New irons needed?

[limitlong]

So, after about 12 years of not playing at all, I decided to start back. I sold my trusty Ping eye 2's to my best friend's son several years back. I bought a used set of Ping I 5 irons and I have just started hitting them well. My issue is that I tend to hit my irons very high and shorter than most folks. I am okay with that, but I am wondering if newer irons would help. I used to be about a 15 handicap and today I shot a 90. I left a lot of strokes out there today and I am considering getting a newer set of irons. Do y'all think I should keep hitting my I5's or seek new technology? I have been researching and the Ping G Max get good reviews for high handicap players. For what it is worth, I am 56 years old and have gained about 30 lbs since I last played (275 lbs). Any input you guys can give is appreciated.

[RonCat]

You will find the latest technology will be different than your 12 year old clubs. Mine were 14 years old and I just went through a fitting at Continental Golf in Raleigh. Get your swing down, then start looking. I went in with an open mind in terms of brand, but want a steeper approach angle, which I ended up with. They didn't have to change anything with the clubs other than the shaft I was playing. Good luck!

[limitlong]

That is great advice. I'm going to play out this summer with the I 5s and get my swing consistent. Will get a fitting this fall to see where I am at.

[ohsnags]

Not sure of the lofts of the I 5's but the Eye 2's you played are extremely weak lofted as compared to today's standard. The Eye2 P wedge was around a 50.5 degree vs. a 43-45 degree on most pitching wedges today. Get your swing in order first but be ready for a potential eye opener when getting fit for new irons.

[limitlong]

I have been going to the range every other day and I feel like I have my swing back. This morning I picked up a set of Ping G5 irons that are in excellent shape. They have the regular shaft. Went to the driving range and they hit so much better than the i5s that I had been playing. They seem to be more forgiving and much easier for me to hit with the regular shaft. Will play them Monday to see how they perform on the course. I am slowly getting back into golf and wanted to keep my search for new irons under $250.00.

[Bearetta]

If you have irons you like for under $250 buy them quick before they disappear!

[Rebel1]

The old Ping irons, Eye 2, Zing, are still as good as any irons made. If Ping would make Eye 2 in modern lofts they would be best sellers.

[barbarian]

Ping I series clubs are considered a players club for low HC players. Ping G series are their most forgiving clubs.

[fishinFamily]

The old Ping irons, Eye 2, Zing, are still as good as any irons made. If Ping would make Eye 2 in modern lofts they would be best sellers.

I’m sure most people would hit those ping zings great - they did a ton of research, had the science, etc. but they were so ugly! I used to caddy for a couple of guys that had them back in the day and they looked awful with that huge flange of the toe.

[tonybfishing]

The ping I525's improved my distance 1 club. I really like the feel, sound and distance. Also, I ordered mine with custom shafts, that can make a big difference in ball trajectory.

[dstep0]

FYI a lot of gained distance you hear on clubs is actually not "gained" in the way you may think. It's typically due to loft variances. Newer clubs are being made with stronger lofts than their predecessors. Meaning the new PW is lofted like an old 9iron. So it gives the illusion that you've gained a club in distance. This isn't a bad thing but may require you to fill some gaps with additional wedges in the bag. Just take a look at loft comparisons and you may be surprised.

[DucksnBobs]

FYI a lot of gained distance you hear on clubs is actually not "gained" in the way you may think. It's typically due to loft variances. Newer clubs are being made with stronger lofts than their predecessors. Meaning the new PW is lofted like an old 9iron. So it gives the illusion that you've gained a club in distance. This isn't a bad thing but may require you to fill some gaps with additional wedges in the bag. Just take a look at loft comparisons and you may be surprised.

This is so true and actually scares me a bit now. Went in to have an adapter put to a shaft I want to try. While I was there, I went ahead and hit the full mizuno line up. Loved the blade 245's but I want something with forgiveness, since I am not sure i will ever be what I used to be in the game. Finally fell in love with the JPX 923 tours. I was hitting a 7i and was carrying consistently 185-190. My current 5i is my 195 club. I can adjust for longer distances, but worried about the gap between PW and 50 degree wedge.

Lets say clubs go in 10 yd increments. 7i carries 185, means my PW will be my 155 club. My 50 degree wedge is my current 125-130 club. A 25-30 yard gap is not ideal in the 125-155 range. So thinking I will have to completely re-work my wedge system again if I make a move into new irons.

[dstep0]

This is so true and actually scares me a bit now. Went in to have an adapter put to a shaft I want to try. While I was there, I went ahead and hit the full mizuno line up. Loved the blade 245's but I want something with forgiveness, since I am not sure i will ever be what I used to be in the game. Finally fell in love with the JPX 923 tours. I was hitting a 7i and was carrying consistently 185-190. My current 5i is my 195 club. I can adjust for longer distances, but worried about the gap between PW and 50 degree wedge.

Lets say clubs go in 10 yd increments. 7i carries 185, means my PW will be my 155 club. My 50 degree wedge is my current 125-130 club. A 25-30 yard gap is not ideal in the 125-155 range. So thinking I will have to completely re-work my wedge system again if I make a move into new irons.

I've had to add a 48* wedge to hit a similar gap. 48* used to be a standard PW loft.

[Rebel1]

There are so many variables to look at when picking an iron. Even getting fit at some places, box stores or anywhere indoors, ever go deep enough or can replicate the conditions people play in.

[Bassin08]

The newer irons are also 1/2” longer. A 7 iron is now 37” long.

[DucksnBobs]

The newer irons are also 1/2” longer. A 7 iron is now 37” long.

What does 1 degree of stronger loft equate in distance roughly? Anyone have an approximate answer? Reason I ask, the loft difference between my MP60 and the JPX 923 tour is 1 degree stronger in the JPX series. With that said, I was hitting a 7i about 10-15 yards longer than my irons now. Thinking length of shaft might be the bigger difference compared to lofts. In turn, it might not be as severe of a gap, between wedges and irons, when I put a jpx series in the bag. And I guess truly, the gained distance is 1 degree stronger loft and a slightly longer shaft which could lead to 10-15 yard gain. Idk, maybe the launch monitor isn't as accurate as I thought? Only way to know for sure would be to hit them on the range and see if I truly gain that much in the new stuff.

[Matt D]

I was told 3-4 yards per degree of loft. Sounds pretty logical to me.

[Rebel1]

What does 1 degree of stronger loft equate in distance roughly? Anyone have an approximate answer? Reason I ask, the loft difference between my MP60 and the JPX 923 tour is 1 degree stronger in the JPX series. With that said, I was hitting a 7i about 10-15 yards longer than my irons now. Thinking length of shaft might be the bigger difference compared to lofts. In turn, it might not be as severe of a gap, between wedges and irons, when I put a jpx series in the bag. And I guess truly, the gained distance is 1 degree stronger loft and a slightly longer shaft which could lead to 10-15 yard gain. Idk, maybe the launch monitor isn't as accurate as I thought? Only way to know for sure would be to hit them on the range and see if I truly gain that much in the new stuff.

Its more than loft, its CG location changing the spin. Modern irons when jacking the lofts move the club CG lower to get launch but you lose spin.

[DucksnBobs]

Its more than loft, its CG location changing the spin. Modern irons when jacking the lofts move the club CG lower to get launch but you lose spin.

This makes a lot of sense and answers a lot of questions I couldnt figure out.

[Rebel1]

I'm a pretty high spin player, so I play Ping Blueprint S irons but with the lofts strong to help take off spin and hit the window I like. My wife, who is a single digit handicap, is pretty low spin iron player so she plays Ping I230 in standard loft to help with spin. I'd suspect most people really don't know what camp they are in, and fitters often just fit them into the longest iron. Never taking into effect they are fitting off mats and how the irons will actually play on the golf course.