Great 5-10 handicap clubs
Written: May 05 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Forgiving cast cavity, minimal offset for great shot forging
Cons: Heavy weight helps when shaping shots, but decreases comfortable swing speed.
The Bottom Line: If your trying to break in to single digit handicaps, you've got to get these. They help build a great foundation.
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| Loopytoe's Full Review: Titleist DCI 962 Irons |
For golfers who are more avid than most, yet not confident enough for blades...I give you the 962. Titleist stopped making these blades and replaced them with the 762 or 990b's. If you see some in a pro shop or on e-bay, pick them up, they'll make you much happier than the no-name brand sticks and here's why.
KEEP IN MIND, I am explaining the benefits of my custom fitted clubs. If you buy an 'off the shelf' set, you'll need to find your swing pattern, (Lie, flight angle, length of shaft) by doing this it will increase your enjoyment of the game that much more. The cost of fitting should be free if you are buying from a pro shop, actually getting the clubs fitted are going to cost you shipping/handling, and labor fees. Titleist does have a fitting department you can send the information to when you send your clubs in, they do a great job. After buying my fitted 962's I bought their three High Performance wedges and I sent them to be fitted to the same specs as my irons, (overall cost was $85 for the three to be fitted). My benefits came when increasing shaft length by 1/2 inch, bending the club up 2 degrees and going with different shafts than what I had, gave me the club that 'fit my one natural swing'. No more searching!
With all that being said...
Start with the sweet spot, having hit forged blades for 14 yrs, the sweet spot was the size of Texas compared to blades. What does a larger sweet spot mean? It means when your lie isn't as perfect as the 'astro-turf' rubber nipple practice range lie...you'll still have a better chance of advancing the ball when you hit it. Oh, you'll still chunk it fat and curse like a sailor, but the ball will move more in the direction of your target than it did with blades or your generics. Titleist did a great job with creating a tympanic area that can be measured in inches rather than millimeters. I've made contact both in the blasted face areas as well as on the toe and within the hozel areas...the ball advanced quite well either way. This sweet spot also creates a solid feel at impact.
Next, the weight. Yes, they are heavier. Even with the 'off the shelf' sets the 962's swing weight are 4 points higher than most blades. This is due to its larger size than blades. When you first get them you must remember to SLOW DOWN YOUR SWING. These clubs are serious contenters you must build up your strength to hit or else you will experience painful shoulder and back strain. It's amazing how much pain 4-6 grams at the end of a 36" stick will create. Keep this in mind and approach your practice as you would with working out with free-weights and you'll discover a more powerful game after @2 months of consistent practice. (I know..I know, any pro will tell you with a few months of consistent practice with any clubs will give you the same results, no it won't). The power I'm talking about is a feeling of less effort from your back/shoulders, produces slightly less distance than blades, but increased accuracy and confidence in shot making. I sound like a commercial.
Let's talk about shafts. This is a weight saving/increasing area that also adds to the clubs hittability. I chose the Dynamic Gold with Sensicore option, more weight. Again, slow down your swing the first few months you play these clubs. The Sensicore shafts add a wonderful amount of cusion when good contact is made. The Sensicore also decreases that 'sting' when off center shots are made. I recommend getting these shafts installed if you get a set of used 962's, the Rifle shafts aren't as strong or shock absorbing as True Temper's DG's.
The 962's are designed with minimal offset, similar to forged blades. Offset clubs offer the high handicap golfer forgiving margins to correct for beginner swings. After you 'get your swing' you'll want to start shaping shots, forget it with offset clubs. What is shaping a shot? Let's say your 175 yds out, flag in the middle and there's a tree half-way between you and the right side of the green. Not exactly a picture perfect shot. You could take dead aim and chance hitting the tree with your 6 iron. Avid golfers would aim to the far left of the green, open the club face to parallel the flag, and swing to produce a high flying fade..which if hit properly should nail the fat of the dance floor. Forget shaping that with an offset and most generic clubs. With the 962's, swing strong!
You will eventually out-grow these clubs and realize your wanting the distance of a blade again, (I'm there). What these 962's did for my game was give me that confidence every golfer wants. Knowing that with a consistent effort from my natural swing, the ball will go where I WANT IT TO. So, for a 2 year investment in your game and your confidence I strongly suggest finding you a set of these. They'll be cheaper than new 762's or 990's and give you more shot shaping than either one. They are also better than previous DCI's made for game improvement. I hope I've helped you make the decision that will help your game. These casted clubs are great! I have played about 8 different sets of clubs, Ping, Golfsmith Tour Model, Golfsmith Cavity Casts, Wilson, MacGregor, Spalding, Northwestern, and a set of those childrens beginner clubs that didn't have a name. Trust me, the 962's gave me more feeling, consistent shot making, better flight patterns, and confidence in a game that was near being given up on.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Loopytoe
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Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
If your going to compete...win!
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