Returning player, need more forgiving equipment.

It's been about ten years since I last got on a green - and I want to get back in the swing of things!  I still have my original set that was a hand-me-down which I had sized to fit me. Fits like a glove, but I hate feel of the set. I measured at -0.5". My prior experience is pretty minimal, only two seasons (with league play) and about two dozen lessons.

Anyway, I recall my fair share of mishits on those old steel (stiff flex) irons brought a bit of physical discomfort. I am a shorter female (5'4 1/2" in shoes) and unfortunately also ten years older. With that in mind, I am really interested in moving to a graphite set now for both comfort and performance (hopefully).

I am considering two sets, Tour Edge Moda Silk or Adams Tight Lies Plus, for my re-entry set. Is this a mistake in getting a better set too soon? I hate to buy a low-grade graphite beginner set and then work my way up to a game improvement set because I don't think my reaquaintance period is going to be too bad.

The Tour Edge is right at my last fitted size (driver is perfect at 43.5" length). The Adams driver is 44". However, I probably can't slide the extra $100 past my hubby for the better fitting clubs at this time (nor do I care for the frilly colors of the Tour Edge). We have things backwards - I'm the one that always has expensive hobbies.

Now, here is the meat of my quandry: is that 0.5" extra length of the Adams going to be terribly detrimental to a reentry player? Or is it just a matter of choking down a smidgen?

It's not just another 1/2". What your going to find is the lofts and lies have changed over the past few years. (In the industry overall, not just Adams.)  An old 5 iron is now a 6. An  "A" shaft can measure more in the "L" range. "S" can be in the low "R"......It's a mess!

You can buy good clubs separately and work them into what you have. Your local store can order how many clubs you want. This way you can be fitted, get the shaft and grip you want.  The price per club is the same if you buy a full set or a broken one.

I started with $112 a club.  7-8-9-P,  then later added 6 & W.  My old clubs fill in for 3-4-5.  Woods and driver are used.

First, welcome back to golf, and welcome to the board.

The two re-entry sets you list are good ones.  My mother (about your build, from the description;  her previous set is steel-shafted Wilson blades from before she got married) is getting back into golf, and the Adams TL+ is one of four that I've suggested she try out.

Since you have experience and have had lessons in the past, you're at an advantage.  Sets for a semi-beginner will be just fine for you.   As for the sizes... off-the-shelf, I'm surprised that the Callaway Solaire and Cleveland Blooms are even farther from your specs than the Adams.  Meanwhile, the Mizuno Sora is shorter at 43" (or 42.5" for the petite set).  So it looks like there's a variety of sizes available for women's sets.

The first question you should ask is whether the store can custom-order something in your size.  There's no sense for anyone - you, me, Lee Westwood, Yani Tseng, anyone - to be playing with ill-fitting clubs.  Find out if Adams (which I think you say you prefer) will make a set in half an inch under for everything.  I regularly order clubs in half an inch under length (just ordered a wedge like that today), and most companies will make custom-sizing (as well as loft or lie adjustments) on orders free.  From your store's point of view, it's as if they ordered one more set for inventory and sold it.  There's no reason to order it and then have it customized if you know what specifications you want before buying.

My suggestion:  don't buy the ill-fitting ones yet.  At the moment, this means both - a set that you don't like the look of is ill-fitting, even if it swings just fine.   Hang on until you find one whose look and feel you like, and that can be ordered in your sizes.

If you can find a demo day in your area for a company whose product you're considering and ask them about the fitting process.  Many will fit you for free if you're thinking of purchasing their product.  And if one of them says "oh, you're a woman, so you want our women's set in L-flex," and that's it, consider another company.

Next, you might want to get a set of irons and some woods/wedges without buying them as a pre-made set.  Many men's sets that are otherwise offered in graphite have an L-flex version (which may or may not have a lighter club-head).   And I guarantee you'll be able to order any of these in your specifications at no extra charge (beyond the usual graphite up-charge).  The downside is that this will be more expensive than the pre-built sets.  For example, a set of irons 4-A will likely run you at least the $500 that the Tight Lies 13 piece set costs.

One other thing before you buy - get your swing speed measured.  If you're reasonably athletic, you might be looking the wrong direction with the L-flex.  I know plenty of women who started properly in A-flex (and one in R-flex).  Just like there's no one right flex for all men, there's no one right flex for all women.

Good point. I'd love to "fill in" with much better clubs, but if they are so vastly different in loft & lie, then it would probably be more confusing to have non-sequentially playing clubs in a squential numerical order. If that's the case, I would probably be better off changing all irons at once and then driver/hybrids at a later date.

I was pretty disappointed with the reliability reports I've read of the Callaway Solaire.  I honestly didn't check out the Mizunos..

I know my swing speed has slowed down a bit - I'm really feeling it trying to muscle the ball now and end up topping a LOT (big no-no; how embarassing and agrivating!!!!). I probably was correct at the time to use the stiff flex, but definitely not today! I'm planning on scheduling a few lessons again.

All in all, I guess I'm still nursing the notion of the box sets for their value which rests in my fear of a lack of play time and comfort.  I'm looking to fill a hideously tall order: special fitment, clubs that are forgiving to my performance and comfort, and low cost. Another point I just noticed was the weight of the Tour Edge seems to be exceptionally alluring - much more so than their flirty graphics. I can certainly overlook the aesthetics for something as light and forgiving as they claim.

After our Relay for Life this weekend, I plan to do some visiting to local shops and hope to nail it down. Wish me luck for another 24 hour walk! Last one I did was in 2006.

Well, if you were at one time proper for stiff flex, you'd have to have lost a TON to need L-flex now.  If your local shop has a Mizuno swing fitter, take a few swings and check the swing speed on it.  I'll bet you aren't slow enough for L-flex.    You might be better fit for a set that's aimed at a male, as those will probably be either A- or R-flex.   This gives you the value you desire without something being overly loose (if you belong in R-flex, for example, the L-flex will feel horribly loose).

My next suggestion is to go to the websites of companies whose starter set(s) you're considering, and find a contact form.  Email them and ask if they do custom length orders for the sets.

Finally, best of luck in the walk this weekend.   Let us know if there's anything else we can help you with, or if you're ready, please give an update when you make a decision.

According to my last notes at the range (eons ago!), I could carry 120 yds with a 6 iron, and 170 yds with a 5 wood, stiff flex. Now the major problem is, the impact really hurts. At the end of a round, my wrists were killing me! I refuse to make a whole round with those clubs again, so I have yet to get out on the greens. Like I said, I had my share of mishits then, so I'm not sure if I could say I was decent then, just OK. Now I keep topping the ball, striking really flat. Now I am wondering if I measure correctly at petite, but really need regular lady's length? Or perhaps I'm not fully extending the arms through the swing or am straightening up my stance midway (which I know I did before).  Regardless, I need to invest in some lessons to analyze it.

Are there any exercises or anything I can do to minimize the soreness?

BTW, thanks for the well wishes on the Relay - I DID walk the full 24 hours (honoring the 10 minute breaks each hour, plus 6 hours in campsite setup prior!) Not too shabby for being about 40lbs overweight and having no prior conditioning.  Our team did really well in a lot of categories with our 50's theme, and, IIRC, our county Relay was top in the nation for the number of survirors.

My next question:  why were you using stiff flex before?  Was it just what you were given, or was there a particular other reason?

Both, actually. They were my grandfathers clubs (Arnold Palmers) that I brought to a shop and asked if I should buy new or have fit to me. I had no opinion, either way, and would have been just as content with a shiny new set.  After a bit of measurement and discussion, though, the fitter decided that we should just cut them down because they seemed to suit me "just fine" at the time.  I was very athletically built, so I had a bit of upper body strength and feel for kenestheis then (collegite shot put/discus thrower).

This was before the internet age, so I knew very little about the clubs or my needs, and placed my trust in the fitter (independent shop, no course affiliation).

Okay.  The reason I asked about what you were in stiff flex is that the distances you mention are typically indicative of an A- or R-flex swing.   Of course, there are far more measures than distance that determine the right shaft.

Does your local shop have the Mizuno shaft optimizer?  It's a mid-iron with a gizmo in the middle that measures swing speed and a few other items.  See if they'll let you take a few swings and let us know what shafts it suggests.  Most shops, especially if you're planning to buy from them in the near future, will let you do this for free.  Knowing what range of shafts it suggests will help in our suggestions.

My guess:  you're going to fit into either A- or R- flex shafts.  This might be a strong sign to stay away from the women's starter sets (you'll probably balloon those clubs when you hit them), but you'll be able to find good sets with graphite shafts (in the right length and flex) that will feel good when you hit them.  You might even pick up some distance, as these won't have the effect that the S-flex does of keeping the ball down.

I would really stay away from the low end beginner level ladies box sets. My sister has one and I can tell you they are essentially designed for people who take sort of half swings or very slow full swings. If you ever played a Stiff flex you are going to feel like the shafts are made out of Jello. I would go get fitted then take those dimension and visit every website and golf shop you can find to fill that as much of a decent set as you can at those dimensions. If you shop around while you may not be able to get quite the whole Box set. For that price I bet you could get at least an 8-10 Club collection that fits you nicely. Check out used clubs, check out lots of different things and open your options up. There are a lot of differant options to get value and a lot more companies that make boxed sets that are good. Im not saying any of the below links I endorse or might fit you. I just think you should open your options up a bit. Especially if your looking for Box sets. because some of the best box sets out there are not from Companies Like Callaway, Adams, TaylorMade ect. as they concentrate more on individual clubs and Iron Sets. I think you'll be surprised how far your budget can get you in the correct fit if you look hard enough.

http://www.3balls.com/shop/Gender-Women%27s/Product_Type-Complete_Sets

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Cobra-Womens-Sapphire-Blue-Complete-Set/5894459/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Yonex-Womens-VMS-Hybrid-Iron-Combo-8-piece-Set/5740647/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/TaylorMade-Womens-R7-CGB-Max-8-piece-Iron-Set/5277648/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

http://www.dallasgolf.com/p-5736-new-adams-tight-lies-womens-3-wood-5-wood-combo-pack.aspx

http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/329504/TAYLORMADE-WOMENS-BURNER-SUPERLAUNCH-IRONS-RH-USED

http://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/womens/womens,default,sc.html

I'm not going to waste my time on a box set now.  I'm heading to a couple pro shops to get fitted again tomorrow.

I went out to the range today and hit a big bucket with my old set: 6 iron and driver, but I could just about have thrown the driver further than I was striking the ball! lol!

I had a handfull of really, really solid shots wth the 6i, and another player said he wanted me on his team (words of encouragement I will hang onto all season!).  I actually shot the 6i consistently at 130yds (10 yd gain).

The driver was horrible. Slicing nearly every shot.  I couldn't keep consistent in ANY way. A couple really nice drives, but only about 150yds.

Even though the irons aren't that comfy, I might just pick up some decent drivers/hybrids and wait a little longer on the irons. I'll head back to the range tomorrow, then the pro shops afterward.

Let us know what you end up with, and anything else we can help you with.

By the way, if you get a hybrid you like, you might end up hitting that off the tee until you find a driver you like.

130 yards with what is possibly a mis-fit 6-iron suggests to me that you're _at least_ in R-flex.