Where I'm coming from: My handicap index has gone up the past two years a little to my current 12.9. I've lost a little bit of distance (1/2 - a full club) the past two years just do to the aging of this body and lack of regular playing time and was trying to over compensate by swing a little harder/faster. Shanks but no thanks. I vowed to play more this year and improve my game.
I just bought a set of Cobra King 7s (6i-GW) and have 2 rounds and zero range time with them. It was love from the first swing from the fairway 150 yards out. I am still in the 'dialing in' stage but a couple of observations.
My infrequent misses were slightly right of the green with the 6 and 7 irons so I need to work on alignment. I found myself most comfortable choking down a little on my pitch and runs but I see substantial improvement in my 'up and downs' that I have traditionally tracked. The same swing and ball position I use with the irons has also improved my ball striking with my fairway woods. I'm getting the same, or longer, distance with those as I used to experience due to improvement with a single swing.
The downside is the distance gap between the 6i and 7 wood. So, I'm still carrying my Wilson Staff 4i and 5i and choking them down with good results so they are serviceable. Right now, I'm leaning to going to the Bay and purchasing a matching 5i and I'll be set.
I just want to make sure my 'single swing' I'm in the process of grooving is efficient so I'm going to see what needs to be tweaked with one of our club pros on the range in a week.