Advice for a beginning golfer, help would be appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I'm a beginning golfer in his mid-20s. Just picked up a club in September 2011 and caught the fever. I hit the range a couple of times a week and have played 4 rounds since then (terribly of course). I was just wondering if you had any advice for how my bag is currently constructed. I was given second-hand clubs for Christmas and appreciate them very much, but I've been told it is a little bit of a weird set-up:

Driver	Callaway	Diablo Edge	10°	60g Regular Flex Habanero Graphite
4-Wood	Callaway	Diablo Edge	17°	60g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
7-Wood	Callaway	Diablo Edge	21°	60g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
9-Wood	Callaway	Diablo Edge	24°	60g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
5-Hybrid	Callaway	Diablo Edge	27°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
6-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	NA	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
7-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	NA	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
8-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	NA	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
9-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	NA	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
PW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	44°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
GW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	49°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
SW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	54°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
LW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	59°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite

My question is should I find a way to change out the 4,7, and 9 woods for a more traditional 3, 5 wood and 4 hybrid setup? I'm currently a student but would bite the bullet to optimize my bag for a set I can really improve with. Also, I feel like at the range, I hit the 5H terribly but I always seem to go to that club when I am on the course. I hit the fairway woods with decent consistency but I've read that where possible, they should be replaced by low irons or hybrids to ensure less roll on the green.

Lastly, are there any distance gaps in my bag? It's pretty tough to find "typical" distances for the clubs in my bag.

Thanks for any help you can provide. I'm really excited to get deeper into golf. I'm addicted!

I am curious what the other degrees on your irons are. You should have a 3-4 degree gap on them from the driver down. The thing that I would be interested to find out is your swing speed with your driver. If it is really low then the graphite shafts you have would be fine. Yet, if it's above 95 mph I would look into steel shafted clubs. The flexibility of the graphite shafts may be hurting your accuracy and length.

Work on consistency and ball striking with those clubs. It wouldn't hurt to take a few lessons. It would be cheaper than replacing them.

Thanks for your input, Sacman. Here is the requested data:

Driver	Callaway	Diablo Edge	10°	60g Regular Flex Habanero Graphite
4-Wood	Callaway	Diablo Edge	17°	60g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
7-Wood	Callaway	Diablo Edge	21°	60g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
9-Wood	Callaway	Diablo Edge	24°	60g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
5-Hybrid	Callaway	Diablo Edge	27°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
6-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	28°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
7-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	32°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
8-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	36°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
9-Iron	Callaway	Diablo Edge	40°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
PW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	44°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
GW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	49°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
SW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	54°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite
LW	Callaway	Diablo Edge	59°	75g Regular Flex Diablo Edge Graphite

What do you think?

Re: swing speed, I measured it at a local Golfsmith's launch monitor in November and it was in the low 90s but lately I've been in the high 90s, sometimes low 100s. Is the graphite a major deal at this point? It would be quite the investment to swap out the entire bag after only a few months.

Re: consistency and ball striking, golf is certainly an adventure. While I think my overall trajectory is pointing upwards, I definitely have bad days and good days with striking where I can be a regular ol' Sam Snead or the worst guy at the range. I am still working on it. I think my favorite part about golf is the fact that if I'm thinking about anything else besides hitting that tiny ball, things will go awry. It's a very welcome distraction.

I have been thinking about lessons. I am currently enrolled in an intermediate golf class at my university (took beginner course last quarter). The instructor is a PGA Class A instructor and usually charges $200/hour I am learning a lot in class but it's only twice weekly for 1 hour with 15 other students so I don't get too much personal attention.

Thanks again for your input.

Nothing wrong with your set up. 7 wood essentially replaces 3i/3H and 9 replaces 4i/4h. If you feel more comfortably hitting hybrids or struggle significantly to hit your fairways, maybe swap out a higher lofted fairway for another hybrid. 4 wood is a good choice and they are becoming more popular - typically as long as a 3 wood off the tee and more versatile and easier to hit solid from the fairway. I put one in the bag to replace my 3 & 5 woods and added another wedge. Clubs and set up are fine - would agree that your priority at this stage should be lessons rather than investing in different equipment. Once you get your swing down, you'll also be able to make more solid decisions about which equipment works best for you. Good luck!

Quote:

Trouble with hybrids? Maybe you will find fairway woods easier to hit.

Like Jmd said, focus on lessons right now. Let your swing take shape for a season, and then worry about club adjustments.

Couldn't agree more with the advice on lessons. Take this to heart as I waited almost 20 years to take one. Invest your money in learning how to swing the golf club properly. And don't just go take a lesson. Research and find out the best in your area. Then take a lesson and see if you and the guy jive on a personal level. There must be some chemistry. Start off with the fundamentals and go from there. If you benefit from the lesson, make it a regular thing. Perhaps a lesson every 2-3 weeks providing you have ample time to practice in between lessons.

You have a well above average "starter set". If I have read it once, I have read it a thousand times, "It is the archer, not the arrow". While I agree equipment changes are fun, it is not the path most of us need to improve our golf game. You will likely hit the more expensive clubs just as bad. Spend money and time on lessons and hard practice sessions at the range.

Learn to enjoy time on the practice putting green. Learn how to chip and pitch a ball where you want it. Don't be afraid to tee off with your 4 wood in order to keep the ball in the short grass. Experience the solitude of being the last person on the putting green as the sun sets. Be the first guy on the range when they open. Spend time around folks that play golf better than you do. Respect the game, learn about it's history, and immerse yourself into it. The rewards will be immediate. Equipment is fun, but the best thing for most of us is lessons and practice time. And most importantly, have fun.

-Dan

I think Danattherock, sounds very wise. I would follow his advice.

Wisdom comes from experience. Experience comes from making mistakes.

Thanks everyone for the solid advice. I will continue to hit the range with purpose and attend my intermediate golf class. I'll seek out private lessons with my instructor when my finances allow it--hopefully this summer. And I'll hold off on fulfilling my gear envy urges and stick with my clubs for at least a season or two, though I can golf year-round in sunny Northern California :)

I do in fact tee off with a 4-wood because I spray the big boy just about everywhere.

Really glad I found this supportive internet community. If anyone finds themselves near Palo Alto and wanting to play the Stanford Golf course, I would welcome you as my guest if you pay your own fee (http://golfcourse.stanford.edu/fees_policies.htm). Just message me and be prepared to play with a beginner.

If you do decide at some point to get new clubs, don't be afraid to check out used clubs. If you're really into Callaway, Callaway pre-owned is a great place to try to get discounted stuff (callawaygolfpreowned.com). I know I've gone through Taylor Made golf preowned before (taylormadegolfpreowned.com) and got some really good deals (R9 driver, and 3 hybrid for $209 including shipping, and I just got a R9 3 wood for $70 including shipping all in excellent condition). Also you could check eBay. I just got myself a set of Callaway RAZR X tour irons for $280 which were floor models and barely hit. It could be a risk, but if you do research on the company, and it looks legit, you could get yourself a great deal. Also you could talk to people at your home course to see if they have any clubs worth buying. Looking at your swing speed, you could benefit from steel shafts, and also a stiff flex on your woods and if you get a hybrid. I do agree with everyone else though, and keep working on your game. I'm sure if you keep at it, you'll see those scores drop fast, and when you get new clubs your new improved swing will make them money!

I'll second that.  I buy most of my equipment through them, and they also sell Titleist, TM, Adams, Cleveland, Ping, Nike, Mizuno, Cobra, etc.......  They warranty the used gear for a year, regardless of brand, and include a certificate of authenticity with your purchase.  Can't go wrong.  I like to play cutting edge equipment........2 to 3 years after everyone else does.

The first thing I would do is add a set of matching, steel-shafted wedges.  You should check dealadaygolf.com and when they have one of their 3 clevelands, minuzos or nikes wedges for $109 or something pick it up.  Short game is the most important part of golf to your score, and, IMO, you do not want to learn touch with SGI iron-wedges with graphite shafts.  I would get some "real" wedges with a flange and start figuring out what bounce you like in a wedge.  Everything else in your bag (assuming you arn't 6'10 or 5'1") is fine, but those wedges will have a very different feel than the wedges you will most likely play someday, especially with the graphite shafts.

Nothing wrong with your set up. Keep working on your game!