Can anyone tell me their experience from switching to more of a players iron versus game improvement irons? I have played nothing but game improvement irons my whole life but thinking of switching to something different. I am currently using Titleist AP1 irons and they are a little old.

Since having these Irons, I have improved my handicap down to a 5.8 currently. I am now interested in moving towards the new Callaway Apex ai200 irons. The lofts are similar to what I have now but they will be a smaller head, and the new irons are forged which I think I will like.

Just curious to what others have experienced making this switch. Thanks!

A 5.8 handicap means that you are more than ready for players irons. If your ball striking is consistent, you may even be ready for blades.

Thanks for the replies. Definitely going to get fit. Just want to move out of game improvement irons. Want to make sure it's a good decision. Don't think I want to do blades though.

Are you actually looking for the "distance" part, or are you just wanting to play irons that won't make you look like a noob? Cause there are a bunch of options for both.

I don't know what would be gained by changing to less forgiving but longer irons. I did once tinker with Ping i500 ( I guess it's a players distance iron) and I didn't know if I was going to hit it 150 or 180 yards.

Most of the fellas in the men's group are better than 6 index. And us being a Titleist club, many play T-100 and 150. One thing they all have in common is they shank. Not every day. But it comes.

Im going on 26 years with my Mizuno shovel. I don't shank.

SirDeofWood said:

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Thanks for the replies. Definitely going to get fit. Just want to move out of game improvement irons. Want to make sure it's a good decision. Don't think I want to do blades though.

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My suggestion is watch some of the fitting video of pros fitting family or friends on Youtube to see what experience should entail (brands, shafts, lofts, etc.). It was eye opening to see what a good fitter does. For someone of your skill it would be worth it.

Much of the distance improvement these days is changing the loft. So if you don't like hitting your long irons or you don't hit them as well as 7-9 iron, you might not want to go that route. Your new 7 iron would probably be like your current 5 iron and so on.

Don't let ego determine what you hit best. I'd rather play better than have a specific iron set.

All great points, thanks. I guess I will go get a fitting to see what they suggest before already making that decision of what irons I want. My thought was I need new irons anyways at some point and wanted to see what switching out of GI irons would do for me.

SirDeofWood said:

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All great points, thanks. I guess I will go get a fitting to see what they suggest before already making that decision of what irons I want. My thought was I need new irons anyways at some point and wanted to see what switching out of GI irons would do for me.

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Do you have any specific improvement you're looking for in new irons? More GIR? More distance? New wedges? Better distance control? Workability? (I don't know anyone who can work the ball both ways at will accurately)

Distance irons are lower spinning and high launching. P790, Ping i530s, basically every PXG club. All of these clubs use jacked lies to reduce spin and improve distance. If you don't hit the ball high enough, you won't be able to stop it on the green very well, so it's not all roses.

If you have enough swing speed, you might not need distance irons. You may just need a different golf ball. This is where the fitting will come in. I can switch to a Taylormade Tour Response or a Titleist AVX and instantly I won't get much spin on the ball. That's why I don't play them. I hit lower spinning irons to begin with, so I play a ProV1x for the added spin

I've got new wedges. Currently play Callaway Chrome Tour golf ball. I like the low spin on the long irons with this ball. I probably get too much spin right to left with my draw. One reason I would like new irons is to reduce the offfset that I currently have. I hear this will help with the hooks.

I fought a hook for 38 years. Last 6 years I started to get control over it. I will still snap hook but less and less. It was my extremely strong grip. I didn't think my grip was strong. Stubborn. But it was and my hands still creep to strong position every round. I continue to fight strong grip. But I no longer hit 40-50 yard high draws.

They say to prevent a hook, learn to fade. I can't hit a fade.