Ping: Golfers

[Raiders Army]

Okay, for my job I have begun taking golfing lessons. Does anyone have a good suggestion on some beginner's clubs? Also, any suggestions on cheap golf balls to practice with would be appreciated as well. We're going into Oklahoma City this weekend after my league's fantasy draft to pick some stuff out.

[Dr. Sak]

Not to sound cheap but if I was starting out I'd go to a used club store. When I started out I bought a cheap set of clubs, a few years later I decided to upgrade and get a set of Titleists and I couldn't believe how forgiving they were.

At the used club places around here, they let you hit the clubs and you can get a good idea how they feel and you'll pay a fraction of the price. Plus you can inspect them to see if there are any flaws.

That's just my 2 cents on clubs. Do you want balls you are going to hit around your yard or ones that you will play with also?

[Raiders Army]

Thanks. I was thinking about used clubs as well. For golf balls, I was thinking about getting some to hit around my yard to begin with. I get the feeling that my instructor isn't going to let me play for a couple of weeks since my homework is to hit a lot of balls in the next week.

[dolfin]

I always had good luck on ebay when I first started, but you have to really look around.

For balls, I think I remember seeing large bags of "junk" balls on ebay for pretty cheap.

[NoSkillz]

If you're just starting out, you definitely want to get a mid-size or over-sized, cavity-back set of irons. These will be MUCH more forgiving over traditional, butter-knife sized blades.

Trust me, you want the forgiveness that these clubs provide. Off center hits won't hurt your hands and they'll still go relatively straight.

Almost every club making company has these so called "Game Improvement" clubs and if you buy used, you'll likely find a great deal on fantastic clubs that may only be one year old, with little wear. The best names out there are Taylor-Made, Calloway, Ping and Cobra for game improvement clubs. Titleists aren't bad, but that company, along with Mizuno, concentrate more on 'Players' clubs, ie: blades. They do make game improvement clubs as well but not really for beginners.

Set makeup is also important. Leave pride at the door and don't get irons higher than a 5-iron. You want to have probably two 'hybrid' clubs in your bag to replace your 4-iron and 3-iron. They are much, much easier to hit and get airborne and even better players are taking these irons out of their bag and replacing them with hybrids.

I'd go with a standard set makeup - Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 3-iron hybrid, 4-iron hybrid, 5I, 6I, 7I, 8I, 9I, PW, SW and Putter. That makes 13 clubs so you have one more to work with if you want to get a gap wedge, a lob wedge or a 7-wood. All personal preference.

With your driver, again, oversized is the way to go and make sure the shaft is no more than regular-flex (as opposed to a stiff shaft). As a beginner, I don't care how big or strong you are: your clubhead speed won't be high enough to warrant getting a stiff shafted driver. The shaft is a very important component of the clubs, one that is often overlooked but for a beginner, it's only really important for the driver.

As for practicing at your place, just one piece of advice...don't ever aim at your own house :) Only bad things can happen ;)

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Dr. Sak]

Hey NoSkillz, what kind of clubs do you play?

I have a problem where I cannot hit a club that isn't a steel shafted club which is really causing me problems when looking for a driver.

[MikeVic]

Bah golf.

[johnnyshaka]

Bah golf.

You didn't give up already, did you?!?!

[johnnyshaka]

Definitely go the used route and to save some bucks right now, I'd just get the bare minimum until you get your swing down pat. I've been playing golf for 15 years and still have never bought a new set of irons. I'm finally at a point now that I probably could because my swing hasn't changed for quite sometime but I absolutely love my current irons and don't want new ones.

If you are taking lessons right now (good job, you are definitely getting started on the right track!!) I would talk to your instructor because if he's any good he should be teaching you a swing to fit you, not the clubs you are swinging. So, I would hope, he would have a good idea of what you should buy and it would be a good idea to get fitted...meaning you should make sure the shafts are the right length and stiffness, the heads are at the correct lie, and that you have the appropriate grips.

[MikeVic]

You didn't give up already, did you?!?!

No no, I'm still playing. :) But I play at most once a week. Hit the driving range maybe every second week. So I've leveled off and need to put more into it next year.

I have improved a lot over the end of last year though, and on the 9-hole par 3 courses I seem to do alright on a few holes... then blow up on a couple that sends my score soaring. :p

[johnnyshaka]

Atta boy!!!

Since adding kid #2 in June, I've played a whopping two rounds this year and haven't even been to the range. Yikes!!!!

[BrianD]

Definitely go the used route and to save some bucks right now, I'd just get the bare minimum until you get your swing down pat.

I'll echo this. Golf can be a very expensive and time-consuming sport depending on how crazy you want to get. Feel free to start spending the time, but don't spend a lot of money until you are sure that you'll like it enough to sick with it. You will have to play a fair amount of golf before your swing gets to the point where the clubs matter. When you start making reasonably good contact on a regular basis, then you can start worrying about the right clubs.

[NoSkillz]

Hey NoSkillz, what kind of clubs do you play?

I have a problem where I cannot hit a club that isn't a steel shafted club which is really causing me problems when looking for a driver.

Pretty much everything depends on how good a player you are and how fast your swing speed is.

If you're having problems with composite or graphite shafts in drivers, maybe it's too weak a flex for you - perhaps you need something stiffer, as steel by its nature is stiffer than graphite or composites.

Have you ever tried to be fitted for a driver? Most golf shops have launch monitors and club head speed readers and can help fit you for something that will work, at no additional charge. Just a suggestion. Do you have a handicap? How far do you usually hit the ball off the tee?

As for me, I'm a complete Taylor-Made whore. I have the R7 425TP Driver with the removeable weights and the Fujikura Re-Ax shaft (Stiff). I absolutely LOVE it. The TP version sets up nice and square as opposed to closed setup of the non-TP version. My miss is a hook so I like the square clubface.

I have a very unique set makeup as well, as I don't carry any fairway metals. Instead, I have a 2-iron hybrid and a 3-iron hybrid, both Taylor-Made TP Rescues. I can hit the 2-hybrid about 240 yards and control it better than a 3-wood so that's long enough! Again, the TP version is a square clubface.

I like blades but unless you're a tour pro, you shouldn't be using them. I've been playing a long time and I'm pretty decent at the game (down to a scratch this year!), so I opted for the next best thing in the R7 TP clubs from Taylor-Made, which have a small cavity but a nice, thin topline so they aren't bulky. I bought these irons last year (4 iron down to PW) and I gained about 10 yards of distance and IMPROVED my accuracy. Steel, Tour-Flighted Rifle Shafts, stiff.

I also carry 3 other wedges: 52 degree gap wedge, 56 degree sand wedge and a 60 degree lob wedge, all Taylor-Made. So four wedges overall. Short game is the most important part of golf if you want to score well so having options around the green is very helpful.

So my set makeup is: Driver, 2-iron hybrid, 3-iron hybrid, 4I, 5I, 6I, 7I, 8I, 9I, PW, GW, SW, LW, Putter

[Pumpy Tudors]

Raiders Army, you have to learn to play golf for your job? What kind of job has that as a requirement? I wish my job required me to bowl, since I'm actually pretty good at that.

[Raiders Army]

Thanks for the tips fellas. I'll go the used route and try ebay for balls. Hopefully I can get some used clubs in Oklahoma City because there aren't any here.

Pumpy, it's not necessarily a requirement but a "highly encouraged" skill. Unfortunately I have noskillz to speak of right now. :)

[Huckleberry]

Played the best golf of my life just yesterday. But that's the most annoying part about golf. I didn't feel like I was doing anything differently, my swing just got in a groove. Long and straight like I couldn't believe.

Played a very easy course (68.1/109) and shot a 79 (first time under 80). I actually played 27 holes because we got stopped after 9 holes due to a lightning storm last Friday and got a rain check for the next 9. Finished up an 82 and then for about 10 holes (around #6-15) in the round after that I was just pounding the ball unbelievably.

But then golf reality came back and bit me in the ass and my game off the tee sucked ass again on the last 3 holes. Still managed a bogey, bogey, par finish thanks to some decent scrambling combined with how easy the course is. So just when the golf gods let me think I had it all figured out they took it all away. But then they teased me with my last iron shot of the day. 9-iron from 135 out that I pured and sent 10 yards past the stick right on the line I wanted. A 145-yard 9-iron. I assure you, that is not what I normally hit that club.

I'm sure the next time I play I'll be back in the 90s. Those damn golf gods like to torture you.

As for your first set, do what the others have suggested. Go used or eBay. My whole set has been filled out on eBay and I always get last year's model once they're trying to clear them out. I still have a TaylorMade R540 driver that I got for $140 the day after the R7s came out and were selling for $360. Got an Adams A2 game improvement set (3 and 4 hybrids instead of irons) for $200 on eBay when they were going for $500 at the store last year. But that takes a lot of patience. I let a lot of auctions go by that got past that amount.

[Kevin]

The best tip:

The slower and easier you feel you are swinging, the farther you will hit it. Most beginners swing too hard and lose all the clubhead speed before it gets to the ball.

Also, get comfortable with 7,8,9 irons before trying to hit the other clubs. That will really help with the frustration factor.

[DanGarion]

Bringing a thread back from the dead. Anyone have much experience with the knock-off versions of clubs? I'm looking around on ebay and I'm seeing people happy with the sellers that are selling the knock off versions of Burners, and X9, etc, and wondering if paying 1/3-1/4 the price for them is worth it. I'm basically a beginner, I've played off and on for about 15 years but never really played more then 1-2 rounds a year. Really looking into playing more as long as I can find people to play with.

Right now I just have some cheap brand Knights that I bought used about 10 years ago, I actually broke one of the Iron heads last time I went out and figure it's as good as time as any to start looking for a new set to help me out.

Would like to spend under $300 total for the clubs to start, figured I could get by for now with the 3 and 5 woods I have, and get irons, couple hybrids as suggested and a driver to replace the Knight driver I have.

Also how are Adams, are they just cheap or are they decent, found some good prices for used ones on ebay.

[Atocep]

Bringing a thread back from the dead. Anyone have much experience with the knock-off versions of clubs? I'm looking around on ebay and I'm seeing people happy with the sellers that are selling the knock off versions of Burners, and X9, etc, and wondering if paying 1/3-1/4 the price for them is worth it. I'm basically a beginner, I've played off and on for about 15 years but never really played more then 1-2 rounds a year. Really looking into playing more as long as I can find people to play with.

Right now I just have some cheap brand Knights that I bought used about 10 years ago, I actually broke one of the Iron heads last time I went out and figure it's as good as time as any to start looking for a new set to help me out.

Would like to spend under $300 total for the clubs to start, figured I could get by for now with the 3 and 5 woods I have, and get irons, couple hybrids as suggested and a driver to replace the Knight driver I have.

Also how are Adams, are they just cheap or are they decent, found some good prices for used ones on ebay.


Pinemeadowgolf makes some great clones at incredible prices. If you're a beginner or someone that only plays a couple times a month or less I'd strongly recommend a good set of clones instead of spending 2-3 times as much for the name brand and generally only a slight performance gain.

The people at pinemeadow can also answer any questions and recommend specific clubs for you based on your budget, how often you play, handicap, ect.

[Schmidty]

Not to sound cheap but if I was starting out I'd go to a used club store.

Yep. Not to sound cheap (or cocky), I still use a no-name iron set from like 9 years ago, and a 5 and 3 wood that I bought from a pawn shop. My driver is a 2 year old Mizuno, and the most expensive club I have.

Here's the cocky part -Even with my crappy-ish clubs, I could probably whoop the majority of people on this board (and no, this isn't a dick-size faking thing). It's all about consistency on the drive and the ability to play around the greens. Oh, and putting. Definitely putting.

It doesn't take a custom set of Taylormades, a $200 putter, a nickel-plated $300 wedge, and a $500 90000 c.c Driver to make you be good, or at least competent. In fact, I laugh at the losers who have obviously spent thousands of bucks on clubs, when they duff almost every shot. Even if they can afford it, they look like douchebags.

Anyway, go cheap, read the internet, check out books, and hit the range with some crappy clubs a lot, and you'll be pretty decent within no-time. :)

[johnnyshaka]

Pinemeadowgolf makes some great clones at incredible prices. If you're a beginner or someone that only plays a couple times a month or less I'd strongly recommend a good set of clones instead of spending 2-3 times as much for the name brand and generally only a slight performance gain.

The people at pinemeadow can also answer any questions and recommend specific clubs for you based on your budget, how often you play, handicap, ect.

Bought a 3 wedge set (Gap, Sand, and Lob) from them 3 or 4 years ago and still love them. I had also bought a set of irons and returned them because I found another set I wanted (used KZG Forged Irons) locally and they hand no problems taking the clubs back with a full refund. I'd definitely recommend having a look at their website.

[Cringer]

Oh, I have my own Ping: Golfers question.

Would you try to get golf balls out of my yard if I posted a sign that said "Is a golf ball worth your life?" I am pretty annoyed with the people who think trying different ways to get balls out of my backyard is acceptable. The dogs do a good job, but they are not always out and visible in this heat right away. I think until I change to a wood fence the sign will have to do.

RA, I have about 50-60 golf balls in my backyard, feel free to come pick them up. ;)

[DanGarion]

Well looking around on Pine Meadow Golf, I'm thinking of getting the Command Hybrid/Iron set they have. Command Hybrid Golf Set (http://www.pinemeadowgolf.com/golf-clubs/hybrids/command.hybridset)

[Atocep]

Well looking around on Pine Meadow Golf, I'm thinking of getting the Command Hybrid/Iron set they have. Command Hybrid Golf Set (http://www.pinemeadowgolf.com/golf-clubs/hybrids/command.hybridset)

I have that iron set and I'm extremely happy with the purchase. I picked up the Irons, Command BK driver, a putter, along with 3 and 5 woods for $300-$350 and they're all great. I especially love the driver. I had a horrible, horrible slice with the last driver and this driver more or less eliminated that. Now on the rare occasion that I slice off the tee I'm playing out of the treeline instead of getting a new ball out.

[JS19]

Just picked up the Nike Slingshot 4D's. Pretty excited to get out their and use them, little nervous though. Only have like 5 weeks left in our league, and my partner and I have been playing extremely well lately and making our way to the top of the leaderboard, now I'm gonna start using a new set of irons I have no feel for. I was actually able to get out yesterday, but we played a little 9 hole course so it was basically drive the ball and grab your pitching wedge, so I couldn't utilize most of the clubs.

[MacroGuru]

I got a set of Taylor Made R7's at the beginning of July and I love them. I also have a Ping G10 Driver and Ping G10 fairway wood that feel great.

Now the G10 I have had talks with a few golfers that haven't liked it. It's a forgiving driver for me which is what I need.

[MacroGuru]

Dola,

Hit me up as well I can get some great prices on Golf Clubs with my supplier of my golf shoes...

[k0ruptr]

I really need to get back into golf. used to go every weekend for about 3 years straight. was hitting around an 18 handicap, yea nothing special. I think If I picked up a new set tho, and started working on it I could get down a lil lower. I do truly love golf

[k0ruptr]

Dola, I also like those clubs on pine meadow, might pick some up my self

[DanGarion]

Dola,

Hit me up as well I can get some great prices on Golf Clubs with my supplier of my golf shoes...

The big name brands are just too steep, probably even with your great prices... But I might look to you for a driver...

[DanGarion]

An FYI, if anyone is interested in getting clubs through Pine Meadow, I found a 15% off coupon through this sites link!

hxxp://www.monkeybargains.com/merchants/pinemeadowgolf.htm

[DanGarion]

Awesome, I pulled the trigger and got the 3/4 hybrids along with the 5-SW for 170 total with no shipping charge and no taxes since they aren't in Cali!

[RomaGoth]

Great topic, we were just talking about this today at work.

[johnnyshaka]

Great topic, we were just talking about this today at work.

And...........

:)

[Kevin]

Bringing a thread back from the dead. Anyone have much experience with the knock-off versions of clubs? I'm looking around on ebay and I'm seeing people happy with the sellers that are selling the knock off versions of Burners, and X9, etc, and wondering if paying 1/3-1/4 the price for them is worth it. I'm basically a beginner, I've played off and on for about 15 years but never really played more then 1-2 rounds a year. Really looking into playing more as long as I can find people to play with.

Right now I just have some cheap brand Knights that I bought used about 10 years ago, I actually broke one of the Iron heads last time I went out and figure it's as good as time as any to start looking for a new set to help me out.

Would like to spend under $300 total for the clubs to start, figured I could get by for now with the 3 and 5 woods I have, and get irons, couple hybrids as suggested and a driver to replace the Knight driver I have.

Also how are Adams, are they just cheap or are they decent, found some good prices for used ones on ebay.

Knock-offs can be an excellent solution IF you get fitted properly. Quite often there will be someone near you who assembles these clubs and will be able to do a proper fitting. Most important is the right shaft for your swing speed and next adjusting the lie depending if you are particularly tall or short.
A good club maker will also make you just one club at first to demo and make sure it works for you before you cough up the cash for a full set.

Custom fit knock offs are still considerably cheaper than brand names but not as cheap as generic sets off the internet. You shouldn't buy a full set of clubs unless you have demo'd them.

[RomaGoth]

And...........

:)

I was bumping the thread for myself so I would not have to look for it later. ;)

[RomaGoth]

Dola

Ok, so I am looking to learn how to golf. My new job has what we call in the business, "team building exercises", where we do something fun and build, well, teamwork, I guess. Really, it is just an excuse to drink and not be at work. :lol:

My cousin is going to give me a set of clubs, however, I have never golfed in my life except for miniature golf, which is like saying "yes, I know how to play baseball, I was on a co-ed softball team 5 years ago and we placed 8th."

Anyway, we are talking about putting together a day-long golfing event for our entire company. All skill levels invited, which of course means some of us are going to embarrass ourselves.

I would like to look at getting a few lessons to at least get a start, does anybody have any advice?

[johnnyshaka]

Lessons is a great start. The other thing I would suggest is just to have fun and if that means picking up your ball and moving it to a better lie, then do it up!! Golf is a frustrating game at the best of times so make sure you can have a good laugh at yourself and you'll surely have a much more enjoyable time out there.

[DanGarion]

Ok, I got my Pine Meadow Golf clubs yesterday! Going to the driving range after work to try them out. I also picked up a Alien Ultimate Driver over the weekend at Big 5, sure it's nothing special, but I'm pretty sure it will blow away the cruddy Knight drive that I had been using. Only thing I need now is to replace my 3 and 5 woods (might end up getting Aliens if my driver is decent) and then to get some golf shoes.

[RomaGoth]

Went to the driving range on Friday, first time for me ever hitting a golf ball outside of a miniature golf place. My tendency so far is to hook the ball rather than slice it. Hopefully going again within the week or so.

[k0ruptr]

Went to the driving range on Friday, first time for me ever hitting a golf ball outside of a miniature golf place. My tendency so far is to hook the ball rather than slice it. Hopefully going again within the week or so.

As is with most people when they first start. If you can minimize the hook and turn it into a more natural draw, it feels really good when you hit it cleanly.

[DanGarion]

So the clubs seem to be really nice, I have some work to do on my swing, but as long as I follow through properly I was hitting most of my 7 irons pretty straight. The verdict is still out on the driver I bought I was fading everything to the right off the club, looking at the ball marks on the club I was hitting on the inside half of my club a lot.

I was REALLY impressed with the 3 Iron Hybrid, oh my god that thing hits like butter, off a mat I was hitting straight and long, it was challenging my driver for longest hits, close to 200 yards with the 3 Iron Hybrid.... that club is awesome.

[Chubby]

getting the clubs sized for you will help

[MacroGuru]

So the clubs seem to be really nice, I have some work to do on my swing, but as long as I follow through properly I was hitting most of my 7 irons pretty straight. The verdict is still out on the driver I bought I was fading everything to the right off the club, looking at the ball marks on the club I was hitting on the inside half of my club a lot.

I was REALLY impressed with the 3 Iron Hybrid, oh my god that thing hits like butter, off a mat I was hitting straight and long, it was challenging my driver for longest hits, close to 200 yards with the 3 Iron Hybrid.... that club is awesome.

You are hitting it open faced, look at your grip first on the driver with your swing..

I had the same issue and part of it was my tendency to want to kill it, the other part was my grip. I changed it to where it was proper and took the I want to swing it as hard as I can aspect out and I am hitting my drives around 225-250 straight as can be.

[DanGarion]

You are hitting it open faced, look at your grip first on the driver with your swing..

I had the same issue and part of it was my tendency to want to kill it, the other part was my grip. I changed it to where it was proper and took the I want to swing it as hard as I can aspect out and I am hitting my drives around 225-250 straight as can be.

It's my baseball swinging mentality, I just have to get my muscles to learn. Also I chop the ball a lot hitting it high, because I tend to pull up still, but I'm just starting out again.

[MacroGuru]

It's my baseball swinging mentality, I just have to get my muscles to learn. Also I chop the ball a lot hitting it high, because I tend to pull up still, but I'm just starting out again.

Yeah, it's where I was at. The grip change helped a lot...good luck!

[Dutch]

So I played a round on Tuesday...

On a long par 5, I hit a drive down the middle, took out a 4-iron and blasted a shot up next to water (with the green on the other side) and was sitting great. Then I dumped my 3rd shot in the water, penalty (4), rehit and hit the back of the green (5), crazy long 60-70 foot putt (6), then missed an 8 footer, and ended up with an *EIGHT*

GOD I HATE THIS GAME!

Then on the next hole I drop a sliced drive into the woods, I find my ball and don't have a shot at the green, so I play it back to the fairway but overshoot it into the woods on the other side...then from the woods and through trees I chip the ball about 50 yards to about 6 inches from the cup.

PAR.

Now I'm a golf pro again and ready for more.

[RomaGoth]

So I played a round on Tuesday...

On a long par 5, I hit a drive down the middle, took out a 4-iron and blasted a shot up next to water (with the green on the other side) and was sitting great. Then I dumped my 3rd shot in the water, penalty (4), rehit and hit the back of the green (5), crazy long 60-70 foot putt (6), then missed an 8 footer, and ended up with an *EIGHT*

GOD I HATE THIS GAME!

Then on the next hole I drop a sliced drive into the woods, I find my ball and don't have a shot at the green, so I play it back to the fairway but overshoot it into the woods on the other side...then from the woods and through trees I chip the ball about 50 yards to about 6 inches from the cup.

PAR.

Now I'm a golf pro again and ready for more.

LOL

[Sublime 2]

:p So I played a round on Tuesday...

On a long par 5, I hit a drive down the middle, took out a 4-iron and blasted a shot up next to water (with the green on the other side) and was sitting great. Then I dumped my 3rd shot in the water, penalty (4), rehit and hit the back of the green (5), crazy long 60-70 foot putt (6), then missed an 8 footer, and ended up with an *EIGHT*

GOD I HATE THIS GAME!

Then on the next hole I drop a sliced drive into the woods, I find my ball and don't have a shot at the green, so I play it back to the fairway but overshoot it into the woods on the other side...then from the woods and through trees I chip the ball about 50 yards to about 6 inches from the cup.

PAR.

Now I'm a golf pro again and ready for more.

It will always keep you coming back...You could play 9 and shoot a 55, but remember that one awesome 30' putt you sank on 8 and come back the next day.

I love it!

EDIT: And not that, that has ever happened to me!! ;)

[Dutch]

Yup, exactly.

My buddy was taking out tree limbs with his driver, swearing to sell his clubs, and "just didn't have time to get good at this game", so he was quitting for good...that was somewhere on the front 9....he was laughing and clowning around later after he par'ed a hole. I think he'll be back. :)

[DanGarion]

So I played a round on Tuesday...

On a long par 5, I hit a drive down the middle, took out a 4-iron and blasted a shot up next to water (with the green on the other side) and was sitting great. Then I dumped my 3rd shot in the water, penalty (4), rehit and hit the back of the green (5), crazy long 60-70 foot putt (6), then missed an 8 footer, and ended up with an *EIGHT*

GOD I HATE THIS GAME!

Then on the next hole I drop a sliced drive into the woods, I find my ball and don't have a shot at the green, so I play it back to the fairway but overshoot it into the woods on the other side...then from the woods and through trees I chip the ball about 50 yards to about 6 inches from the cup.

PAR.

Now I'm a golf pro again and ready for more.
That sounds like my round I played at Pinehurst last night on Tiger Woods 2010!

[JS19]

So, I bought a new set of irons not too long ago, but I'm starting to think I may have made the wrong decision. I went with a set of Nike irons, 4 iron through A wedge, but I am extremely inconsistent hitting my 4 and 5 irons. I've always done much better hitting a 3 or 4 hybrid, instead of the irons. My ego says, you just bought these, man up and learn how to hit them consistently, but my golf game says chalk it up as poor decision making and find some decent hybrids. What do you guys prefer, irons or the hybrids?

[Sublime 2]

So, I bought a new set of irons not too long ago, but I'm starting to think I may have made the wrong decision. I went with a set of Nike irons, 4 iron through A wedge, but I am extremely inconsistent hitting my 4 and 5 irons. I've always done much better hitting a 3 or 4 hybrid, instead of the irons. My ego says, you just bought these, man up and learn how to hit them consistently, but my golf game says chalk it up as poor decision making and find some decent hybrids. What do you guys prefer, irons or the hybrids?

I don't know why, but I've always felt like using hybrids was cheating. Granted I know it's not, and I do LOVE the way I hit them, but I've never owned one. It's taken me about 4 years to be able to hit my 3-4 irons, but it feels awesome when I do! And even then, I miss-hit them 1/3 of the time.

The other major factor in me not using hybrids, if my grandfather saw me hitting them, he'd slap me across the head. I'm only 24, so all my buddies hit em, eventually I'll break down I'm sure.

[DanGarion]

So the 6 iron I got from Pinemeadow seems off. It has a much higher frequency ping when I hit with it and the shots seem to feel off.

[JS19]

I'm the same way, Sublime. I just don't feel right using hybrids, although I hit them extremely well. It's probably idiotic not to use them and stick with the irons, as I'm sure I can shave a few strokes off my game, but like I said before, I just bought a new set of irons so I'm gonna force myself to hit the 4 and 5 and hope for the best.

Another question for you guys, what golf balls do you use/prefer? My buddy recommended srixon, and I don't know what their "claim to fame" is, but they are working for me. I asked the guy at the golf shop about the pro-v's, and he pretty much told me I'm not good enough to waste my money on them. He said, "yea, they are a great ball and do add a considerable amount of distance, but instead of hitting the ball left and right, you will just hit the ball further left and right". Like he said, I don't consider myself good enough to really worry about what ball I'm using, so long it doesn't explode on impact, I'll usually use whatever.

[Dutch]

Better equipment will always make you do better. Of course, it's all relative to your starting point. :)

[Scoobz0202]

Need some advice. I've been golfing for a few years. I'm terrible. High 90s, and even into the 100's quite a bit. I average about once every couple of weeks though. I want that to change this year. I am thinking about picking up a membership and going every day, weather permitting.

The kicker is that the clubs I use are junk. Probably not even a full set, mixed brands, and just old old old. That, and the inconsistent playing obviously makes for a terrible game.

Is it possible to get a set, with bag, for sub 400? Cheaper then 400 would be awesome as well. I've been browsing the web and I've checked out the PineMeadowGolf site that was posted earlier in this thread. I liked what I saw, but was just wondering if anybody else knew of a good, complete, starter set. The PineMeadow is possible, but it's just slightly more then I am looking to spend. But I'll probably end up going that route anyways...


Outside of that, a couple quick questions. Are there any other sites you guys like to order equipment and what not off of? I am looking at getting some shoes and maybe a couple other items and was just wondering where you guys tend to go. I live in a small town so there's not really a good store locally.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

i wouldn't go starter set. particularly if you plan on playing a lot. i've worked at a couple pro shops and the biggest mistake people make is trying to get everything at once.

the adams stuff is pretty good and inexpensive. i've seen new sets of irons on sale at dick's for 149.

if you're patient you can probably go all brand name, brand new for around 400-500.

irons 150
3&5 wood set 100
driver (used) 100
bag 50
shoes 35
putter 30-50

those are the price points i'd look for in brand name stuff. taylor made, cleveland, cobra, adams, callaway

[Scoobz0202]

Should I go 10 or 12 degree on the driver?

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

10, 10.5 is pretty standard. 12 is an irregular number and is made for people with hellacious slices. the more loft the less side spin created. if you're hitting it that far sideways just skip the driver and tee off with a 3.

regular flex graphite shaft, 10.5 deg is about perfect for 95% of amateurs.

[Scoobz0202]

Thanks for the advice, Norv.

[chesapeake]

Although a change in equipment can shave a few strokes from your game, don't expect it to be huge change. You should seriously consider getting a lesson or four from a teaching pro if you want to make a big improvement in your game. It isn't nearly as sexy as a hot, new driver, but it will have a much more positive impact on your game over the long term.

[johnnyshaka]

Although a change in equipment can shave a few strokes from your game, don't expect it to be huge change. You should seriously consider getting a lesson or four from a teaching pro if you want to make a big improvement in your game. It isn't nearly as sexy as a hot, new driver, but it will have a much more positive impact on your game over the long term.

That would be my advice, too...and something you should do BEFORE buying new sticks.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Thought I'd probe the general knowledge of the board before I make the plunge, here's the situation...

I'm about a 22, consistently in the mid-90s. A thoroughly average (or even below average) golfer. I'm right handed, and play very left-to-right; I have a bit of a fade on most of my irons, and a pretty wicked slice on my driver (most likely a timing issue...my hips tend to open up early). I also tend to be very short on almost all my clubs - mostly because I'm trying to control the slice, so I take quite a bit off of my swing with my driver and longer irons. My set right now is actually not my own; mine were stolen from my car, and this is a set that was "liberated" from a car my dad's dealership took on trade. It consists of:

9.5 Degree McHenry TourPure driver. Very small head, looks like a club from the early 90's. It's smaller than most of my friends' fairway woods.
Wilson Deep Red Irons, 3 through 9. I actually play these pretty well, but I don't know whether they fit my game or not.
Wilson Deep Red Pitching Wedge. No idea of the degree of loft.
Tour Design (?) Putter. I average a shade over 2 putts per hole, no need to fix what's not broken.

I've been golfing on a more regular basis now, and am about to join a local men's club to play more often and even enter some local tournaments. This being the case, I'm starting to actively try to improve my golf game, and new clubs seem to be high on the list of things to do.

I'd like to do this economically, although I'm not strapped for cash. I want to buy new clubs, but they don't necessarily need to be bleeding edge technology; last year's model (or even a few years ago) is totally fine with me.
With only 10 clubs in my bag at the moment, the first order of business is to fill my bag...but with what? I'm thinking at least one fairway wood (there is a significant gap between Driver and 3 Iron) and a Sand or Lob Wedge, but that still leaves me with two other clubs to throw in the bag. I'm thinking a 3 Wood, 5 Wood or Hybrid, a Lob Wedge and a Sand Wedge, but am also open to suggestions.
The biggest replacement I want to do is my driver. I could really use a more forgiving clubface than the tiny one I'm using now. My irons I actually don't mind much, but I will eventually want to get some that suit my game better.
I have no idea where to go to buy clubs. Golfsmith? A local Pro Shop (seems like an awful idea)?
Along the lines of the last point, I'd also like to have these clubs fit to me, but have no idea where to get this done.
I've been toying around with the idea of taking lessons; I'd really like to get rid of that slice, and I can't imagine it would be all THAT hard to do with an instructor and some practice. Should I hold off on buying clubs until I've corrected the problem?


I'm open to any and all suggestions!

[Vince, Pt. II]

Thread necromancy here...was going to start a new thread, then remembered this one. I had all that typed out before I read the responses to Scoobz's post, which sounds an awful lot like mine. Didn't really feel like making all of that typing wasted though, so there it is :)

So the consensus seems to be to go out and get some lessons before buying new clubs. You guys know of any good resources to use before picking where I go to get lessons?

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

your irons are fine. get a used driver off ebay (i checked used at 100 bucks and there's a million options)

maybe grab a 16 or 18 utility for your 3/4/5 wood. and a cheapo sand wedge.

you don't need a full bag. i don't play with one.

lessons aren't always the cure all. you can pick up hogan's five fundamentals in paperback for like 5 bucks most places. cheaper than a lesson and you'll always have it.

go to the range, set up and take a half step forward with your left leg and a half step back with your right. this'll fix your hips and force you to come in at a steeper angle and ultimately close the face on the follow through.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Just setting up like that and taking a few practice cuts feels really weird. I'll have to try it out though, thanks.

[chesapeake]

Harvey Penick's cure for a slice:
"5. Play ball
Pretend you're at home plate. Aim your body slightly right of second base, but aim your clubface straight at the base. Come down the line on plane and hit a hard fly ball over the shortstop by rotating your left forearm. (Harvey Penick, 1992)"

His "Little Red Book" is also a good thing to have.

However, it didn't cure my slice. My problem was that I wasn't rotating my shoulders very much. A pro id'd my specific problem in about 2 minutes. Hence, I am a fan of lessons :) Your mileage may vary. Golf Digest usually does a yearly thing where you can get a free 30 minute lesson with a pro. You may want to keep an eye out for that.

I agree with NTO's suggestion to check out ebay for a better driver. Just make sure the shaft isn't too stiff. All of us like to think that we can generate power like the pros do. But the fact is, we can't. Some flex in the shaft can really help.

[Sublime 2]

So quick question, can I really expect my game to improve with a new putter? I have an older (8-9 y.o.) Mizuno putter that I've never really had problems with, but it seems like every one of my buddies now has a space ship attached to a shaft. Do these inserts/grooves on the new putters really make a difference?

[dwardzala]

My opinion is that putting is all about a consistent stroke and confidence. What you have on the end of your putter shaft doesn't make a lot of difference.

If you are comfortable with your 8 or 9 year old putter, no need to drop a hundred bucks a new one.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I think a lot of the reason I have been reluctant to get lessons to this point is that I've been working on my golf game since I started playing about 15 years ago. I feel like a lesson would more than likely break me down completely and start me over from scratch - which is probably exactly what I need, but frustrating since I'm just now starting to challenge that 90 stroke barrier consistently.

[chesapeake]

From what you've said, you're struggling to control your slice and you have to sacrifice a lot of distance in order to stay playable. Something isn't going right. Are you self-taught, or did you start with lessons when you were 7? If the latter (same as me), you've probably got a fundamentally sound basic swing that just needs some tweaking from time-to-time.

1 other point, then I will let it go: You've been playing for 15 years. You want to play for 60 more. Build a good swing now, and it will be your best friend for a lifetime.

And I agree 100% with dwardzala on putters. If you are confident in the 20 year-old blade putter you used in high school, don't mess with it. If you're not, finding one that you like and can develop a smooth, confident stroke with will help your game a lot.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Oh, I know. It's a silly reason to not want to get lessons, and I know it is. Just throwing it out there, since I've been playing for 15 years and still haven't had a single lesson :)

I was self-taught, sort of. Had some "lessons" taught by my father (terrible golfer) and my grandfather (very good golfer), but nothing serious or professional.