When and what to upgrade?

Hello,

I am relatively new to golf, I picked it at the end of last summer, but played infrequently and mainly just to goof around with my friends.  Towards the end of the summer and early fall before it got cold (I live in Indiana) I started to take the game more seriously and played more often.  This spring I have really jumped into the game head first, I made friends with another newbie and we have been playing a lot more often now, with the intent of getting better.  I am really concentrating no improving my swing and focusing on the weak parts of my game as opposed to just going out and pounding a ball around. I now play and hit the range at least once a week each with it usually being more than that.  On my most recent game, a relatively short 9 hole course, I shot a 45.  This is by far my best 9 hole score yet.

So my two questions are:

1. At what point should I start looking to upgrade my clubs.  I spent probably $150 on the whole set of clubs at a used sports store and aside from the putter (Odyssey 2 Ball) they are all non name brand, and mostly do not match each other.

2.  What should I upgrade first? Irons? Woods?

thanks,

Lord Hobo

A lot of folks on here would suggest that your first capital outlay should be for lessons, at least 2-3 to get you on the right track, then a couple more after a while.  You have gotten interested in the game, enough to want to improve. Lessons from a competent teacher will get you on the right path to achieve improvement. It is much easier to learn correctly than to have to break bad habits.

As to clubs, a decent used set of irons that is 4-5 years old can be found for close to what you have in your present set. Up to a point, better clubs are a little easier to learn with if they generally match your swing speed and physical characteristics. One important feature is good grips.

Upgrade your driver first, since you will definitely want another new one within 2 years.

Spend more time researching irons as they tend to be the clubs that stay in the bag the longest.

Woods are going to make your life miserable - dont waste too much time or money on them. No matter what you buy, the honeymoon period will be short.

I'd have to disagree with the bolded part.  My 3W and 5W are two of my favorite clubs in the bag and I've been playing them for 5 years.  Haven't had even the slightest urge to "upgrade" them because I doubt I could find any others I'd hit better.  I'm way more consistent with the woods than I am with my hybrids and even my long/mid irons.

I definitely agree about the irons, though - it's worth taking the time to do some research, hit a bunch and maybe get fitted before plunking down the cash.

Well I don't think that's all to common. As you take loft off clubs are typically harder to hit. There's also rounds that you won't even hit a fairway wood. To the OP I'm with meenman. Start with a driver. You will be hitting it on 12-14 holes (depending on the course). The driver can really lower your score if you hit it well.

I'm not a long driver so I hit FW quite often on my second shots.  I can't even think of a round where I haven't hit FW at least a few times.  My 5W is good for around 190-200, 3W around 210-215.

I agree about driver first - just saying that FWs aren't a guaranteed trip to hell for everybody.

I don't think their that hard to hit. I also don't think buying a updated model is an important investment to a beginner. I can hit good and bad shots with most fw's on the market.

Beyond this, my swing changed quite a lot after a couple of lessons (much improved, very happy with my teacher) and if you do go down the path of getting new clubs the teacher can help suggest what is a good club category that suits you having seen your swing. Further, if you are committed to the teacher, where your swing might be leading you. My one regret I got my driver with a shaft which is too soft which fitted me for my 'initial' driver swing, which has got a lot better and as a result faster.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.  I am college student so I would probably be looking at getting used clubs, or at least a few model years old.  Is there a way to demo used clubs?

Also I am concerned about my swing speed possibly changing.  Right now I am trying to swing slower to make good contact, but I am 23 and lifting weights is another hobby, so the potential for a higher swing speed is there.  Should I wait until my swing speed stops fluctuating so much?