Recommend me some beginner irons
Discussion
As the title suggests I’m looking for some golf irons. I’ve been playing about 1 year, getting regular lessons, driving range sessions and also playing a few courses.
But, to be honest, I’m fairly hopeless. I have a pretty fast swing and good distance but I have a cracking slice that I’m working on with lessons.
When I started out I got a good deal on some Callaway RAZR X black irons and I like them although maybe they could be a little more forgiving. But, since some scrote stole my 7 and 8 irons along with a RAZR X Black driver from my boot it’s time to change.
I was in the process of buying kit and was looking for some hybrids so I’m thinking maybe it’s worth buying a iron/hybrid set.
Looking online I notice these get good reviews and are around the price I want to spend, http://www.americangolf.co.uk/CobraGolf/Cobra-Baff...
Any thoughts or other recommendations?
For info I’m quite tall, 6’2” with 35” legs, 34 and fairly fit, not sure if that means going custom, ie longer/stiffer would make a difference.
Out of interest, what do you lose in a more forgiving club over a normal cavity iron? Distance/Control?
I’d appreciate any thoughts and have no problem buying second hand just not sure what to look out for.
But, to be honest, I’m fairly hopeless. I have a pretty fast swing and good distance but I have a cracking slice that I’m working on with lessons.
When I started out I got a good deal on some Callaway RAZR X black irons and I like them although maybe they could be a little more forgiving. But, since some scrote stole my 7 and 8 irons along with a RAZR X Black driver from my boot it’s time to change.
I was in the process of buying kit and was looking for some hybrids so I’m thinking maybe it’s worth buying a iron/hybrid set.
Looking online I notice these get good reviews and are around the price I want to spend, http://www.americangolf.co.uk/CobraGolf/Cobra-Baff...
Any thoughts or other recommendations?
For info I’m quite tall, 6’2” with 35” legs, 34 and fairly fit, not sure if that means going custom, ie longer/stiffer would make a difference.
Out of interest, what do you lose in a more forgiving club over a normal cavity iron? Distance/Control?
I’d appreciate any thoughts and have no problem buying second hand just not sure what to look out for.
There is so much choice these days, I would recommend something like the Mizuno JPX as a forgiving club, kind of depends if you like the 'chunky' stance of game improvement irons.
You should visit local pro shops, even American golf, call in advance and say you would like to look at irons, they will get you on the range/ nets and you can try out different clubs.
Prob worth getting fitted too once you choose a set.
P.s. Snainton Golf would be my first choice of retailer
You should visit local pro shops, even American golf, call in advance and say you would like to look at irons, they will get you on the range/ nets and you can try out different clubs.
Prob worth getting fitted too once you choose a set.
P.s. Snainton Golf would be my first choice of retailer
If you want new I'd strongly consider the Taylormade Burner OS irons , now under 300 and highly rated. You might need a lie adjustment for your height so have a look in your local golf superstore for a set and fitting check.
The other option I'd consider is a good second hand set of Pings - use the fitting guide on the Ping website to find out what dot you are and scour eBay for clubs that match your lie angle/height.
The other option I'd consider is a good second hand set of Pings - use the fitting guide on the Ping website to find out what dot you are and scour eBay for clubs that match your lie angle/height.
cramman said:
Out of interest, what do you lose in a more forgiving club over a normal cavity iron? Distance/Control?
Well technically a 'cavity iron' is a game improvement club.But you'll lose 'feel' however you quantify that, control yes and the ability to shape the ball.
You'll probably gain distance due to stronger lofts, bigger sweetspot.
Being quite tall (you), I'd say the most important thing is to get some irons that fit you properly, first and foremost.
After chopping and changing clubs a few times earlier this year, I was playing a 'standard' club and went along for a lesson / club fitting with Lee Porter in Chelmsford. He showed me how, with a 'standard' club, I'd have little chance of ever producing a good swing with good results simply because I have to get myself out of position to get the club in position.
I'm a short-arse so my clubs will need to be something like 3* flat because I can't, unfortunately, make my self taller through changing my stance / posture etc.
Being taller, you can probably increase your knee bend / spine angle to make a standard club work for you but it's got to be best not to, so perhaps go along to a few shops / fitting centres and see what specs they recommend.
From there I'd have a look on eBay and the like to see if there's anything that fits. Even if you can't find your exact specs, as long as the length is right you can get the lie angles adjusted to suit and save your self a good few £££. Plus, doing it that way means you can usually sell what you've bought for roughly the same money and try something else that takes your fancy...just don't end up with 4 sets at home while you decide which ones you want to keep
After chopping and changing clubs a few times earlier this year, I was playing a 'standard' club and went along for a lesson / club fitting with Lee Porter in Chelmsford. He showed me how, with a 'standard' club, I'd have little chance of ever producing a good swing with good results simply because I have to get myself out of position to get the club in position.
I'm a short-arse so my clubs will need to be something like 3* flat because I can't, unfortunately, make my self taller through changing my stance / posture etc.
Being taller, you can probably increase your knee bend / spine angle to make a standard club work for you but it's got to be best not to, so perhaps go along to a few shops / fitting centres and see what specs they recommend.
From there I'd have a look on eBay and the like to see if there's anything that fits. Even if you can't find your exact specs, as long as the length is right you can get the lie angles adjusted to suit and save your self a good few £££. Plus, doing it that way means you can usually sell what you've bought for roughly the same money and try something else that takes your fancy...just don't end up with 4 sets at home while you decide which ones you want to keep
Thanks for all the replies.
I think I need to consider getting fitted although at the minute it looks like I may be able to replace the two stolen irons for a decent price.
Even if I do this I may see about getting them adjusted once the grips need a change.
Now, I want some Hybrids as well. Any recomendations? Fairly cheap, second had would be good.
I think I need to consider getting fitted although at the minute it looks like I may be able to replace the two stolen irons for a decent price.
Even if I do this I may see about getting them adjusted once the grips need a change.
Now, I want some Hybrids as well. Any recomendations? Fairly cheap, second had would be good.
If the place you have lessons has a shop with a decent range of clubs you should ask them to suggest a few different options and get them to tape a few up to try out... and I'd also ask your pro if he'd mind overseeing you whilst you try them.
If not, go to an American Golf centre with a range and ask them if you can try a few clubs out.
You may need longer shafts (I'm 6'3" with 35" inside leg, and use +1/2"), but it's more important to get the lie angle right (mine are 2* up), which is a lot cheaper as you don't need custom built clubs.
Any decent pro can check your lie angle with a strike plate - if you're consistently hitting toe first (likely if you're tall and using standard clubs) you will need a more upright lie angle... this may also help reduce your slice too.
Advantages of 'game improvement clubs' far outweigh the disadvantages of less feel or ability to shape the ball flight and some of the modern ones don't look like shovels either.
If not, go to an American Golf centre with a range and ask them if you can try a few clubs out.
You may need longer shafts (I'm 6'3" with 35" inside leg, and use +1/2"), but it's more important to get the lie angle right (mine are 2* up), which is a lot cheaper as you don't need custom built clubs.
Any decent pro can check your lie angle with a strike plate - if you're consistently hitting toe first (likely if you're tall and using standard clubs) you will need a more upright lie angle... this may also help reduce your slice too.
Advantages of 'game improvement clubs' far outweigh the disadvantages of less feel or ability to shape the ball flight and some of the modern ones don't look like shovels either.
Chris Stott said:
Any decent pro can check your lie angle with a strike plate - if you're consistently hitting toe first (likely if you're tall and using standard clubs) you will need a more upright lie angle... this may also help reduce your slice too.
Re. Chris's point above and to expand on my post; see if you can get the pro at the shop to see / show you how the club sits at address, with you in the correct position, in addition to using the lie board.The club head should sit ever so slightly toe up, just a fraction, as the lie angle is reduced through the bottom of the swing when the shaft flexes.
With my clubs in standard spec I was hitting balls off the lie board and making a mark on the tape that you couldn't draw on any more central but that was because I'd obviously developed some compensating movements in my swing which were then causing other problems of their own. It wasn't until I saw pics of my club head at address that I realised just how far out they were (toe up) and as there wasn't much chance that I was growing 6" throughout the swing, I was obviously swinging 'wrong' to make the clubs 'right'.
Good point.
Another thought...
The RAZR's don't look too intimidating as they have a fairly wide sole, a decent amount of offset and a huge cavity, so they should be fine for you. So if you like them, but are missing a couple of (fairly essential) clubs, try golfbidder or ebay for one off replacements, or ask if your local Callaway stockist could order you replacements from Callaway.
When you have a full set get your pro to check you lie angles and grip thickness - changing these will be relatively cheap compared to a full custom build you'll probably 'grow out of' in a year or 2 as you're swing improves.
If you're anything like I was at a similar stage, you'll be tempted to buy new gear to get better when what you really need to do is find something you feel confident with and then practice, practice, practice!
Another thought...
The RAZR's don't look too intimidating as they have a fairly wide sole, a decent amount of offset and a huge cavity, so they should be fine for you. So if you like them, but are missing a couple of (fairly essential) clubs, try golfbidder or ebay for one off replacements, or ask if your local Callaway stockist could order you replacements from Callaway.
When you have a full set get your pro to check you lie angles and grip thickness - changing these will be relatively cheap compared to a full custom build you'll probably 'grow out of' in a year or 2 as you're swing improves.
If you're anything like I was at a similar stage, you'll be tempted to buy new gear to get better when what you really need to do is find something you feel confident with and then practice, practice, practice!
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