Playing Up to Clubs’ Standard

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By Taylor H

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  • 12 Replies
  1. Taylor H

    Taylor H

    Quick background: Around 15 or so years ago I was a pretty darn good golfer (handicap in the low single digits). I stopped playing completely for about 10-12 years, and I just got back into playing about 3 years ago. When I was in my prime I played with a set of old 690 cavity back irons.

    When I picked up the game again I was fitted into a set of 718 AP1s and bought them. Well, I kinda hate them — it feels like I’m swinging a shovel. So I’m in the market for a new set of irons, and after doing tons of research I decided that the T200s were likely the right choice for me. To confirm, I went to a fitting and was fit into…the T300s, essentially an updated version of the clubs I currently have and kinda hate. I tried the T200s at the fitting and liked the feel of them, but my numbers were worse than with the T300s.

    My question is whether anyone here has ever bought “up” a level of club from what they “should” play (I.e., buying players distance irons instead of game improvement irons you’ve been fit into) and how did it work out? My (maybe wishful) thinking is that there’s a chance I’d improve my iron play because the slightly less forgiving T200s would essentially force me to. In other words, I’d play up to the level required to play the clubs.

    Is my thinking just stupid enough to possibly work or am I way off and should just accept that I need game improvement irons?

    Thanks

  2. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Here's one guy's opinion. Fitting is more about the optimal iron for standard full swings as analyzed by usually just a 7 iron. Everyone must make the personal decision as to whether to pick the iron that best achieves what they want in their game. For some, the importance is forgiveness, for others it might be distance, for others it might be feel, for some it might be flight pattern. There is nothing wrong with going the a different iron than recommended as long as it helps with what you value most in your game. Ideally, you have those discussions during the fitting and that way you leave with the right shaft for that head which might be different based on which one you choose.
  3. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    As I have aged (75) and worked thru surgery and various aches and pains, I will look for any advantage that can help me play the best that my body will allow me best and "enjoy" the game of golf more. If Titleist has a club (game improver) I play it and I do. The T300s are in my bag and I do enjoy them. Just my two cents worth.
  4. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    One thing I should have added. Two guys I play with are PGA teaching pros and help me a lot and constantly remind me that it is not the arrow, but the Indian.
  5. Thomas Y

    Thomas Y
    Wenham, MA

    Here are a couple of my thoughts. I think, if you want to become the best golfer you can be, play equipment that will challenge your abilities. That does require some concessions from the golfer, though, including a willingness to put in the time (practice AND play) to try to achieve your goals. One benefit from blades or player's irons is the feedback that tells you where on the clubface the impact occurred. This is valuable feedback to help you improve.

    If you don't find the feedback to be helpful (and you don't have to buy a set to discover this, just try some demos), then stay with clubs that will help to mask ball striking inconsistencies. Just understand that even super-game improvement clubs won't make all mishits acceptable.

    My personal experience? Played blades for many years and was as low as 6. Eventually, less play/practice time had me consider some type of cavity back, but it took a while (and a few sets) to find something that made a bit of a difference. As I said, really bad swings produced bad results no matter what brand of game improvement clubs I tried.

    Hope this helps your decision making process!
  6. Keith M

    Keith M
    Acworth, GA

    So, I've never been that great of a golfer in full disclosure, currently about a 15 and that's the best I've ever been. Always been a huge Titleist fan and moved to their clubs in 2012 with the 712 AP1s. I *wanted* AP2 because I thought they were cool, loved the forged feel, and knew I'd be playing more and in theory, improving. I hit them ok when I was fitted, but the numbers were clear, get the AP1s.

    Fast forward to 2018, this time I was thinking maybe AP3s or AP1s. My fitter at the time had me try the T-MBs as well. All three I hit well, the AP3s were darn good, but again, the AP1s won the numbers game so those are the irons I bought.

    2021, get fit again and I went through a far more technical fitting. I darn near went with another brand entirely and it was about to break my heart to leave Titleist. Also, a significant shaft change and lie angle change too. He wanted me to try the T200s and T300s though. Based on the numbers, this time, the T200s won the day.

    Everyone is different, so I can't say that the T200s aren't the right club for you. But for me, the dispersion, distance, looks, feel, and ultimately analytics said the T200 were right. I hope that helps.

    Allegedly, after 6 months from my order they're finally on their way. Still not holding my breath that I'll see them any time soon. I almost feel like I should get refit since it's been so long.
  7. Jim V.

    Jim V.
    St. Marys, GA

    Great comments from all. Dale said it well that we should be playing the clubs which maximize our enjoyment of the game. I have no business as a 15 index to play a players forged distance iron, but i do so because I place a huge value on feel. Play what makes you happy...
  8. Thomas Y

    Thomas Y
    Wenham, MA

    Jim V. said:

    Great comments from all. Dale said it well that we should be playing the clubs which maximize our enjoyment of the game. I have no business as a 15 index to play a players forged distance iron, but i do so because I place a huge value on feel. Play what makes you happy...

    Yes, and that was why I went with blades for many years. I got the satisfaction that a shot that came off as I had envisioned was due to ME and not the golf club compensating for a mishit. And, of course the feel of a well-struck shot when using a blade is simply something you have to experience!
  9. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    Personally, I never like the "clunky" look a lot of game improvement irons have. I've always preferred a thin top line and compact appearance.I realize numbers don't lie, but for me look and feel are just as important.



  10. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    There are 2 ways to do this. Either play what you feel like playing and go with the consequences or play with the best club suited for your game that will maximize your game today.... not 15 years ago. It's a tough adjustment for some, but there it is.
  11. ESchroeder

    ESchroeder

    Military
    I completely understand what you're going through.
    Personally, as long as you like what you're looking at when you look down (confidence in the appearance/top line), and the feel of a well struck shot, absolutely "buy up". I did this years ago during a fitting. They put me in AP2s or something like that, but I went with the CBs. The CBs have great feel, perform very well, and are a bit more forgiving than the blades. Myself, the CB or a blade, makes me focus more on ball striking (smash factor), which results in cleaner technique, not over-swinging, etc. You might as well try the blades as well. Maybe you have a mixed bag of MBs P-7, and CBs 6-3/4.
    I hope this helps!
  12. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Another summary - you can always choose the player’s irons.
    Are you close to being in the same physical shape? Do you play and practice as much as you did 18 years ago?
    The inevitable for anyone over 50-55 is only wine gets better with age.
    I did play a few holes at Pinehurst (9) with a gent in his 70’s using AP2’s. Not real long, but darn accurate.
  13. Taylor H

    Taylor H

    Thanks for the responses, everyone. I’m very definitely leaning towards pulling the trigger on the T200s. As some of you said (more or less), at the end of the day I should do what maximizes my enjoyment of the game of golf. With that in mind, sticking with the clubs I dislike or getting the newest version of those clubs doesn’t seem to make much sense.

    Thanks again!

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