Golf - Game Improvement Irons ??

Golf - Game Improvement Irons ??

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Gnarlybluesurf

Original Poster:

263 posts

181 months

Sunday 13th November 2011
quotequote all
Hi there,

Wondering if anyone can give some advice, I've finally realised that I just can't commit to playing cricket every weekend and so have decided to take up golf as several friends already play.

Not played much before, looking to get some irons etc and go from there with a few lessons etc.

Have been looking at the Mizuno MX19 and MX20's together with the MX100 and MX200's as have been suggested to be very forgiving and a great place to start.

Also aware of Callawaya Big Bertha's but these seem to come at a premium.

Am planning to buy second hand to start with (ebay, golfbidder etc) and then go from there.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Cheers

spikeyhead

17,795 posts

202 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Get some lessons

Until you've got a consistent swing then the difference between one set of reasonable cavity backed clubs and another is slim

snowy slopes

39,862 posts

192 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Get something cheap and cheerfull to start with, that way if you don't like the game, you haven't spent a fortune on clubs etc, but lessons are a must. Get your swing right first, then worry about buying decent clubs

Beardy10

23,608 posts

180 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
spikeyhead said:
Get some lessons

Until you've got a consistent swing then the difference between one set of reasonable cavity backed clubs and another is slim
Wise words.

Just avoid graphite shafts.

Gnarlybluesurf

Original Poster:

263 posts

181 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
That's great, as I said in the initial post I am planning on getting lessons, however I also plan to continue to have 9/18 hole rounds with mates at their local courses as I did last weekend... For this I need clubs rather than borrow a mix or sister in laws clubs!

Hence back to OP can anyone advise on some good starter irons makes models etc and your experience of them..

Many thanks again

spikeyhead

17,795 posts

202 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
I'd wander into cash convertors and buy the best set of irons they have that don't have graphite shafts. £50 should see you into something that will do for the first year or so.

Gnarlybluesurf

Original Poster:

263 posts

181 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Yep had a look in cash converters and generally don't find them that cheap, more the price plus the middlemans fee... hence why wanted names to search on fleabay etc as was keen not to buy e.g. some callaway blades for £50 only to find them a waste of time and hence make me more likely to give up.....

spikeyhead

17,795 posts

202 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Gnarlybluesurf said:
Yep had a look in cash converters and generally don't find them that cheap, more the price plus the middlemans fee... hence why wanted names to search on fleabay etc as was keen not to buy e.g. some callaway blades for £50 only to find them a waste of time and hence make me more likely to give up.....
Probably the one word to avoid for a beginner is "blades" Imagine a cricket bat with a perfect sweet spot that's very very very small. Fine for Don Bradman but crap for anyone else.

Gnarlybluesurf

Original Poster:

263 posts

181 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
spikeyhead said:
Probably the one word to avoid for a beginner is "blades" Imagine a cricket bat with a perfect sweet spot that's very very very small. Fine for Don Bradman but crap for anyone else.
My point EXACTLY hence why i was keen to go for a particular model or models rather than just rock up and buy the cheap ones which end up being tiny sweetspotted pro clubs from the 80's hence the price and which'll be of little use.... £50 wasted...

R1gtr

3,432 posts

159 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
A few have mentioned lessons and that may be a wise move, another option is to pop into a couple of local pro-shops, especially at golf courses or driving ranges as they will have a range of demo clubs to try and will also have second hand clubs that may be suitable as posers will change clubs every year or so.
Many people will have preferred brands but may not suit you, try as many as you can and see what feels good for you, if the Pro os bot in the shop aint too busy he will maybe watch you hit a few balls and offer some pointers related to your abilities.
As a beginner do not spend a fortune as you can get great clubs for very litle these days.
For the record tho I use Mizuno Irons (mp-32 at the moment) and always will, for me mizuno make the best irons and wedges, my woods however are Taylor Made.
Of the clubs you mention I have tried the Mizuno Mx-100 and I was extremely impressed, from all accounts the 200's are even better but I think the 100's will suit you fine.
Be wary as mentioned of blades(like mine) as no forgiveness but also watch out for these game improvement irons with HUGE thick heads that look like utility clubs.

HFLagos

435 posts

217 months

Tuesday 15th November 2011
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Gnarlybluesurf said:
Hence back to OP can anyone advise on some good starter irons makes models etc and your experience of them..
Callaway X12 irons. These should be between £100-150 on eBay.

I bought a new set back in 1999 and they are often lent to friends/family if they want to get a round in now, always positive comments about how easy they are to hit.

Moose1978

644 posts

243 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
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Superhoop

4,695 posts

198 months

Sunday 20th November 2011
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Be careful buying from somewhere like eBay. Today's golfer ran a feature a few months ago about the high number of fakes being sold on there

My local American Golf always seem to have a rack full of second hand clubs that have been traded in, and as you've already pointed out, somewhere like golf bidder.

As others have already said, avoid blades... Pop into you're local driving range too, as you can probably try some of their demo clubs to find out what you like/feel comfortable with, which should hopefully then you an idea of what to look for secondhand.

Bing o

15,184 posts

224 months

Monday 21st November 2011
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AGD are ok, but you can't beat your local friendly pro-shop for advice. Get them to recommend you something, and they may well know of people looking to trade in second hand clubs they can hook you up with.

Whatever level of golf you are at, you need to remember that head design is secondary to the fit (a bit like cricket bats):

1. Shaft length and lie angle - Get this wrong and you can forget hitting the ball well. If you're 5'11 or over then you will need something more upright, and under 5'8 then something with a flatter lie angle. It's a bit like playing with a high sweetspot on damp spring wickets....

2. Grips - if you have plates of meat for hands, then you may well want an extra wrap of tape or two for a better fit (expect to pay a few quid per club for this). Same principle as cricket.

3. Swingweight - again, as with cricket if you are a weaker player, you may well want to go to a lighter swingweight/shaft.

Now none of this means you need to spend thousands on equipment, but your pro will be able to get you the right gear (even secondhand) for your budget. 1) and 2) above can be cheaply done, 3) not so much.

Beepsquad

56 posts

181 months

Monday 21st November 2011
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Agreed - A forged head will be far more versatile should you wish to get the heads refitted at a later stage, plenty of decent sets of Mizunos at Golfbidder. I'd look at a 4i - PW set or even a 5i - PW set, you may with to substitute the 3i and 4i with hybrids when you're ready. Ultimately you must to seek a professional opinion or you could end up with clubs that are handicapping you! Drop me a line if you want any further advice.

Regards