Finding the right iron set for my teenager

[tsur1]

Hey guys,

 

Trying to find the best direction to go in getting my son a set of irons. He’s 14 and played a few years as a youngster then got into baseball and only hit balls with me from time to time over the last 5-6 years. I’ve been taking him to the driving range and he’s starting to get the  itch to maybe start playing again. He’s only used junior clubs and I’m looking at getting a used set- so my question is for those that were playing this game at a younger age or have had a child grow up playing; do you error on more game improvement iron starting out or do you go with something more demanding so they learn how to hit the sweet spot? 
Also, any recommendations on something that’s maybe 4-5 years old so I’m not breaking the bank. I just bought him a Cobra F6 driver for $125 and he was hitting it 225-240 yards on Sunday! Thanks for all the help in advance- here are a few pics of his swing at p5 and impact- wish I had his swing!!

Before I get the normal “get fit” I want to make sure he’s committed to playing and enjoying it before I’m investing thousands in equipment.

Edited February 22, 2022 by tsur1

[Buzzzy]

Unfortunately, I’m probably not the one to Tell you what to buy him😂 but, I will tell you that looks REALLY good at impact. He’s obviously an athlete. Keep him going. Don’t let him stop

Edited February 22, 2022 by Buzzzy

[tsur1]

6 minutes ago, Buzzzy said:

Unfortunately, I’m probably not the one to Tell you what to buy him😂 but, I will tell you that looks REALLY good at impact. He’s obviously an athlete. Keep him going. Don’t let him stop

Thanks- yeah I unfortunately didn’t pick this game up until I was 21. I got him swinging a club at 2, had him do a few kid camps at around 7/8 years old and he got into baseball at the same time and was always more interested in that. He’s playing for his freshman team (baseball) but if he wants to play golf I’m all for it! 

[2Down]

Place called Golfdom in Tysons Corner Va.  has brand new sets of Ping iE1 irons for 600.  A great deal that I couldn't resist, put them in the bag about a month ago.  

 

[xkilgorextroutx]

The "get them something demanding" thing is a total myth. My son played junior golf in a few programs, including PGA Jr. His pro always recommended getting the set that was easiest for them to hit so they had the most fun. It's that simple. When my son was 14 he was using a set of SGI irons with graphite shafts after graduating up from US Kids and Cobra junior clubs. 

[DevilDog]

Biggest issues for a junior are length and weight.  Too long and/or too heavy can cause swing issues that can be hard to break later.  Cutting down a set isn't the best mechanism to use.  My suggestion is finding a club set used, going to a good fitter and finding a shaft for them and re-shaft with proper weight and flex.  Cheaper option than new.  That being said, what are his objectives?  If it is just to play, I wouldn't spend a lot.  If he wants to get competitive, that means more expense.

 

Went through a few sets of clubs for my son as he grew.  Senior in high school now and signed to play college golf next year.  Cost me some pesos

[tsur1]

40 minutes ago, xkilgorextroutx said:

The "get them something demanding" thing is a total myth. My son played junior golf in a few programs, including PGA Jr. His pro always recommended getting the set that was easiest for them to hit so they had the most fun. It's that simple. When my son was 14 he was using a set of SGI irons with graphite shafts after graduating up from US Kids and Cobra junior clubs. 

Thanks for the reply! Appreciate the feedback

[tsur1]

33 minutes ago, DevilDog said:

Biggest issues for a junior are length and weight.  Too long and/or too heavy can cause swing issues that can be hard to break later.  Cutting down a set isn't the best mechanism to use.  My suggestion is finding a club set used, going to a good fitter and finding a shaft for them and re-shaft with proper weight and flex.  Cheaper option than new.  That being said, what are his objectives?  If it is just to play, I wouldn't spend a lot.  If he wants to get competitive, that means more expense.

 

Went through a few sets of clubs for my son as he grew.  Senior in high school now and signed to play college golf next year.  Cost me some pesos

Completely agree with you on length and weight. Also, if he's just going to play I would just cut down whatever used set I find... if he is wanting to be competitive, I have come to the conclusion I would invest more money lol-

Thanks for reply!

[darkhelmet]

How tall is he?  He might be close enough to use a set of irons at standard length, but weight will probably still be an issue.

 

Maybe target something with ~90g steel shafts.  If he can hit driver 225-240, regular flex steel shafts for the irons would probably be fine.

[iknowbagu]

What I grew up with - Titleist Tour Blades with S400

 

What I got my kid (younger than OP's) in - Lightweight EVERYTHING.  With all the options available out there right now, there is no reason in the world to force a kid into chopped off heavy and/or demanding clubs.  You don't even need to spend a ton.  There are countless sets of GI or SGI out there with softer/lighter shafts that can be had for a very reasonable price.  

[AdExec]

My first set was a Wilson ladies set from Walmart clearance aisle when I was 14. By 15 they were reshafted with s300 shafts. 

 

If he’s hitting it 225-240 now, He’s ready for a normal set of clubs, maybe 1” short to start. Lots of good ping irons from over the years in the 200-400/set range and they will hold value for an upgrade later on without breaking the bank. 

 

Or take him to PXG for custom built set of entry level irons for ~ $500. Their stock MMT 80 shaft is probably perfect for him right now. 

 

[tsur1]

7 hours ago, darkhelmet said:

How tall is he?  He might be close enough to use a set of irons at standard length, but weight will probably still be an issue.

 

Maybe target something with ~90g steel shafts.  If he can hit driver 225-240, regular flex steel shafts for the irons would probably be fine.

He’s only 5’. I have him choking down on the driver and it’s at 44.5” and a regular flex. And yes, I was thinking 90-100g steel shaft max. 
thanks for your reply!

[tsur1]

31 minutes ago, AdExec said:

My first set was a Wilson ladies set from Walmart clearance aisle when I was 14. By 15 they were reshafted with s300 shafts. 

 

If he’s hitting it 225-240 now, He’s ready for a normal set of clubs, maybe 1” short to start. Lots of good ping irons from over the years in the 200-400/set range and they will hold value for an upgrade later on without breaking the bank. 

 

Or take him to PXG for custom built set of entry level irons for ~ $500. Their stock MMT 80 shaft is probably perfect for him right now. 

 

Thanks for the reply! I originally had him in a ladies flex 50g in the driver and he was all over the place- put him in the regular flex and started killing it with a pretty good dispersion. 
thanks for the info on Pings and PXGs as well- I think I’ll go Ping for now and see where we are at the end of the summer!

[cmatthews77]

Last month I bought a set of Callaway Apex with 95g reg flex shafts irons off their PreOwned site for my 14YO. They’re the 2019 model so 3 years old but were basically new for a little over $500.
 

He’s an athletic kid but not a big kid. Currently 5’ 6” and 125lbs. Plays basketball and football but stopped baseball last year.  He had been in US Kids Tour irons (the steel shafted ones).
 

once they came in we did some basic lie board stuff and I had them bent one degree flat and 1-2 degrees weaker lofts. I just don’t think kids need super low lofted long irons. He’s hitting them even better than I expected. 
 

Reasoning for choosing the Apex irons is that they’re plenty forgiving and yet still enough of a players shape that plenty of low handicaps would use them so he can use them for years if he wants (other than maybe outgrowing the shaft). He didn’t like the look of the big shovel irons (I was so proud). 

 

Callaway Apex, Ping i series, Titleist AP1 or2, etc would all be good irons for a rising teenager and shaft weight in the 80-100g range probably good depending on his size/strength. 
 

He’s using a GBB Epic 5 wood that I was no longer using (threw a reg flex shaft in it at 65g) as his lone fairway wood. Got a M4 driver for Christmas 55g stock reg flex and had it cut down 1” in length. 
 

rest of his set was my older MD3 wedges I was no longer using (54/58) and a putter I wasn’t using cut to 33.5”

 

Good luck and hope he keeps playing. 

Edited February 24, 2022 by cmatthews77

[ChipNRun]

9 hours ago, xkilgorextroutx said:

His pro always recommended getting the set that was easiest for them to hit so they had the most fun.

 

Echoes a pro I used to get lessons from. His advice: "Get clubs for the swing you have today, not the swing you hope to have next year."

 

Buying used is good - yes, he's still growing.

[tsur1]

14 minutes ago, ChipNRun said:

 

Echoes a pro I used to get lessons from. His advice: "Get clubs for the swing you have today, not the swing you hope to have next year."

 

Buying used is good - yes, he's still growing.

Great advice- thanks man!

[chinaski]

I don't work with any juniors and I think forgiveness is completely overrated, but I would lean towards a players cavity. I think a thinner sole design that favors workability will be more help long term. I would imagine a young kid would have more fun experimenting with trying to work the ball left/right/up/down. They learn and adapt so quickly.

Edited February 24, 2022 by chinaski

[MattC555]

I'd also recommend buying used.  We have a large store in our area that you can just grab whatever and hit.  I'd recommend something similar if possible.  Ping g20 or g25's would be a good place to look.  They are an incredible value. 

[cmatthews77]

1 hour ago, chinaski said:

I don't work with any juniors and I think forgiveness is completely overrated, but I would lean towards a players cavity. I think a thinner sole design that favors workability will be more help long term. I would imagine a young kid would have more fun experimenting with trying to work the ball left/right/up/down. They learn and adapt so quickly.

Completely agree with the forgiveness is overrated part. Especially for a rising teenager who will have speed. 

[tsur1]

10 hours ago, cmatthews77 said:

Last month I bought a set of Callaway Apex with 95g reg flex shafts irons off their PreOwned site for my 14YO. They’re the 2019 model so 3 years old but were basically new for a little over $500.
 

He’s an athletic kid but not a big kid. Currently 5’ 6” and 125lbs. Plays basketball and football but stopped baseball last year.  He had been in US Kids Tour irons (the steel shafted ones).
 

once they came in we did some basic lie board stuff and I had them bent one degree flat and 1-2 degrees weaker lofts. I just don’t think kids need super low lofted long irons. He’s hitting them even better than I expected. 
 

Reasoning for choosing the Apex irons is that they’re plenty forgiving and yet still enough of a players shape that plenty of low handicaps would use them so he can use them for years if he wants (other than maybe outgrowing the shaft). He didn’t like the look of the big shovel irons (I was so proud). 

 

Callaway Apex, Ping i series, Titleist AP1 or2, etc would all be good irons for a rising teenager and shaft weight in the 80-100g range probably good depending on his size/strength. 
 

He’s using a GBB Epic 5 wood that I was no longer using (threw a reg flex shaft in it at 65g) as his lone fairway wood. Got a M4 driver for Christmas 55g stock reg flex and had it cut down 1” in length. 
 

rest of his set was my older MD3 wedges I was no longer using (54/58) and a putter I wasn’t using cut to 33.5”

 

Good luck and hope he keeps playing. 

Very cool- thanks for the reply and good luck to your son!