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$500 left in my budget. Help me spend it.


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Long story short, over 5 years ago I was a casual golfer.  At most, twice a month. I wasn't very good (50 handicapper probably lol).   I didn't really have time to play, so I went on a long hiatus.   Recently, I decided I needed a new hobby, so I took 2 hours of golf lessons last week (first time I hit a ball in years) and I had a blast (and actually hit the ball in the air!).   After convincing myself I'm going to become the next Tiger Woods, I literally dusted off the old clubs, and sighed, thinking to myself, "I can't go to the golf course with a bag and clubs that look like something Fred Flinstone played with."

So I went to the Golf shop to upgrade the equipment and bought a black Ping Latitude V2 Bag.  For irons, I swung a number of clubs and had the shop set up all the gizmos so they could analyze my bad swing.   We finally settled on the Callaway Diablo Edges.  Had them fitted and will be getting them in 7-10 days.

Now I need to focus on a putter and driver.   I'm also confused over this 'hybrid" technology, as when I was playing back in the stone ages, I've never heard of it (maybe I was ignorant).   So my questions:

1) I'm thinking I should invest more money in the putter.   I have my eyes on the Nike Method 001 putter.   I like the styling, and I've read good things about it.  Of course I'll hit a lot of putters to get a feel.  Any suggestions for someone in my situation and budget?

2) When I said "Fred Flinstone" gear, I wasn't lying.  I own "Spalding Monitor" drivers and woods.   Honestly, they don't look bad, and now I'm thinking, should I invest in other stuff, i.e., putter and hybrid clubs (getting into that later) and just use the cheap driver and woods while I get back into it?  Any downside to this approach?   Should I spend money on $250 (or more) driver, or is that a waste for a beginner?

3) So can someone give me a 101 on hybrids clubs (or point me to a thread).   I'll hit the "search" button after I post this, but if anyone wants to volunteer any suggestions, feel free.   Should I put some money into it?  If so, any brand suggestions? (I suppose I could just go Callaway since I already have the main irons)

Because my schedule is flexible, and I need to control my bankroll for poker (i.e., less poker, more golf), I'll probably hit the driving range 1-2 times a week and play 18 1-2 times week.  Ideally, I'd like to spend, at most, $500 when I next visit the golf store (again, I already have irons and bag).

Thanks in advance for your help.

Driver: Ping K15 (10.5*), Hybrids: Adams Idea Tech v3 2i, Ping G15 4i (23*), Irons: Callaway Diablo Edges (5-9, P, A, S)Putter: Nike Method 001, Bag: Nike Tour Cart II Shoes: Nike Lunar Control, Other: Cliqgear 3.0 Handcart, Callaway uPro GPS, Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Travel Bag
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1) Don't spend that much money on a putter.  I'm not knocking the Nike, but a Cleveland Classic is just as good (well, better imo), and can be had new all over the internet for $50-$70.

http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/288055/CLEVELAND-CLASSIC-1-BRZ-PUTTER-RH-NEW

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/wilson-golf-staff-8871-compact-putter.html

2) and 3) You've still got $425-$450 left, and you can easily get a driver, 3/4 wood, and a hybrid, or driver and two hybrids.  Hybrid is a cross between an iron and fairway wood-but it's primarily a slightly easier to hit fairway wood with a slightly shorter shaft.  I'd actually recommend you get a 17* or 18* hybrid and a 21*-23* hybrid.  Don't worry about brand, or matching brands.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/nike-golf-sumo-hybrid-iron-wood-graphite.html

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/callaway-golf-2008-big-bertha-x-series-fairway-wood-graphite.html

http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/280683/COBRA-MENS-BAFFLER-TWS-WOODS-UTILITY-RH-USED

http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/286909/CLEVELAND-MENS-LAUNCHER-DST-HYBRID-WOODS-UTILITY-RH-USED

You don't need a brand new $400, or even $300 or $200 driver.  Practically new (and sometimes brand new) 1-4 year old models can be had for $120 or less all day long.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/nickent-golf-4dx-driver.html

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/taylor-made-golf-2009-burner-driver.html

http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/288010/CALLAWAY-MENS-FT-5-TOUR-OPTIFIT-WOODS-DRIVERS-RH-USED

http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/286861/CLEVELAND-MENS-LAUNCHER-DST-WOODS-DRIVERS-RH-USED

Hope that helps.

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As max said, look into used clubs to extend your budget.  If you want to stick with callaway check out www.callawaypreowned.com

Bryan

:wishon:  919, Aldila Voodoo  :callaway: Razr X Tour 3h  :callaway: Razr Hawk 3w, Aldila NV  :callaway: Razr X Forged 4-PW, KBS Tour  :wishon:  52, 56, 60, KBS Tour
 :odyssey: White Ice 330, 33in  :aimpoint:    :true_linkswear:

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A nike machspeed hybrid would be a great choice. I currently game the 2 and 3 hybrids(the 2 replaces my 5 wood). They work great out of the rum and the ball absolutely launches off the club. I would also suggest a Ping putter. For the driver, i currently game a machspeed driver as well, however I am not fond of its loud sound.

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Cool. I would definitely buy used, because you can learn whats best for you over the course of a season as your swing gets better, and then buy the expensive, more-customized stuff later.

You wanna be like Tiger for cheap? Then the Nike SQ Sumo woods are the way to go. He still uses them for his fairway wood, and they can be had for SUPER cheap on ebay. A gently used SQ Sumo driver should be under 100, with shipping. I recommend one fairway wood, a 5 wood, which can also be had for under or about 100. As far as shaft, you should consider two things: stiffness and flex point. Try to find a free fitting at a golf shop, or try out a friends driver. If Regular shafts are good for your swing, and it feels good, go with it. If Stiff feels good, then get it. Its always ok to start out with a more flexible shaft, and get a more customized shaft later when you hone in and perfect your swing. Flex point could be high, low, or mid, and the best one for you depends on how fast you start your swing from the top of the backswing, how quickly the club whips at the bottom, etc. Do not fall prey to the ego when choosing a shaft. Get what feels comfortable. And dont worry about new drivers. I could buy any driver on the planet, I've tried them all, and I use an ancient driver.

So thats 200 right there. A hybrid is awesome, because you can use it to get out of trouble easily (hence the alternative name: 'rescue club') Plus, it can help you hit the longer shots if your long irons are not up to par yet. A new SQ or similar can be found (I'm looking at Ebay right now) for under 50 bucks. I would buy one, a #3 21 degree. That should hit about as far as a 4-5 iron, it varies, but it will be a versatile and very trustworthy club for you, I guarantee.

So thats 250, and I highly recommend that if you are buying used clubs, those clubs will feel like new if you replace the grips. Ask a golf shop what the best size would be for your hand size, and get matching grips for your driver, fairway and hybrid. That should be about 10 each, so maybe everything will come out to about 300.

Spend the rest on good shoes, gloves, balls, tees, a nice hat, but dont buy an expensive putter just yet. Get a cheap putter, learn to putt really well. Find out what style of putter, and which specs fit you best after you develop your technique. Then you will know what putter will be perfect for you. Earn that Nike Method putter!

Titleist 910D2 8.5° Diamana 'ahina 80 S
Titleist 909F3 3W 13° Diamana D83 S, Titleist 910f 5W 19° Fubuki Ax 80X
Taylormade RAC MB TP 3-PW Irons DG S300, Callaway Jaws 54° and 60°
Titleist Futura putter, Taylormade TP5 balls

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Max power said exactly what I would have said, although he probably knows a heckuva lot more than me :) I use a $10 putter I bought 20yrs ago. I realize they have made alot of technical advances in materials and so forth, but I do not think a $200+ putter is going to make me putt any better. And from what Ive seen with the guys I play with, I dont putt any better or worse than they do. And nearly 100% of the guys I play with use Oddyssy. Save the $ on a putter, get something fairly inexpensive that feels decent, primarily the shaft length.

As far as a driver goes, get an older model as Max suggested. 2yrs ago I bought a Burner Draw 2007 model for about $100. The same could probably be had for $75 now. I have no intention of upgrading any time soon as I very happy with the performance and result. I dont feel like something newer would benefit me in any way.

Hybrids are just long iron replacements. I have a 3 and 4 Adams hybrid that I hit alot. Usually I use the 3 in place of my 3w because I just cannot hit the 3w from the fairway. And I get nearly the same distance, granted Im a crappy player so take that with a grain of salt. Adams practically (or literally??) invented the hybrid and they are very respected for their clubs. I got mine for about $50 each from rockbottom.

Good luck

In the bag:
 
Driver: :tmade: '07 Burner Draw 10.5 
3/4 Hybrid: :adams: Idea a205
Irons: :tmade: Burner Plus  

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Thanks for all the great feedback!  I have a lot to think about now.   See you on the course.

Driver: Ping K15 (10.5*), Hybrids: Adams Idea Tech v3 2i, Ping G15 4i (23*), Irons: Callaway Diablo Edges (5-9, P, A, S)Putter: Nike Method 001, Bag: Nike Tour Cart II Shoes: Nike Lunar Control, Other: Cliqgear 3.0 Handcart, Callaway uPro GPS, Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Travel Bag
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Gotta agree with posts #2 and #3... don't spend too much on a putter and look at equipment from the last couple years as it'll be a bit cheaper and still perform very well.  Also as the other poster said make sure that you get a shaft that fits your swing.

Tristan Hilton

My Equipment: 
PXG 0211 Driver (Diamana S+ 60; 10.5°) · PXG 0211 FWs (Diamana S+ 60; 15° and 21°) · PXG 0211 Hybrids (MMT 80; 22°, 25°, and 28°) · PXG 0311P Gen 2 Irons (SteelFiber i95; 7-PW) · Edel Wedges (KBS Hi-Rev; 50°, 55°, 60°) · Edel Classic Blade Putter (32") · Vice Pro or Maxfli Tour · Pinned Prism Rangefinder · Star Grips · Flightscope Mevo · TRUE Linkswear Shoes · Sun Mountain C130S Bag

On my MacBook Pro:
Analyzr Pro

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What everyone has said sounds good. The Nike sumo woods are a great idea. I got mine brand new at dicks last year for $80. Favorite club in my bag.

Bag: Callaway Org 14 Extreme Cart Bag
Driver: Taylormade R9 460 10.5
Woods: Nike SQ 3 Wood
Hybrids: Walter Hagen AWS 3 Hybrid
Irons: Callaway Diablo Edge 4-AWWedges:Wedges: Cleveland CG12 56 and 60Putter: Nike Method 001:Ball: Bridgestone Tour B33-RX and Nike One Vapor

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Originally Posted by hartattack52

What everyone has said sounds good. The Nike sumo woods are a great idea. I got mine brand new at dicks last year for $80. Favorite club in my bag.



Yea, great buy!!!

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Note: This thread is 4791 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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