Longest Irons?

naj959 · January 21, 2009

I was just wondering what you guys think are the longest hitting irons on the market. For instance the advertising execs at Taylormade try and tell you that the inverted cone technology in the R7's and burner's will make you hit the ball longer but I'm wondering if this is just a bunch of bull. Once you factor in lighter shafts and stronger lofts how much more distance can you get from an iron; for me it was about 1/2 a club. I guess my real question is can you buy distance or would I be better off hitting the gym. I'm gonna check out the fitness forum but if anyone has got some weightlifting tips to gain more power I'm all ears. :bb:

billybaroo · January 21, 2009

Irons are for accuracy, not pure distance. If you strengthen the lofts and lengthen the shaft, like TM did, of course you can make them go further, but at the expense of accuracy. Being able to hit a 8i when the rest of your group needs a 5i doesn't prove anything.

joe average · January 21, 2009

As with any club, shaft plays a huge part. Personally, I hit the R7 and Ap1s farther than any other irons.

Terpman · January 21, 2009

I have two sets of irons: TaylorMade Japan Forged XR irons (similar to the Tour Burners) and Wilson Ci7 irons. Both have strong lofts and the Wilsons have a slightly longer shaft length for extra distance. Plus the Wilsons are graphite; the TMs are a mix of Dynalite Gold SL R300 (3i-7i) and DG SL R300 (8i-SW). Yet, the TMs are 1 club longer for me. Why? My club builder/fitter tells me its the inverted cone technology. So, I guess it isn't bull.

coops · January 21, 2009

I have two sets of irons: TaylorMade Japan Forged XR irons (similar to the Tour Burners) and Wilson Ci7 irons. Both have strong lofts and the Wilsons have a slightly longer shaft length for extra distance. Plus the Wilsons are graphite; the TMs are a mix of Dynalite Gold SL R300 (3i-7i) and DG SL R300 (8i-SW). Yet, the TMs are 1 club longer for me. Why? My club builder/fitter tells me its the inverted cone technology. So, I guess it isn't bull.

No. The inverted cone technology has essentially nothing to do with you hitting them 1 club longer. It may widen the sweetspot,,, but you're hitting that one set longer simply because you have stumbled upon a head/shaft combination that works better for you.

muxi87 · January 21, 2009

I set up the Tour Burner to have the same lofts and specs as my Tour Preferred set. I shafted them at the same length with the same shafts (PX 6.0), and the Tour Burner is right about 1 club longer.

My first round with them was in sub 40 degree weather. I was hitting a comfortable 5 iron 195 in not quite as cold weather a week earlier and hit a comfortable 6 iron from 200 on the par 3 5th at the course I was at. Mishit it a bit, but it was still pin high!

The biggest gain in a club such as the TB vs. the less offset, "player" irons is the distance on mishits.

I was always a blade man, wouldn't never thought I'd even go to such a cavity as the Tour Preferred, but after doing that, going to the Tour Burner is nothing. To the eye, the Tour Burner has just a VERY SMALL bit more offset and is no more than just a hair chunkier at address--the entire appearance at address is VERY similar.

For your info, I'm a scratch golfer and have no issues at all playing 'shovels'. It's like cheating!!!

nocam1334 · January 21, 2009

I guess my real question is can you buy distance or would I be better off hitting the gym. I'm gonna check out the fitness forum but if anyone has got some weightlifting tips to gain more power I'm all ears. :bb:

Well, if you're weak or out of shape, an overall body workout is good. You don't need huge pecs or arms, but a strong back, core (abs, obliques, lower back) and legs will improve your ability to generate more power with less effort. I'd also work on increasing and/or maintaining your flexibility by incorporating a regular stretching routine, because with lifting you sometimes lose flexibility.

I've gained distance through both technology and working out.

BJG718 · January 21, 2009

i tried some rapture 5-7 irons in a combo set for awhile but i had to get rid of them. they felt great and were amazingly forgiving, but 1) the sole was too big 2) i was getting inconsistent yardages. i hit a few 6 irons 210 but i also hit them 180. i know the shafts werent a good fit. maybe if they were my usually DG i wouldve had a better experience with them? im just not sure titanium face irons are a good idea.

ohcanada17 · January 21, 2009

look at the lofts of each set.. bend every iron to the exact loft... put in the exact same shaft... same grip... same ball... now there is a test for you! I would like to see those numbers, more so for spin and launch, over distance though.

Obviously the Tour Burners are going to seem long, because of the loft... and some people will hit the new Rapture V2 longer because they cant hit the center of the club face... and so on...

Come on Golf Digest... give me a call... lets get this test done... :derisive:

naj959 · January 21, 2009

Like I thought it's the Indian not the arrow LOL. I'm 21 years old 5'11 and weigh 150 lbs. Tee ball averages between 220 and 230 yards. I think I'm going to try and put on 15lbs of muscle. There is nothing more damaging to the ego then when some 14 year old kid blows it buy you 40 yards off the tee. I know what you are all going to say, "it's the score that counts" but who doesn't want to hit the long ball. Plus, I'd like to compete in some local events in my area and my length would be a major disadvantage.

nocam1334 · January 21, 2009

Like I thought it's the Indian not the arrow LOL. I'm 21 years old 5'11 and weigh 150 lbs. Tee ball averages between 220 and 230 yards. I think I'm going to try and put on 15lbs of muscle. There is nothing more damaging to the ego then when some 14 year old kid blows it buy you 40 yards off the tee. I know what you are all going to say, "it's the score that counts" but who doesn't want to hit the long ball. Plus, I'd like to compete in some local events in my area and my length would be a major disadvantage.

LOL, a bigger Indian can shoot an arrow farther. :good:

That's what I did in high school. I was 5'9", 155 lbs, then I bulked up to 190 lbs (though admittedly some of it was fat) and increased my flexibility. I've since dropped the fat and hover around 170-175 lbs. The extra weight definitely helped with my power.

obsessedgolfer · January 21, 2009

Like I thought it's the Indian not the arrow LOL. I'm 21 years old 5'11 and weigh 150 lbs. Tee ball averages between 220 and 230 yards. I think I'm going to try and put on 15lbs of muscle. There is nothing more damaging to the ego then when some 14 year old kid blows it buy you 40 yards off the tee. I know what you are all going to say, "it's the score that counts" but who doesn't want to hit the long ball. Plus, I'd like to compete in some local events in my area and my length would be a major disadvantage.

Im that Kid, just kidding I am 14 but I can only drive 240 max hopefully this of season conditioning will do something.

Besides that I am loving my Tour Burners they are about 2 clubs longer then my tp mb somokes, but obviously the specks arent the same the TM TP SMOKES go as follows Rifle 5.0 shafts and Weak lofts 48* PW. the TOUR BURNERS

Graphite reguler flex shafts and stornger lofts 45* PW.

Zlim · January 21, 2009

my 2 cents...

for fitness...your core is more important than others (rotational strength)

but fitness is not the main goal here...its mechanics...work on your wrists, grip, lag and face contact (hitting down) ...that will give you all the distance you need with the most accuracy.

as for equipment....yes, stronger lofts will do the work and many companies are starting to do that now with the PW at 45.

good luck