'Game Improvement Irons'

Here's another one of my inane, meaningless questions.

At what point would using game inprovement irons start to reduce an individuals chances of improving?

I assume that a tour Pro if forced to play with a set of large cavity back's would play worse and would have a worse overall score then if he uses his blades/musclebacks/shallow cavity's.

Anyone been using big Cavity's and got better when changinig to something more of a players iron?

I've just relaced my Nike Slingshots (almost hybrids) with Srixon I-302 forged irons.  Supposed to be aimed at the mid-handicapper, I thought that I may struggle with them initially but I managed the back nine on Sunday 8 over gross 43, the best I've ever shot on that course.  I was hitting greens in regulation almost every hole and should've scored better but my putting was awful (five 3 putts on the 9) and I took 3 out of a bunker (grrrr). 

To my mind, once you are consistent with your swing and scoring, better irons will improve your game. 

I too have just replaced my Nike Slingshots with Mizuno MP32's, (Luke Donald uses them so I guess they are a players iron) and they are worlds apart. They're much lighter to swing, you can shape the ball more easily, the ball gets in the air very quickly (I never knew what that mean't before) and the feeling of striking the ball feels so much crisper. I've also changed to the Dymanic Steel Gold shafts as opposed to graphite stiff and it makes me wonder how I ever got to 14 (have been as low as 11 on this site but I don't hit the ball as well as most 11 handicappers I play with). I shot 76 a couple of weeks ago, its the first time I've broken 80 although I'm not putting that down to golfing prowess, probably just the 'joy of new'.

I got sucked into the 'Game Improvement Irons' blag 4 years ago and I do think that manufacturers are making golfers who seldom break 100 believe that they can 'buy' a great game. If you can swing the club, hit the ball, break 90 sometimes and know what you're doing to a certain extent, these irons will hold you back from playing the game to your true ability.

I'll answer several points/questions here, so apologies if I don't direct them straight at the person who asked. 

I found that with my slingshots I couldn't shape the ball unless I tried really hard and then it was extreme.  If I tried, it went where I wanted it to but in a straight line (a bit of an issue if there's a tree in the way!).  The Srixons I can shape through choice (and occaisionally not throught choice!) but I am still working on getting the 'feel' needed to control the amount.  I find that I tend to draw/hook, sometimes pull, instead of fade/slice now. 

I used to take a large divot, and this is one area where the slingshots helped as they have a wide sole.  I've only played with the Srixons twice but haven't had a problem with taking a large divot yet (touch wood).  This could be due to the lessons I've had recently though which has flattened and taken the 'arminess' out of my swing.  I've also had the Srixons custom fitted (shaft and lie). 

I started with Maxfli Revolutions and changed after 18 months to slingshots.  I felt they were an improvement and they helped me take around 6-8 shots off my game.  The Srixons feel a step better again, the feedback is superb due to the forged heads, they look like a proper heads and not hybrids when I look down on them.  I feel like I play better with them and have confidence that I'm going to hit them well and fingers crossed I hope they'll help get me to my 18 handicap target. 

My own opinion is that it is essential to have a ball flight that can be produced every time, as this leads to consistency. Personally I favour a slight draw and endeavour to produce this type of shot on every stroke, bar the odd ones that require something a little different.

When one tries to hit a shot straight then there is always the chance of it moving either left or right, which may be OK on some occasions but could put you in a bunker on other occasions. Far better to have a shape that you can depend on and then use the whole of the course to your advantage.

Chris,

You've obviously got too much disposable cash on your hands . We'll have to meet up one Friday so I can these new clubs in action.

John.

John F - They were a genuine bargain - even the missus agreed they were!  I'm available this Friday if you want.  Drop me a text. 

Mas - I agree with you to a point, and for the most part I am just aiming to get a consistent shot that I know will go in a straight line (and hopefully in the right direction!).  However, I'm sure you'll agree that a 20+ handicapper will find themselves in an unfavourable position on a regular basis.  For this reason, shaping shots along with punches, flops and high chips are of much more use to us than the player who can drop it in the middle of the fairway every time and hit the green in  regulation with a full swing approach.  To enable us to get out of trouble with the least possible penalty and hence lower our handicap, we need to master these shots.