I feel your pain.  I currently have a 4 hcp and do not get to play more than twice a week.  Sometimes I get to practice a few nights if kids will allow.  I switched this summer from 690 MB's to AP2 710's.  The switch has been flawless, my iron distances have not changed much and the forgiveness in these clubs is amazing. My new set has KBS Tour shafts while the old had DG.  No regrets for changing from the old set, 

Would love to play more, but only manage about once or twice a week.  I do like the look of the AP2 irons (and the AP1 too).  I'm currently playing the 735.CM.  I may make the switch in the spring.

I love this topic, and I think there's a lot of us out there that can relate.

I used to work for Vail in the mountains of CO.  We had a killer deal on the employee golf pass which was more or less unlimited.  Although the summer was short, I got to play everyday.  I worked from 6 to 2:30 wed-sun (eating lunch at my desk saved me a half-hour), and would rush to the course with my regular 4 some to squeeze in quick 18.  On our 'weekends' we would use our Red Sky rounds (2 amazing courses ranked in the top 25 nationally) and play 36 holes each day.  I was also lucky to have access to some amazing practice facilities, and got to play with our Resort's pros often.  In one summer I went from a 13 hcp to a solid 4.  Then I got engaged.

I still don't have kids, but now I live in North Shore Massachusetts (Where my Fiancé's family is from), work 8-5 monday thru friday... all of you most of you know the drill.  

It's really tough to find a decent practice facility close to home, and getting 36 in on a Saturday on a muni is next to impossible (see icing the kicker).  If I can drop 9 strokes in 3 months what could I do if my job was golf?  So yeah, I often wonder what if.  Now a days, I find myself making mistakes that I never used to make.  Enough complaining, what am I doing about it?  I'm still hanging onto the single digit handicap, and I'll be damn if I lose it.

I'm looking to get fitted (so I can be sure it's me and not my sticks), and pull a Steve Stricker- turn part of my garage into a practice area.  All the practice facilities are mats, so I'm going to get a net, and invest in a nice mat, and get to work.

I'm also working on my fitness.  Since I can't find 4+ hours to play, I'm using the time I do have to work on my balance, my core, and my flexibility.  The My TPI site is great.  It's got some workouts you can do quickly and easily with and without equipment.

I am definitely a weekend warrior now, but I'm going to ensure that my HC doesn't start to climb.

What are you guys doing?

I know the feeling.

I am not even classified as a weekend warrior.  I would love to get back to playing once a week and that is my goal right now.  My best shot right now is that I get to play a few round while I am getting ready for the three tournaments that I play a year.

Getting married was a killer on that.  Between that and having an old house and 4 acre yard.  It is a working progress, and maybe in a year or two I can get back to playing once a week and practicing on my short game in the yard at least once a week.  That is my goal.

I was a 4  handicap back when I got out of high school, and then when I went to college I played seldom until I graduated.  At least with my job, I get to play 3 or 4  tournaments a year.  That is a plus for me.  I am still holding onto a 8-10 handicap.  I average around an 81 or 82 and if I am on I still can shoot a 77.  That works for me, but when I do get to that point of once a week my single digit hopefully will come back as well.

You can still practice here and there, without even touching a club/ball.

Or, as other people have mentioned, you can practice in your yard. I read something a while back that stated quality is better than quantity. I practice every single day. There are days where I might just chip and putt, because I feel confident in the rest of my game. I might hit 5 balls, sometimes 500.

As for irons, if you're close to scratch, there really isn't a need to switch irons.

Anyways, I wish you the best and really hope that things work out for you. Just be glad that you have the oppotunity to even play/practice. Some people aren't as fortunate. Take care.