The other iron thread has me wondering....I got some new AP1's in 2016 I think? At that time I was probably playing off a 16 or so simply because I didn't play much. Fast Forward to now and I float around a 8-10 hdcp with a pretty consistent swing versus where I was 7 or so years ago.

Curious if irons tech has changed that much over the last 8 years or so, and if I'd benefit from a more player type of club?

Were you fit for those AP1's?

Since youve been playing for a while and have become a better player you would benefit with a fitting. AP1's are a good club and tech hasn't changed that much, but getting the right loft/lie/shaft/head could help out alot. AP1's are more of a game improvement iron and you might be suited to more of a players distance forged style given your hcp. I'm a high launch & high sping player to begin with and didn't realize I had high launch/spin setup until I got fit recently. I got fit into a lower launching & tighter dispersion setup recently and like my new irons alot more.

I got fit, but not super in depth. more of a static fitting. L/L/L basically. didn't try any upcharge shafts, etc.

yes there is certainly some newer tech out there you could benefit from like the hollow bodied/foam filled player distance irons now offered which would be the same category as your AP1's. go swing some demos at a golf galaxy or PGA super store and see what you like.

E has posted good advice above.

Do you need a low center of gravity and strong lofts to achieve carry and distance?

The AP1 design is tailored to players who don't have the swing speed to generate enough ball speed and spin to get adequate carry yardage, and those who tend to hit the ball all over the face.

The trade off is more variance in distance, more fliers, and difficulty stopping the ball on the green.

If iron play is a strong part of your game, and you hit a 6i 170+ you might be better served by a more compact iron that will deliver a lower, more consistent ball flight and more spin to help hold greens.

But the AP1 are great clubs -- You aren't giving up much of anything to newer designs in the GI class.

I could use a new 7i.

That is a crazy distribution.

Do you miss greens left/right or because you chunk & blade?

I would check the swing weight and lie angle on the 7i compared to the 6i and 8i.

There may be something wrong with that club.

Yep, I've always had very inconsistent strikes with that club relative to the 6i and 8i in the same set. But I didn't see just how bad it was until I started tracking shots a month ago. I'm thinking the same thing you are: have the loft and lie checked.

New iron technology equals not handicap improvement especially less forgiving "player" type club. I don't know your game and I don't know your current set up but as a 7-8 handi, you could benefit by hitting more playable misses, few more GIR and a couple of more Par saves from around the greens.

Time for new iron is when the grooves wear out.

One of my buddies is an avid tinkerer and reads WRX religiously. He believes every new club has some sort of magical power and tries them out. This has been going on for 30+ years. Once in a while he will send us Tigers 14 major putter pic as if it's the holy grail of a putter.

I just have to remind him that he won with that putter because he stubbornly stuck with a club he trusts albeit he has missed more putts with it than made.

Getting properly fitted helped me get a higher trajectory with my irons. I always hit the ball on a really low trajectory. Then I got fitted and with the right shaft I now hit with a much better trajectory.

It has really helped with my long iron game, I'm actually able to land it on the green and stop it like it should. In the past my 3i would roll out too much and it was very unpredictable.

I have Mizuno MP18 SC with Project X 6.5G shafts. These shafts are heavy though, I'm wondering if I can find a lighter shaft but still keep the same feel/stiffness.

The worst golfer I know (the kind of guy who struggles to even get the ball in the air) buys new irons every year. Does zero for his game but it sure makes him really happy!!

Perhaps that's as good a reason as any.

DargelSkout said:

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Getting properly fitted helped me get a higher trajectory with my irons. I always hit the ball on a really low trajectory. Then I got fitted and with the right shaft I now hit with a much better trajectory.

It has really helped with my long iron game, I'm actually able to land it on the green and stop it like it should. In the past my 3i would roll out too much and it was very unpredictable.

I have Mizuno MP18 SC with Project X 6.5G shafts. These shafts are heavy though, I'm wondering if I can find a lighter shaft but still keep the same feel/stiffness.

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Those are some salty irons.

I picked up some MP33s with PX 6.0 shafts for $300, and have been hitting them really well.

My GIR rate has improved (for the times I can find the fairway off the tee!)

The only downside is hand and wrist pain. I'm going to try the foam inserts to see if that helps.

I used mp-33 20 years ago. Forged feel softer is the biggest bull**** many golfers believe. Mis-hits with blades feel much harsher and twists more imo in addition to coming up way too short.

I do have foam inserts in all steel shafts in my bag and it definitely mutes the vibration.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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I used mp-33 20 years ago. Forged feel softer is the biggest bull**** many golfers believe. Mis-hits with blades feel much harsher and twists more imo in addition to coming up way too short.

I do have foam inserts in all steel shafts in my bag and it definitely mutes the vibration.

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They are not "softer" than the ZX7s I have been hitting -- but the PX 6.0 shafts are definitely harsher than the Pro Modus 3 120S in the Srixons. I like the performance and feel of the shaft, but feel it in my hands/wrists the next day when I hit a bunch of balls.

They are surprisingly consistent on slight mi****s -- particularly thin shots. They are maybe ~5 yards shorter than the ZX7 -- primarily due to slightly weaker lofts ( the Srixons are relatively traditional). They stop much better - particularly with the 3-6i. I am a high ball hitter, and don't have an issue elevating long irons.

I perceive that I miss smaller with them -- when I yank or push one, the loss of distance actually tends to keep the ball in play, whereas an offline shot with the ZX7 that achieves full ball speed reaches the trees more often. I've got to play a lot more rounds to see how my GIR measures up.

Almost all my issues are on the tee, and thinning wedges - and iron design isn't helping there.

Trinity Ag said:

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and thinning wedges - and iron design isn't helping there.

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What you got against matching set of wedges as a part of the set?

My iron set includes PW, GW, and SW. 45, 50, 54 (56 bent down to 54). Full cavity back perimeter weighted.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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Trinity Ag said:

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and thinning wedges - and iron design isn't helping there.

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What you got against matching set of wedges as a part of the set?

My iron set includes PW, GW, and SW. 45, 50, 54 (56 bent down to 54). Full cavity back perimeter weighted.

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I'm not opposed to it. I got the AW for the ZX7.

But I think it gets more into shaft length than head design.

I have a tendency to stop my swing with wedges and get "flippy"

Maybe I need a heavier swing weight. The MP33s are D4+

With new irons….

Your new PW is your old 8 iron.

Don't buy a 4 or even 5 iron.

With the new clubs and the new loft…. At some point the long irons are the same club with slightly longer shafts….