MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

MPF Ratings for 2010

Updated April 6th, MPF Iron Ratings for 2010
The 2010 addendum to the Maltby Playability Factor for irons book includes new listings for Callaway, Cleveland, Cobra, Mizuno, Nike, Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist and Maltby.

Download 2010 MPF Ratings | 2009 MPF | 2008 MPF (Updated)

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  • 8:55PM - Jun 19, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    Ralph,

    I have a question on loft inflation, and what it does to the distance difference yardstick in the longer irons.

    I know that some of the distance increase the last 20 years comes from loft inflation in irons. My Callaway X-20 lofts are about one club stronger than those of the Ping Eye-2 clones I used for the past 15 years.

    When I checked the loft specs on my new (to me) X-20s, I found a bunching up of loft differences in the longer irons. 3-iron = 21 degrees, 4 iron = 24, 5 iron =27.

    So, with only three degrees of difference, do properly-struck 3, 4 and 5 irons still drop 10 – or more – yards apart? Or is it only 6 or 7?

    Could you drop out the 4 iron, and just live with 6 degrees difference between the 3 and 5? Or maybe bend the 5 iron one-degree stronger?

    I don’t have the connections to actually test this out on Iron Byron, but I thought you might know the answer.

    I appreciate your science lessons; I’m dumping harmful “wrong ideas” I accumulated through the years.

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  • 9:20AM - Jun 17, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    TheChad, I just want to be sure you do not go backward in playability, meaning that the SuperSteel’s were probably the best iron TaylorMade has done to date. If you demo the new TaylorMade’s be aware that they have in a number of cases strengthened the lofts and increased the club lengths (mostly the Burner’s). So, with your current game, this is something you do not want to go with.

    I assume you like a fairly traditional look and therefore I have not recommended the Callaway’s or the Ping’s, although you should demo them to either confirm or deny how you feel about them. In your case, you would probably be going backward if you selected any current Mizuno, TaylorMade or Nike iron product. This of course is my opinion only and from what you have told me applies in your case. Hitting demo clubs is the beast way to check everything out and I am glad you are doing this.

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  • 11:39PM - Jun 16, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    Mr. Maltby,

    Thank you for the recommendation on the Cobra S9. I haven’t looked at them yet, but I will make a point to do so at a demo day I’m attending on Thursday.

    I have very good control and trajectory with my current shafts. I have a very straight shot with a high trajectory that appears to be very consistent through all my irons (5 to 6 to 7, etc. have an increasing trajectory that seems to be linear). I can also play a fade, draw, punch, etc. when I need to.

    I am playing the steel rifle shafts, stiff flex. I ordered the set from the factory through Golf Galaxy, so they were factory installed when I bought the set new. FYI, I hit my 7 iron 160 yards, to give you an idea of swing speed.

    I will definitely check out the Cobra S9 on Thursday. Any other thoughts are always appreciated.

    Thank you for your input!

    Chad

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  • 11:55AM - Jun 15, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    TheChad, in my opinion, the TaylorMade SuperSteel Burner irons were one of the best models TaylorMade has come out with. As you mentioned, they are quite old, but a very playable iron design. Since they were a cast iron, my guess would be that you have not worn out the grooves, but I have not seen them so again, this is only a guess.

    As far as new irons, the AP1 irons are fine. I have not measured the Cleveland CG7 irons as yet. An iron I really like that you may want to try is the S9 from Cobra. This iron has its horizontal center of gravity in the middle of the face (so does your SuperSteel) and is very solid hitting.

    Another option would be to evaluate how you are currently hitting the ball (trajectory and control) and determine if a shaft change is due, meaning will it help you. There are some great lightweight steel shafts on the market which could possibly make a difference from the shafts you are currently playing.

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  • 7:38AM - Jun 12, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    Mr. Maltby,

    I am a 15 handicap and have been playing my Taylor Made SuperSteel Burner irons for 9 years now. Needless to say, for the length of time I’ve played them, I really like them. I think they are forgiving and very easy to look at. I like the topline, which isn’t as thick as many irons out today that are advertised “game improvement.”

    Although I really like the SuperSteel Burners, I’ve had the itch to buy new irons. I am working harder to lower my handicap now than I ever have, so I want a club that is forgiving, yet will be useful to me for a few years to come.

    What irons would you recommend that I look at? The Titleist AP1 and the Cleveland CG7 seem to float to the top for me so far, but I am very open to suggestions.

    Would I be just as happy if I had my current set re-grooved?

    I have been tossing and turning on this for quite a while.

    Thanks,

    Chad

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  • 10:39AM - Jun 11, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    rejanssen63021, first of all, sorry for somehow missing your question.

    The Mizuno MP-52’s are a very high quality iron but unfortunately they are not easy to hit. The MPF is only 392 points and the horizontal center of gravity is toward the heel. You may be able to handle these because of your higher skill level (8 hdcp) but if you have any tendency to sometimes hit unsolid shots or you feel your directional control could use some help, I would go with another iron.

    Take a look at my MPF ratings for irons listed on this site. I would recommend that even the very best players should never go below 551 points which is the start of the Game Improvement category MPF ratings. If you have any doubts, be sure to demo any irons before you buy as this is the best way to see if you really like them and they work for you.

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  • 7:05PM - Jun 3, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    Hi Ralph,

    I am an 8 handicapper looking for new irons.

    What do you think about the Mizuno MP 52’s?

    What would you recommend?

    Thanks.

    Rex Jansssen

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  • 2:58PM - Jun 2, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    laxcoach47, sorry, I do not have either of these heads yet, but they are on my list.

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  • 8:45PM - Jun 1, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    Ralph—

    Hit this site at least every other day. Obviously one of my favorites. I wonder if you have the mpf ratings for the Wilson DI7 and DI9 irons? Thank you for all you do for (at least in my case) the “hacker” community.

    —Laxcoach47

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  • 9:58AM - Jun 1, 2009RE: MPF Iron Ratings for 2010

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    aehmd, Cleveland has not sent them to me yet. I am still waiting.

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