Cutting me down, without blades

My golf swing was on the receiving end of some valuable scrutiny earlier today. It's been close to two years since I put in any meaningful work on developing or refining my swing - I've simply been playing rounds and hitting balls, not seeking the correct kind of feedback to address any fundamental flaws. Granted, I've still managed to lower my handicap in that time from 19.5 to 10.5, which on the surface is pretty awesome, but I have some work to do if I want to reach the next level.

I've also felt that the time has come to upgrade the iron set I currently play with - while still able to perform at a reasonable level, a more advanced set will help further my game. In researching my options, I've become fixated on the aesthetically very pleasing forged, muscle-back blades - a true players iron. The two models in particular, the Mizuno MP-18 and the Titleist MB's. They're both truly sexy looking clubs, and I really want to use them.

Golf clubs are like any other high end sporting equipment, in that not every available model is suited to every player. A golfers swing is more often than not unique to that player, and ability and technical proficiency factors in heavily in matching the right equipment to a player.

My research continued today with an arranged club-fitting session with a Titleist representative, whereby I was able to try a number of different iron models (including the MB's) with range of different shaft options, with all my shot data recorded. My old club pro was also on hand to offer some impromptu feedback and swing coaching - my main issue one I was actually fairly aware of already, I'd just not as yet done anything to fix it.

As you may have gathered throughout any of the posts on this blog that feature introspection, I'm pretty impatient even at the best of times. Hitting the MB's today, I really wanted them to be right, but the harsh reality of the state of my present golf swing is that I'm just not there yet.

Fortunately, there are other options out there - more forgiving options - that are currently better suited to my imperfect swing. Unfortunately, and as tough a pill as it is to swallow, my equipment isn't the answer to my swing woes, and if I want to one day wield a shiny set of blades on the course, I've got work to do.

If there's anything I've come to realise as I've matured, it's that you don't really get anything in life without earning it, and today was a stark reminder that even with my hobby - I've gotta work a little harder if I want to play with the best toys. Just because I've shed 24 shots from my starting handicap 3 years ago, doesn't mean I've reached the finish line. Hell, I'm not even close to the final lap.

One day my bag will feature a set of blades, but right now - I'm not yet good enough. That's what I learned today.