Ok, this is far from scientific and I wasn't even outside, just hitting into a net from about 15-20 ft away. But today I had time to kill so I went into one of the Golf stores and grabbed a bunch of 6i's and did some hitting. I hit the Mizuno MX200's, Titleist AP1 and AP2s, Cleveland CG7s, Cobra FP 2008s, and the Nike VR Full Cavity and Split Cavity designs.

Feedback: Well, the Cobra, the Mizuno and the Nike VR Full Cavity all felt the best based on hitting about 6 shots with each. Balls just felt so soft and flush going through.

The AP1s were nice too but the looks just got me. The AP2s didn't have the same feel. The VR Split were nice but man does that clubhead look small and unforgiving. But the ball seemed to jump off it more than the others. The Cleveland's were fine but didn't stand out that much.

All seemed like good clubs but the Cobra, Mizuno and Nike's were my top three. So now I'll go get some demo clubs and head outside to the range and go from there. But at $399, the Cobra's are priced right, about $400 below each of the others...

One question Scott. Did all the irons have the same shaft? Same flex, and exact same model shaft?

Nope, most golf stores don't have exact shafts in the various clubs. AlMost all did have stiff flex but whether it was NIPPON or DGS300 or a stock shaft varied. Was going to hit Adams but they were all R flex.

One thing I did notice compared to my Callaway XTours was the thickness of the toplines on the clubheads. While the Callaway is no slouch in having a thick top, the Nike I think had a pretty big one as did the Mizuno. The Nike Split Cavity was much thinner, as was the AP2. So when looking at game improvement clubs, you do have to get over that difference.

By any chance, did the 3 irons you liked the most, have the same shaft? Just trying to see if it could be a certain shaft that you like, or is it the clubhead that feels good. I know it sure makes a big difference with woods. I also have a set of irons that feel different than my other sets, and I don't know if it's the heads or the shafts that is the cause.

The cobra's use the NIPPON while the other two used DGS300s. I hope this weekend to get a chance to go by Golf USA where I can actually take clubs out of the store and to the range. But no, not an exact match.

I demo'd a Mizuno 6 iron (MP52) with DGS300 shaft (actually don't remember now if they were stiff or regular, probably regular) at the range. It's probably too stiff for me but I still got a very high trajectory, loved it. My instructor thinks I could do well with them (with the right shaft)...I continue to dream...
As an aside, I also hit a Cleveland Launcher09 driver with a Nippon graphite shaft, again, too stiff, but felt really nice.

Aimee; If they were DGS300, then they WERE stiff, that's what the S stands for.

Yep, I know one of the irons was DGS and one was DGR 300...pretty sure I took the R flex one since it was closer to reality for me.

I love my cobra irons. I currently have the stock shafts in R flex and I still get plenty distance. I usually use a stiff flex so I'm going to be installing some Project X shafts. Hopefully I will love the clubs even more then.

I have set of Cobra Fordge SS irons with Rifle Flighted 6.0 shafts in them. Excellent set of irons and very easy to work the ball if needed. Check out all the Rifle shaft options before you decide on the Project X shafts. I've used both versions of the Project X shafts as well as the standard Flighted set. All are excellent shafts.

Scott. I was just on the Ping site, and they show a few Nippon shaft options for their irons. The one listed where MID bend poiont shafts, and we both now the Dynamic Golds are all HIGH bend point shafts. So this could make a difference in how some of those irons you were testing might feel and work for you. Good luck with your testing.

Thanks Don. Yeah, this weekend I hope to get some range time to hit the irons for real. Didn't know the PINGs were using NIPPON shafts though. But i think if I order anything I'd likely order with RIFLE shafts, though if I buy used I'll just get them reshafted at some point.

I don't know what shaft comes stancard with Ping irons, only that they list the Nippon shafts in the shaft options section on their site. Check out the PIng site and see what you get from it.

Well picked up some clubs today at the local golf shop but pooh, they didn't have much selection in the models they let you sign out to take to the range. They used to have all models but I guess with the economy like it is they cut back. All I could get was the MX200, an MP52 (or maybe a 57), and a Cleveland CG7. No Nike, No Wilson, crap. Oh well, I'll see how these work. I've been leaning towards the MX200 anyway so at least I get to hit it. And I'll have to deal with the fact that the Cleveland isn't even S300, it's regular flex. So that sucks too. Oh well...

Well, today I took the plunge and bought a new set of irons. After toying with the idea for weeks and demo'ing some various clubs, things came down to the Mizuno MX200s and the Nike VR Full Cavity. In the end, the fact that the VR Full Cavity has a larger offset and is more geared for higher ball flight, I decided to go with the Mizunos. I like the Nike but I was a little bit more afraid I wouldn't be able to work the ball as much.

Anyway, decided to try the stock shafts, DG S300s. It's been a while since I used DG shafts but I continue to hear good things and it's been an expensive month so upgrading to RIFLE just wasn't in the budget. We'll see how these do.

I did have a discount coupon, $100 off, but knew that it wasn't going to apply to the new/current release clubs, so when they rejected it I wasn't surprise. But I was able to use it to get $100 of free stuff, so I grabbed a couple dozen Bridgestone B330-S balls and paid for the lie adjustment ( I need 2degrees upright). So in the end I got some free stuff, just spent a little more than I wanted.


Was also going to trade in my Diablo Driver and fairway wood but they would only give me about $90 for both. just couldn't do that so I'll see them myself on eBay or here. So check the Marketplace forum here!!!

Enjoy the new toys, Scott.
Since the closest Golfsmith is 45 minutes away and they had a free shipping promo for the Labor Day sale I was going to order my new ClicGear cart, but we wound up going to a friend's house for a BBQ on Sunday so we made a detour along the way since it was along the way. Should have just ordered it, I didn't look too closely at the box and when I got it home that night realized the box had been opened and re-taped. OK, sometimes that happens...but sure enough I pull the cart out and the wheels are dirty - it had been used!
So now I have to make a return trip to do the exchange.

Good luck with your new toys you two. And let us know what you think of them after you have a chance to play with them a bit.

Ok, first time out with the new sticks today. Played 9 holes, shot 3 over. Hit the 4I, 6I, 7I, PW and GW. could have played with just irons I suppose but...Anyway, these are some sweet sticks. I will do a full review soon, but very solid feel, the ball felt soft coming off the face, the 4I was very easy to hit, and these clubs where about 5-7 yards longer than my current sticks which was somewhat expected since the lofts were a bit stronger.

I used my new ClicGear cart on Sunday and am happy with it. Easy to unfold/fold. Very stable. Only negative is the diameter of the bottle holder, it's just a little too small since I use a neoprene sleeve ("cozey") on my bottle to keep it cool and it is a bit too fat (I use Vitamin Water which is 20oz and a bit squat in shape, if I use a different bottle which is taller and less wide it's probably fine).

Aimee; I just tried a can of soda with a sleeve I got from Makita around the can, and it FITS FINE in the cup holder of my ClicGear cart. You might want to see if any Makita dealers near you have some. And some of the Light beer comes in a taller thinner can, so that'a another opiton for you.
Scott. Sounds like your new irons are doing okay plus some. Can't complain too much about 3 over, expecially with brand new irons to get used to. Give them a few more rounds, any you'll be breaking par half the time. The picture of them in my Watts catalog looks like a nice iron.

Don, are you telling me I need to switch to beer to fit the can?
Ha ha. Actually I know the bottle from VitaminWater is a bit larger in diameter, I had started using them because they were shorter in height and on my old cart they fit better in the drink caddy under the handle. No big deal, just an adjustment for the future.
Scott, good to hear you are liking the new tools!

I carry 3 of the 24 ounce bottles from Gararage filled with water when I play. They JUST FIT in the cup holder, so I know exactly what you mean about not fitting. I just freeze 1/2 a bottle of water and then fill it the rest of the way just before I leave home, and it works pretty well for keeping the water cold. I also have two insulatered bottle holders to keep 2 of the bottles in until I finish the first bottle.

My cart, the Bag Boy (??) has a cup holder...holds about anything, but I usually keep a couple bottles of water (the aquafina style) in the freezer so as the ice melts it stays cold. But they fit fine.

What is wrong with you all????

I call the clubhouse and have them bring me something when I'm thirsty.

Bill

Bill. I can only afford the greens fee these days, Can't afford to be buying water too. Why do you think I WALK the course and not ride a cart?