Hi there. I'm a mid-handicapper that has been playing on and off for five years (I'm 25). I'm currently using a very old set of Ben Sayers hand-me-down blades, which are challenging to say the least, but very satisfying when hit sweetly.

I think it's time to get real and go for some improvers. You should probably know that I've narrowed myself down to these two based on only reading, and probably will not get fit or try first as I'm an average height and swinger (I'm 5'11''). For Christmas I'm going to buy a new OR decent second hand full set of irons...

I have two main questions:

- which of these two would you go for?

- am I likely to grow out of these swiftly (whatever that means!) - I consider my ability such that I can improve loads with enough practice.

(While we're at it, what does "generous offset" mean exactly?)

You should probably also know that I hit 200 balls per week at the range and have an estimated handicap of around 20 (never acquired a proper handicap).

Thanks very much for any advice. Rob.

Well I've never tried the Nike NDS, but my personal experience of Nike clubs is that they're not very good. I've tried 3 or 4 different Nike clubs and didn't like them, with the exception of the Pro Combo irons, which were very nice.

The MX-17s- just a bought a set today myself, and I love them. They're fantastic and you will not struggle to hit them at all. I strongly recommend them.

Hope that helps a little,
James.

Tried both a while back and purchased neither, but I did prefer the NDS over the Mx-17s.

Found the Mx-17s too chunky and looked like swinging a brick on a shaft.

Cheers James all opinions are helpful.

I have to say I'm not that concerned with looks at all, rather a well-made solid improver that will not frustrate me when I start to get better.

Can someone clarify why people say they can "grow out of clubs" such as cavity backs? Why if the club goes straight and far would anyone ever grow out of a cavity back? Also what does "generous offset" mean?

Alex appreciate your input, but why does it matter whether it looks like a chunky brick or not if it hits well?

Cheers

Well it depends what you prefer. I find a chunky clubhead fairly off-putting and prefer a more natural shape.

I would say that you will only 'grow out' of Cavity Backs when you get down to single figures. So no real need to worry yet.

I tried both the nds & mx17'S. whilst the MX17's felt a bit ordinary, the NDS had a nicer feel off the club for me, and I seemed to hit the Nikes straighter. Since buying the NDS irons I have found that they have a high trajectory which is promoted by the Uniflex shaft, (the idea is that no matter how fast your swing this one shaft will do the job). I have spoken to several pros in different shops since buying and they have all said the Nike NDS are good irons. I did struggle at first but I put this down to my poor setup at address & the club lies being adjusted incorrectly when I ordered off the internet. Since getting a lesson on setup & getting the lie adjusted properly in a shop, I've been getting on really well and am even starting to surprise myself.

Oh, I play off 25.1 but it should probably be 28.

Robert,
the first thing i would say is that you should get both sets of clubs in your hands and try them out before coming to any decision on the merits of either. Opinions above seem somewhat divided so you should be left to form your own opinions and also listen to advice in the shop where you buy them as they be able to supply you with something else that's even more suited to you. My personal advice would be to try as many different models as you can and don't rule anything out until you've tried it yourself.

Secondly, 'offset' refers to the relationship between the leading edge of the club and the hosel. That may mean absolutely nothing to you so to put it in basic terms, an offset club is manufactured so that its entire face is effectively shifted towards the player's rear foot by a couple of millimeters or more and this is supposed to help higher handicappers reduce a tendency to slice and also to help get the ball up into the air. Usually there will be more offset in longer clubs than shorter ones. Like I said, this is a very basic explanation and virtually all clubs have some sort of offset these days and there are also specific offset woods that some players like. You'll be able to find more info about this elsewhere on the net and the shop where you try your clubs can show you this in more detail as well.

As for 'growing out' of clubs, this is all down to personal preference. For instance, as you get better, you may prefer a set of irons with less offset and also perhaps a smaller clubhead. It should also be said that I've seen several tour pro's using mid-sized cavity back clubs successfully in competition. However, this is all pie in the sky for now as you should be more concerned about getting a game improver's set that will work with the way you play now and will help take your game to the next level.
Get down to your local place to try a few sets out and see how you get on. I'd also recommend that whichever you choose, you spend the extra getting them custom fitted as I for one think it's well worth it (see the raging debates about this elsewhere on this forum!)
Hope that helps and good luck with the search.

I completely agree & second what Richard has said. Just in connection with the custom fit though. Make sure they actually measure you in the shop and look at you whilst holding the clubs you want to buy, apparently lie angles differ between club manufacturers, and some shops (as I found out buying from t'internet) adjust according to one make. My Nikes were adjusted to Callaway settings which meant they were 2 degrees out in the wrong direction, doesn't sound much, but when I got them corrected, I suddenly stopped slicing. Coincidence?

get the mx17s the utilities ar a godsend

I'd recommend buying new over second hand. Nowadays so many clubs are custom fitted that when buying second hand you're never really sure what you're getting.

At 5'11" custom fitting isn't essential because you're pretty average height (although hand to floor distance is more relevant that height), but note that most of the major manufacturers custom fit for free, and if it gives you confidence then it's well worth it.

Don't buy anything until you've tried at least 4 or 5 different brands. And if you're buying clubs, buy some lessons too. It'll get the whole confidence thing going.