3balls Golf
Once again, the golf season is winding down in New England and I am taking the opportunity to evaluate my game. I had set some goals for myself in April (the saying “hope springs eternal” comes to mind), and it is time to take a long hard look at my success in reaching those goals.
Goal number one was to practice more, which I did if you count hitting three more buckets this summer than last summer. Goal number two was to play at Myopia Hunt Club, which I did, though not very well due to lack of practice. Goal number three was to buy new, or nearly-new, irons to replace my 15-year-old Titleist DCIs (whether it’s replacing the DCI or a new API iron). Two out of three ain’t bad!
So now I am still in need of a set of irons. I have decided to save up this winter to purchase them in the spring and maybe have enough to splurge on some really great ones. I have done plenty of shopping, both online and in stores, for irons. I just haven’t pulled the trigger, and the question is: what to buy?
Titleist DCI club
Despite the fact that they are old, I really love my DCIs. This has led me to the Titleist AP1 irons. At around $1,000 for a new set, I need to be sure they are worth it for me, the average golfer.
The most attractive thing about the AP1s is that they are forgiving. Let’s face it, you don’t get a 20 handicap with a swing that is exactly the same each time. It really helps to have a club with an ample sweet spot to accommodate the variations in my clubhead speed, as well as my striking angle. Obviously no club can make up for everything, but some, including the AP1, are better than others. The other thing I noticed is that the ball flight is a bit higher, especially with the shorter irons. I find that really attractive as many of the courses I play were designed by Donald Ross, and if you don’t bring the ball in high, you don’t have a chance.
So, I have convinced myself that the Titleist AP1s are the irons for me. After extensive research, I am also convinced that I don’t really need to spend $1,000 on a brand new set after discovering the world of used golf clubs. Instead of saving up $1000 for a brand-new one I can buy used now (for half the price!) and still have time to get some practice in this season. Given the fact that my DCIs served my father, then me, for 15 years, I know “pre-owned” can be just as good as new.
