2008 CB iron HELP!!!

[tincup975]

I am looking for some advice from people who have experience with the new irons for 2008 from Japan. I am currently playing with the Bridgestone J33cb irons with tour concept shafts. I do like the set, but need something new. I would say that I have the biggest problem with getting the ball in the air on the long irons...otherwise they are a nice set of irons....now what I need from you guys is this...what would you recommend from the lineup from Japan in 2008. I have never owned a set of irons from Japan and would like to experience the great feel that everyone says comes with Japan forgings. So with that let me hear some recommendations please and keep in mind I would like to have some help getting the ball airborne with the long irons....Thanks!!!

[Bowie8]

I am a 6 index and bought the Epon AF-701 with Nippon 1150 Stiff. These are forgiving and I am a lot more confident at my club which has some long par 3's. The best part of these clubs are the long and middle irons. I got a copper AF wedge 50 degree for chipping and shorter shots. It is a great club. I was worried about balooning shots but have not had that problem. I am even able to work the ball around trees which is supposed to be difficult to do with a game improvement club. I will be keeping these for some time.

[Duffer19]

Most J spec stock sets now come in 5 to pw. What is long irons to you , 3 and 4? Noboby plays a 3 or hardly anyone and 4 could easily be replaced by a hybrid. CB with a undercut in the longer irons help with getting the ball up like the Epon 501 and 701. My friend just got the Fourteen tc770 forged and said it is very forgiving as compared to his Beres 901 but it is again only 5 to pw.

[tincup975]

thanks for the recommendation...also just so everyone knows.....price is not an obstacle....IF it is worth it, then it is worth it...if u know what I mean!!!! ....sorry i play 4-PW

Edited November 27, 2007 by tincup975

[Bowie8]

Another reason I like the AF-701 is that the sole has some bounce and a little camber on the leading edge. This became somewhat of a problem for me with the Srixon 506. I play 4-PW and am at least a 1/2 club longer than my TP R7 with graphite. I think the confidence factor will grow as I play with these more. They have a nice response or feel to them and dont look any bigger than a cally x-20, except you get a thin topline which is nice.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

I am looking for some advice from people who have experience with the new irons for 2008 from Japan. I am currently playing with the Bridgestone J33cb irons with tour concept shafts. I do like the set, but need something new. I would say that I have the biggest problem with getting the ball in the air on the long irons...otherwise they are a nice set of irons....now what I need from you guys is this...what would you recommend from the lineup from Japan in 2008. I have never owned a set of irons from Japan and would like to experience the great feel that everyone says comes with Japan forgings. So with that let me hear some recommendations please and keep in mind I would like to have some help getting the ball airborne with the long irons....Thanks!!!

What is your handicap? How about your ball striking skills?

Im thinking Fourteen TC-550's may do the job.

[tincup975]

handicap is 2 and ball striking is fairly consistent. my miss on the long irons is low and to the right if that helps.....Thanks!!! I am going to have to be quite honest on this one....I have taken a liking to the ONOFF 247 cb irons, but am scared that they will not be any more forgiving in the long irons as the bstone j33cb irons i currently play. I don't know if i could hanle the offset in the TC550s.....

Edited November 27, 2007 by tincup975

[Duffer19]

handicap is 2 and ball striking is fairly consistent. my miss on the long irons is low and to the right if that helps.....Thanks!!! I am going to have to be quite honest on this one....I have taken a liking to the ONOFF 247 cb irons, but am scared that they will not be any more forgiving in the long irons as the bstone j33cb irons i currently play. I don't know if i could hanle the offset in the TC550s.....

With a 2, we should be asking you for advice and not the other way around.

[Bat]

handicap is 2 and ball striking is fairly consistent. my miss on the long irons is low and to the right if that helps.....Thanks!!! I am going to have to be quite honest on this one....I have taken a liking to the ONOFF 247 cb irons, but am scared that they will not be any more forgiving in the long irons as the bstone j33cb irons i currently play. I don't know if i could hanle the offset in the TC550s.....

I know how you feel. Those ONOFF247 / Miura CB202 look sweet. Especially coming from a set of J33CB. I don't think these will launch the ball any higher than your current set though. They still have pretty long hosel and the cavity design is not much different from the J33CB. If you want more forgiveness overall with not too much offset, I suggest you take a look at the Tourstage X-Blade GR, PRGR is3 501, and Epon AF-501. But if your ball striking is pretty consistent you might want to try the Epon AF-301 or PRGR is3 500BL. They won't be much more forgiving but should launch higher with a shorter hosel and lower CG than your current set. I don't think the PRGR is getting enough praise around here with their modern cavity back design. They make quality irons IMO.

Bat

[Bat]

You might also want to take a look at the New X-Blade CB. I haven't tried them yet but I'd definitely give it a shot if I have your game. Might not be as forgiving with the it's minimum offset but looks like a lower CG than the J33CB IMO.

Bat

[xchangmanx]

I've played USDM clubs from ping, callaway, and some forged clubs from titleist like the 680 custom, then I moved to Mizuno w/the Mp-60, and Most recently R7 forged from Tourspecgolf.(supposed to be for the brother but oh well) At 700 bux who can argue. To me the R7 forged clubs are damed solid. Even though I normally use a heavier SW clubs, the lighter NS shafts are pretty easy to work with. I occasionally toe it, and where my PX5.5 Mp60 and 695 would feel harsh, the R7 forged is pretty smooth. (prolly cause of the shaft) But I must say, I had no idea Talyormade was this soft.

I have purchased the epon 301 w/the 1150GH shafts but haven't touched them yet. I plan on using those after around summer next year. All my sets are 5-pw and I use utilities for 4 and 3 irons.

If I would chose right now, the Mizuno brings great control and the softest mushy clean feel I've ever experienced, but the R7 forged w/the "wrong shafts" for me wins my bag over. Can't wait to get the Px shafts in them.

So my vote is R7 forged cause its a great club, and its a limited edition and its CHEAP!!

"Like Jelly"

[K2_2]

Hi there,

With a two and solid ball-striking and just looking for more height on the long irons, I would definitely look at the PRGR 501 (I really like the 500 BL as well, but I don't know if I would call the 4 or 5 iron 'high launch'), the Tourstage X-Blade GR or maybe the new 2008 X-Blade CB, The Fourteen TC-550, or the 2007 OnOFF Plus - these have some Tungsten weighting in the long and mid irons, so they help put the ball a bit higher, but produce a nice penetrating trajectory at the same time.

[Duffer19]

With a 2, you would definitely not be happy with the offset of the tc550. A Miura CB would be a good choice or even the 5003 MB . Just get a high launch shaft and you are all set.

[tincup975]

I would like to thank everyone who has responded and I am taking everyone's suggestions into consideration. I am thinking possibly about a combo set with Miura 202's. I also have been considering epon af301's. If anyone had to choose between the epon's or miura's which one would you choose and why?? Also what about the Yururi line?? No one has anything to say about it?? It is kind of intriging to me...cnc milled?? How is the cb in that line?? THANKS!!!

[ranghips]

Hi there,

With a two and solid ball-striking and just looking for more height on the long irons, I would definitely look at the PRGR 501 (I really like the 500 BL as well, but I don't know if I would call the 4 or 5 iron 'high launch'), the Tourstage X-Blade GR or maybe the new 2008 X-Blade CB, The Fourteen TC-550, or the 2007 OnOFF Plus - these have some Tungsten weighting in the long and mid irons, so they help put the ball a bit higher, but produce a nice penetrating trajectory at the same time.

I think that there are many good suggestions in these replies, the one that I would endorse is the move to Nippon NS Pro shafts, I have these in my Miura CB 1006's and I have no problem getting good ball flight with the 3 and 4 irons. I have a set of Miura MB 5003's on order which will also be shafted with the Nippons, I am also thinking of buying a combo set of Epon 301/501's (501 3 to 6, 301 7 to PW, this maybe the ideal solution for a good ball striker, these will also be fitted with the Nippon shafts - now if only I could putt a little more consistently!

[Duffer19]

If I were a low single like you guys, the 5003 would be my choice but with graphite shaft for higher launch. I am already playing the Miura 201, the Epon type S (501) and a new set of 301 coming.

[siteseer2]

Not to be the naysayer, but just to be keepin it Real, this really is an exercise in futility... How does anyone know your game much less your likes and dislikes... There are a zillion questions that need answering...Are you a high ball hitter or low ball hitter... are your misses fat or thin.. do you prefer to draw or fade it... Do you like a high toe or low toe... do you like a square toe or a rounded toe... Do you like offset in the short irons or the long irons... or not at all.... do you like a thin topline or thick do you like big profile pitching wedges and nine irons or small profile... these are just a few of the many questions... Look, if your going to drop 1-2 large on a set you need to do more than solicit a few remarks from folks who are well-intentioned but ill-suited to make a solid recommendation because of lack of infomation. Get answers to these questions and others, email Chris and find out what he prefers-- he's played everything and his recommendations are gold. JATFWIW...

[ajaykkr]

I would like to thank everyone who has responded and I am taking everyone's suggestions into consideration. I am thinking possibly about a combo set with Miura 202's. I also have been considering epon af301's. If anyone had to choose between the epon's or miura's which one would you choose and why?? Also what about the Yururi line?? No one has anything to say about it?? It is kind of intriging to me...cnc milled?? How is the cb in that line?? THANKS!!!

if you can't launch the 3 and 4 iron, i will err on the side of the af501/301 for the extra forgiveness....

Edited November 27, 2007 by ajaykkr

[tincup975]

Not to be the naysayer, but just to be keepin it Real, this really is an exercise in futility... How does anyone know your game much less your likes and dislikes... There are a zillion questions that need answering...Are you a high ball hitter or low ball hitter... are your misses fat or thin.. do you prefer to draw or fade it... Do you like a high toe or low toe... do you like a square toe or a rounded toe... Do you like offset in the short irons or the long irons... or not at all.... do you like a thin topline or thick do you like big profile pitching wedges and nine irons or small profile... these are just a few of the many questions... Look, if your going to drop 1-2 large on a set you need to do more than solicit a few remarks from folks who are well-intentioned but ill-suited to make a solid recommendation because of lack of infomation. Get answers to these questions and others, email Chris and find out what he prefers-- he's played everything and his recommendations are gold. JATFWIW...

I guess that I took for granted that when I stated that I like the bridgestone J33cb irons that would answer a lot of the good questions that you do raise. I am an average ball striker for height on my shots....my short irons are high enough and my long irons need some height. my misses are normally thin on long irons and fat on short irons..I like to fade the ball....high toe preferred...squarer toe, but not too square like the lehman grinds...no offset in short irons and a little offset in the long irons is fine...thin topline...small PW....wow after answering these questions....I feel like I am never happy!!!!! anyway if anyone else has any other suggestions I would appreciate it!!! Thanks again!!

[siteseer2]

I guess that I took for granted that when I stated that I like the bridgestone J33cb irons that would answer a lot of the good questions that you do raise. I am an average ball striker for height on my shots....my short irons are high enough and my long irons need some height. my misses are normally thin on long irons and fat on short irons..I like to fade the ball....high toe preferred...squarer toe, but not too square like the lehman grinds...no offset in short irons and a little offset in the long irons is fine...thin topline...small PW....wow after answering these questions....I feel like I am never happy!!!!! anyway if anyone else has any other suggestions I would appreciate it!!! Thanks again!!

Wow, asked and answered...email Chris: [but look at the Scratch Superblades and Fourteen TC-1000. If you want a little more foregiveness (with a trade-off of a little more offset) than Epon 301s] BTW, I'll let you know how the CB247s play in about two weeks.!!!

[tincup975]

I actually had it kind of narrowed down to the Fourteen TC1000's and the ONOFF 247's as well as the Miura CB202's which as I understand are quite similar? Also the Scratch clubs.....aren't they just rebadged Geotechs??? Certainly not trying to raise a ruckus on that subject just asking a question.....Thanks!! Why is no one suggesting YURURI??? no experience with them or what??

[punko72]

I actually had it kind of narrowed down to the Fourteen TC1000's and the ONOFF 247's as well as the Miura CB202's which as I understand are quite similar? Also the Scratch clubs.....aren't they just rebadged Geotechs??? Certainly not trying to raise a ruckus on that subject just asking a question.....Thanks!! Why is no one suggesting YURURI??? no experience with them or what??

I have a set of the TC-1000's for sale if interested. I just has the Nippon 1150 installed. Great set of irons. Perhaps the softest feeling irons I have ever had. I just ordered a set of Muira CB 202's with the new Nippon shafts called super peeining (blue). I am also a 2 handicap but looking for irons that set up more like blades with very little or hardly any offset. The TC-1000's have very little offset but looking for less. I beleive that the Muira's 202 have what I am looking for. They also have a square toe wich I love. That is the reason why I am selling my TC-1000's. But they are highly recommended. If interested let me know and I will send you pics. I have had them for only 3 weeks now. hardly used, maybe 6 to 7 rounds and range time.

let me know if interested