Re: On having a "set"

While what you say is certainly economical, I don't know if it'll help much mentally.

Can you trust each club every time you pull it?

I'd invest in a bunch of cavity back clubs - and preferably oversized with wide soles.

Then, once your game improves, you can movee along to something else.

Re: On having a "set"

Having a goal to work towards to reward yourself is always a great motivational tool. Whether it's on the course, on a diet or going to school, performance based incentives inspire hard work if the goal is realistic and the prize is desired. That being said, with that many different clubs it may be quite difficult to achieve any sort of consistancy based on shafts are different weight, flex and possibly even length. Best bet is to grab a 'set' of used irons and work on your game with those.

Re: On having a "set"

To answer your question...No, there is no club in the bag that I "trust," with the possible exception of my lob wedge. For some reason, I'm pretty good using the LW to make flop shots onto the green from 10-30 yards out. And I'm reasonably confident that I'll hit 200 yards fairly straight, off the tee, with my 3W. For every other shot, I have the feeling that anything at all might happen because...it does!

These cavity back oversized sole clubs...are they in a sense "remedial" clubs? Should I expect them to make a difference? I know that sounds like a stupid question. I guess what I'm wondering is whether at my abysmal level I should expect equipment to make any difference at all.

Re: On having a "set"

The cavity back helps to make off center hits go further, as well as reduce the amount of sidespin put on the ball. In other words, your distance will be more consistent (making a club more reliable), and it won't slice/hook nearly as bad (if you struggle with that).

The wide sole is a blessing/curse sole - it reduces the amount of fat hits (chunking the shot), but can increase the amount of thin hits (because you bounce that fat shot as opposed to dig in the dirt). That said, it'll only hurt you around the green, as if you thin it, the ball tends to get going in a hurry.

Keep your 3W and LW, and invest in a partial set of cavity backs (ie every other iron 3-5-7-9), and give them a try.

If you see your local club builder/fitter, you can probably get them for pretty cheap.

Heck, I can probably build you something that'd be easy to try, and I could do it cheap.

Re: On having a "set"

I've just been playing for 3 months...after a 30 year lay off. Might as well say I am a beginner all over again...even worse....I've lost my youth.

That being said....to get into this sport, I bought a cheap RAM set of cliubs. WIthin a week, I gave those to my son and bought a better, but still cheap, Nicklaus Signature seriers set. My game became MORE consistant with these clubs but.....I was around 120-130 when I played serious golf (scored as in a tourney). About 2 weeks ago, I bought a set of Callaway 2004 BB irons and a 2005 BB 454 driver. I am now shooting an even 100 with signs of getting down into the 90's (5 chips yesterday cost me 95 over 100). Oh yeah, I also got rid of the putter that came with the set and got a real 2-ball putter. Doing MUCH better with that.

I think the new Irons, Driver, and putter have helped me to get more trust and consistency in my clubs. I didn't get these custom fit as I am the typical average guy. My clubs COULD be dialed in a little bit but that is not the reason I am shooting 100.

I am hitting more consistently and this is allowing me to grow my game faster. My goal is to be consistenly in the mid-90's before year end. I am only a couple of stupid shots (I really need to work on my chipping from short range) from being there after being seemingly stuck in 120s. I know 3 months is not a long time but I play a lot and came to place where I felt an investment in new clubs was going to improve my game.

I did buy these clubs on ebay. I got a new, big bertha cart bag, used (very barely used) 2004 BB Irons, a new oddsey 2ball putter (I chose dfx vs white) and a new 2005 454 Big Bertha Driver for 730.00. I had a local club builder build this awesome Tour Golf Limited Edition Hybrid 3 Iron for 35 bucks. I can hit this sucker in all kinds of lies (rough, muck, fairway, etc...) a confident 150-200 yards (depending on where I am hitting it from). So, for around 760.00, I am stoked!!!! The only thing I am looking for is something to bridge the Driver and the Hybrid 3. I kept the 3 and 5 wood from the Nicklaus set but I can't hit them with confidence. I am thinking of having the clubmaker build a Hybrid 2 to match the 3. But, I may get a new, flat 5 wood of some time. Not sure. This is not a high priority...just want to round out my set. Oh, I did keep my Adams Tom Watson wedge set. My BB irons go from 3-10 (the 10 is same as PW) and a W (which is an attack/gap wedge). I let my son have the Watson Gap and I kept the sand and lob wedge. That set is 79.00 for the 3 wedges on ebay or most web sites.

Don't know if this helps you or not but I would seriously dismiss the idea that new clubs won't help you. They helped me immensely.

My dream at this point is to get into the mid-80's. That is going to take a lot of work on my part. I do know the clubs are what is holding me back.

Re: On having a "set"


Something else to add to my last message.....

Everyone I play with hits my clubs better than me (I play with some really good golfers). That doesn't mean there aren't clubs out there that YOU can hit better than your current ones. I play with a guy that hits his 9 iron 165 and lob wedge from over 100. He rips any clubs he gets his hands on...cheap or good. I can't use him as a factor as to whether I get new clubs...and I didn't.

Another thing...new clubs give you a new excitement to go out and accomplish something. Another reason to give it a try. You may never get 100 with your current clubs.

Re: On having a "set"

Good point, and I appreciate your comments. I do think about getting some sort of "set" of clubs from time to time. I'm as susceptible to advertising as anyone, and the golf industry goes to great lengths to instill the idea that some new clubs would really improve my game. But I'm not ready to make the purchase yet.

For one thing, I have no idea what to look for in golf clubs. I can pick them up and handle them in the store, and in some places try them out in a hitting area. But that's a pointless exercise, because my ball striking is so inconsistent anyway. If I go in the hitting area and make a few good shots (or at least what seem to me to be good shots), does that mean I've found clubs that are a good match for me, or merely that I had a few good minutes in the hitting room? And if I don't hit the ball well...what then?

I could go to a discount store such as Target or Walmart and pick up a cheap set for not much more than $100. I don't know if I'd be any better off than I am now. Presumably the *quality* of those clubs isn't much better (if at all) than what I'm now using, but they'd be matched, and I guess that would be better. I guess I'm not convinced that the difference would be worth $100.

Or I could spend a good deal more for "quality" clubs--$300, $400, $500 and up. Since my funds for this game are not unlimited, I have to ask myself: What will do me more good, spending $300 on new clubs, or spending that money on actually playing golf and/or sessions at the practice range?

My clubs may be ugly, but there is no club in the bag that I've not hit absolutely gorgeous shots with. I played Saturday and twice was able to hit greens from 190-200 yards with my $20 hybrid. With the same club I topped the ball a number of times, chunked a few, pushed a few, etc. So *maybe* I'd get a better ratio of gorgeous shots to rubbish if I used a $150 hybrid instead, but I'm not convinced.

As I see it, if and when I ever break 100, maybe I'll have a better idea of what sort of clubs I need. Or maybe not, who knows? I still have a ways to go.

I confess, however, that I'm tempted by the "uni-shaft" concept of the http://1irongolf.com set, which we discussed in another thread. But I'm not so tempted that I want to risk $600 on them.

Re: On having a "set"

Hi Todd,

When I started hitting that little white ball about five months ago I bought a set of Knight clubs from Wal*Mart. Cost about $150 for the set.The irons are cavity backs, the driver is a 450 cc 10.0. It came with a 3h, 3w and 5w.
I wasn't about too invest big bucks for clubs that I really didn't need as a beginner, and might never need.
The Knights have served me well. The nice thing about having a matching set is that all the grips are the same. One of my brothers sent me a Cleveland Launcher 460 cc 10.5. He bought it from a friend of his who didn't like it. My brother didn't like it either so he gave it to me as a gift. I very rarely use it, I don't like the way it feels in my hands. It's hard to discribe. One of our sons was down for a visit in August, he loved it and it showed. He hit the heck out of the ball. I'm going to give it to him on his next visit.
My advice for what it's worth, go to Target, Wal*Mart or wherever and buy yourself a set of clubs. It will make you feel better to have a matching set, you will get comfortable using them and your game will improve.
Having a $1,000 driver won't make me hit the ball three hundred yards. So why buy one?
I really enjoy the game, I keep it simple. Everybody and his brother will give you advice. I know that most people mean well, but they can't hit the ball for you. I never make major changes in the way I play. I will make minor adjustments along the way and I'm happy with my game for now.
Todd, go out and buy a set of clubs, cheap ones. LOL. I don't think you'll regret doing it.

Tom

Re: On having a "set"

Hi Todd,

I do highly recommend getting a set as having consistency in your clubs are very important. Here are some reasons:
- Maybe you can hit your 7iron(cavity which has graphite shafts) 150yards but you can only hit your 8iron(blade with steel) 120yards. This means that you have a difference in 30yards, therefore you have to "adjust" your swing to compensate.
- In order to hit yuor 7iron straight, you have to swing slower, but swing faster for your 8iron. Again, you have to "adjust" your swing.
- Your 7iron flies much higher whereas your 8iron goes much lower. No consistency in how the ball is going to fly so you have to "adjust" to how each club plays.

as you can see, you are the one that has to adjust your swing in order to hit a certain club good. Any clubs can be hit well but golf is all about consistency and by not having consistent clubs, your swing wont be consistent either (especially as a beginner when you need all the help that you can to get your swing consistent).

As 89imf mentioned, you can get many cheap sets from department stores that are actually quite good in term of quality and you dont have to spend big bucks. You definitely dont have to spend $600 and go with the "uni-shaft" route as I am sure you dont see any pros using them.

At least have a consistent iron set. Your woods and your wedges doesnt need to be the same set as long as they feel the same. Ofcourse by doing so, you are increasing the cost as a woods and irons set are much cheaper....

Re: On having a "set"

The good thing about getting some good irons/woods is that you can get your $$ back if you don't like them AND you get to experience better clubs.

I did a lot of research on the web. One thing I suggest is going to Google and typing "review XXXX XXXXX irons" (like review callaway 2004 big bertha irons). I got a good feel of a couple iron sets I could be happy with. I went to their web site and looked at the std length and lie as compair to my current "set". That narrowed it down even further to Ping G2 and Big Bertha 2004 irons. From there, I found a terrific deal on ebay on the 2004 BB irons (almost brand new, 9 of 10 shape and brand new cart bag 425.00).

I have had these for 2 weeks and feel pretty sure I could get 100% of my $ back on these. I don't think I can get my investment in my budget set back. In fact, that set is going new on ebay for much less than what I paid.

If you are going to invest in different clubs, check out some name stuff on ebay as they will hold their value and be more appealing to others in case of resale need.

Re: On having a "set"

I appreciate the consistency argument. Of course, even with any single club in my bag, I don't hit especially consistently. For example, even when I execute what feels like a good strike with my 7 iron, the distance varies from 130 to 160 yards. As you'd expect, ball trajectory varies too.

I'm not playing with any "blades" anymore. I got rid of them last year. My irons are all cavity-back. 89imf mentioned the Knight clubs that Walmart sells. My 7 and 8 irons are Knights, in fact, though not exactly the same model. My 9 iron is a PowerBilt "Fuzzy Zoeller" model, which I am very fond of. My 6 iron is a "Triumph," whatever that is. I never heard of that brand, and I've never seen another one. And I'm using hybrids for anything longer than a 6. My 5h is a 27* Top Flite that I got at Walmart, which I hit pretty well. I have a 22* Knight "Rippa" which they call a 3h, but with that loft I'd call a 4h. That's my favorite club in the bag. And I have a 19* Ram FX "recovery" hybrid that I recently bought. I haven't mastered it. For woods, I have a 400cc Cougar X-Cat 10.5* driver and an Intech 3W, which doesn't have the loft written on it, but I suppose it's about 15*. I carry 4 wedges.

As for the uni-shaft set... If I had $600 to spend on golf, I'd rather take my gypsy clubs and spend the money on a plane ticket to England and play golf with my friend in Kent!

I don't pay any attention to what the pros use. Keep in mind I'm a 52 year-old philosophy professor who shoots 115. I'll probably always be in the "game improvement" category for equipment. The uni-shaft clubs are game improvement clubs, as are cavity backs. If I should get to a level of play where I find that my cavity-back irons are holding me back from shaping my iron shots, I guess I'll know it's time to give up the game-improvement clubs.


As I say, I can see the case for a consistent iron set, especially the 6-9 irons that I routinely use. Another option would be to go to Second Swing and try to get a matched set of just those irons, and stick with the wedges, hybrids, etc. that I have.

Re: On having a "set"

i would have to agree with the suggestion to get newer clubs... try e-bay and look for used clubs that are in your price range. i know that the consistancy of the clubs is going to help with the consistancy of your swing and impact. you don't have to spend $600 to get decent clubs. look for sales, and things of that nature from local shops, or even online. also, try to look for game improvement irons that have a wider sole, and a slightly larger head. that will put you in good shape. having clubs that aren't " matched " is going to affect your game.

Re: On having a "set"

Power-bilt fuzzy zoellers......have a full set of irons and wedges in my garage. My son got them at Play it again sports. When you make contact with them, they are sweet. I just couldn't get consistant with them (I think they are for low handicappers) and neither could my son.

Good luck in your quest to improve. If nothing else, start hinting what you want for presents.

Re: On having a "set"

Hi guys:

Uhh my opinion in this would be to go the clone route some say yay some say nay but my brother just boght a set of slingshot copies 3 Ping g2 woods and 3 wedges a callaway heavenwood, an oddessey putter, a bag, headcovers and everything else he needed for like 550 I was scepticle but, very suprised I like his dang clone better than my callaways and I spent almost a grand on iorns and woods and didn't get half the stuff he got. In my opinion your iorns are the most important part of your game I wold invest 160 in a set of clones form www.pinemeadowgolf.com I think you will be pleasentlly suprised plus they have a money back guarentee so you got nothing to lose. Hopr this helps. Oh yeah and the clubs are very high quality and very similar to the name brand.



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