From MaxFli to Pinemeadow?

I just finished an introductory, 6 week golf class. I love playing the game and practicing at the range.

To start out, I bought a complete, $250 Maxfli set right before my first class (that was probably my first mistake, I know).

My coach told me that the clubs are too short for me. I looked up shaft lenghts and it looks like I need a shaft that's half an inch longer.

My question is: Does it make sense to upgrade the iron set I currently have to the Command Q Titanium irons from Pinemeadow? I could get those with the extra length for no extra charge and currently they're on sale for $139, which is very tempting.

My main concern is that I'm learning the game with clubs that are too short. Will I pick up bad habits? Is it worth it to get the Pinemeadow irons to replace the super-cheap ones in the set? Is it even an upgrade? Or should I just keep learning with the current clubs and wait a year or two until I get a really nice set of brand-name clubs?

I don't really see that as an upgrade, Maxfli is Dick's budget brand and Pinmeadow is independent but probably quite similar.

They would however be the correct length and they do not make a bad product certainly no worse then Maxfli. If you on a really tight budget you could go that route. If you have a bit more to spend you might be able to get a decent set in the right fit for 200-300.

If you learn with a set that is too short you will most likely develop bad habits that you will have to work hard to get out of your system.  I personally wouldn't go with the Pinemeadow stuff.  Some people rant and rave over Pinemeadow equipment.  I have never hit any of it and it may very well be great stuff.  After buying a lot of cheap equipment over the years, I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for!  If you pay for a set of $139 irons, you get a $139 set of irons..  My dad will spend $400-$500 on trying cheap drivers when he could have bought a brand new quality driver for $200-$400 new of half that price for a used driver.

You just spent 6 weeks learning the game and I feel you on your love of the game.  If it were me, I would go get fitted for a set of irons and either buy em new of look for a set that fits you on ebay.  Ping is easy cause you can just search for your color of dot.  You will eventually find someone who will be willing you give you a hundred bucks or more for that Maxfli set too.

Hope this helps!

Thanks guys, that does help. I'm totally with you on the "you get what you pay for" - front.

I guess the core of my question is whether it's worth it to spend the 100 bucks so I can learn on a set that is the right length?

I wouldn't have a problem spending another 500 or so one or two years from now. I'm just a little hesitant to spend that much now. I haven't even developed a consistent swing yet and wouldn't know what to look for when getting a set of expensive irons. As a beginner, would I even notice the difference between a Ping set and its clone from Pinemeadow or Gigagolf?

I played with a set of knockoff Ping Eye 2's for the first year or so.  I didn't know they were knockoff Pings till later on, I just thought of them as golf clubs.  They were fine to me and I loved them.  I went from the knockoffs to Adams a2OS which was a super game improvement iron.  When I outgrew them, I bought a set of Ping i10's.  I told ya that to tell you this..  I hit the old Ping knockoff's now and can definitely tell a difference - no comparison.  But when I played the knockoff's, I thought they hit great.

I would go to a demo day and find something you like or go to a store that has demo irons.  I mean, you don't necessarily have to buy an OEM iron to find something you like - but I would hit a few irons and not jump into the best deal of the day.  If you want to spend a hundred bucks on something now, you can find good irons that are 1/2 inch long that are 2+ years old for right around a hundred bucks all day long.

All I can say is what I would do but ultimately it is your decision.  If your options are a component company like Pinemeadow and irons that will hold their value if you want to trade or sell them, I would go with the set that will hold their value.  That's just my opinion and for every 10 guys that agree with me, there will be 10 more that would go with the Pinemeadow.. Just depends on what makes you happy.

Our club champion (4 years running apparently-  I'm new there) plays 20 year old Wilson Ultras that are obviously too short for him.

I don't know why you're asking me that. I think I've made it pretty clear that I'm an absolute beginner, so I have to trust his opinion. Looking at online sizing charts though, they all say that I need at least .5 to .75.

Kahuna80,

If you just want an inexpensive set to learn on,.... Go by your local golf store and tell them that you would like them to fit you for your set of irons. That is usually a free service if you buy from them but it isnt too expensive if you dont. I would say just tell them that you are new and learning and would like them to adjust your Maxfli irons to fit you. They can adjust the length by adding up to 1 inch if needed and they can adjust the lie angle as well and they can determine the size and brand and model of grips that you need and want. And in the end,... you will know you are playing to your specs.

Hi Shaggy,

That sounds like a great idea, thanks. I heard that some stores refuse to work on cheaper equipment, but it doesn't hurt to ask...

They may refuse to bend cheap clubs but shaft extenders are simple.

Im a big proponent of buying used, high-quality clubs and having them fit and regripped.

If you want to see $300 go a long way, take the time to research good iron sets from the last 10 years.  Many great sets can be found for less than $200.

Iron sets like the Titleist DCI series, Taylormade LCG, 320 or R7, Callaway X-14 (or x-20, etc), Tommy Armor 845 OS, Ping i3 OS or G5, etc...  Some of which, such as the pings below, you can find used that are already + 1/2" length.  Unless you need clubs bent more than a degree or two, these should all be fine.

Take the set you select, and spend $125 having the clubs regripped, lengthened and adjusted by a good club maker in your area.  You'll end up with a solid set of irons, fit to you with high quality grips and shafts that you can play for years.

Here is a quick example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ping-I3-O-Size-Black-Dot-Iron-Set-5-PW-1-2-Steel-Reg-/360370516691?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item53e7c1b2d3

http://cgi.ebay.com/Callaway-Steelhead-X-14-Pro-Series-Iron-set-3-S-steel-/350465870156?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item519964c94c#ht_500wt_922

http://cgi.ebay.com/tommy-armour-845s-oversize-iron-set-steel-3-PW-REG-RIGH-/260779899643?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item3cb7b17afb

Thanks guys, lots of good advice here.

I think I'll see if the pro shop will adjust my cheap clubs so I can learn on the correct length for the next year or so. Once I have a consistent swing and know what to look for, I'll invest in a nice set of new or used irons.