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I've graduated from game improvements to players distance! I did it, Mom!

SuperStroke
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Revan

Srixon Experience 2025
Albatross 2025 Club
Joined
Aug 24, 2023
Messages
224
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Location
Northern NJ
Handicap
22
It may have taken me 9 years to graduate college, but it took only 15 months to graduate from game improvement irons to players distance.

Today I pulled the trigger on a new set of PING i530 after some custom fittings. I'm also switching from 60g graphite shafts to 120g steel shafts. I'm both very excited and very nervous. But I have the entire winter to get used to the new clubs. Going to be a long 3 weeks of sleepless nights until I get these new bad boys.

Any advice when switching to completely new irons?
 
Congrats!!!
 
very cool! love the big shaft weight change. only advice I have is don't overthink it. just have fun with the new sticks!
 
Revan said:
Any advice when switching to completely new irons?
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Practice. Learn to move the ball both ways and flight it down. Practice.
 
Wow, that is quite a jump in shaft weight. I assume the data is backing up that change? It might be a bit of an adjustment those first few times out. It might not seem like a lot but taking 60-70 swings with something double the weight is going to make a difference on fatigue levels imo.
 
1860VS said:
Practice. Learn to move the ball both ways and flight it down. Practice.
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I practice a ton. The new shaft weight has me a little worried that I won't be able to practice as much or as long. But I'm sure I'll get used to it after a bit.
 
That post said:
Wow, that is quite a jump in shaft weight. I assume the data is backing up that change? It might be a bit of an adjustment those first few times out. It might not seem like a lot but taking 60-70 swings with something double the weight is going to make a difference on fatigue levels imo.
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yes, all data backed. Had multiple fittings. I'm hoping that my brain will accept that I don't have to swing as hard with these clubs?
 
Awesome... congrats! You are not kidding about the long 3 (or more for me) months up here. Do you have any indoor ranges near you?
 
Revan said:
I practice a ton. The new shaft weight has me a little worried that I won't be able to practice as much or as long. But I'm sure I'll get used to it after a bit.
Click to expand...
60 G is barely over 2 ounces. I think the difference is more of a feel thing than an endurance test. LOL
 
Revan said:
It may have taken me 9 years to graduate college, but it took only 15 months to graduate from game improvement irons to players distance.

Today I pulled the trigger on a new set of PING i530 after some custom fittings. I'm also switching from 60g graphite shafts to 120g steel shafts. I'm both very excited and very nervous. But I have the entire winter to get used to the new clubs. Going to be a long 3 weeks of sleepless nights until I get these new bad boys.

Any advice when switching to completely new irons?
Click to expand...
I am in the middle of this exact quandary. I have been playing game improvement clubs for 30 years. I am a 12-14 handicap. Would I see any benefit from player's distance irons? Would I be making the game harder on myself? My project this winter is explore these questions. All I know is that my clubs were stolen from my car at a hotel and I need to find new irons by Spring.
 
1860VS said:
60 G is barely over 2 ounces. I think the difference is more of a feel thing than an endurance test. LOL
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hahaha that's a good way to put it into perspective.
 
bigbov said:
Awesome... congrats! You are not kidding about the long 3 (or more for me) months up here. Do you have any indoor ranges near you?
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I have an incredible local simulator that records your practice and sends all the data to my phone. Then when I want to play a round, the floor moves with like 70 points of articulation according to your ball's lie. It also has 6 different hitting surfaces (fairway, light rough, heavy rough, fairway bunker, greenside bunker, putting). It's great for the winter, but sometimes I still don't even want to get out of the car!
 
Revan said:
yes, all data backed. Had multiple fittings. I'm hoping that my brain will accept that I don't have to swing as hard with these clubs?
Click to expand...
don't overthink it... you'll settle into the new weight quickly and wonder why you didn't switch sooner
 
JimmyOhio said:
I am in the middle of this exact quandary. I have been playing game improvement clubs for 30 years. I am a 12-14 handicap. Would I see any benefit from player's distance irons? Would I be making the game harder on myself? My project this winter is explore these questions. All I know is that my clubs were stolen from my car at a hotel and I need to find new irons by Spring.
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My original clubs were stolen last year, we're basically twins. Sorry to hear that, though.

You have 28 years more experience than me so it's hard for me to say if it will help. I'd say go get fitted for irons and they will tell you if you'll benefit. The club fitting process for me was very interesting, I love going with data-backed solutions.
 
Revan said:
I have an incredible local simulator that records your practice and sends all the data to my phone. Then when I want to play a round, the floor moves with like 70 points of articulation according to your ball's lie. It also has 6 different hitting surfaces (fairway, light rough, heavy rough, fairway bunker, greenside bunker, putting). It's great for the winter, but sometimes I still don't even want to get out of the car!
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Sounds fantastic.. what's the place's name? Want to look it up if you don't mind.
 
Revan said:
Golfzon Social
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Ok... I just saw an add on YouTube about them and some national competitions. I will have to look that up.. thanks!
 
You'll come back, they alllllways come back!

j/k, awesome dude! I go back and forth on all types of irons, but having a blast with the Callaway Ai300s right now that just dumb the game down and make me better than I am!
 
Revan said:
It may have taken me 9 years to graduate college, but it took only 15 months to graduate from game improvement irons to players distance.

Today I pulled the trigger on a new set of PING i530 after some custom fittings. I'm also switching from 60g graphite shafts to 120g steel shafts. I'm both very excited and very nervous. But I have the entire winter to get used to the new clubs. Going to be a long 3 weeks of sleepless nights until I get these new bad boys.

Any advice when switching to completely new irons?
Click to expand...
The i530 is one of my finalists. What did you demo in addition to these? What was the deciding factor to choose the i530?
 
JimmyOhio said:
The i530 is one of my finalists. What did you demo in addition to these? What was the deciding factor to choose the i530?
Click to expand...
I also tried the Mizuno 425 (close 2nd place), Callaway Ai smoke, TM P770 (might have been 790), Titleist T200 (I think).

I did three fittings at 3 different places. The Ping came out the best in all 3. Basically just went with the data and ball flight. Tightest dispersion, acceptable spin numbers, good descent angle. I'm no expert so trusted the fitters.

I did not tell any of them about my previous tests and all 3 suggested the Ping i530 at the end. Then we went from there and tried different shafts and lie angles, etc.
 
Revan said:
I also tried the Mizuno 425 (close 2nd place), Callaway Ai smoke, TM P770 (might have been 790), Titleist T200 (I think).

I did three fittings at 3 different places. The Ping came out the best in all 3. Basically just went with the data and ball flight. Tightest dispersion, acceptable spin numbers, good descent angle. I'm no expert so trusted the fitters.

I did not tell any of them about my previous tests and all 3 suggested the Ping i530 at the end. Then we went from there and tried different shafts and lie angles, etc.
Click to expand...
What steel shafts are you getting in them?
 
New clubs are fun and congrats! We look forward to the pics of the new sticks
 
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