22 replies to this topic

[aperture]

Hi guys,



I am an 11 handicapper. Now playing the old TM 300 series with kbs shaft.

I have a decent iron play. Weakness> Driver and reading the green.

Right now I am thinking of switching.

Need your inputs/advise on these, especially from experts that have hands-on experience.

1. Distance
2. Forgiveness
3. Feel


So which should I get?

Or they are only for single digit hdc and therefore I should go with the epon 502 or R9 max.

Thanks

Edited by aperture, 18 May 2010 - 01:57 AM.

[TourSpecGolfer]

I wouldnt suggest the R9 Max, it's a bit large.

at 11hcp with decent ball striking there are several I can suggest:

AF-302, AF-502

Fourteen TC-910 & TC-550 new version

Taylormade R9 Forged & R9 Forged TP

Ping Anser Forged Irons

Taylormade Burner TP

Yamaha Inpres X Forged

Taylormade Burner Forged

The hard part is I can't tell if you prefer a players CB or semi players CB. There are a lot of guys out there who play to an 11 who use blades or compact players CB's and they can handle it, some can't and there is a group that hit's smaller more compact clubs better than larger more forgiving ones. It all depends where you stand.

[jamnguy1]

TourSpecGolfer, on May 18 2010, 10:45 AM, said:

there is a group that hit's smaller more compact clubs better than larger more forgiving ones.

So true

[nvgolfdude]

Well I hit the 302 this weekend (thank you Jeff - idrive). That's a great feeling golf club, maybe the best feeling iron that I've hit since I retired my old Wilson Staff Tour Blades (circa '79). The trouble for me is that the weak part of my game is my iron play. I'm going for the 701's. My index is a 2.9. As posted earlier, what works for one may not work for the other. I was going back and forth between the 502, 701, and the TM Burner Forged. I'm ordering the 701's tonight!

[Spoon]

nvgolfdude, on May 19 2010, 07:00 AM, said:

Well I hit the 302 this weekend (thank you Jeff - idrive). That's a great feeling golf club, maybe the best feeling iron that I've hit since I retired my old Wilson Staff Tour Blades (circa '79). The trouble for me is that the weak part of my game is my iron play. I'm going for the 701's. My index is a 2.9. As posted earlier, what works for one may not work for the other. I was going back and forth between the 502, 701, and the TM Burner Forged. I'm ordering the 701's tonight!

finally! good choice bro. cant go wrong with the 701s. have you decided on what shafts you will be using?

[aperture]

Thanks for the replies guys,

But honestly which is more forgiving, (i know if i want forgiveness i should go with the 502 or 701) but to satisfy my curiousity, between the 302 and TP burner considering they have the same shaft (say nippon 950 GH). Which will be more forgiving?

Your answer are greatly appreciated.

Especially from TSG experts who has tried on the field and not on the driving range carpet.

Edited by aperture, 19 May 2010 - 05:18 AM.

[nvgolfdude]

Spoon, on May 18 2010, 07:54 PM, said:

finally! good choice bro. cant go wrong with the 701s. have you decided on what shafts you will be using?

Nippon NS Pro 950GH, x-flex, soft stepped.

[nvgolfdude]

aperture, on May 19 2010, 06:09 AM, said:

Thanks for the replies guys,

But honestly which is more forgiving, (i know if i want forgiveness i should go with the 502 or 701) but to satisfy my curiousity, between the 302 and TP burner considering they have the same shaft (say nippon 950 GH). Which will be more forgiving?

Your answer are greatly appreciated.

Especially from TSG experts who has tried on the field and not on the driving range carpet.

Based on the perimeter weighting, I'd think that the Burner TP is a little more forgiving. The 302 head is very small. I know that don't think of it as a blade, but it's as close to a blade iron as you can get without being a blade, IMO... The demo club had the NS Pro SuperPeened Blue shaft in X or S, making really heavy for a guy whose been playing the NS850 GH shafts for 3 years. Definitely had to swing with it smooth with that shaft...

Edited by nvgolfdude, 19 May 2010 - 05:29 PM.

[TourSpecGolfer]

nvgolfdude, on May 19 2010, 04:38 PM, said:

Based on the perimeter weighting, I'd think that the Burner TP is a little more forgiving. The 302 head is very small. I know that don't think of it as a blade, but it's as close to a blade iron as you can get without being a blade, IMO... The demo club had the NS Pro SuperPeened shaft in it, making really heavy for a guy whose been playing the NS850 GH shafts for 3 years. Definitely had to swing with it smooth with that shaft...

I would have to say too close to call on that. I'm leaning toward the AF-302 being more forgiving. It's very close man.

Also go with the 502 over the 701 IMO, newer model, better feel, pretty much the same tech in a better designed package.

[jamnguy1]

nvgolfdude, on May 19 2010, 08:38 AM, said:

Based on the perimeter weighting, I'd think that the Burner TP is a little more forgiving. The 302 head is very small. I know that don't think of it as a blade, but it's as close to a blade iron as you can get without being a blade, IMO... The demo club had the NS Pro SuperPeened shaft in it, making really heavy for a guy whose been playing the NS850 GH shafts for 3 years. Definitely had to swing with it smooth with that shaft...

I believe the 302 has more perimeter weighting than the burner tp.
The burner tp, I would consider as a mixed set. 8-PW is as a blade as there is no cavity. The cavity gets progressively noticeable as one goes to the longer irons. It also has a head size comparable to the 302, and it has very little offset and a narrow sole.
I have not hit the 302 but I did hit the 301. Different in feel for sure, but it's hard to say one is more forgiving than another. For me, a mis**t is a mis**t when you're not hitting the sweet spot. A mis**t is always a bad shot. More forgiving clubs for me are ones that gets the ball up in the air easier with the same ball strike.

[nvgolfdude]

TourSpecGolfer, on May 19 2010, 09:36 AM, said:

I would have to say too close to call on that. I'm leaning toward the AF-302 being more forgiving. It's very close man.

Also go with the 502 over the 701 IMO, newer model, better feel, pretty much the same tech in a better designed package.

Shizzle! What do you think of a mixed set between the 502 and 701. I'm really a piss poor iron striker. tsg_smiley_crazy:

Edited by nvgolfdude, 19 May 2010 - 05:38 PM.

[Spoon]

nvgolfdude, on May 20 2010, 09:36 AM, said:

Shizzle! What do you think of a mixed set between the 502 and 701. I'm really a piss poor iron striker. tsg_smiley_crazy:

i am using a mixed set, my 4iron is 701 and 5-pw is 502s. the 502s are not much less forgiving than the 701s. they are pretty easy to hit so i had no problem with 5 iron up. i had an old 4i 701 head laying around so i decided to use it. no complains.