Where to start with a new set !

Hi new to the forum

Iv been playing for around 6-7 years and my handicap is sitting at 12 at the moment , iv never really upgraded my clubs or spent alot of money on them or even really paid attention to the clubs iv been using !

but im planning on splashing the cash and upgrading more or less my whole set.

The problem is i have no idea where to start , too many options brands, types , shafts , grips , fitted or not ?

I really have no idea where to start , has anyone got any suggestions as the best way to go about choosing what would be right for me

Thanks !

New clubs and technology available are REALLY expensive.  That said, retooling the whole bag represents a purchase category that I call a, 'buy once, cry once' expenditure.  Due to cost, you can't afford to make a mistake with your purchase.

Therefore, going for a club fitting is probably your best option.  As far as where to start, getting off the tee is where the game begins.  Go for a driver fitting where you'll get to hit 4-6 drivers with results shown on a launch monitor with numbers that quantify distance and dispersion and interpreted by a professional fitter to narrow choices to a club or two that works best for you.

If the club fitter/location does a good job, I'd consider filling out the rest of the bag with another club fitting.  My experience with the club fitting and purchase (one location and 3 fittings, 2 sets of clubs) is the location waived the professional services fee (club fitting) because we purchased clubs.  Make sure this is the case BEFORE you arrange a club-fitting session.

As far as the rest of the bag, after driver, I would go to the short end and select a putter and wedges next.  This is something you can do on your own.  Putters are all about feel and what feels good to you.  Most golf shops have lots of off-the-shelf putters to choose from.  Wedges can be purchased online but first you should understand loft numbers, bounce and grinds.  I suggest the Titlest Vokey Wedge website. Good source of wedge education.

Driver and short game covered.  Next decision is: full iron set or a hybrids-and-irons set?  Fairway woods?  To me, this is where the fitting is going to be MOST beneficial.  At my wife's fitting she ended up with a driver, a SEVEN-wood, #5 and 6 hybrids and 7-SW to complete her set.  The set was optimized based on launch monitor results.  She couldn't flight a 3- or 5-wood properly.  The launch monitor results proved that the 7-wood flew longer and rolled out farther than either the 3- or 5-wood.  Same with irons.  She couldn't hit a 4- or 5-iron but had much better (and quantifiable) results with the hybrids and irons starting at 7-iron on down.

To completely update your bag with new, expect to pay between $1200-1800 for full set including the wedges and putter.  Again, it's a 'buy once, cry once' purchase.  A club-fitting session (or two) with a qualified and reputable professional is the best way to make sure you only have to cry once.

dave