The Golfer Life Cycle – The Equipment (Iron Sets)

Before I delve into this sure to be entertaining piece I want to provide a sort-of disclaimer.It’s an article that may not necessarily resonate with you the golfer but it’s something that I got thinking about rather deeply – although my brain doesn’t have much depth… think in terms of a dried up creek bed.

As I enter my seemingly advanced years – I’m 51 – but I have the health of a very sickly geriatric person. If only I were spry like Gary Player. So, I’ve done a lot of soul-searching and thinking about golf. Thinking about deep-rooted sentimental feelings like how I began, what equipment I’ve played with, my skill level, and where I am now in my current state.

I really suppose that if I could sum it up, it could be best described as a transformation – no wait – a metamorphosis. You know, like a cocoon that turns into a beautiful butterfly. Just that it’d be more apt to say that it’s more akin to that compared to a butterfly making its final migration.

After having a few close brushes with the game, It wasn’t until 2002 that I truly took up golf. I went through some great iron sets. Top brands like Precision (zinc heads), Goliath PhyrCore irons that were TaylorMade Golf FireSole irons complete with “Bubble Shafts”. Eventually, I wound up with Wilson Pro Staff irons and that was when I knew that the game would stick. 

As someone that is deeply involved in the golf industry and golf operations in particular I shouldn’t admit that I routinely walked onto closed golf courses. I know… I know! Hypocrite right?!

But it’s a cycle, like the “Circle of Life” where you start with a box set or a set of hand-me-downs of misfit clubs. But you start to get serious and then your equipment gets serious. If I knew then what I know now I likely would have gone with “shovels”. I looked at Callaway Golf Big Bertha’s back then and even then I knew I hated the look. I also hated the Tour Velvet grips as those Bertha’s slipped out of my hands. But I went with the player’s irons in the end choosing to play Wilson Staff Pi5. Yes I had a serious set for the first time.

Those irons were – to this day – the longest tenured clubs that I’ve played. Only the infamous groove rule of 2010 put an end to them as I had to give them up. I dabbled on a few developmental tours.

Consequently, every set since has primarily been player’s irons. Titleist 735 CM, AP2, 710 CB, Nicklaus NPS-2, little known Kick X Tour Forged, PING S55 (I had to sell them to prevent an eviction after 2 weeks), SUB 70 699 Pro and a host of a few others. There was a period of time when I played Titleist 716 AP1 irons. Those were “cheater sticks”.

Hybrids, I couldn’t even look at. I absolutely despised them and I was all about the 3-iron. I did however carry a generic 7W that still might be in play had the head not broken off. But a hybrid? Oh heck no!

However, as the years have gone by the transition has been real. From “Player’s Irons” to “Game-Improvement Irons”. With a lack of playing/practice time I had to do exactly what I’ve always said to others. “To be good at this game… You have to have the ability to check your ego at the door”.. And I have. The last three years have been absolute Hell. Declining health, an aging body that’s riddled with arthritis, a back in need of surgery, and most recently amputations I have noticed the transition. Remember what I said about hybrids? I now carry a 7W, 4H, 5H, and I have thought long and hard about going into a 6H. 

Is it maturity and wisdom in accepting that I’m not the player that I once was? Or is it the first sign of waving the proverbial white flag of surrender?

Until The Next Tee!!

#fightandgrind #seeuonthenexttee