Question:
I liked your report on the tour irons- I’ve been curious about them. You mentioned you play in some mini events in Central Florida. Tell us about these mini events. I thought that the mini tours in Florida had faded away or simply died on the vine?
Response:
The mini-tours are still strong here in Orlando. Locally we have the Moonlight and Moonlight East tours, which are small events that usually pay between $200-$400 for 1st place. The Tour championship is is a nice 5 grand though. Up north we have the North Florida PGA winter tour, which is alot more competitive. Scores will usually be in the low 130’s. Entry fees are $180 for 2 days and $125 for one days. The Central Florida Golf Tour (formerly the Tommy Armour tour) is during the summer/fall months I think? I’ve heard it is well ran and the operator really caters to the players. We also have the Dynamc Tour which is on the order of the moonlight events. These tournaments are good experience builders but hard to make any money at. There is also some good amateur tours here. Edwin Watts sponsors one and they play all over Central Florida. The winners receive gift certificates to their stores. Events like the State Amateur and Open qualifiers are held at courses like Bay Hill and the Disney courses. GolfWeek magazine is online and provides tournament coverage from every state. Sorry I don’t have the address but it should be easy to find in search. Well anyway, hope this helps. Chad
Response:
Well Chad that was a lot good info. on the mini tours and I was surprised to hear about amateur tours as well – mighty fine idea! I used to watch the scores of the J.C. Goosey tour. I new two players who at different times went there to struggle against other players. I have always felt that mini’s were a great idea for up and coming players who just didn’t have the big bucks or backing to stay at the game and develop.
Response:
I think Chad is a bit optimistic. I have tried tour and LCG and found the LCG to be more favorabel for me. The buyer should try both. I rarelt work a ball and fortunately rarly need to. The sting of hitting a tour iron in the cool air in Michigan in spring or fall is not worth the lost yardage or the "workability" factor that I don;t need anyway. Plus, I found the ball flight to be straighter with the LCG. Is LCG a midsized club? I’m not sure. I’m not a big fan of the tour irons, though. I play 845 and wouldn’t part with them for everything mizuno makes… reply?
Response:
I agree with you Jamferg. The LCG irons are a good set of clubs and are geared toward the mid to high handicappers. The lower center of gravity helps the player hit it higher as advertised. But for a 9 handicap or below I would recommend the tour irons. Feel and "workability" ARE two of the many important things to good golf. Feel– Blindfold most players, let them hit a couple balls and they would still be able to tell you what direction they went. As far the sting of a mishit in the cold air, there is not going to be a great deal of difference between the two. The tour iron is not a forged iron. Workability– If I have to hit a 20 yard cut or a 30 yard hook around a tree, I definitely want the tour iron rather than a club with most of the weight o the bottom of the face. If YOU rarely need to work the ball your better than most of the people here. Lost Yardage??– I grew up playing 845’s and I hit the tour irons at least 10 yds farther with every club. This is not a flame to you Jamferg and I hope you don’t take it that way. You are right that a consumer should try many sets before he/she buys. The tour irons are not for everyone, but they have improved my game greatly and I highly recommend them. Chad
Response:
It’s two
Response:
Im curious what is your handicap index? ~milo~ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I agree with you Jamferg. The LCG irons are a good set of clubs and are geared toward the mid to high handicappers. The lower center of gravity helps the player hit it higher as advertised. But for a 9 handicap or below I would recommend the tour irons. Feel and "workability" ARE two of the many important things to good golf. Feel– Blindfold most players, let them hit a couple balls and they would still be able to tell you what direction they went. As far the sting of a mishit in the cold air, there is not going to be a great deal of difference between the two. The tour iron is not a forged iron. Workability– If I have to hit a 20 yard cut or a 30 yard hook around a tree, I definitely want the tour iron rather than a club with most of the weight o the bottom of the face. If YOU rarely need to work the ball your better than most of the people here. Lost Yardage??– I grew up playing 845’s and I hit the tour irons at least 10 yds farther with every club. This is not a flame to you Jamferg and I hope you don’t take it that way. You are right that a consumer should try many sets before he/she buys. The tour irons are not for everyone, but they have improved my game greatly and I highly recommend them. Chad
Response:
I have been using Taylor Made Burner oversize irons for about a year… Have been pretty happy with them. Im thinking of trying the Taylor Made Tour irons… What are the advantages of the "Tour" clubs? Disadvantages? For what its worth I carry a Handicap index of 6.2 ~milo~
Response:
I am a 2 handicap and play some mini events in Central Florida. I have had the tour irons for about 6 months now and have never been as happy with any other set. They are very easy to work the ball with and are surprisingly forgiving on mishits. At first I was worried about the compact size and the small hitting area, but when compared to the size of DCI’s, the Tour irons were slightly larger. They give you the look and feel of forged irons but the forgiveness of cavity backs. Great set of sticks!! Hope this helps! Chad