how to best spend my money (need new irons)

Hello forumites,

I've been lurking here for a bit and reading tons of helpful information. I'm in a bit of a crummy situation.

Unfortunately I made a very poor decision a few months ago and left my clubs in the cab of my truck, behind the seat overnight. Nice apartments, no issues in 2 years of living there, but my whole kit and caboodle gets stolen.

Now, I've been setting aside money for replacing them and I'd like to upgrade. My previous set was an inexpensive Top-flite starter set.  (maybe $350 for the whole, set driver down to putter and bag included *you know the kind).

I have budgeted about $450 right now to spend on Irons. I have my old putter, and an older driver that used to belong to my father. (these will be replaced in the next 6months to 1 year). And I can get by without fairway woods for now.

I'm trying to decide on what type of irons to purchase and if I can afford to get a fitting. I have never been fitted for clubs before so I don't really know what the cost should be. I've read around here but responses seem to vary a bit.

I am 28 years old, I was down to an 18 handicap when I was 22, but do not play or spend as much time at the range. I still break into the mid 90's regularly, and have the odd 88-89 scorecard. I'm definitely looking for GI's. My swing is fairly consistent (just not very high quality).

What recommendations can you folks offer, should I go for a set off the shelf, and spend a little more on the clubs, and have them adjusted later, or would I be better off with a fitting now on slightly less expensive clubs.

Any Advice you fine people can provide would be greatly appreciated. If I didn't provide some piece of crucial information let me know and I'll gladly oblige.

Thanks for reading this huge wall.

I would go with last years Ping G20's or maybe last years Taylormade Rocketnuts.  You can probably get pretty good deals on those right now.

Sorry for your lose.  Theft, regardless if it is a set of golf clubs or toll change from the ashtray is still a violation of your personal space and it sucks.

That being said, I would consider used clubs from ebay.  You can often find great deals on name brand clubs that are 2-3 years old.

Last spring i picked up a Ping G10 fairway wood (when it was 2 models old) for like $18

This spring I got a Callaway FTiQ driver for $27

I have seen 2-3 year old TM Burner Irons for $200 or less.

Ping typically is difficult to find on the cheap because they tend to hold value better.  TM because they release a new club every time somebody sneezes are generally easiest to find cheaper.

Here are a few links to give you some ideas:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-TaylorMade-Burner-Plus-irons-4-pw-steel-Regular-/130862861293?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item1e7808cbed

Burner Superfast driver for $55

http://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/taylormade-burner-superfast-driver-2010/taylormade-burner-superfast-driver-2010,default,pd.html?gcid=sce500&scecid;=sce500&vehicle;=datafeeds&zmam;=5478442&zmas;=1&zmac;=25&zmap;=taylormade-burner-superfast-driver-2010

Cleveland Wedges

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CLEVELAND-CG16-BLACK-PEARL-WEDGE-SET-50-54-58-WEDGES-CG-16-AW-SW-LW-/390554335807?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item5aeeda3a3f

Adams hybrid set

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ADAMS-IDEA-A12-OS-A12OS-HYBRID-IRONS-SET-4H-6H-7-GW-STEEL-GRAPHITE-REGULAR-/251238052305?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item3a7ef471d1