Golf- Best Irons for under $500?

[tyton75]

I'm thinking about getting a new set of Irons that will last me, well, probably forever.

I know there are a lot of golfers on here and just thought I would see what folks had to say.

I'm about a 15 handicap and have been using my first set of irons for the last 7 years; Wilson ProStaff Graphites.. they are ehh.. and I'm just wanting to get a premiere set to last.

I've been thinking about the Taylor Made r7 steel shafts from Dick's; but any suggestions would be appreciated!!

[phisherman]

i like the cleveland irons a lot..i've hit the ta-5's and ta-6's and liked them both. very easy to hit.

i almost bought the launchers a while back; i hit those pretty well too.

[smittysbar]

Clevelands are pretty good too.

Adams golf is putting out some real affordable stuff, good quality 2.

[petegz28]

Do yourself a favor and do the following...

1. Go talk to a pro
2. Get your swing analyzed to help you pick the best club for you
3. Get them fitted if you want

I bought a nice set of mizunos and did all the above for under $600 and I love the clubs.


But he had me swing several brands and analyzed my swing and told me which club I did better with. I think that is a good one time investment.

I will add to the cleveland wedges props here too. I love my cleveland wedge. Makes me look I know wtf I am doing around the green.

[RockChalk]

Originally Posted by tyton75

The only thing keeping me away from ebay atm is that I really want to test them first and I know Dicks has a test range in the store... maybe I'll go trial some of these and then hit ebay

No love for the Taylor Mades?

if you are serious about getting a quality set of irons that are right for you, then please do more than hit them at the Dick's test range or any indoor range for that matter.

a prior post mentioned going to a demo day. i did this last year and tried out a variety of irons, but focused mainly on Pings since that's what I've grown accustomed to. after hitting at the demo day, I was interested in the Ping I5's (a little out of your price range of $500) so I went to the local store and borrowed the demo I5's to play a round with. Most local stores who are authorized Ping dealers will let you do this...not sure what Dick's policy is.

[Pablo]

Go to Dicks and hit a few at their indoor range. Or hit up a demo day at your local club. There are no 'best' irons, only the ones you feel most comfortable with. I demo-ed a set of Taylormade Rac-OS2's and a set of Cobra FP's. The FP's were '07 models, and they were on sale for $350. The OS2's were $400 I believe. Both felt pretty good, but I went with the FP's. Very forgiving, solid feeling clubs. I'm a beginner but those FP's have helped a great bit.

And if you can get a set with a hybrid 3 or 4 or both, that's even better. I can't hit my 3 iron at all, and there are select few days when I can actually do anything with my 4 iron. But I hit my friend's hybrid 3-iron yesterday, 200 yards on a rope. But that's just me, you might be fine with your 3 and 4.

Just take your time, demo a whole bunch of different sets, and then price check against ebay, tgw.com, and look for online coupons.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by petegz28

3. Get them fitted if you want

QFT

Most clubs don't fit people right off the shelf, especially in the lie of the club.

[smittysbar]

I like carying my 3 and 4 iron, and one 20* hybrid.

4-205-210
3-215-220
hybrid-230-240

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

I like carying my 3 and 4 iron, and one 20* hybrid.

4-205-210
3-215-220
hybrid-230-240

If you haven't checked it out I would suggest the Taylor Made r5 steel 3 wood. I hit the living crap out of that club and the trajectory is always low and with little draw or fade. Off the tee or the fairway that club flat out spanks ass!

[RockChalk]

Originally Posted by petegz28

If you haven't checked it out I would suggest the Taylor Made r5 steel 3 wood. I hit the living crap out of that club and the trajectory is always low and with little draw or fade. Off the tee or the fairway that club flat out spanks ass!

i've been meaning to try out some hybrids...did you get this at Dick's? how much?

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by RockChalk

i've been meaning to try out some hybrids...did you get this at Dick's? how much?

No I got it at Nigro's. It isn't a hybrid it is a 3 wood. But if you need to hit a tight fairway or have a 200+ fairway shot I would go to that club and swing it blindly. I would say though it is going to be around $200-$235 though. Or it was at least a few years ago when it came out.

It also has the adjustable weights if you are into that sort of tinkering.

[donkhater]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

I like carying my 3 and 4 iron, and one 20* hybrid.

4-205-210
3-215-220
hybrid-230-240

Wow. If you're able to hit a 3 iron well and hit a 20 degree hybird 230 then you have quite the swing speed.

If I get my 4 iron 190 I'm lucky, although that didn't use to be the case. Lately I've been noticing I've dropped a club in distance. I used to hit 150 easily with a 8 iron and now it's a no-brainer 7. I've focused more on a balanced, tempo swing. Perhaps, I've lost a little punch.

Anyway I digress. I went looking for irons this spring and tried the Callaways & Taylormade r7. But I fell in love with the Mizuno MP-25. Damn those are nice clubs. Saving up for them next season.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by Stewie

QFT

Most clubs don't fit people right off the shelf, especially in the lie of the club.

True but you can also get the lie bent later.

Fitted is nice, though I think it matters more in a driver. Shaft selection for a driver is crusual.

I play alot of tournaments, and have a ton of tournament golfing friends. Also guys that play in collage such as MU. We buy and use clubs off of ebay all the time. You will sav enough money that you can get you some nice wedges to go with the set also. If you have a flat or upright swing, you can have a shop adjust the lie of the irons for you and is inexpensive.

As for wedges, I have a bag full of them. Cleveland, callaway, Titleist is probably the more popular brands for wedges. I hate the gun metal 588 clevelands, they generate very little spin. Titleist Vokey spin mill is what I prefer, they spin like crazy and have an unmatched feel IMO. I like the oil can the best. I have not yet tried the new cg5's zip groove though I have heard good things about them. I would buy my wedges new not used. Grooves have a tendency to wear down, especially on wedges. They get used a lot.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by petegz28

If you haven't checked it out I would suggest the Taylor Made r5 steel 3 wood. I hit the living crap out of that club and the trajectory is always low and with little draw or fade. Off the tee or the fairway that club flat out spanks ass!

I am looking for a new 3 wood. I am hitting Titleist right now but thinking of going to something different.

Might give it a try.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by RockChalk

i've been meaning to try out some hybrids...did you get this at Dick's? how much?

I picked up a 20* Adams new with NV shaft off ebay last year for 11.05.
I know I stole it.

Switched to Cobra Baffler 20* X-Stiff this year. Picked it up new on ebay for 48.95 W/Headcover

[little jacob]

i was just readin in golf digest about how they surveyed 87 random people about their average drive distance and then had them set up and prove it, and almost every one of them overestimated their average drive by 15-30 yards.

no one ever says 'I drive it about 200'