Chief F1 Fan

I read a lot of tests about Nike Slingshot OSS irons (metal shaft), every one of them said they will help lower your score. So I went to Dick's Sporting Goods, tried 3 sets and bought the Nikes. Yesterday I shot an 82 instead of my usual 94+. Hopefully I can shoot like this consistently now. Anyone else try these irons?

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

What did ya shoot on the back nine? j/k

Chief F1 Fan

1

mamboking

metal shafts >>>>> graphite shafts

for the recreational golfer....

Chief F1 Fan

metal is always better than graphite unless you have a slow swing speed and trouble w/ distance. I was measured at 105 mph swing and distance isn't really a problem--going straight was a problem w/ the Cobra graphites I had.

chinoz

yup.. graphite is for old people...

treyster

Totally disagree, I've been playing Callaway X-14 with stiff graphite and love them. They work well with slow or fast swing speeds

chinoz

40 = old

but generally speaking the older you get the slower your swing speed.. so you need to have more flexibility in your shaft..

IlliNorge

Shaft material really isn't much a function of the age of the golfer. Steel is better than graphite in general because it doesn't lose its tensile strength. Graphite breaks down over time and the flex changes. You don't want to hit your irons far all the time, you just want to hit them the same all the time.

Maximized

I hate to break it to you, but I highly doubt that the clubs were worth 12 strokes. The typical golfer usually picks up strokes around the green. How many putts did you have and what do you typically average?

Chief F1 Fan

my putting stayed the same. The 3 guys I play w/ on Sundays, all said the same thing: I was hitting the greens consistently on my tee/2nd/3rd except one time, meaning I shot consistently straight all day. I hit every fairway but 2 on my drives which is consistent as well w/ past playing.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Damn, I've never heard of clubs dropping 12+ strokes off of a score. I'd withold judgement until you're out there consistantly shooting in the low 80's.

You could have just had a great day yesterday which may have nothing to do with your clubs. If you're still shooting in the low 80's consistantly come the end of the golf season, let us know... so I can pickup a set myself

Nicky Pass

I like my Ping I-3s. I could not get used to the "whippiness" of the graphite shaft.

IlliNorge

I've got the i3's also. Pings just fit my eye nicely. Which is probably the biggest factor in lowering your score. If you believe you have a better club in your hand you probably will hit it better. But since I can't buy new clubs every time out, I try to keep mine spotless, so they look new.

Chief F1 Fan

Junior, Nicky and Illi, you guys are right. I need to go out again and see how I score. Having clubs in my hands I believe in helps immensely. My 4 I couldn't hit for shit before. Now I'm hitting it 190-200. In fact, I ordered a 3 iron from golfsmith.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^ I'm secretly hoping you shoot closer to your average so I'm not tempted to pickup new irons ... especially since mine are perfectly fine

TinkyWinky

What driver do you use? I won't ask your distance; not because I won't believe you but to avoid questions regarding roll/temperature/fairway cut/ball....

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

I3s here too. I have the Club Glove covers on them during the round. My friends make fun of me but my irons look brand new even after 2+ years of play.

yuhoo22

I actually demo-ed the Slingshot OSS, and liked them but decided to get the TaylorMade rac OS2. I feel I hit the TalyorMade a little further than the Slingshots. Unless you were playing with really shitty clubs like I was (Just a complete starter set from Sport Authority which I paid $170 for) I doubt they would take 12 strokes off your game. I believe 3-5, but 12 is a lot.

See how your next outing goes....my first round with the new irons I was 10 shots better but since then its been 5 strokes less consistantly.

CLpower

I remember doing the same thing w/ my dads callaway irons, didn't happen the next time I used them though

waTSX

How much does a set of these cost?

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Check ebay. You could probably pick up a set pretty cheap considering Ping has come out with two newer versions since then.

Chief F1 Fan

I use an Orlimar 10 degree driver w/ a regular flex shaft. The club demands a slower swing b/c the shaft is so flexible but I can hit it pretty well. The fairways are a little hard at the club I play at and are probably giving 5-10 yards more per drive as a result.

Maximized

Keep us updated in any changes in your handicap. That will be the true indicator in how the clubs have affected your game. My dad recently bought Callaway irons and Ti Drivers and they definetly helped his game in regards to distance. He is hitting his drives 20 yards or so farther over his old driver. Overall, the new clubs are good about a stroker or two for him. I've never heard of anyone dropping 12 strokes from equipment and IMO equipment makes little difference. It's the player not the clubs

fsttyms1

I really need to get new irons myself. I need to go get refittend one of these days an get a new set made up. I just need to figure out what im going to use. The nike or the Ping

waTSX

If I thought a new set of clubs would knock 12 strokes off my already miserable average, I'd pony up the bucks in a hearbeat. 'Bout time to dump the '76 Golden Bears anyway.

Chief F1 Fan

I also tried a set of Adams Idea O2 clubs. The longer irons are hybrids but I just didn't hit as well w/ that set as I do the Slingshots. I'm sure I didn't lose 12 strokes permanently, just temporarily. But, if I keep practicing 2x/week at the range and playing 36/week, I shld be finally coming around to where I was 4 years ago.

o1s

wow! 12 strokes. i'll take 2 sets right now. i'm content with my callaways.

Maximized

That's my main problem, I don't have time to play enough. Last year I played less than 5 rounds all year and was stuck in the mid-low 90s. I've played more this season and managed to shave a few strokes. I need to play a bit more often because my short game is poor. My goal is to become a solid mid 80s golfer, but that's not going to happen when you 3 putt a fair amount of greens.

Chief F1 Fan

that's my next focus: putting. I'm getting better but had probably 28 putter strokes. That kills your score, esp. when I was shooting for bird 6 times and ended w/ par instead.

IlliNorge

Grip the putter (with no glove) so lightly that you can feel the weight of the blade. Then DO NOT break your wrists as you take it away. Follow through. This should shave another 12 strokes off easy.

Chief F1 Fan

I'm already trying that. I just kept missing yesterday by the width of the ball (literally) it was pissin' me off big time. I've even thought about getting a new putter to try and get some confidence w/ it so I become more consistent as well. I know a guy who has at least 10 putters, now that is too extreme.

Fibonacci

Yowzer, a 12 stroke difference! That's a bit nutty, but whatever works!

I'm overdue for an upgrade and do like the look of the new nike irons...

Zippee

Only 10? I got a couple of dozen.....but only use a couple of them.

Scrib

I wouldn't be so sure, Chief...

Most amatuers could score the same regardless of clubs.

Not taking anything away from your round... I would just withhold judgement until you have a few more under the belt.

97Acura3.0CL

what was the cost on these for the set?

mantis23

nice shootin chief!

hope I can get in the 80s one day

jts1207

I have the first slingshots and love them. Crush my 2 iron.

TinkyWinky

I find the practice range to be a huge waste of time and money. For the price of two large buckets, I'd play a quick 9 holes.

If only I had more time to play.

cob3683

Nice pickup Chief Hopefully they will continue the trend for you.

Try keeping a log over the next month or two to really judge how you (and your new irons) are doing.

Example of mine:


And I am aware that my putting and short game has sucked recently