effective.  LOL

[braincramp52]

5 minutes ago, nsxguy said:

 

OK, you're unusual.

 

Mind telling us what the course rating, slope and par is where you play ?

 

Any chance you'd mind posting your last 20 rounds from GHIN ? Statistics always fascinate me.

Did you have anything to contribute to my question or did you just post to bust my ***** ? 

[nsxguy]

1 hour ago, braincramp52 said:

Did you have anything to contribute to my question or did you just post to bust my ***** ? 

 

I guess I don't understand why asking questions about your op is busting anything but,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

OK, so "yes" to both my questions then. No worries.

 

And to contribute to your question, maybe (trying them).

 

Sorry to have (apparently) upset you.

 

Have a good one.  👍

 

 

Edited January 11, 2021 by nsxguy

[mocokid]

20 hours ago, braincramp52 said:

I've already had them and the 410's. Plus every other G series since the G2.🤣

If you have the G410s then you're done, just make sure the shaft is correct for YOU.

[LeoLeo99]

I'm a headcase with irons and distance.  I just feel a need to hit my irons the same distances as when I was a young man.  I know it's all shell game but can't help myself.  G400 irons are in my bag.  The are 1.5 to 2.0 clubs stronger than what I grew up playing.  I swing smoothly with them and get the distances I'm used to.  My 35° 8 iron goes 135yds just like my FG17 8 iron went many years ago.  All is at peace in my world.  

[ChaosTheory]

34 minutes ago, LeoLeo99 said:

I'm a headcase with irons and distance.  I just feel a need to hit my irons the same distances as when I was a young man.  I know it's all shell game but can't help myself.  G400 irons are in my bag.  The are 1.5 to 2.0 clubs stronger than what I grew up playing.  I swing smoothly with them and get the distances I'm used to.  My 35° 8 iron goes 135yds just like my FG17 8 iron went many years ago.  All is at peace in my world.  

Understood.  But, can you effectively play the new 5 or 6 irons?

[disco111]

In the for what it's worth category............Have been trying to recapture distance for the past couple of years and truthfully, it's been an exercise in futility. Tried strong (7=28*) with senior steel shafts, flex face tech and found that you still need an X number of swing speed to allow the face to do it's job. On the rare occasion that somehow I did achieve that mystical number, the ball went way too long and so did my score. Then tried another senior set, all hybrids with very light graphite shafts and found some increased SS, but at the cost of accuracy. Two additional problems also surfaced with them, looking at them at address the mind sees a wood shape and thus I tend to sweep the ball instead of hitting down like an iron, but attempting to hit down like an iron you encounter the very wide sole, that limits the action and you wind up bouncing into the ball. Now my next and new attempt is going to be going back to weaker lofts (7=33*) with regular steel shafts, which will make the clubs feel heavier and perhaps the extra head weight will launch the ball higher and hopefully add some distance. I fully realize that using a 6 instead of a 7 for that 140-150 yd shot is what should take place, but when it goes from a 7 to a 5 or 4, then the shot gets much harder. Yeah, old age sucks and Father time will always win, but I ain't going down without a fight and that what they'll put on mt tombstone..........(He fought all the way.......damned crowned cups).   

[braincramp52]

1 hour ago, disco111 said:

In the for what it's worth category............Have been trying to recapture distance for the past couple of years and truthfully, it's been an exercise in futility. Tried strong (7=28*) with senior steel shafts, flex face tech and found that you still need an X number of swing speed to allow the face to do it's job. On the rare occasion that somehow I did achieve that mystical number, the ball went way too long and so did my score. Then tried another senior set, all hybrids with very light graphite shafts and found some increased SS, but at the cost of accuracy. Two additional problems also surfaced with them, looking at them at address the mind sees a wood shape and thus I tend to sweep the ball instead of hitting down like an iron, but attempting to hit down like an iron you encounter the very wide sole, that limits the action and you wind up bouncing into the ball. Now my next and new attempt is going to be going back to weaker lofts (7=33*) with regular steel shafts, which will make the clubs feel heavier and perhaps the extra head weight will launch the ball higher and hopefully add some distance. I fully realize that using a 6 instead of a 7 for that 140-150 yd shot is what should take place, but when it goes from a 7 to a 5 or 4, then the shot gets much harder. Yeah, old age sucks and Father time will always win, but I ain't going down without a fight and that what they'll put on mt tombstone..........(He fought all the way.......damned crowned cups).   

What I've decided to do disco is to strengthen my V6's. I love the irons so much I don't think I'd be happy changing right now. I'm gonna get on trackman and see if I can get some improvement from the top of the bag. 

[BIG STU]

On 1/10/2021 at 10:54 AM, NRJyzr said:

Not sure I quite fit into the "seasoned players" category, but I'll add my two cents anyway.

 

I'm not a fan of modern distance irons, for various reasons, but I see where some aspects may actually work well for those who swing slower than they once did.  The loft gaps don't appeal to me, making the short irons 5*, while bunching the longer clubs in the set, seems silly to me.  For someone with slower swings, those 5* gaps may work better than it would for someone like me, and they may not, or likely not, be using the tighter spaced longer irons, anyway.

 

Not a fan of the strengthened lofts, either, but I won't go into that.   🙂

 

Is it surprizing I agree with you 110%?. I have tried newer distance irons and for me I tend to push the issue too much. I always end back up with some kind of Mac blade. I know their limits and my limits. Now I will admit my SS has slowed and I am not as good of a long iron player as I used to be. I have been experimenting with a 24 and 19 hybrid the last couple of years.

[Fellaheen51]

@disco111.  I agree with a number points you make regarding distance, and the apparent need to recapture it.  Not finding the chase to be a worthwhile endeavor.  I certainly have not explored nor owned any so called "distance" irons.  In fact, struggle to understand the concept.  If I have a 140 shot with "x" iron, why do I need the shot to travel 150 yards with the same equally numbered club?  The number on the sole being but a reference point for how far the ball flies with a given club in my hands.  

 

Do play a modernist, hollow bodied, stronger lofted set of irons (Maltby TS-1's).  Shafted with LW (~72g) graphite shafts.  Because I'm of the age and swing speed, all the usual checkpoints of appropriateness.  And after playing them for a period of time, the reality was I struggled with controlling where the ball was headed.  The LW messed up my swing tempo and the sense of where the head/club  was at during the swing (not a SW issue).  NTM, have to be careful with a more aggressive swing to prevent a bad snap hook from occurring.  Trend towards a more aggressive swing, and having to back off is more than problematic and annoying.  

 

Have some confirmation of this when switching back to steel shafted irons.  The dispersion issue disappears.  Forward to this past season.  Acquired a set of Ping ISI's and reshafted them with ~115g steel in regular.  I do not require graphite for pain affliction remediation.  No problems with dispersion.  Not realizing a good shot is swing related, not a result of the irons utilized.  Another interesting finding is that I'm hitting the ball further with the weaker lofted irons (by a couple of degrees) than with the aforementioned ones.  With 20+ year old implements.  Go figure.  My thinking is that it's partially attributable to the relatively heavier shafts used.  And much more user friendly for pitch and chip shots that require some finesse in their execution.  Shots that I regularly face, with the quality of execution a major determinant of how well I score on the day.  Found LW graphite to be quite unacceptable.     

 

Play irons from 150 yards and in.  And have an iron in the bag that will traverse the required distance.  Not requiring distance in the absolute, just consistency of the distance.  Beyond 150, have other implements that are more affective for achieving the desired shot outcome rather than irons.   Mostly high lofted fairways for the same reason you articulated.   And being of rather average abilities, have minimal ego interfering with the approaches taken in implement selection.  Play what seems to work, as best I can.  

 

Throwing $ in an attempt to recapture perceived lost iron distance doesn't seem to be a prudent use of my financial resources.  Suspect that it wouldn't make a meaningful difference in the totality of how well I play on any given day.  Now if there was a D that would "guarantee" me 275 yards off the tee, would be willing to pony up the funds to acquire.  As I've become more seasoned, loss of driving distance is more than annoying.  

Edited January 12, 2021 by Fellaheen51

[AdExec]

Its all the same. The old 3-PW is now 4-Gap (maybe 5-P, plus two wedges depending).

 

Who cares what the bottom of the club says if it goes the yardage you're playing it to. My old 681T 2 iron vs Modern 4 iron go the same distance. One is dramatically easier to hit consistently though. 

[Pepperturbo]

Distance can be found.  If it's that important, don't put up barriers to ideas.  Hunt for it in loft adjustments, different shafts maybe even some lessons to improve swing mechanics/SS.

[LeoLeo99]

On 1/11/2021 at 9:59 AM, Snowman9000 said:

Understood.  But, can you effectively play the new 5 or 6 irons?

 

Yes, the 5 and 6 G400 irons are very easy to hit.   But not the 4 iron.  I've ditched that for a 7 wood.  Much better results with the 7 wood.  On the old blades, the 2-3-4 irons are not effective for me.  

[BIG STU]

18 hours ago, Fellaheen51 said:

@disco111.  I agree with a number points you make regarding distance, and the apparent need to recapture it.  Not finding the chase to be a worthwhile endeavor.  I certainly have not explored nor owned any so called "distance" irons.  In fact, struggle to understand the concept.  If I have a 140 shot with "x" iron, why do I need the shot to travel 150 yards with the same equally numbered club?  The number on the sole being but a reference point for how far the ball flies with a given club in my hands.  

 

Do play a modernist, hollow bodied, stronger lofted set of irons (Maltby TS-1's).  Shafted with LW (~72g) graphite shafts.  Because I'm of the age and swing speed, all the usual checkpoints of appropriateness.  And after playing them for a period of time, the reality was I struggled with controlling where the ball was headed.  The LW messed up my swing tempo and the sense of where the head/club  was at during the swing (not a SW issue).  NTM, have to be careful with a more aggressive swing to prevent a bad snap hook from occurring.  Trend towards a more aggressive swing, and having to back off is more than problematic and annoying.  

 

Have some confirmation of this when switching back to steel shafted irons.  The dispersion issue disappears.  Forward to this past season.  Acquired a set of Ping ISI's and reshafted them with ~115g steel in regular.  I do not require graphite for pain affliction remediation.  No problems with dispersion.  Not realizing a good shot is swing related, not a result of the irons utilized.  Another interesting finding is that I'm hitting the ball further with the weaker lofted irons (by a couple of degrees) than with the aforementioned ones.  With 20+ year old implements.  Go figure.  My thinking is that it's partially attributable to the relatively heavier shafts used.  And much more user friendly for pitch and chip shots that require some finesse in their execution.  Shots that I regularly face, with the quality of execution a major determinant of how well I score on the day.  Found LW graphite to be quite unacceptable.     

 

Play irons from 150 yards and in.  And have an iron in the bag that will traverse the required distance.  Not requiring distance in the absolute, just consistency of the distance.  Beyond 150, have other implements that are more affective for achieving the desired shot outcome rather than irons.   Mostly high lofted fairways for the same reason you articulated.   And being of rather average abilities, have minimal ego interfering with the approaches taken in implement selection.  Play what seems to work, as best I can.  

 

Throwing $ in an attempt to recapture perceived lost iron distance doesn't seem to be a prudent use of my financial resources.  Suspect that it wouldn't make a meaningful difference in the totality of how well I play on any given day.  Now if there was a D that would "guarantee" me 275 yards off the tee, would be willing to pony up the funds to acquire.  As I've become more seasoned, loss of driving distance is more than annoying.  

My sentiments exactly---- I do have some modern irons courtesy of my bud Bear but doubt I will attempt to hit them seriously. From 165 out these days I am of the hybrid train depending on the course. My home course now I can not hit the hot bounce and run to the greens because most of our holes are wet in front of the green. My old course ( closed now) I could do the Carnoustie thing on most holes with a Hot 4 or 5 iron. 

[BIG STU]

17 hours ago, LeoLeo99 said:

 

Yes, the 5 and 6 G400 irons are very easy to hit.   But not the 4 iron.  I've ditched that for a 7 wood.  Much better results with the 7 wood.  On the old blades, the 2-3-4 irons are not effective for me.  

That "modern" 4 iron is more than likely the same loft as a old blade 2 iron---- And yes the 7 wood or even a 20* hybrid is easier to hit because of weight distribution especially for us guys with diminishing SS. I can still hit a long iron but not as well or as far as I can my hybrids or 7 wood.

[mocokid]

18 hours ago, LeoLeo99 said:

 

Yes, the 5 and 6 G400 irons are very easy to hit.   But not the 4 iron.  I've ditched that for a 7 wood.  Much better results with the 7 wood.  On the old blades, the 2-3-4 irons are not effective for me.  

like Stu said the 4i is the old 2i.  However, MUCH easier to hit.  I like the G400 4i for practice, think it was Twatson who practices with his 3i.  If you can hit the 3/4i OK then the rest are easier.  In play I use the 4h or 5h.  

[Sparty4202]

On 1/9/2021 at 8:44 AM, braincramp52 said:

I'm finding myself kind of torn on what to do this upcoming season. I having a hard time dealing with distance loss in my irons but I don't want to give up the feel and look of a smaller footprint iron like my V6's. I know most everything is dependent on lofts but I was wondering how many of you have sacrificed a little feel and looks and went to a distance iron? And did you regret it or has it been a huge improvement? I'm 68 and although I'm distance challenged I have a repeatable enough swing that I can play about anything up to a 6 iron. I played Wilson Staff blades last year and hovered between a 3 and 5 handicap (9 hole) all season. I know it's easy to say just hit a extra club but for me the shorter the iron I have in my hand the better off I am.

I’m in the same boat as you, about the same age and the last few years have been a struggle with the loss of iron distance. I used a set of Callaway Rogue Pros with Recoil graphite’s last year 5-PW and they were ok...distance was better hitting the irons about 1 club better and no problems stopping a ball on the greens. I’ve picked up a set of Mizuno Hot Metal Pros for next year and we’ll see how those work out.

[Sparty4202]

On 1/12/2021 at 1:30 PM, braincramp52 said:

What I've decided to do disco is to strengthen my V6's. I love the irons so much I don't think I'd be happy changing right now. I'm gonna get on trackman and see if I can get some improvement from the top of the bag. 

Only thing to watch for when you strengthen the lofts it will add offset to the irons. I can’t stand a lot of offset so 1* is all have added to my sets. I’ve recently given it some thought about goin* back to a traditional loft of 48* PW and weaken 1* to let it be my gap wedge and work my way up to a 24-25* 4 iron.