Any golf pros around?

[Paul Thomas]

It seems weird posting this on a car forum, probably because i dont hang out in the off-topic area.

Anyway, i want the opinion of someone more knowledgable than me about golf clubs. I am an average golfer who shoots consitantly in the low 90 range. More consistant putting will get me well into the 80's, but that just takes experience.

I currently use Callaway X-12 irons which i like very much. My wife has asked me what i want for my birthday and i am considering a newer set of Callaways. I rarely buy new when you can get "like new" for much less. I am looking at the Big Bertha 2002, 2004, and X-18 models and want to know if the difference in design and materials is noticable, and worth the expense?

Thanks,
Paul

[TerryH]

First and foremost.... I am NO pro! But I have wasted a good amount of time playing golf and wasted more money on golf stuff. The problem with buying the best equipment out there is you run out of excuses for bad shots. You can no longer blame your clubs...

I would forgo the minor upgrade in equipment and ask for a couple weeks of lessons from the best local pro you can find. That will knock more strokes off your game than shiney new weapons.

[widgeon13]

Learn how to play with the clubs that you have. Practice is the key. I have played golf all my life and the only technology that has made a difference for me is perimeter weighted irons, it creates a larger sweet spot. I can still hit the ball as far with an old persimmon (MacGregor) driver as I do with a Callaway Big Bertha. Most of the technology is just marketing ploy to sell more clubs. I play with steel shafts and will not change that unless they stop making them and I don't expect that to happen in my lifetime. Get to understand the mechanics of the swing and try small changes to see how it effects ball flight. Clubs will not make you a better golfer, practice will. If you want to spend money spend it on a good teaching pro.

[racemor]

Originally posted by Paul Thomas
It seems weird posting this on a car forum, probably because i dont hang out in the off-topic area.

Anyway, i want the opinion of someone more knowledgable than me about golf clubs. I am an average golfer who shoots consitantly in the low 90 range. More consistant putting will get me well into the 80's, but that just takes experience.

I currently use Callaway X-12 irons which i like very much. My wife has asked me what i want for my birthday and i am considering a newer set of Callaways. I rarely buy new when you can get "like new" for much less. I am looking at the Big Bertha 2002, 2004, and X-18 models and want to know if the difference in design and materials is noticable, and worth the expense?

Thanks,
Paul

Hey! This can't be my best mfi mechanic talking about golf instead of 911s, can it? Who is this and what have you done with Paul Thomas?!

[Nathans_Dad]

Also not a pro, but I carry a 10 handicap right now and am hoping to consistently break 80 this year. I'm not an expert on Callaway stuff, but I did like the X-18s that they had out this year. Big Bertha irons always look like a truck is about to hit the ball to me. If you want to spend a bit more than the Fusion irons are supposed to be really nice. They will set you back over $1000 for a set though.

I just got a set of Ping I5 irons for Christmas and added a Cleveland Launcher 15 degree fairway wood to the bag.

Agree with the comments about lessons from a pro, I took 3-4 lessons last year and it seems to be helping. Putting is my nemesis, always has been.

A friend of mine plays with the X-14s and he likes them very much, again I would go with the X-18s though if I were you. When I was shopping for my Ping the X-18s were about $800 a set or so.

[Bryan Beaumont]

If you like the way your X-12's play then there is no reason to change. Those clubs have all of the game improvement features you will ever need. IMO. The most important part of your clubs are the shafts. A shaft properly matched to your swing will provide you with the most benefit. My iron's of choice are Hogan Apex Edge Pro's with Rifle shafts ; old school setup, but I swear by them. And remember to keep in mind what Arnold Palmer once said "It's the Indian, not the arrow."

[Paul Thomas]

Lots of good advice. I have been improving steadily this year, so i am not interested in spending money on lessons right now. I dont rule it out for the future, but i think it better to get outside help when you have gone as far as you can on your own. I hit many greens in regulation, but my putting leaves much to be desired.

I am not the type of person that thinks a gadget will cure my problems BUT when something is good (like the X-12's), you start wondering if something else could be better (X-18). Going to the Callaways from what i had was like night and day.

Thanks everyone,
Paul

[nostatic]

i think shaft stiffness is often overlooked (that's what she said). You can have the neatest head design in the world but if the shaft doesn't work with your swing speed you're always at a bit of a disadvantage. Back when I had time to play I noticed a big difference when I went from regular shaft to stiff steel on my original Titleist DCI irons. But I have a pretty high clubhead velocity at impact. Have you had your swing analyzed?

They are almost 15 years old now...I guess they're "old school". Wish I had time to go hit them...

[Nathans_Dad]

Good point on the shaft flex Nostatic. If you do decide to go with new clubs, get yourself fit for the set. It might cost you $75 more or so but it is worth it. Another tip, if you have any sort of swing speed, you probably will get no benefit from graphite. I have been using steel shafts since I started playing and the guy that fit me agreed that graphite shafted irons are really for women or seniors...that alone will save you $200 on most sets of irons.

[MisterB]

if you do decide to get new irons get fitted by a pro, he will acess club speed for proper shaft and should be able to get correct lie angles.... I did this when I purchased ping irons and it does make a difference..... my two cents...

[Howard Agency]

Amateurs teach people how to play like amateurs, so just ignore me, but it ain't the arrow, it's the Indian.
I've had the same Bullseye putter for 20 years. When my putting goes bad I know where the problem is.

[kqw]

Good advice given here to go to a Pro. In addition to them teaching the mechanics, when you are ready to get into a new set of clubs, the Pro will have access to several different manufacturers clubs for you to try out prior to a financial comittment.

The key (as mentioned) is to master the mechanics before springing for a set of new sticks.

[mede8er]

Dood....do you want to take 6 months to rebuild an engine, or do you want the instructions necessary to rebuild that engine in 6 days.......

Get your swing analyzed by a pro with a computer analyzer...these things are the 'OBD II' of golf.....

Ask me how I know........

[Paul Thomas]

This thread has gotten out of hand.

Somehow it has gone from:

"I'm a decent golfer wanting opinions on newer club design vs. older" to "i suck and want a quick fix for my game"

Thread over.

Thanks.

[craigster59]

You want to know how I took 9 strokes off my game? I skipped a par 3.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by Paul Thomas
This thread has gotten out of hand.

Somehow it has gone from:

"I'm a decent golfer wanting opinions on newer club design vs. older" to "i suck and want a quick fix for my game"

Thread over.

Thanks.

Sorry Paul, I don't think anyone here meant to criticize. Which of the above quotes do you think pertains to you? No offense, but while 90+ may be an average score for most duffers, it doesn't qualify as decent. I recommended lessons because I thought you were looking to improve your game.

Hey, if you're having fun at the game, that's all that matters. For me if I stop improving and my game starts to get stagnant, I stop enjoying it as much as I would like.

New clubs are most times a temporary quick fix. Short term new confidence, but eventually, they will shoot the same numbers you are seeing now.

Learning the game from a pro can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment and improvement.

Okay.. I'm done too.

[Howard Agency]

Paul, my answer (indian v arrow) meant I thought the extra money spent on new clubs would be better spent on lessons. Tiger takes more lessons than I do, and he beats me every time. I keep getting beaten at the track by better drivers in slower cars, too.

[mede8er]

I apologize if it was my post that offended...but as a single digit handicap I sincerely tried to give you an honest answer......

[Paul Thomas]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TerryH
[B]Sorry Paul, I don't think anyone here meant to criticize. Which of the above quotes do you think pertains to you? No offense, but while 90+ may be an average score for most duffers, it doesn't qualify as decent. I recommended lessons because I thought you were looking to improve your game.

I would agree with that but if you are shooting 92 and 10 or 12 of those are three putts, you are playing some decent golf, you just havent yet aquired the finesse needed for good putting. I hit the ball pretty well with 9 year old clubs, and some big changes have been made in that time. I dont mind criticism, but you dont need to hear "get lessons" 6-7 times. I just wanted opinions on club improvements over what i have.

My game doesnt need a quick fix, or any fix right now, just more playing and time to improve. If i stop improving, i'll call a pro. Better equipment is still better, regardless of your playing level.

Paul

[widgeon13]

Originally posted by craigster59
You want to know how I took 9 strokes off my game? I skipped a par 3.

I think you skipped more than one par 3.....