Have Golf Clubs REALLY Improved In The Last 20 Years or Are We Being Conned?! (unexpected results)

[@HowGoodGolf]

*What are your thoughts? 💭 have we really seen HUGE ADVANCES in technology? Or is it all just…*

[@Mdrnsamurai]

absolutely not... the MP33 was like the perfect club back in the day... i played Cleveland TA3's for almost 3 decades until my swing speed decreased and needed a boost... there are some technology advantages but most of it is just fancy marketing bs...

[@mason4683]

I have those two exact clubs. The feedback you feel in your hands is the largest difference between the two. Distance and performance isn't too different though

[@MarvinofMars]

Caught this concept on for sure! I have 2013 Irons and 2023 Irons, on dry ball same flights spin shaft flex and weights, the only tweaks to D3 but 165 yards carry with 7i , 175 yards 6i. On the course same answers found. Technique of strike, plus what type of course i.e hilly terrain , links wind, altitude, season. ( up to 2 clubs difference). Club big brands are really marketing firms these days. Suits me great fun building a bags with Irons sets for £100, woods for £30-50. putters too : )

[@JoeCothern-lv8zx]

Your absolutely right bud and with all that money saved can pay for a lot of rounds. Cheers

[@oliverS91365]

I picked up a 3 - pw set of Titleist DCI 990 irons from ebay for £50. I also have a set of T200/T150S irons with steelfiber shafts DCI 6 iron & T150S 7 iron - both 32*, 37.25" and D2 swingweight. need to tidy up the golf room this weekend to compare the two on Skytrack!

[@dodkurz9883]

Nice review I use Titleist U505 #1 and U505 #3. I am wondering whether you will compare Mizuno Fli Hi to Titleist U505

[@WisGuy4]

Two problems with this test: first most players don’t play any iron below a 4-iron because they are too hard to hit; and two, as a pro, you have a faster swing speed than the average player, which may not result in as much improvement with the newer irons than would be the case for a slower swinging mid-to-high handicap player. The test would’ve been better with 7-irons and if both you and a typical amateur hit the clubs to see if there would be any genuine improvement for a higher handicap golfer with the newer clubs.

[@undeadh0ps]

That's the problem with the newer sets, loft jacking. Y'all are saying no one plays a 2i anymore, no they don't, cause it's a 4i now. Your 7i is a 5i. And you need 5 wedges for your short game.

[@seansmith373]

I actually think the loft jacking was needed tho Because 4 starting at 19 -21 keeps alot of unnecessary clubs in out the bag 4-pw 20- 44 degree set and gap - lob wedge which is dependent on players needs Most average golfers do well with 50 / 56/ 60 setup but faster swingers can be more dependent But I think most bags should be driver a wood hybrid then 4-lw No need really for 2and 3 hybrid or 2and 3 iron When they get similar results anyway

[@JJ-ic6pn]

Agree this is not a realistic test. Also jumping into the physics side of things, need to confirm that both club heads are the same weight because it is all about the energy that is put into the ball

[@mrneutral5081]

Interesting and timely vlog. A friend of mine bought a Ping G430 7 wood and suggested I tried it. I liked it enough to consider buying a Titleist 7 wood to match my existing Titleist woods. Then I remembered I bought a Callaway Steelhead III 7 wood in 2002 and for some reason I only used it a few times. I took it to the range and borrowed a demo Titleist TSR2 7 wood to compare. My experience was the Titleist went further by about 10 yards. However, comparing the clubs side by side, the Titleist has a longer shaft and a bigger head. I taking both out next week to gather some trackman data and play a round to compare on course performance. My early thoughts are whilst I like the Titleist, I’m going to struggle to justify to myself spending £289 to gain 10 yards. Having said that, if dispersion is noticeable better, I might just talk myself into it. As a side note, I also have a set of Mizuno MP-59 with Dynamic Gold S300 shafts which I hardly used until now. In summary, I concur with your comments as my short test suggests that distance has not improved as much as we think but would concede material and looks have.

[@calebm2161]

I love these videos of comparing old clubs versus new. It amazes me how little difference overall there is. I think you're right with dispersion and more forgiving. That being said I'd love to see an old cavity back iron compared to a new one and see how the forgiveness factor is. Side note Alex. I have an old Taylor Made driver. I'd love for you to test it. I'd be happy to send it to you free to see a video if you're willing to pay for shipping. Would love more videos similar to this!

[@barrygoodson4952]

I own a set of those Miz butter knives. I'm 68 and still love them ! I also have various 1 and 2 irons I use for driving irons on tight courses. I played a set of game improvement Callaways last week but couldn't stand the look at address. Bricks on a stick !

[@Chainoftools]

Can you compare ltdx vs aero vs dark speed 7 iron

[@HowGoodGolf]

great idea

[@rohan_coyi]

Thanks for the upload mate, we appreciate you! Even in the rain, you go out to make videos for us

[@oliverS91365]

I picked up a 3 - pw set of Titleist DCI 990 irons from ebay for £50 last week. I also have a set of T200/T100s irons with steelfiber shafts - which cost a little more... DCI 6 iron & T100s 7 iron are both 32* loft, 37.25" length and D2 swingweight. Need to tidy up the golf room this weekend to compare the two on Skytrack for carry, height, spin & dispersion!

[@bluetoughguy]

There's no way I am hitting that butter knife!!! That thing looks scary!

[@TheTraditionalGolfer]

I have an mp33 2 iron in my bag it's my fairway finder i absolutely love it

[@jamesbaine580]

I wish you would have done this test with a more friendly club like a 7 iron or 6 iron none of us weekend players are ever gonna carry a 2 iron

[@HowGoodGolf]

sorry!

[@FF04RDF]

Just an observation…. With your club speed you can obviously get that MP33 to work but I doubt with my speed, (driver 95-98mph) I could generate enough speed / spin to keep the ball in the air. Even with the FliHi at 18* I’d struggle hence why hybrids / fairway woods are the way forward for me at least. (Do you really think an 18* iron even with the tech is a mass market club?) Physics wins as usual.

[@ocmikelaw]

I agree with you. Testing the clubs at a higher swing speed doesn’t show the average golfer how much improvement there is in the new clubs. For me, the improved technology is very important.

[@willscarborough9089]

I play ping eye 2 copper irons. People try to ask me all the time what club I’m hitting and I try to explain that mine are delofted compared to a modern iron. When loft is the same, though, I can’t tell much difference. I prefer my irons to modern irons because of how high I can hit them and how much backspin I produce which in turn helps keep my bad strikes on the course instead of screaming off into the wild blue yonder….

[@noonster55]

I still have my MP-33 irons. 2 iron through gap. I don't play them much, but I will never get rid of them.

[@wealdtkd3559]

Are they both the same swing weight, made of same steel, cast vs forged, etc though?

[@HowGoodGolf]

yeah

[@andyreece9646]

I'm playing Ping Eye 2's + NO +, outside of the #'s on the bottom of the club I don't see a lot of difference in feel or forgiveness compared to what's out there loft for loft.

[@jonbuikema7399]

I'm not too surprised actually. MP-33 are amazing. Helps you are a solid player. Tried them decades ago but even at a single digit I wanted to have something more to improve the averages. Moved to MX-25s then, now have 923 Forged. Great to hit pure blade but 4-6 hit well out of 10 vs. 6-8 hit well is important. I've asked many pros from tournaments worked at, outings they hosted (Zach Johnson is from my town) and playing with some Sr. PGA guys. I ask this, how many misses do you have in a round? Each will say something but it averages about 5-7. Newer clubs just have the help on those situations. 1-2 shots better is a difference in key rounds.

[@thomask6681]

I am still using my pw and sw from 1992 with traditional lofts and hit the further then today's pw sw.

[@rudy9050]

No one sells a set of irons with a 2 iron. You tested somthing no one uses. You should of tested a 7 iron.

[@AegirWatches]

True. I had a 1 iron once, but had to buy it seperate as nothing came with it.

[@Bas.baseball]

Plus he’s testing a blade vs a hollow body. Take a game improvement iron from 20 years ago against this new club

[@Oldwiseguy-59]

Just fyi: It’s not should of….It’s should’ve as in should have….

[@AegirWatches]

@@Oldwiseguy-59 always one

[@jonnymallaney5051]

I was thinking why the two iron 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣

[@anthonybending2687]

I've paused at the 2min mark, I think it is because of loft jacking, now got my popcorn , 😊

[@sparkdog44]

2 iron was my favourite....20 years ago....lol. 7 wood today, 180 to 200 yds....can even chip with if need be. Far more versatile...and easy to hit out of most rough.

[@JM-bt1uy]

Please test the Takomo 2 Iron. You'll love it !!!

[@HowGoodGolf]

will do!

[@MrWubzHD2]

You never mentioned peak height, decent angle, or spin. Does the new technology let you hold greens better at the same loft.

[@HowGoodGolf]

yeah i am under the impression

[@jerrysilverstein4055]

Mp33 irons were a great blade and when you the sweet spot it was like butter, I have found memories about that set of irons. When you missed hit it you would know. Todays irons are better for miss hits much more forgiving.

[@justinanderson9972]

I have old Apex Ben Hogan blades and I wouldn't replace them well maybe mizuna 33s but in general I don't find the new technology any better in fact I'm a big fan of heavier clubs if I'm going to drive a 10 penny nail into a 2x4 do I want to ball peen hammer or a framing hammer.... There's a reason why a large portion of the pros have their irons heavy you can feel the weight it's easier to take the slack out of the swing and you have more mass to compress the ball without actually having to swing fast

[@dirtyoffroader2093]

I have Srixon 'game improvement' irons from 2005, stamped up as 'accuracy and distance'.. my 2023 ZX7 are atleast a club and half longer in every club (identical shafts, grips etc) due to loft changes over the years. In fact the lofts on the ole "improvement" irons are the same as my 'traditional' lofted blades from 2016 😂. When buying clubs I always check out the lofts first, imho they've been tweeked more than actual technology has.

[@jeffnahass8373]

Nice review

[@BhutJolokias]

Two months ago I exchanged my 20-year-old Calaway Steelheads for a set of Callaway AI Smokes. The difference to me is shocking. Now that I'm 62, I had lost 15-20 yards per club over the last couple decades. Well, it's all back. I'm hitting the same distance as I did in my 30's with the new clubs.

[@mikehammett6652]

Not a fair test. One is a forged blade. The other a hollow body driving iron. A better test would be MP33 vs MP 241 irons. My MP-32s are maybe 2 yds less than my MP 18s. Just as accurate and the feel in the 32s are better actually.

[@andreaswestman2365]

Interesting! I made a proper test last week on trackman. I compared my old single length irons (pinhawk) to my new Cobra aerojet one length irons. My old irons are classic cavity backs. No modern technology at all. I also measured the lofts on all tested clubs. The results were chocking. I could see no distance gain att at all! The aerojet were actually shorter! I could not see any significant difference in ball speed, launch angle and spin. The old ones have a tighter dispersion and much better feel and distance control… The aerojet 8 iron was measured to 30,5 degrees. The pinhawk 6 iron was 29,5 and the 7 iron 33 degrees. It’s 100% loft jacking. Nothing else.

[@DanDaMan234]

Everybody complaining about using a 2 iron is missing the point of using the 2 iron. Long irons is where you would see the biggest difference in performance (if there was any). Since there is minimal difference with long irons, of course the difference would be even smaller with shorter irons

[@EdKrisiak]

I would think game improvement irons have improve in forgiveness- "distance maybe" BUT forged players irons have not improved in forgiveness or distance. Kudos for testing in the rain!!!

[@jasend8727]

We're not being played as much as bowlers! 10 plus new balls out every month, and half are the 'best ball I've ever thrown'.

[@bobburke5066]

How about 40 + years with Ping eye 2s.

[@mikesmith8100]

Great video. I golf some really old irons and have a great time. Also persimmon woods. When i change back to my modern clubs I do score better overall, but not always. I started to find golf getting really boring about 10 years ago. Distance, distance , distance... Now driver heads look like strange insect heads. It's gotten ugly out there. Really prefer the feel and sound of persimmon to ti. If you're 10 yards shorter it's meaningless really.

[@dustinroberson1865]

You're checking blades here, but I think the issue that I see is that forgiving clubs haven't improved much, but have more aggressive lies. I think if you took a forgiving iron from today and a comparable forgiving iron from 5-10 years ago with the same lie angle and put the same shaft in them, they would be very similar clubs.

[@Lil-monkeyo]

Here's the thing, forgiveness has improved, but the quality of the actual materials was better back in the day. A lot of cheap materials coming from China even if made somewhere else

[@larrybethune3909]

Technology has moved on more than performance and price has moved on more than the lot!

[@rickgray2465]

Buyer beware!! We now have loft jacking but will soon have shaft jack offing 🤔

[@ThinkingMan482]

I like this kind of comparison, but hitting one shot each with two clubs is not a "test." It gives us a general idea, but no scientist would consider this result meaningful.

[@SSPro14]

soooooooooo yuuuu thri to speek like Hally Pourther ay?

[@ForeParfection]

This is dumb, clubs have become more forgiving plain and simple the loft is the loft…

[@johncreighton1194]

No improvement is my call.

[@Gatorgolfusa]

Just looking at the newer Fli Hi would install lots of confidence vs the butter knife! 🐊🏌⛳️🦅🇺🇲