Component replacements for irons

[Broadus]

I am looking to replace my old Striker Golf 6-LW with either component irons or iron/hybrids. I am looking for something very easy to hit.

I hit my Adams Redline driver and 4 and 7 fairway woods and Adams 4 and 5 i-woods well for my level of ability (mid-90 scores, slower swing, 50 years old), but my iron play is much poorer. I need to go the component route for budget reasons. I have a friend who makes clubs who will put them together for me.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Bill

[gord962]

Re: Component replacements for irons

I would look into the Snake Eyes line. Check out golfsmith and take a look around. I just put together a set of Python's for a friend and he really likes the feel.

[Broadus]

Re: Component replacements for irons

While I pointed to components, what about used original Adams Idea irons? They seem to be pretty reasonable on eBay now. I realize they are a couple of generations old, but how might they compare to the Snake Eyes Python OS?

Thanks much.

Bill

[doogkie]

Re: Component replacements for irons

http://www.gigagolf.com/utility_listing.jsp click on the Select 5000 Hybrid

30$ apiece so 6-sw(no lw, kinda silly anyways to have hybrid lob) would be about 177$, thats with DG featherflight shaft, choice of good grips like lamkin, golf pride, and others and custom fitting,

everything to the cheapest, like regular apollo shaft(good shaft actually) and generic grips, would be 141$ thats free shipping also

with the slower swing u can opt to get graphite shafts that would be 214$

[smillerlsu]

Re: Component replacements for irons

Broadus,

If you do wind up looking at GigaGolf, you may as well go direct to Hireko golf (www.hirekogolf.com) since you already have a builder. Hireko is the supplier for a lot of the components sold at shops like Gigagolf. They have a couple of different hybrid sets, including the one doogkie mentioned. A local shop here has gotten good feedback on the Synchron Synergy line (simiar to the Adams Idea set), so you may want to check that one out, too.

Good Luck!

Scott

[Broadus]

Re: Component replacements for irons

Thanks, guys, for the input.

I checked out Gigagolf and Hireko. Would their offerings be classified as clones, since they say "compare to" and give a major company and product? BTW, is the difference between clones and components basically that clones are patterned after a product already on the market and a component (such as Snake Eyes) is not?

Bill

[doogkie]

Re: Component replacements for irons

clones nowdays are just as good as components, ive bought a few things from giga golf and loved them

[LowPost42]

Re: Component replacements for irons

clones nowdays are just as good as components, ive bought a few things from giga golf and loved them

I'm sorry to say, sir, but that just isn't true.

Now, maybe some clones are playing close to their OEM counterpart, but it's not true for all clones.

Case in point - Synchron Medic hybrid (Nike CPR clone).

I enjoyed it. But once I hit it next to an actual Nike CPR, it was between 10 and 15 yards short. Same loft.

Components are also known as OED: Original Equipment Design. They're developed in the same manner as OEM clubs (the same type of R&D, etc), but without the huge overhead of paying tour players.

Clones are stolen or open foundry designs, designed to make the foundry some extra coin. The other thing that foundries do to keep clone costs down is broaden the tolerances - for everything.

Now, does this render clones completely unplayable? Of course not. You can still shaft 'em, swing 'em, and score with 'em. They fill a certain niché in the market.

Will I ever use them again? Nope. There are far too many good OED heads out there. Will I build them? Sure, if that's what someone really wants. Like my mother. She loves the Ping look, but doesn't like the Ping price tag. Her solution? She asked me to make her some p5g's. I explained all the same things to her that I did in this thread (that the reason to avoid clones is valid from as much a performance standpoint as it is from a moral standpoint). She didn't care - she wanted Ping look at clone price. So that's what she'll get.

Now, back to the original question.

I'll also second Gord's vote - the SnakeEyes line (www.golfsmith.com) is very good. I'm currently playing the 600XC's. I probably would have purchased the Python OS, had I noticed them first .

Other quality designs include the 770CFE from Wishon (www.wishongolf.com). Arguably the longest iron available, due to the construction of a cast body and a forged thin face.

SMT has the 303 series (www.smtgolf.com). You can mix and match the 3 styles (cavity back, muscle cav, blade) throughout the set. 100% CNC milled faces.

Lots of choices, lots of prices. The most important thing is getting your new irons fit to you. At the absolute very least, you should hit them off a lie board (hit a ball off the lie board), and adjust them accordingly.

[LowPost42]

Re: Component replacements for irons

Thanks, guys, for the input.

I checked out Gigagolf and Hireko. Would their offerings be classified as clones, since they say "compare to" and give a major company and product? BTW, is the difference between clones and components basically that clones are patterned after a product already on the market and a component (such as Snake Eyes) is not?

Bill

Yes Bill, anytime a company is saying 'compares to' and then names the company, the only thing they can really compare to is looks.

As stated above, there's a bit more than just what the head looks like in clones vs components...

Welcome to the world of equipment outside of OEM.

[smillerlsu]

Re: Component replacements for irons

Sorry Broadus... I forgot to mention I would be opening that can of worms by directing you to a component maker other than Golfsmith or SMT. I only directed you because you mentioned that cost was a factor, so I was giving you some other options. That is also the reason that I mentioned the actual, real world feedback on the Synergy set... people actually have hit these "clones" and like them, some better than the original. I won't get any more into the dogma of "clones vs. components" now, as that was not my intent for posting. But for the record, Hireko does not itself submit claims of similarity to any clubs... that comparison is stated by the distributor.

Regards,

Scott

[gord962]

Re: Component replacements for irons

I second LowPost - clones are bad news. If you break a head or in two years you lose a club and need to replace one, good luuck finding it because it will not be able to be found anywhere!

Also, if you intend to sell these in a few years when you have a few more bucks and feel it's time to upgrade, you can get some money back if using a good quality component name. Compare that to a clone - if you are using Turbo Power's P5Gs like LowPost's mom, you will have a tough time giving them away.

Components (I don't care if it's SE's, Dynacraft, SMT, Maltby, Wishon, Ashton, Bang, or any other component company) are original designs with customer support and quality product.

Of course, each person is entitled to his/her own views. I am simply stating my opinion based on experiences over the last two years I have been building clubs and researching the topic as well as other's experiences that i have talked to who are also invloved in clubmakng. I'm sure you will run into many who have had pleasant experiences with clones and I'm sure that some are very good, just not my cup of tea.

[Broadus]

Re: Component replacements for irons

I'm sorry to say, sir, but that just isn't true.

Now, maybe some clones are playing close to their OEM counterpart, but it's not true for all clones.

Case in point - Synchron Medic hybrid (Nike CPR clone).

I enjoyed it. But once I hit it next to an actual Nike CPR, it was between 10 and 15 yards short. Same loft.

Components are also known as OED: Original Equipment Design. They're developed in the same manner as OEM clubs (the same type of R&D, etc), but without the huge overhead of paying tour players.

Clones are stolen or open foundry designs, designed to make the foundry some extra coin. The other thing that foundries do to keep clone costs down is broaden the tolerances - for everything.

Now, does this render clones completely unplayable? Of course not. You can still shaft 'em, swing 'em, and score with 'em. They fill a certain niché in the market.

. . . .

Lots of choices, lots of prices. The most important thing is getting your new irons fit to you. At the absolute very least, you should hit them off a lie board (hit a ball off the lie board), and adjust them accordingly.

Thanks, LowPost,

You articulated my concern.

Concerning your last sentence, I used to pooh-pooh the idea of having clubs fitted, until yesterday, that is. I went to see the guy who's going to put my clubs together, or re-shaft if I go with used Adams Ideas, and happened to swing a club outside. He had me to sole the iron and told me that my iron contact problem could be because the standard angle is too upright. I am only 5'8" or so, but my arms are longer than "standard."

Anyway, only the heel of the club contacts the ground. I may be wrong, but I think (I hope ) that may account for my very inconsistent iron play. On those occasions when I happen to stand more upright, I hit my irons well. On those occasions also, though, I could popup my drives because of the steeper swing. However, I am usually a little more bent over, hence making consistent iron contact is compromised, though I get by with my driver, woods, and i-Woods. Does this make sense?

Bill

[LowPost42]

Re: Component replacements for irons

You make a good point, Gord.

I know SMT has a no questions asked lifetime warranty. I know Ashton and Wishon also have lifetime warranties.

I think if something goes wrong with one of these p5g heads, I'll be on eBay trying to scrounge a set in a few years. On the plus side, they can only get cheaper!

[Broadus]

Re: Component replacements for irons

Thanks to all for the helpful info. I'm trying to decide between having Snake Eyes Python O/S made or bidding on used original Adams Ideas on eBay.

I checked out SMT and Wishon. While attractive, it's more money than I can spend at this time.

I would appreciate any insight concerning the choices I'm looking at.

Bill

[LowPost42]

Re: Component replacements for irons

Thanks, LowPost,

You articulated my concern.

Concerning your last sentence, I used to pooh-pooh the idea of having clubs fitted, until yesterday, that is. I went to see the guy who's going to put my clubs together, or re-shaft if I go with used Adams Ideas, and happened to swing a club outside. He had me to sole the iron and told me that my iron contact problem could be because the standard angle is too upright. I am only 5'8" or so, but my arms are longer than "standard."

Anyway, only the heel of the club contacts the ground. I may be wrong, but I think (I hope ) that may account for my very inconsistent iron play. On those occasions when I happen to stand more upright, I hit my irons well. On those occasions also, though, I could popup my drives because of the steeper swing. However, I am usually a little more bent over, hence making consistent iron contact is compromised, though I get by with my driver, woods, and i-Woods. Does this make sense?

Bill

It makes perfect sense to me. My issue was leaving short iron shots out to the right. 2° up later, and they're going where I want them.