newbie needing equipment advice

[jomo]

Hi All,

Great website you have here, and very informative.

I picked up golf around 5 years ago when I bought a 2nd hand half set of Howson Derbys (3,5,7,9,PW,SW,1W,3W,5W) from a colleague, and played a couple of times.

Since moving to Ireland couple years ago, have played a few more times, especially since a par 3 opened up 5 mins away. Have also picked up some cheap clubs from a department store to fill in the gaps.

After reading a lot of info on the web (most of it from here), have decided to take up a few lessons, and then buying some new clubs after that.

I wondered what advice anyone would have to what I should look for?

I spoke to a pro at a local club who suggested getting a complete set (cost around €200). But I would rather spend more and make up a set. I'm not to worried about driver/woods or putter at the moment, as I get most use from the irons. Have been leaning towards the Callaway Big Berthas, or Mizuno MX-17s (or 19s now). What is the opinion of these? or any others that might suit.

Thanks,

Rob

[slf]

Re: newbie needing equipment advice

Hi Rob,
the club head is not as important as we think, although some clubs are more forgiving and ideal for a new player, the shaft of the club is very important and it depands on your swing, I would listen to the pro if I were you. he has seen your swing and can realy help you choose the right irons. hope this helps.

[jomo]

Re: newbie needing equipment advice

Thanks for the reply.

Have not actually had the lessons yet (starting in next week or so), so will talk to the pro more as i progress.

I can understand the reason for choosing a complete set (irons + woods + bag etc..) as it will help in starting out. But a part of me feels it might be false economy, and would rather put that money towards something that will last me longer (which I would probabily end up getting anyway).

But you are right that I will talk it through with the Pro as well.

[LowPost42]

Re: newbie needing equipment advice

Hi Rob,
the club head is not as important as we think, although some clubs are more forgiving and ideal for a new player, the shaft of the club is very important and it depands on your swing.

The clubhead isn't as important as we think? How important is it? We certainly don't want a new golfer playing with blades, do we? Even muscle cav irons aren't advisable.

The clubhead is quite important - I'd argue more important than the shaft. I can adjust my tempo to hit any shaft. I have to alter my whole swing to make up for clubhead design (or mis-design).

jomo - Find a cavity back iron. They're much more forgiving on mishits (this means that you don't suffer as much distance loss when you miss the sweet spot on the clubface). Muscle-cavity clubs penalise sweet spot misses more than cavity back, and blades or muscle backs penalise sweet spot misses the most.

Now, slf does make a good point in that you need to find 'your' flex. This has more to do than just swing speed. You also have to look at release, tempo, and transition move.

Your coach should be able to recommend a flex.

Now, as for set makeup: Make sure that you get your clubs fitted to your swing. It's so important, I'll say it again. Make sure you get your clubs fitted. Ignore online charts and calculators. See a clubfitter. Make sure that you get your lengths and lies set for your swing. In fact, your local clubmaker can probably outfit you with a whole set of quality components (and shafts) for the price of a set of 'brand name' irons.

As for make, I'm not a fan of 'piecemeal' or 'frankenstein' sets. I like the consistency that a golfer gets from having his irons match. Design concepts and lofts go together to create proper yardage gaps. By mixing and matching, you're more hit-or-miss with your distances, and I can almost guarantee that you will not be playing a consistent shaft flex across your irons (whatever flex it may be). In fact, if you buy 'brand name' clubs off the shelf, I can pretty much guarantee that you won't be playing a consistent flex across that iron set, either... but that's another conversation for another time.

Buy an iron set.

Buy a driver that fits. (Yes, that means going for a driver fitting, or a demo day. If you find a club that suits you, buy that club. I'm serious. Buy the demo that you hit. To buy another club 'just like it' will not be just like the one you hit.)

You made an allusion that you want to buy what you'll end up using. Well, if you're even remotely serious about playing good golf, you'll end up with a custom fit set. You might as well do it once you've had a few lessons, and enjoy golf all the more.

[slf]

Re: newbie needing equipment advice

intresting view, you are right blades are not suitable, however the club heads on the starter sets are much the same, i dont think Rob should have custome made or fitted clubs. i think for a bigginer, starter sets are the best. He will need to change to "better" set later on when he learns then the clubs need to be fitted because he will have his SWING by then. as for woods and specialy driver, I dont think he should have a driver or a 3 wood in the bag for the first 6 months! 5 wood is forgiving gives distance and is a great starter wood.

[jomo]

Re: newbie needing equipment advice

Thanks for the input. Just the sort of things I'm looking for.

When I say I am new, I am not totally new, but certainly serious about playing golf. Since starting to play "proper" this summer, I have played on my local par 72 course twice, and the 18 hole par 3 about 20 to 30 times. First time out on the par 72 I shot 113. 2nd time (after several weeks out on the par 3 and few times down the range) shot 103. the par 3 scores are down to arround low 70s (started off in mid 80s).

You have both given me lots to think about, and may go chat to local club maker as well as the pro who will be giving me lessons. From looking at the PCS website I found the only registered PCS clubmaker in Ireland is about 30 mins away from me.

[slf]

Re: newbie needing equipment advice

most golf retailers ie: american golf can messure you for clubs if that is what you want. however i am sure your pro will agree with me on this! spend your money on golf lessons if you are happy with the pro, I see many new golfers with £400 drivers hitting it 180 yards in the trees, when they could have spend that money on lessons and hit an umberela longer and straighter! by the way your score is very good for someone that hasn't played for a long time, keep it up.

[slater170]

Re: newbie needing equipment advice

most golf retailers ie: american golf can messure you for clubs if that is what you want. however i am sure your pro will agree with me on this! spend your money on golf lessons if you are happy with the pro, I see many new golfers with £400 drivers hitting it 180 yards in the trees, when they could have spend that money on lessons and hit an umberela longer and straighter! by the way your score is very good for someone that hasn't played for a long time, keep it up.

hi jomo
you are not a rank novice so i would go for custom fitted set.
if you need reassurance go to AGD or one of the big retailers and go through their fitting session and the go to a proper clubmaker and you will soon see the difference.
i did it and agd just tried to steer me towards a standard off the shelf set and yet when i was fitted properly i was informed any standard set would have been too long.
i can assure you getting a fitted set will speed up your improvement no end!