R9 vs. CG7 vs. AP1

[9ironiscash]

Hey Guys,

 

Im a 15-18 HC (approx) currently gaming Cally x18s. Getting new irons, and want something I can grow into (i.e.- forgiveness but can end up working the ball later on when I get better). I plan on having these irons for at least 3 years, so dont want something too similar to what I game now (why ive almost discounted getting mx200s, even though i loved the feel).

 

I hit the AP1s and the R9 in a simulator, but not the CG7 black pearls (plan on doing that this weekend). I liked both, but it felt like the R9s were almost like cheating with regards to the amount of technology in the club.

 

Before i spend over a grand, i just want to make sure I make the right choice. If anyone who has hit all three, or one of these are really liked it, can you offer some opinions. thanks.

[Fatsack540]

I just picked up a set of the first AP1's and going from super game improvement clubs to these were very easy, They hit the ball high and straight which is all i am looking for. They have a very great feel and are forgiving more than the other irons that you listed, In my opinion. I recently hit the r9's and black pearls which are great clubs but just did have the feel and consistancy that I was looking for. Go hit them all side by side and find out which works the best for you, In the end its all about how they hit in your hands.

[flipmode]

I've only hit the AP1's and the R9's. The R9 was a little longer but the feel of the AP1's won me over. I was in the same position as you were in that I wanted clubs that I can grow into as well as have some forgiveness. Also, I am currently a 15.5 handicap and I was coming from Callaway X16's. In the end, I definitely think I made the right choice to go with the AP1's. However, just like everyone is saying, hit them all side by side. If your spending that much on a new set of irons you better make sure they are the exact set that you want.

PS. I dont think I'll ever get rid of my X16's, they were great clubs and it never hurts to have a backup set.

[9ironiscash]

Thanks for the input guys. My big thing is, I cant hit any of the clubs outside, as the only place around has clubs that are only available to demo in a simulator- not outside. Cant really get an idea for ball flight, trajectory, roll, etc.

[flipmode]

I suggest you buy a demo 6 iron of each club and take them to the driving range. If your like me I know you cant wait to get a new set but have a little patience and do it the right way so you dont end up blowing your money on something you regret.You can get them for roughly 15-20 each. A driving range around me had the AP1 (not 710) demo 6 iron for $8. It would be better to spend the $45 now than to spend the $1k later and regret it.

Also, are you looking at the AP1 710's or the older AP1's? I went with the older ones since there was not enough of a difference between the 2 for me to justify spending the extra $.

[9ironiscash]

Flipmode,

Hitting demo irons is a great idea never thought of it... i would need to see if my local golf shop sells demo irons, and if they do it for that cheap (demo days just passed, but maybe they got some lying aorund). I was looking at the 710s, i think mainly because they are newer- never thought to just hit the old set.

Yes you are right i am itching to get new clubs despite the fact that I cant game them until about april because of the weather. Do you feel the ap1s will allow you to work the ball as your HC drops? I think if i werent Left Handed I probably would have gotten mx300s by now.

[9ironiscash]

After 3 hrs of simulator work, narrowed it down to the AP1 and the CG7s (TMs did not feel good to me at all for some reason). The CG7s seemed a bit more consistent, but were also coming up about 10 yards short nearly every time. The head also felt very heavy in comparison the AP1; maybe due to the shaft but not sure.

The AP1s at the beginning were very erratic, but when I nutted this club nothing felt better. Once my swing was grooved, I was hitting it within 2-4 yards every single time and quite straight. I was sold.

Flipmode, I hop we both have good experiences with these clubs this year. The Red Golf Pride MC grips look amazing with the red trim on the club head btw!

[flipmode]

Im not one to work the ball much but Im sure that I will be able to "grow" with these irons. I have the reputation among my friends of being the club ho but I can honestly say these are hands down the best irons I have ever hit (the mizuno MP-62 was an incredible club as well) and I will probably hang on to these irons at least a few years.

Good luck with the set and hit'em straight!

[HackerDave]

It's really going to be hard to go wrong with any of the clubs you have selected. I went through this about 3 months ago and my final three were the CG7's, AP1's and the Ping I15's. My index is 13.9 so we are in the same boat. The key to the AP1's (and most clubs) is finding the right shaft. I can't stand Project X shafts and that is what my fitter had for the AP's so they lost. I ended up buying the CG7's and am quite happy with them. As a bonus. if you buy the Clevlands before the end of the year, you can upgrade for free in the next two years. The R9's were not out yet but I have to say I love the look when looking down at them and the shafts are very nice. The graphics leave a little to be desired for me, but that wouldn't stop me from buying them.

I just don't think you can go wrong with any of the four I mentioned above. In hindsight (buyers remorse etc) I wish I had spent more time with the I15's. My son has the I10's and I really didn't like the feel of them. Kind of harsh in my opinion, but after I spent some time on the range with them I got used to it and I sure couldn't argue with the results as I hit them very well.

In summary, I have nothing to offer you ;-) I think you will be happy with any of them. Just excellent clubs.

[HackerDave]

***After 3 hrs of simulator work, narrowed it down to the AP1 and the CG7s (TMs did not feel good to me at all for some reason). The CG7s seemed a bit more consistent, but were also coming up about 10 yards short nearly every time. The head also felt very heavy in comparison the AP1; maybe due to the shaft but not sure.***


I found similar results. The CG7's are not the longest, but they were by far the most accurate. I went to the fitting with my son and we all laughed because as much as I had my heart set on a completely different set of clubs, the CG7's were so much better for me that it was obvious which I was going to leave with. I hadn't even thought of hitting them before the fitting.

[vfoil8]

AP1 - considerably improved over the earlier version. Nippon shaft is smoother than the DG HL. This new series has a thinner topline, and is not nearly as bulky as the first series. I could see myself gaming these.

Cleveland - great look and feel and probably the longest club of the 3, but the 4 iron looks a little wonky to me. Love the Black Pearl but I'm not confident the finish will hold up well. Certainly didn't on the previous Black Pearl irons .

R9 - shaft is very light and the look is pure CrackerJack popcorn prize.

Keep in mind the AP1 comes 2* upright so if that suits your swing they may well be the best choice. Cast irons are not that easy to bend and do tend to revert to their manufactured spec. Resale value definitely favors the AP1's/

[9ironiscash]

My final custom order to Titleist was 4-PW (no GW; already game a 52 degree CG 14) with red and black MC grips reg nippon shafts (didnt need to adjust loft or lie). I currently have hybrids replacing my 3 and 4 irons, but I figure that I get the 4 iron so, as I improve, I can game that and get away from the 4 hybrid. could have gone without it, but what the hell.

vFoil, I felt the Clevelands were SHORTER than the other clubs, but again that was just what I found with my swing. I actually liked their look at address better than the AP1s.

A superficial concern is the eearly wear that everyone talks about on the AP1s (GWSaint posted some great pics showing wear after 5 rounds). I hope wear on the face wont affect performance; maybe something can be applied to slow this wear?

Thanks for the input thus far guys.

[obsessedgolfer]

I tried the r9 and AP1
r9: I loved these they felt amazing and looked good and were extremely long like 1 club longer then my Tour Burners. Ball flight was also very consitstant
AP1: I really wanted to like these clubs because they look great and they would match my titliest wedges but I hated them they felt ok but the head looks really rounded and the soles were huge, they were short and inconsistent.