Im 63 years old i did play apex blades lost a ton of distance as i got older. The ai smoke irons brought back my old distance. Im a single digit handicap golfer so these irons are for everyone
It really comes down to the landing angle, to be honest. The ball comes in way too shallow to hold the greens, which means you need higher spin rates and higher launching - you might achieve this with new shafts that are correctly fitted to your swing.
I got fit for these and ordered them 1 degree weak to take some distance off and solve the spin issue. Got the MMT 105tx shafts. I swing pretty fast. My issue after living with them for 6 months isn't spin or holding greens. My issues is when I middle the iron, which happens pretty often, it goes too far. Its like getting punished for good contact. I don't care how far each club goes. If I'm pulling a 130 yard club, middle it, and it goes 140, that's a problem. I think if you're a good iron player or your irons are your strong suit. These aren't it. On the flip side, if you aren't hitting the dead center of the face, which is most of us, the whole face is pretty consistent.
I agree 100 % .,. I haven’t played since 1980S I took up golf again.. I bought new improvements clubs calaways . I use to hit my 9 iron between 130-150 .. with the new irons I kept hitting over the greens 170 even 180S ??? I’m like what the heck is going on …no feel no touch ..no control … I wish I had my dads old clubs .. crazy ?
It's 100% because the lofts, the higher lofted 9 iron that you played gave you more control because it had higher spin rates and better landing angles compared to the loft jacked clubs of today.
My handicap as of now is 16. Been playing 1 yr and 8 months. I hate the big meaty irons. I love my taylormade 770's. I used to have 790 i remember one i caught a flyer with a 7 iron 180 yard shot and flew the green about 20 yards. Also tried ping g430's before i went to the 790's and 7 iron struck out the midde was carrying 200-205. Mine now 7 iron carries 175-180 consistently. Of course i dont flush every ball out the middle. But i figured if i can learn to flush some on the more bladed side it would help me in the long run. Also im one of the guys who never got fitted. Just figured out how to hit what i got. Have been debating getting fitted into some shafts for my 770's. Not sure if it would benefit me or not!
If you don't mind spending the money, go to an iron fitting and have them test your gamer against something they think will help you. Make sure they record all of the stats and email them to you so you can review everything before making a decision or rushing to make a purchase you could regret.
Smokes vs i530. Would you say the same type of mid, Maybe mid-high could play either of these clubs. I had a demo set of smokes for a week and loved them but I’m a ping guy
LOVED this. Strong stuff. Just subscribed. I always wondered about the actual size of “game-improvement “ & “players-distance” cause ur right most of us just order online. (I do at least)
Better than the DCB or Epic Forged? I like using the maltby playability factor, it's really accurate. The HL are closer to the ping on terms of forgiveness
@ScottyTidwellGolf thank you I appreciate it. I don't see myself replacing the epic forged anytime soon. Their so good and I've played every brand and damn near every model. Nothing can beat them. If it ain't broke...
thanks for the video looking at buying the Ai's never get fitted for clubs have just about as many clubs as yourself what i compare are the face and groove patterns how much the groove pattern is from the hosel i like a longer groove pattern with room from the hosel it would have been good to see the faces compared to all your other irons faces
I guess everyone is different but I had the Ping high launch but they were anything but game improving. Heavy and stiff and not easy to hit at all. I replaced them with the Callaway Ai Smoke HL and they are fantastic. A real game improver for me. Striking the ball much better and the Callaway are seriously lighter in graphite shaft version.
Check out the Maltby Playbility Factor system. The AI Smoke falls into the Game Improvement category…barely. The G410 is in the Super Game Improvement category, which explains the difference.
I think they made them small to fill a gap where the Apex 21 replacement should be. The Apex 24 is delayed because apparently it was going to be too expensive. They remind me a lot of the Rogue St Pro, which also was not a game improvement club. Wow on the 46 degree A wedge haha, they are def game improvement from that standpoint
I would advise everyone to get fit. If people can’t get fit… and currently struggle with getting the ball in the air, I would suggest the HL set. But getting fit would 100% tell you what to buy.
I highly suggest any model G series iron from PING. You can get a decent set of G400 / G410's pretty cheap these days, or you can go newer with the G425's or G430's - check out eBay or 2nd swing . com If you really want a good deal, go to the Callaway Pre-owned website and look for some really good deals on Callaway clubs and other brands as well. I do suggest you get fitted before buying.
Thanks for the great video and insights but ( I think ) if you included some raw data it would be extremely helpful. For example, you mentioned the clubs have low spin rates but what do you consider low for a 6 iron? 4,000? The same thought applies to descent angle, height, etc. thx.
Thanks, and I'll start doing that in the near future. Because of the lofts of these irons, the 5i spin rate was 2,700, and the 6i was 3,300. But yes, I think 4,000 is too low for a 6i, if you're trying to hit and hold a green.
You can’t hold the green? Why wouldn’t you just use a 7 iron instead of the 6 you would have in another set? I’m confused lol this seems like common sense! Thanks for the info I subscribed, you have a lot of irons lol!
I consider myself as an average golfer maybe a tick below but I was considering getting these. Would the HL be the better option because of how strong the lofts already are? Or what would be a good recommendation for me? Thanks.
You can't make an informed decision without any actual data. The technology in the newer clubs makes all the difference. I would like to see you compare them with 3 or 4 of your other 6 irons. If you have trouble holding the greens you may need the HL clubs. Put up some data for us to see.
An aweful lot of comment without any evidence. Stop talking and provide the evidence. It may not look like a 'game improvement' to you but you appear to have preconceived ideas (call that 'prejudice') without clearly demonstrating the facts on which you base your diatribe
lol, callaway calls them game improvement irons 😂 what evidence do you want? you want me to upload a a data session from my ball monitor? i don’t think they look like game improvement irons - they look nothing like them.
You talking about people that just buy clubs and not getting fitted? Practice what you preach MF I hit those clubs perfectly because I went and got fitted. I switched from Taylormade to Callaway and it was the best thing I ever done!
My gamers are Titleist T150s that I was fit for, lol. My wedges are Callaway. I was also fit for them. I tell everyone to get fit - the average golfer doesn't get fitted for clubs.
Make sure you subscribe for more golf reviews!
Great talk, Scotty. First time viewer and now a fan. Thank you and I hope you'll be able to do more videos.
Im 63 years old i did play apex blades lost a ton of distance as i got older. The ai smoke irons brought back my old distance. Im a single digit handicap golfer so these irons are for everyone
Awesome - they are doing for you as Callaway intended them too.
Crazy amounts of offset on those Pings. Great video man! Proud to be on eof your early subscibers! Keep them coming!
Appreciate it!
Good point on the irons holding the green. I hitting the green but not holding the green. What is the solution for holding the green?
It really comes down to the landing angle, to be honest. The ball comes in way too shallow to hold the greens, which means you need higher spin rates and higher launching - you might achieve this with new shafts that are correctly fitted to your swing.
I’m a 62 year old playing off 9 I bought a set of the AI smoke HL irons they are so much fun just try them
I got fit for these and ordered them 1 degree weak to take some distance off and solve the spin issue. Got the MMT 105tx shafts. I swing pretty fast. My issue after living with them for 6 months isn't spin or holding greens. My issues is when I middle the iron, which happens pretty often, it goes too far. Its like getting punished for good contact. I don't care how far each club goes. If I'm pulling a 130 yard club, middle it, and it goes 140, that's a problem. I think if you're a good iron player or your irons are your strong suit. These aren't it. On the flip side, if you aren't hitting the dead center of the face, which is most of us, the whole face is pretty consistent.
Some of the nicest irons out this year for sure.
Damn how many sets you have?
Around 18 atm... I know, I know.
@ScottyTidwellGolf send a set this way 💩 what's your go to iron set now?
@@Lil-monkeyo T150's
@@ScottyTidwellGolf I was thinking about trying the t200. Coming from the s55 I bet I can hit the 150s. Will also try those
Have you tried the HL? I already hit a high ball but your review about the lofts are scaring me.
I agree 100 % .,. I haven’t played since 1980S I took up golf again.. I bought new improvements clubs calaways . I use to hit my 9 iron between 130-150 .. with the new irons I kept hitting over the greens 170 even 180S ??? I’m like what the heck is going on …no feel no touch ..no control … I wish I had my dads old clubs .. crazy ?
It's 100% because the lofts, the higher lofted 9 iron that you played gave you more control because it had higher spin rates and better landing angles compared to the loft jacked clubs of today.
My handicap as of now is 16. Been playing 1 yr and 8 months. I hate the big meaty irons. I love my taylormade 770's. I used to have 790 i remember one i caught a flyer with a 7 iron 180 yard shot and flew the green about 20 yards. Also tried ping g430's before i went to the 790's and 7 iron struck out the midde was carrying 200-205. Mine now 7 iron carries 175-180 consistently. Of course i dont flush every ball out the middle. But i figured if i can learn to flush some on the more bladed side it would help me in the long run. Also im one of the guys who never got fitted. Just figured out how to hit what i got. Have been debating getting fitted into some shafts for my 770's. Not sure if it would benefit me or not!
If you don't mind spending the money, go to an iron fitting and have them test your gamer against something they think will help you.
Make sure they record all of the stats and email them to you so you can review everything before making a decision or rushing to make a purchase you could regret.
Smokes vs i530. Would you say the same type of mid, Maybe mid-high could play either of these clubs. I had a demo set of smokes for a week and loved them but I’m a ping guy
LOVED this. Strong stuff. Just subscribed. I always wondered about the actual size of “game-improvement “ & “players-distance” cause ur right most of us just order online. (I do at least)
Thanks!
Better than the DCB or Epic Forged? I like using the maltby playability factor, it's really accurate. The HL are closer to the ping on terms of forgiveness
I know they are not better than Epic Forge - DCB, not really sure tbh.
@ScottyTidwellGolf thank you I appreciate it. I don't see myself replacing the epic forged anytime soon. Their so good and I've played every brand and damn near every model. Nothing can beat them. If it ain't broke...
@@JonPon400 Never change something out that you love to use on the golf course - and if you do... 100% don't sell them, lol.
The high launch is the cavity back and more comparable to the 410
thanks for the video looking at buying the Ai's never get fitted for clubs have just about as many clubs as yourself what i compare are the face and groove patterns how much the groove pattern is from the hosel i like a longer groove pattern with room from the hosel it would have been good to see the faces compared to all your other irons faces
I guess everyone is different but I had the Ping high launch but they were anything but game improving. Heavy and stiff and not easy to hit at all. I replaced them with the Callaway Ai Smoke HL and they are fantastic. A real game improver for me. Striking the ball much better and the Callaway are seriously lighter in graphite shaft version.
Check out the Maltby Playbility Factor system. The AI Smoke falls into the Game Improvement category…barely.
The G410 is in the Super Game Improvement category, which explains the difference.
Ya, I love the Maltby system. I don't think PING calls the G410 super game improvement irons, though. I think they save that for the G700's line.
I think they made them small to fill a gap where the Apex 21 replacement should be. The Apex 24 is delayed because apparently it was going to be too expensive. They remind me a lot of the Rogue St Pro, which also was not a game improvement club. Wow on the 46 degree A wedge haha, they are def game improvement from that standpoint
Yea, I can see that 100%.
Wow you’ve got a lot of irons, ever thought about opening a golf shop? 😂 what would your price be on the t350s?
Sadly.... I have so many more 😅
Hey got a quick question, i currently play apex 21s. Would the ai smoke play similar? Thinking about these. Appreciate any feedback!
IMO, the stronger lofts might allow you to gain a bit of distance, but you could lose some distance control. I don't think they are alike at all.
Wonder how they compare to last year's Paradyms?
I never hit the Paradyms. I've heard that they sound and feel better.
I tried the AI Smokes but ended up getting the Mizuno 923 Hot Metals. They just felt better to me.
I gamed the HMP’s for a while. Mizuno makes some great clubs.
I did the same. I agree 💯
Do u think PARADYM AI SMOKE HL or PARADYM AI SMOKE MAX FAST can more easier to reach your goals? let the ball stop on the green?
I would advise everyone to get fit. If people can’t get fit… and currently struggle with getting the ball in the air, I would suggest the HL set. But getting fit would 100% tell you what to buy.
I was fitted for the AI smoke irons. Cannot wait for them to come in.
Nice! Let me know how you like them. Fitted is the way to go!
Me too, really excited to get mine
I was fitted into them (HL) and HATE them
I was fitted, love my set!
@@kart17winssame for me
What’s a great game improvement iron for a beginner??
I highly suggest any model G series iron from PING. You can get a decent set of G400 / G410's pretty cheap these days, or you can go newer with the G425's or G430's - check out eBay or 2nd swing . com
If you really want a good deal, go to the Callaway Pre-owned website and look for some really good deals on Callaway clubs and other brands as well.
I do suggest you get fitted before buying.
@@ScottyTidwellGolf I will check them out thanks in advance!
I was fitted and smoke AI was the best. Going to try them out. Will report back. I was playing Taylormade m6 since 2019.
let me know how you hit them
Any new thoughts?
i sent mine back. they were great but had the same issue, they went to far with low spin, hard to hold greens
Thanks for the great video and insights but ( I think ) if you included some raw data it would be extremely helpful. For example, you mentioned the clubs have low spin rates but what do you consider low for a 6 iron? 4,000? The same thought applies to descent angle, height, etc. thx.
And swing speed … what is yours and what do u consider low?
Thanks, and I'll start doing that in the near future.
Because of the lofts of these irons, the 5i spin rate was 2,700, and the 6i was 3,300.
But yes, I think 4,000 is too low for a 6i, if you're trying to hit and hold a green.
There well I’m referring to the game improvement place. Yes Calloway is trying to take the improvement game to the next level!
You can’t hold the green? Why wouldn’t you just use a 7 iron instead of the 6 you would have in another set? I’m confused lol this seems like common sense! Thanks for the info I subscribed, you have a lot of irons lol!
I play Wilson v6 irons they don’t go far but they pin high
Pin high is 🤌
Considering these Callaway to replace my apex cb 16’s
bro just kept pulling our irons LOL
LOL - I should make a video with all the irons that I have.
I consider myself as an average golfer maybe a tick below but I was considering getting these. Would the HL be the better option because of how strong the lofts already are? Or what would be a good recommendation for me? Thanks.
I suggest you get fit.
I hit a stock set at TG and loved them, so I got fitted and bought a set.....cant hit them to save my life
You can't make an informed decision without any actual data. The technology in the newer clubs makes all the difference. I would like to see you compare them with 3 or 4 of your other 6 irons. If you have trouble holding the greens you may need the HL clubs. Put up some data for us to see.
I ran through all of them with my launch monitor.
I just hit these today thinking it would be a great starter set. Nope. Didn't feel right at all. lol
An aweful lot of comment without any evidence. Stop talking and provide the evidence. It may not look like a 'game improvement' to you but you appear to have preconceived ideas (call that 'prejudice') without clearly demonstrating the facts on which you base your diatribe
lol, callaway calls them game improvement irons 😂 what evidence do you want? you want me to upload a a data session from my ball monitor?
i don’t think they look like game improvement irons - they look nothing like them.
Callaway is the best as compared to taylormade,ping and titleist
The aesthetics of the are a turn off.
Quite possibly the most boring irritating video ever. How is this guy having issues holding 2 irons up seriously.
You talking about people that just buy clubs and not getting fitted? Practice what you preach MF I hit those clubs perfectly because I went and got fitted. I switched from Taylormade to Callaway and it was the best thing I ever done!
My gamers are Titleist T150s that I was fit for, lol. My wedges are Callaway. I was also fit for them.
I tell everyone to get fit - the average golfer doesn't get fitted for clubs.
Came here for Scotty - stayed for the tips. 🏌
I love it when you stay for the tip.