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Re: Upgrading irons...

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Wed, May 25 2011 12:07 AM (9 replies)
  • JaLaBar
    1,254 Posts
    Mon, May 23 2011 9:58 AM

    So, I made it to Master, found longer tee boxes and more wind, and found that the top end Rapture Irons just aren't going to cut it at this level.  So I must upgrade.

    I am looking at the G10s and the Tour Preferred irons.  The pluses of the G10s are they are more precise and have higher arc.  The pluses of the TPs are they are more forgiving and a bit longer.  Having difficulty making up my mind which is a better set for me.

    I generally prefer a slower meter.  These are listed as the same.  But, since switching to the R9 driver and wood, I am finding I am getting more and more used to the meter.  Previously, I would have said the TP, because of the 1/2 dot of increased forgiveness.  But now, as I get better with this speed meter, I am starting to think that the increased precision of the G10s, plus the higher arc giving more of the ability to drop an approach on a small patch of green, and stopping easier, might make the g10s a better option.  Any ideas and opinions that can make this amore informed choice for me, would be appreciated.

    In a perfect world, I'd rent both and try them.  But I can't really afford to do that right now, so I am going to buy one or the other.

  • danohi50
    1,020 Posts
    Mon, May 23 2011 10:18 AM

    With that choice i would go for the highest level g -10's you can find. The trajectory is really important..especially for the harder courses.

  • TarheelsRule
    5,566 Posts
    Mon, May 23 2011 4:14 PM

    I recently upgraded from the G10 which I had for a long time to the new TM irons.  I don't think you can get these yet based upon your current level but they are worth the wait.  You get a higher ball flight and 10 more yards.  Only downside now is I have a pretty big gap between my PW (125) and other wedges 95 75 60.  I can see the value of the Cleveland wedge now but can't carry 5 of them.  The TM PW punches the shot to 108 so it sort of helps clean up that gap.

  • JaLaBar
    1,254 Posts
    Tue, May 24 2011 6:52 AM

    Well, so it is done.  Gone are the Raptures, replaced by the G10s.  Played a three hole practice just to give them a test drive.  Not as bad as I had feared they could be.  Hit the ding on two of the three iron shots, and the third stayed fairly close to true.  Played one shot intentionally into rough, very impressed with the way the PW dug the ball out.  They will take some getting used to, but overall I am quite pleased in the limited viewing.  Will post more after I have had the chance to play a few rounds with them

  • JaLaBar
    1,254 Posts
    Tue, May 24 2011 10:59 AM

    So, after a couple of practice rounds, I played 4 tourney rounds.  Three 9 holes and an 18.  The results, then my comments on the new irons.  All are Master conditions.

    Back 9 at BPB - Result: a -2 33 (par on #15 after hitting my second to 5'... the putt was so severe I had to turn and putt at a 90" angle to the hole, then let the break bring it back down.  Sick putt I should have saved, left it 5" for par)

    18 holes at Kiawah - Result: a -8 64

    Back 9 SA - Resilt: a -2 34

    Front 9 at BPB - Result: a -5 30   (included an eagle with the Satin 64 out of the bunker on the par5 #4.  I was at -4 after 4 but could only squeak one more birdie out of the last 5)

    My take:  Yes, may I have another.  First, apologies to those I doubted when they told me to bite the bullet, trade in the Raptures for the G10s, and get used to the meter.  It took me several practice rounds, but once I got the feel for them, in three hours I was hitting shots I never could have hit with the Raptures.  The biggest difference to me is the ability to stop the ball on elevated greens.  They also allow me the ability to plot a course better, knowing that if I can hit a drive that shaves the rough, my ball isn't going to accidentally end up 5' farther out and landing in the rough.  I know if I hit for that flat area of the green just below the hole, my ball is going to go there, and not the slope 4' right.  I also like the length versatility a bit better than the Raptures.  The G10s have two between clubs.  A 175 between 190 and 160 and a 145 between the 160 and a 130.  I found that the 180 club was one of the clubs I had to hit choked most often with the Raptures.  These seems to fit the distances better.  I never hit the 3 iron (there is a surprise... c'mon WGT, give us the option to lose that), but like the length better than the Raptures, or more specifically, the stopping power of the long irons allows me to hit an easy 98% 190 than trying to kill a 180 club to a 182 pin.  I find I play better just off max, as the meter seems to race more when I spike the distance.

    Anyway, my final (or not so final) analysis:  Definitely the right decision to upgrade, and the G10s are definitely worth the 1200 credits.  I can't say they were a better choice than the Tour Preferred because I never played the TP, and if these come around even more, as I feel they will, I doubt I ever will.  I am likely carrying the last clubs I will carry, barring new upgraded equipment from WGT, save the R11 Driver and Wood.  And actually, given that the G10s top at 210, I might be better served to upgrade the Driver to the R11, but keep the R9 Wood.

    Edit:  And when I made that last statement I forgot about the higher range Clevelands (I play two of the lower).  Plus, if they ever release a Cleveland 64 degree, I will probably trade in my scalpel (the Satin 64).  The eagle on the front 9 at BPB was dead sexy.

  • suncity28
    1,266 Posts
    Tue, May 24 2011 11:17 AM

    If you can get to the level for the Taylor Made new irons (not sure when they are unlocked) I would buy them. They have made a big difference in my game.

    I found with past clubs like G10`s & I15`s there were often shots from long range in which you needed to cut down on the club in doing so was tricky to judge the amount of roll out you would get coming in from a lower angle. With the Taylor made irons you can stop a 3 iron cut down to 90% with tail winds on a dime (highly recommended) 

    Wedges Play with what you like to play with , I like the ping range as I can control the spin I want on the ball but other players like the Cleveland range.

     

     

  • JaLaBar
    1,254 Posts
    Tue, May 24 2011 12:13 PM

    Aren't the new TM Irons a faster meter than the G10s and TP?  I've been playing with the G10 meter on the R9 driver for a while, and it seems to be just at the edge of what I can controllably play.  I'm on the short side of my lifespan at this point, and the 50% meter seems to be all I can do.

  • mrjwhite
    69 Posts
    Tue, May 24 2011 12:20 PM

    Watch out for the g10s 7 iron states 160 yds but hits 151 - 155  more like

  • TarheelsRule
    5,566 Posts
    Tue, May 24 2011 12:20 PM

    The TM meter for irons is just a little faster than the Ping G10 irons but the distance is 10 yards longer on most irons.  The only draw back to me is the PW is 125 so now my gap goes all the way to 95 yards, I can punch the PW to 108 but that is a big gap.

  • MainzMan
    9,591 Posts
    Wed, May 25 2011 12:07 AM

    If you can handle the meter and can wait a bit longer the Ping i15 irons are very nice. They stop the ball better than the G10 and the 3 hits a bit longer. The meter is a step up from everything else in my bag but with Callaways it's controlable and a missed ding isn't as big a disaster as expected.

    I haven't tried the TM irons at this level so can't say anything about them but the specs show both sets of Ping having a higher flight which is what you need to attack the flag.

    I loved the G10 irons, they were a big step up from Raptures and it took a while to adjust to the i15's but once you do they pay you back big time.

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