Forged Iron & steel shaft for newbie???

i started about 1.5 yrs ago and go to driving range 3 times a week on average. each time i hit 350 balls on average.

i changed into Bridgestone J40 Dual Pocket Cavity (95 grams steel shaft) abt 3 months ago.

i think they are very good forged irons for newbie. very forgiving and the long irons (6i-5i-4i) very easy to hit.  i am quite confident to hit the 5i now.

a review on the irons   http://www.thehackersparadise.com/?p=15174

to save your investment. it might be a good idea go straight to such "average" irons (instead of going for super super game improve irons, light light shafts)

Agree, I too follow the "standard recommendation" of graphite shaft on super GI heads.. But found them too light n whippy, ending up spending more to change to the steel shaft ones. It boils down to ur built, physique n ego! Lol.. I don't think there is a right or wrong that the coach recommends u something as he understands ur swing profile n build.. Its up to suitability n how comfortable are u with the irons. My 2cents worth.. Cheers!

What is wrong with using super game improvement iron heads?

To each their own when it comes to a topic like this…. There's no 1 fixed solution and it all depends on the individual's preference and swing mechanics. Changing equipment is just an excuse to invest in new toys, many rather choose to invest in hardware than themselves; i.e. their swing.

Yes, new tech does play a part in increasing distance (to a certain extent), however we often neglect the fact that golf is all about accuracy and only 25% ~ 35% is about distance. Bubba Watson is know for his length and often than not he's scrambling on most occasions on his off days ~ being a feel player himself, it just so happen that things clicked for him during tournament days. 

Drive For Show, Putt For Dough / It's Not How U Drive, It's How U Arrive

Derek wrote:

Think I wrote in detail about this some time back.  With modern tech, there are graphite shafts stiffer and heavier than steel and steel shafts lighter and more flexible than graphite.

In theory, what is what important is how the shaft fits the swing.  Talk to a qualified fitter to understand more, it is not just about swing speed, there is a lot more to it.

However, for social golfers, I would like to propose that "feel" is probably the biggest determining factor.  NOT how the golf club feels, but how the golfer feels about the clubs.  If looking at them and using them makes the golfer happy, and adds to overall enjoyment, isn't that the purpose of playing golf as a GAME?

As an example, I use cavity backs with graphite shafts.  My cousin is using my previous set (and refuses to use anything else) which has steel shafts and a head design which is very close to a muscle back (not much forgiveness). The difference between our drives on average is 40-50m and 20-30 strokes in terms of scoring.  Suffice to say, overall, I play better golf than him.

However, in terms of overall enjoyment, there is hardly any difference. If anything, he is probably having more fun than me on the course.  So who am I to say that the irons are not suitable for him?

Perhaps we might all be better off if we just chose the clubs based on what makes us happy.  For some, happiness might come from more consistency leading to better scoring.  For others, just looking and using the clubs might bring happiness.

p.s. My current set graphite shafts are i95S and my old set are Shimada K-7001 R, a real life example that graphite does not necessarily mean more flexible

some people are happy being miserable.   you know the kind, after every shot will analyze what they swing wrong and should have this or that. even if they just hit it 200m with a baby draw on the fairway.  oh.. I meant driver btw.

I also started learning a year odd ago. Was shopping for irons when I started playing, the guy at panwest advised that I should go for steel for my build (100kg 1.78m) despite coach recommendation to get graphite. Initially found it heavy and harder to hit, but after a few month I picked up a graphite shaft and found out that I can't seem to hit a graphite shaft anymore. Same with driver, I can't seem to hit asian regular specs (only US regular or asian Stiff).

Golf is a journey

If you don't try, you won't know. There is no right or wrong 

Where possible,  borrow a forged head steel shafted iron and try for a few games

you may love it or loathe it.

When I started I have been playing forged iron heads with steel shafts for about 2 yrs. Only recently I started playing graphite on cast iron heads. I've made the change as my distance did not get better and at back of my head I kept thinking of trying something lighter. After making the change my dispersion suffered but distance improved. 
I guess there will be a lot of trial n error in this game and if u think that sticking to one set of clubs will be fine, think again! Your constant need to improve will encompass not only practice but your weapons too. I'm not implying on changing clubs every few months, I only meant that besides your wife (or girlfriend) that we should not be changing, every thing else deserves a try!
There are 11years old turning pro in this game and for all you know you might be the next golf wonder! 
IMO pick up any clubs that u think might suit u and do note what works for him/her might not be best for u!

i think forged or not does not really matter to a beginner. forged would be better for adjustment. the design of the club head would be more important. of course mb is harder to use an cb is easier. there are forged cb as well.

steel or graphite will also depends... to me the feel is different when using steel and graphite. graphite can sometimes feel muted. if u cannot tell the difference, good. one less to bother.

think the next thing to consider is weight of the club. personally i started with graphite (hand me down clubs). and bought a set of steel shafts (no advice from anyone, just trying my luck). I actually swing better with heavier clubs.

normally for off the shelf iron sets, steel shafted will be heavier. so try both and see which is better

Think about a decade ago, forged are only found on irons for higher level player.
But now, they are readily available on even oversized irons like JPX.

As for shaft, I think it's very personal.
I started learning with steel shaft too, don't see anything wrong.
As long as you are comfortable learning with it....

bro my personal opinion n experience
I started with graphite n cast irons then switch to steel shaft n cast iron then steel shaft forged irons

I think the last set gives me the best feel but the worst distance
7 irons only 135m

but cast irons anytime 140 to 145.

in terms of difficulty like what other bros had said for forged don't get those blades type get like ap2 or jpx if u really like forged.
you can shape your game but u have to take care of the clubs cause get dings easily