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Im a newbie to the site, so first off I'll say hello!

I am a high handicapper with a slow swing speed who has been playing with a starter Affinity set for the past few years. I have decided to step up to the plate and purchase a new set of game improvement irons, for consistency, distance, and forgiveness. My budget for the set is around $600, so the clubs I was most interested in were the following:

Calloway Big Bertha '06 steel shaft
Cobra S9 steel shaft
Adams A2 OS
Nike Slingshot OSS

I got a chance to swing each of these at the local sporting goods store, which surprisingly had all of the clubs I wanted to look at. Of the four, I really liked the feel of the Nike's for balance and ease of swinging, but both the Nike's and the S9's seemed to really give a straight shot, even when mis-hitting. Id be able to tell alot better about distance and ball trajectory if I coul dhit them on an outdoor range, but I'm not complaining.
They are all about even in price, with the Adams being about 100 less than the rest of the group. The Adams also have a 3/4 and I think a 5 in the set as hybrids, which is nice for me since I have trouble getting my low irons where I want them to go.

Please give me any recommendations or experience you've had to help me narrow down my selection. Or you can take the quick and easy way out and just vote the poll

If you're interested, I have a set of Taylormade rac OS2's with the stock ultralite steel shafts, R flex for sale in the Buy/Sell forum. These are forgiving irons with light shafts that would work well with a slow swing speed.

They're in great shape at a good price. Let me know if you're interested.

First off, welcome!

Main point: I think all of those choices will feel like a significant improvement over your starter clubs. There's not a clunker in this list, so pick whichever you like best.

The fact that Adams includes the hybrids is a great value, because I don't expect you'd be getting much use from a 3 or 4 iron right now. The Nike OSS are very highly rated as game-improvement clubs, but the final decision should really be made based on fit and feel. See if the store can do a quick fit using your physical measurements - at a minimum, have them put impact tape on the face and sole of the 5-iron. Whichever club you naturally hit closest to the middle of both pieces of tape is likely the best fit.

You didn't mention all shaft types, but don't be afraid of steel shafts in irons. The game with irons is accuracy over distance. If saving $100 on the shafts allows you to get a club you like better, it will be well worth the tradeoff.

Bonus note: If the store carries Mizuno MX17s (previous year model) of MX19s, give them a try. They should be in your price range and Mizuno irons are among the very best. I replaced a Topflite starter set with MX17s and I cannot shut up about how much better I like my irons now.

Thanks for the great advicce Ironhands. The nike's seemed to feel the best to me when hitting a couple of balls, but Ill go back again before purchasing and run through the clubs again to be sure. Im sure they didnt have any of the Mizuno line, apparently they dont carry their golf line in that store (even though they sell other Mizuno products), so I wont get to swing them unless I find another store. I believe theres a big Golf store not too far away that should have them, so I'll also check those out. How are they on mishits/fat shots? Do they have a softer feel on strike, or more vibration/feedback?

Personally, I would go with Cobra or Adams from the lineup you mention.

However, I would seriously consider the Cobra FP Irons too. Irons 3&4 have a higher offset than Callaway X18's, and it is reduced as the irons progress in a game improvement fashion throughout the set.

I recommended these to a friend who is about a 29 handicap and they have been wonderful for him. Personally, I think they give you all of the game improvement features with a much less clunky look, which to me it's important. You have to like your irons!!

They're very good on mishits - heel & toe shots still go straight and distance loss isn't bad. Fat shots always stink. The sole is very wide, so it helps a little there, but if you're determined to move earth, there is no club in the world that will make that feel good.

The feel when you catch them clean is solid but soft. The ball flight is very high and thus very forgiving. Probably not the absolute longest irons you'll find, but that's not really the point with irons.

If the Nike's feel best to you, don't second-guess yourself. I know several folks who love thier Slingshots and the press has been very fond of them as well.

Best of luck!

Ive definitely narrowed it down to either the Cobra S9's or the Nike Slingshot OSS after a second trip to the store, and its indoor range.
They both feel great and hit the ball pretty well. It would really help to be able to see the trajectory, and how they carry, that would help me make a decision. The Cobras look better and thinner at address, and they feel a little lighter through the swing. The Slingshots are a bit more bulk at address, and a little heavier at the club head through the swing, but they have a softer impact feel and I feel like I dont have to swing them as hard.

Anybody have input on distance between these 2 iron sets or any more input? Thanks again for your recommendations thus far.

At this point it sounds like you've narrowed it down to a point where you'd have to see them outside in full lfight to make a final decision. If that is just not an option, I would assume that the Slingshots will fly a little higher than the S9s and the S9s will get you a little more distance while being slightly less forgiving.

By the way , I did hit the Mizuno MX-19's and they felt better than the adams, Pings, Big Berthas and about on par with the Nike's. Id probably give them the edge in feel, and I especially appreciate the thin topline design.These newer club shapes, while very functional, are a bit distracting to look at when addressing the ball if your not used to them.

I have decided on the Cobra Irons. I do have a question that you fellas may be able to answer. I hit both the S9's and the FP's and both felt great. I believe they have different loft angles, but besides that, is there any significant difference? And how will that loft difference affect shots between the two sets? Thanks for all of your suggestions!

Hi,

The S9's have .5* less loft in each iron, and the sole is wider. The offset, lie angle, etc., is identical other than that. The main difference is the S9's may be a touch longer and easier to hit. The FP's probably are a bit easier to work the ball (left, right, low, high). Cosmetics are probably more of a factor-- which one do you find more attractive and comfortable hitting? If I were a novice I'd take the S9's.

I agree, on Cobras website they say the S9's are for higher handicappers. The FP's arent as forgiving and are more for middle handicappers. I would go with the S9's as well. They are both good looking sets in my opinion. Good luck.

id definety suggest adams, they have the best hybrids in golf, and for high handicappers are great( i own the adams ideas). If you dont mind i weird set there for you, if not them, then go with the nike oss, there oversized and nike always has quality.

If your going with the s9's you should try the FP's as well. Very forgiving, feel great, good looks, less money