To all you golfers....

[recycled sixtie]

I would like your opinion on this matter. I recently went to Palm Springs and golfed and rented clubs at great expense. I was impressed by how clubs have come a long way and especially the hybrid clubs.

So here is the question .Is buying a new set of clubs going to improve my game or is this a marketing gimmick for the golf club manufacturers?

Next question. Are the graphite clubs the way to go or do the steel clubs still do the job?
Guy.

[gordner]

I am by no means an expert golfer, but have been trying to get a few rounds in each season the last few years. The best move I made was buying clubs, not because I spent a fortune and got crazy technology, but because of the consistency of the clubs game to game. It allowed me to develop my swing more as I was not facing a different issue every round. I found it to make a huge improvement.
Steel clubs do the job very well, and from my understanding you have to be pretty decent to get the most out of a carbon shaft, and it all depends on your swing as well. A quick lesson tells you a lot about your game as well.

[Paco Anton]

You can check out the clones of big names. I bought a set here Golf Sets on Pinemeadow and are a great value. If they work for you then you can buy the real deal afterwards.

[Nathans_Dad]

It depends on what you are currently using. Replacing your long irons with hybrids is a good move for most casual golfers. Most of the major manufacturers started doing hybrid sets back in the late 90s or 2000s.

I carry a hybrid 3 iron and the rest of mine are regular cavity backs but I usually shoot in the low 80s, high 70s if I practice. If you are a 90s golfer or higher I would go with hybrids for the 3, 4 and 5 iron.

Graphite shafts are better for slower swing speeds, steel is still fine for higher swing speeds. I use steel in my irons and extra stiff graphite in my woods.

I would NOT go buy the latest thing off the rack. There is no difference between clubs made in this year and clubs made in the last 5-7 years. What I would do if I were you is buy a decent set of used 3-5 year old clubs, you'll get the same benefit at a fraction of the price. Have them regripped and you're ready to go.

[atcjorg]

I have a couple of questions first. have you developed a repeating golf swing? If so go to a professional and get fitted for clubs if not buy a used set off craigslist and go take lessons once you have a repeating golf swing get fitted. It is very important you will shave strokes with properly fitted clubs and enjoy the game more. then practice practice practice and when you hit a bad shot know that pro's do also, this is not a game of perfection but reducing "misses". enjoy

[strupgolf]

I've been golfing for 40 years and most of the new clubs are marketing ploys. I boughta set at Dicks, graffite shafts 3 years ago and I like them because I'm older and they help with slower swings. If I were looking today, I'd go to a custom fitter whose clubs are knockoffs of all the name brands, and will cost you a lot less. A custom fitter is just that; he will fit you to the clubs you buy and then you know they fit you. I should have done that myself long ago, but I had brain fade. New irons, drivers, balls, are all the same technology as last year, but with a new name and of course much greater distance, ha ha.

[mattdavis11]

Actually, going retro is the best way to improve. I would get my hands on a few irons from MacGregor circa 1956, and some persimmon woods to train with. Small sweet spot, that's what you want.

I play 1973-75 Wilson staff irons, sure they are dinosaurs, but I can hit anything solid, so it doesn't really matter. Yes I do carry a 1 iron, its been my bread and butter for years.

[Nathans_Dad]

Sorry, that's bad advice. The last thing your average golfer needs is a 1970s era set of irons. That's a good way to get people to quit playing golf!

I have a set of blades too but I don't play them unless I'm playing and practicing consistently. I'm a pretty decent golfer and I can't hit them consistently without practicing.

Get a good set of cavity backs and when you are ready for a less forgiving set then move up.

[t-tom]

No offense but most of the advise here is bad. As a former club and teaching professional I always recommend going to a club fitter. Every year the clubs get better and better. You don't need to buy the highest priced clubs but you do get what you pay for. Go to a fitter, hit some clubs find out what feels good and what you hit best. Then walk away. Come back a few days later and do it all over again to see if they feel the same. Now set a budget for clubs and lessons. Golf can be one of the most rewarding sports but it can also be a nightmare. I went to state in high school, turned down the opportunity to play in college, have worked and taught golf for years and I still go and get lesson help with my swing. Get fit, get lessons and have a great time. Golf is a lot more fun when you play well.

[McLovin]

There's not a big difference from one year to the next, but there's a significant difference between current clubs and 'last generation" ones.

The current "game improvement" and "super game improvement" irons are much easier to hit than old style. They go much straighter on mis-hits. No doubt about it. Yeah, golf is about the swing, but the clubs these days, and having the right clubs and balls for your swing, make a HUGE difference, IMO.

Other than sub 11 year old kids, women and 60+ year old men, you don't see many players using graphite shafts on their irons. Graphite is generally for extra lightness and extra flex, for very slow swing speeds.

[Nathans_Dad]

I think club fitting makes sense for someone who's swing is stable and they can reliably hit a ball in the general direction they want.

For new players, their swing will be in so much flux that spending money on custom fitted clubs that may not fit their swing at all in 6 months doesn't make much sense.

I play Ping I5s which I had fit because I am tall and need upright irons and longer shafts. However, I had been playing for 20 years or so when I got those fit and my swing was established.

[Iciclehead]

It depends on the quality of your swing, but no matter what, the later clubs definitely improve the average golfers game. If you are John Daly who has been known to hit 300yds straight with a putter, any club will do.

If you are the normal weekend golfer, you will find far fewer slices/hooks/off axis problems with clubs like hybrids, so yes, go get some and have a more reliable and easier time.

In my case, I have some trusty clubs (Taylormade R7) with which I reliably drive 275 to 300, straight as an arrow. My irons are from the 1990's, but never had much of a problem with short strokes, but huge issues with second shots (3/4 iron)

Switched to Taylormade hybrid/rescue clubs for second shots, transformed my game. Only issue is that the shortest hybrid I have is good for about 170, might get a shorter one this year....

Dennis

[t-tom]

Most fitting pros will help you with your swing while he's fitting you. If you start with clubs that fit the rest will be a bit easier. Club fitting is not so much about your swing as it is about your height posture and arm length. Go to your local golf shop and talk to them, they will be more than happy to help you. Golf guys are a lot like car guys we can talk golf all day long. When I first started teaching me and another teacher would go out to the range and try to help the worst swings for free. We'd bet to see who could get there guy or gal to hit it closest to a pre set target.

[gassy]

A lot depends on how much more you're going to play. It sounds like you haven't been out in a long while. I wouldn't go out and get a real expensive set even though you want to now that you have the bug again. If you're just a casual golfer, get a mid range steel set. They'll be fine. You can splurge on a hybrid or driver. As others have stated, it's the swing. Don't end up buying a really expensive set because you'll still slice into the woods and curse yourself for spending so much damn money on the clubs!I love golfing with people and whenever they hit a bad shot they look at the club. If they could see their swing they'd realize it looks like they're having a seizure. As do I.

[Nathans_Dad]

There's a saying in golf, it's not the arrow, it's the indian.

[t-tom]

There's a saying in golf, it's not the arrow, it's the indian.

I used to use that a lot when I was teaching.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by t-tom

No offense but most of the advise here is bad. As a former club and teaching professional I always recommend going to a club fitter. Every year the clubs get better and better. You don't need to buy the highest priced clubs but you do get what you pay for. Go to a fitter, hit some clubs find out what feels good and what you hit best. Then walk away. Come back a few days later and do it all over again to see if they feel the same. Now set a budget for clubs and lessons. Golf can be one of the most rewarding sports but it can also be a nightmare. I went to state in high school, turned down the opportunity to play in college, have worked and taught golf for years and I still go and get lesson help with my swing. Get fit, get lessons and have a great time. Golf is a lot more fun when you play well.

This^^^^

If the clubs don't fit you, you don't stand much of a chance to hit the ball flush and consistent. Go get fit, get at least a 1/2 dozen lessons and then go have some fun! It's a fantastic game.

[PushingMyLuck]

Go to a golf store, and get your swing speed measured.
They will tell you if you need R shaft, S shaft, or graphite shaft.

That said, irons have not changed much since the 90s.
If you have cavity backed, just get your irons re-gripped.
If not, yes, get fitted for a new set. Or buy used off Ebay for $150.

Either way, get yourself a new 3W and Driver.
They are much easier to hit today.

[craigster59]

After reading the thread on the "cabin fever" you guys in the north are feeling this winter, how about making yourself a few clubs? It's easy, and you can experiment with different heads and shafts. Need a more flexible shaft? Cut it, drill out the clubhead and add a new shaft.

I've built a few of the clubs I use now, built a full set but now I hit Pings and just have my rescue woods. Golfsmith Clubmaking: Shop Golf Grips, Shafts, Clubheads, Tools, Supplies and More!

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

I think club fitting makes sense for someone who's swing is stable and they can reliably hit a ball in the general direction they want.

For new players, their swing will be in so much flux that spending money on custom fitted clubs that may not fit their swing at all in 6 months doesn't make much sense.

Oh, I totally agree with all of that.

My post was assuming a golfer that can, say, at least break (honestly, counting each stroke!) 100 or so at a muni course of 6000 yards or so.

For most true new players, I agree, clubs make very little difference. In fact, for many shots they make 0% difference at all (those shots being where the new golfer swings and misses!).

For a true beginner golfer, I'd always say first try to borrow clubs, the next best is some used ones for not a lot of money. Because most true beginner golfers are out of the game within a few months. It's very difficult to learn and statistics show that most adults that try it end up quitting fairly quickly.