Equipment
Switching from blades to game improvement irons – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing moving from blades to game improvement irons.
WRXer ‘PlayIt’ is interested in hearing from those who have made the switch and what their experiences have been, with WRXers sharing their thoughts on the transition in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- lefthack: “I am waiting on my GI irons (Takomo 101’s). I have a blade set and am currently playing split cavities. I prefer the blades but am enjoying my SC’s. I want to see what difference, if any, it makes. I will likely upgrade my blades when the Haywood MB’s come out in lefty. No idea what my handicap is, but I shoot close to par most days (I don’t really keep score).”
- bladehunter: “Eh. It’s a rabbit hole. Don’t expect lower scores. Will always come down to what you think feels best. It’s only going to lower your scores if you are the player who can’t get a 5 iron airborne and is afraid of a 7 iron over water. If neither of those worries you, it’s not going to lower your scores. Edit. On the flip side. It shouldn’t raise scores either. I’m not against trying it. Heck, I’m playing a set of GI irons now ( t100 ). Somebody will chime in and tell you they’re not GI. But they’re wrong. So try it and get it out of your system. I just feel like you should know that expecting to buy strokes isn’t realistic. There’s not that much difference.”
- DeCuchi: “I’ve tried multiple times; I’m more consistent with blades. I do hit GI’s further my distances are less consistent, and the long and left miss shows up more often, though. I still have hope of one day finding a GI set that works well for me.”
Entire Thread: “Switching from blades to game improvement irons“
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
