Recently taken up golf and have been playing with a borrowed set of clubs. Really enjoying it so have decided to get my own set... and this of course is where you're presented with such a range of kit that making a sensible choice becomes very difficult. Any of you folks been through this? Did you buy new or second hand? Were you pleased with your decision? <subscribes to uk.sport.golf> -- jeremy ['75 RD250A ] | ['02 Fazer 600 in blue] _______________________________________ jeremy at hireserve dot com
Buy a second hand set on eBay or Golf Bidder and spend the rest of the money on lessons from your local Pro before you pick up a load of bad habits. The pro should also be able to advise you on what type of clubs will suit you. Nice little group. See you in there.
I started aged 9, so possibly not all of this may be relevant. First set of clubs was second hand - I acquired them in dribs and dribs - they were of course cut down so a 9 year old could use them! First full set of irons I got was a cheap and cheerful set, which was perfectly serviceable. If you think you're going to play a lot, then something like a mid-range set would probably be fine. IF you're actually any good, or really want the clubs to suit you, then you should go for a new professionally fitted set. I've currently got a set of correctly fitted Callaway X-11 irons from about 1997 - what you need though is your overall swing assessed and clubs that match to it - in my case I generate a lot of club head speed, therefore stiff steel shafts were the correct ones for me, along with a flatter clubhead lie because I'm a short arse. I have no intention of changing them anytime soon as they're fantastic clubs and I really did notice the difference between the sets. WOods on the over hand... I've had the same 3-wood (Cleveland Launcher) for over 10 years and I can still hit that further than most people can hit a driver, yet I've never found a driver that works for me. Swings and roundabouts. You can spend an absolute fortune and still play like a complete arse - as Andy mentions, if you haven't got the basics, sticking a set of shiny clubs in your hands is going to make no difference whatsoever.
Yes and no - blades _are_ very difficult to hit well - much more so that an cavity back or offset club. That said, you can get perfectly reasonable clubs for not a lot of cash.
First 2 sets i had were 2nd hand. Last set was some custom fit Mizuno Comp CT's. cracking set of clubs. Alas fooked knee put paid to golf, but hoping to get back into it in the new year
2nd hand definately, just get something half decent any decent pro/golf shop should be able to give you some advice. I've got some Slazenger irons in my garage which I've been wondering what I should do with if you're interested. They would be 3rd hand though but they are decent enough clubs.
Lessons are a good idea for deffo. My mate who's been playing for 20+ years has had lessons this year and he's been through some pain unlearning all the bad habits of the past. It's worked though he's down into the low teens now.
You're probably just need to get used to handling a longer shaft . Seriously though I'm the same my driver never gets used. This year I've treated myself to a new Hippo Graphite 3 wood and I must admit it's a great club, dead forgiving. In fact I was so impressed I bought the driver a couple of weeks ago as it was reduced to £20 at my local shop. Indifferent form so far but we'll see how it goes at the weekend. Mind you my friend has just lashed out on an R7 (£280 to you sir). I had a go last week at the range and I must admit it was surprisingly easy to hit straight.
I've just switched to blades having nabbed some second hand from a friend. I'm finding it interesting but I do find the lower weight helps prevent thinning it. Control is a bit of an issue though
Phwoar. Seriously though, I've tried about 8 different ones over the years and never found one I can consistently hit. Currently have a Titliest 975D which when I hit it well is fantastic, but no consistency. In this regard I think e-Bay is your friend - can pick up lots of clubs fairly cheaply.
As you said before if you can hit the ball far enough with a 3 wood why bother. I rarely do although I'm sure when I see the "longest drive" holes this weekend it will come out of the bag My brother-in-law has seen them in China for about £40 they are apparently identical. He tried to get me one last time he was there but they'd run out of stock, surprisingly enough they get bought up by western business men travelling there .
Great club the 975D is, i use one, my dad uses one, my brother uses the later 975J (a bit bigger i think it is). The most consistent driver any of us have ever come across. Easy to hit if you swing 'right' ;D. I find though that if you do a nice slow swing you can really zing it with that club.
If you posted this a month ago i could have given you a free set of knackered old clubs, not sure you would have wanted them though. As others have said, try ebay or maybe some local pro shops might have some sets that people have traded in (not sure if that goes on here, do it in ireland a lot though). Also some pro shops have a practice area with a net and a few balls so you can practice with a few clubs to see what suits you better, some shops may even lend you a 5-iron to try out for a few days, to see if you get on with the clubs. Personally i'd go for a 2nd hand set of callaway x series clubs with graphite shafts if you can find them. Have tried a few differnt sets of these clubs over the last few years and they are the nicest easiest to hit ones i've come across.
King Cobra SS 375 driver with 9 degrees loft - I drove the green on a 305 yard par 4 last week. Regularly 275 yard plus. Great driver and VERY forgiving. Tony
