old club technology vs new, am i really missing out?

Being a bit of a newbie to golf my knowledge is pretty limited, so i am mooching for some knowledge and advice!!

Currently my driver of choice is a howson tourmaster 10.5deg 300cc, its old, i have no idea just how old, i got it with my irons, a bag, and a buggy for 70£ and i've stuck with it since. I golf with my dad and uncle, both say i should get a bigger 460cc driver as it'd be more forgiving with mis-hits, i get 250ish + with my driver, i'm only just taking the game more serious and wonder what genuine improvements i would get?

My irons are pretty old too i think, wilson fat shaft tour casts, with a regular flex. Again i have no idea how old these are, 8 years plus i am guessing. sw-8iron i have started to get pretty accurate, 'dial in' accuracy if you will, so i'm finding it hard to find reasons to part with these. i have got a bit distracted looking at new iron sets layely, again, i am wondering has there really been a big jump in tech in the last 5 years?

my clubs, both driver and iron sets are looking well past their best, my driving could improve a lot, iron play is getting really quite good, anyone got genuine know how that could help?

Drivers have gotten a lot better over the past few years.  If you're using one that's older than 3 years then you are likely missing out.  Some say the fairway woods released this year are a substantial leap forward.  Irons not a big difference.  Putters and wedges its all about what you like.

In short, if you're going to drop money on your clubs, start with the driver.

Since these are experienced clubs, you might get them regripped. New grips really help out on finding feel across the set, and gaining consistency in gripping the club at address.

Then, you could use what you have as a comparison base when you try out newer clubs.

I got my hands on a ping karsten 9.5 degree driver, what a huuuuuuuge difference!! i'm getting a solid hit with every hit, added 20 yards to my length, and it was only 40£

what a feeling having confidence everytime i'm at a tee.

thanks wutiger, i'm looking into this at the minute.

only 2 replies, but guys thanks a million your advice was spot on!!

As mentioned above driver is the biggest improvement.  I still play a set of Ping Eye2 irons ( 15+ years old) and would change them for a new set.

Crawford,

Do you have koalas in Scotland?

Yeah, the new drivers are great.  I upgraded to a new Callaway last season.  I had been playing a TM R7 since 2005!

I have no idea how old my driver is its a nike sumo sq2 5900 moi. I love it but feel like maybe a new one could help with consistency. I already hit it prety damn far. My irons are from 05 I treat them like shit though so im getting new ones and im gonna baby them. Ive always been a very budget golfer and very careful where i spend my money

A new driver could help your consistency, but it might also get a few more yards. The newer drivers are pretty much matched up with the new ball technology as well. The newer lower compression balls like the higher spring rates of the newer drivers. The older drivers are meant to smash the bejeebus out of the older, harder balls. If you could do a test with an older ball and a new driver you would see a difference as well- an old ball would not have the same reaction and kind of just die out there. The most important factor would be how you "feel" with a new driver. A super lightweight driver and shaft may not feel right and can affect your swing. Getting a club to match your swing type would be a plus as well. You might not NEED a giant 420 head. Look around for one that 'looks' right to you and go from there. I like the idea of Cleveland's new Classic Driver. It looks like a Club should and, psychologically anyway, might 'feel' like what your swinging now, with all the modern technology as a bonus. my 2cents anyway.

Haha no wutiger, sadly we have no koalas in scotland

i can honestly say i've gained 20+ yards driving over my dad and uncle. its great! the ping karsten isn't a 'new' club, its got a couple years on it but its a good club!! the reaction of the face is far better, balls penetrate the air and i know my dad and uncle are getting left a little behind!!

Are you missing out? Yes. As you've seen, driver and woods are much better. But irons are better too. One huge improvement is fitting. If you have a swing you think is close, you can get a cheap or free fitting with multiple interchangeable heads and shafts. The combinations are nearly endless. What was unimaginable when the fat shaft was new, is now a normal fitting.

Another big change over the last ten years as been with hybrids. Lots of options and much more attention and acceptance. Many of us have replaced 3 and 4 irons with hybrids.

Are you missing out?  Yes.  Especially on drivers/fairway/hybrids.  I would upgrade those clubs first.  Then work your way back through the bag with putter/wedges/irons.  In my opinion, the woods need to be upgraded first to take advantage of the yardage gains - and tighter dispersion that you'll find in today's club heads and shaft technology.

thanks guys, its much appreciated. that handicap is slowly starting to melt away.

i'm starting to find wilson a good balance of money/performance just now.