[nearfall152]

Let's hear it...

[Evil R1]

nearfall152, on Sep 6 2005, 06:15 PM, said:

Let's hear it...

Likes: These clubs are almost like cheating, that's how I describe these clubs to anyone who asks. I feel they are the ultimate in the game improvement irons. The head is nice and heavy with a really low center of gravity which really helps to get the club under the ball, and the ball in the air. The head is also huge and that seems to bother some, but I don't mind, I think they look fine when you address the ball. With a super wide sole, this is almost like having a full set of Hybrids as the irons really do prevent digging. I previously owned a set of Ben Hogan BH-5's and was not very accurate with the long irons, so I picked up a 3 & 4 Heavenwood hybrid to replace these. The Long irons in the BB'04's are so easy to hit, I not longer bring the 4h with me as I prefer the 4i. The finish on the face of the clubs really seems to help backspin, especially on the wedges. When hitting onto the green the ball just seems to bounce and move just a bit. To me this is a good thing, but some people may like to try to run it up to the hole. The configuration is a bit strange as it comes with a 4-10 Iron, and a 50º Wedge, but really it's not all that weird. The 4-9 Iron is rather standard lofts where the 10i is 45º which basically makes it your typical 46º PW, the 50º W is basically a Gap/Approach Wedge.

Dislikes: I think my biggest gripe about these clubs are the shafts. They are nice shafts, but I would prefer different flex's over the Uniflex that they sell. I did have to alter my swing speed a bit over the Hogan Apex #4's that were on my BH-5's, but now I'm hitting them just fine. My other gripe are the grips. They are a love them or hate them set of grips. My wife ownes the BB'04 GEMS and loves the grips, I personally Prefer Golf Pride Tour Velvets to the BB Rubber Grips. I will probably replace these over the winter. My lask issue isn't as much as a dislike as much as a preference. I have both the BB'04 Sand Wedge and a Callaway Forged+ Chrome 56º12º Sand Wedge. I prefer the feel of the Forged over the Cast when it comes to my Wedges, also I think the BB'04 SW has too much bounce. I have not seen the specs on it, that's just my observation. So instead of the SW and LW that are part of the set, spend a few dollars more and get a nice set of Forged Wedges.

Quality: As with most things Callaway, the construction is top notch. I have played about 10+ Rounds with these now, and hit too many balls at the driving range to count, and everything is holding up fine.

Summary: Are these the best Irons out there, No. I really don't think there is a such thing. The best iron is the one that matches your game and your swing. For me, these were perfect. They are very confidence inspiring as I no longer worry about "if" I get the ball in the air. (I'm sure the lessons and hours of practice helped that too) Are these for everyone, No. It seems almost impossible to draw/fade the ball with these clubs, but if you are trying to draw/fade then you probably shouldn't be shopping for game improvement irons. I think that if you are a 15+ handicaper and looking for a new set of irons, then you would be silly not to demo these.

Thank You,

[sergizmo]

Great review Evil. I just picked up a set of these puppies today. Under some major swing reconstruction so I need all the help I can get.

The set configuration is great; 4 down. Why are other companies selling game improvement sets with 3 irons anyways?

Thanks again for the review and good luck with your game.

[ColinMB]

I really like reading experiences with clubs. I feel it's so hard to get an unbiased review from magazines so I felt I really should put my money where my mouth is and do a light review of my experience with these clubs.

I took up golf later in life (34) and I've been golfing for 2 years, fairly regularly, and this includes range sessions/lessons. These clubs are usually included in the 'super' game improvement category. I demo'd these along with Nike NDS, Ben Hogan's (can't remember the model number),and a few others, but instantly these clubs were popping the ball really easy.

I've owned the clubs for a full season now and I've watched my confidence grow. Complete miss-hits are either due to fatigue, or a complete mental lapse on my part. These clubs -want- to line up on impact. So much so that shape is not in their dictionary... which is just fine.

For the most part I think people looking at these are probably looking for 1) solid, square contact, and 2) straight shots with 3) nice trajectory. I personally could not find a club that did it better for the price. But it's not all gravy as these clubs do have some negatives.

To sum up my one year experience with these clubs:
"Highs"- Club head has really nice weight distribution. You can feel head position. Some Super Game Improvement clubs are so light, you really have to trust your hands, which isn't a great thing IMO when you're just learning. Confidence comes in time. Misshits start to dissapear. Trajectory and straight shooting come a little easier with each outing and really that's what I was looking for. Price is nice. These clubs have been around for a few years now and the plus side of this is the price is really reasonable. I found these new for half of their original retail price. The flip side of the age issue is my first negative....

"Lows" - The age is starting to show on these babies. She's no longer the 'cutie' on the shelves. While other companies are moving to hybrid enhanced Super Game Improvement irons, these ones are a lot more.. traditional. Also consider the advancement in shafts, and head materials. What they're doing with new game improvment clubs is pretty tricky stuff that just wasn't around when these were being introduced. Distance. It just isn't there. I've switched clubs a few times and usually the first thing I notice is added distance. I really love the straight hitting but the lack of distance started to haunt me after a few months of play. Is this the trade off for straight shooting? I'm not sure but it was for me.

I hope this helps you in some way when considering these clubs. Thanks for reading, and good luck.

[bigman23's]

These clubs were really good when i tried them out. They had a really good feel and launched the ball high and far. The only bad thing was when i went to go buy this clubs i couldnt find them but if i was going to get irons i would get these.

[palmogela]

A guy in my usual group plays these, and outta all of the iron sets that my group plays (r7s, ignites, slingshots, mx 25's, pro combos) these are by far the easiest to hit. Sooo ridiculously forgiving and gives you great confidence. Very easy to get the ball in the air.

[greenmatter]

got these and love em