Jump to content
IGNORED

Should I get senior clubs?


Note: This thread is 3165 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

New member. First post. I'm 66 and want to get back into the game(haven't played in nearly 20 years). I got some Spaulding Executive clubs at a thrift store and scheduled a lesson at the course. After hitting a few balls, the instructor said my swing is "not too bad", but recommended I get a set of more senior friendly clubs if I'm serious about playing. I would rather practice and maybe play with the clubs I have to see how things go, and upgrade equipment later. If I get used to old style clubs, will it be hard changing to senior flex?
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Your instructor must have had a reason for the suggestion to change clubs. Senior clubs are clubs with a softer shaft flex. I would imagine the Top Flite Executives are regular flex and you weren't getting them to flex enough. Your swing speed must be fairly slow. I'd play with the clubs a while especially since he told you your swing wasn't too bad. When you can tell us what your average distances are then we can tell if you need help with a senior flex shaft. With the increased flex you generally have increased dispersion on your shots. That's why I use a still shaft with a high bend point. Plus there's always posting a My Swing thread.

Driver.......Ping K15 9.5* stiff 3 wood.....Ping K15 16* stiff 5 wood.....Ping K15 19* stiff 4 Hybrid...Cleveland Gliderail 23* stiff 5 - PW......Pinhawk SL GW...........Tommy Armour 52* SW...........Tommy Armour 56* LW...........Tommy Armour 60* FW...........Diamond Tour 68* Putter.......Golfsmith Dyna Mite Ball..........Volvik Vista iV Green Bag..........Bennington Quiet Organizer Shoes.... ..Crocs

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I am in your age group, and still use regular flex, steel shafted  clubs. I did go to a softer compression ball to help with that regular flex. I don't know what my swing speed is, but I hit my 9i 110+/- yards, and my 5i  150+/- yards. These are my carry distances. Not a long knocker, but I am getting pretty accurate since my return from a forced  lay off from the game.

Now, I also beginning a swing change to being a left handed golfer. My left handed irons have graphite shafts in what I think are senior, or womens flex since they say A/L flex on the shafts.  Jury is still out with them since I only started this change a couple of weeks ago. I am about 20 yards shorter when hitting from the left side.

Practice, and play a few rounds and get you swing muscles built up, Then get reevaluated for a possible club change. Just make sure to have fun while getting back into the game.

In My Bag:
A whole bunch of Tour Edge golf stuff...... :beer:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

No, it shouldn't be too hard to adjust as long as you're learning to swing properly, and based upon your expectations. I have all different flex clubs and can switch between them. It takes very little time to adjust, but I'm not trying to hit a 5 yard circle from 200 yards either.

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I am not certain what the instructor meant ... Senior friendly clubs could be a suggestion to play more game improvement clubs.

If he had meant shaft, I think he would have said "senior flex shafts."

I'd have to see that set of clubs, but if purchased at a thrift store, I can only imagine a set of 260cc driver, and smallish game improvement type clubs from the 1990's.

You may want to expand your golf budget eventually ... callaway and taylormade have preowned sites, and some of the older stuff still better than a set of Spalding Execs and not a lot money.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

New member. First post. I'm 66 and want to get back into the game(haven't played in nearly 20 years). I got some Spaulding Executive clubs at a thrift store and scheduled a lesson at the course. After hitting a few balls, the instructor said my swing is "not too bad", but recommended I get a set of more senior friendly clubs if I'm serious about playing. I would rather practice and maybe play with the clubs I have to see how things go, and upgrade equipment later. If I get used to old style clubs, will it be hard changing to senior flex?

Greetings!

Do you like your pro? Does he or she say stuff that makes sense to you? If so, take their advice on this, too.

Getting newer, easier to hit, higher technology clubs, maybe with a more flexible shaft ( I remember Spalding Executives from many years ago, compared to clubs now they are probably hard to hit and may have a stiffer shaft) will make the game more fun for you, especially as someone who hasn't played for many years.

If you still have doubts, ask the pro a direct question about it and see what he says, see if the answer makes sense to you. But you need to listen to the pro.

Good luck! Welcome back to the game. You're gonna find it's changed a lot since you played 20 years ago.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Thanks to all for responding! Instructor did use the term senior flex. I will definitely check into pre-owned equipment sites when I get ready. What golfer doesn't want new(and better) clubs? I've looked at some instruction videos to reset some fundamentals and plan to go to the range soon.
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I found several sets of Spalding Executives irons listed on eBay, generally for $50 or less. Someone on another site included this picture of his

original set of golf clubs, Executives from 1982.

mfjXiVXfYZyyjM9hHzS3RCw.jpg

This version of the Executives was a department store line, not like the competitive-level Executives from 1971.

After you have played for a bit, go try some modern irons. You probably want to get a static fitting: the clubsmith woudl check..

  • Your swingspeed to determine what flex might work for you (caution: there's no industry standard on shaft flexes; they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer)
  • Lie angle (makes sure club is not too upright - promotes left misses / or flat -promotes right misses).
  • Shaft length - for your swing and stance
  • Grip thickness

Tell the clubsmith you're interested in used clubs if you want to save some money. And, ask your friends to recommend a good golf shop - some shops do a much better job than others.

If you spend a year swinging the Executives with so-so- results, then you have to start over next year to learn a new set of clubs. And, you're more likely to stay with golf if you have clubs that fit your swing, not fight your swing. Just something to think about.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I am in your age group, and still use regular flex, steel shafted  clubs. I did go to a softer compression ball to help with that regular flex. I don't know what my swing speed is, but I hit my 9i 110+/- yards, and my 5i  150+/- yards. These are my carry distances. Not a long knocker, but I am getting pretty accurate since my return from a forced  lay off from the game.

Now, I also beginning a swing change to being a left handed golfer. My left handed irons have graphite shafts in what I think are senior, or womens flex since they say A/L flex on the shafts.  Jury is still out with them since I only started this change a couple of weeks ago. I am about 20 yards shorter when hitting from the left side.

Practice, and play a few rounds and get you swing muscles built up, Then get reevaluated for a possible club change. Just make sure to have fun while getting back into the game.


Interesting that you want to switch to left hand swing at this point in your life.  Can you elaborate?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

New member. First post. I'm 66 and want to get back into the game(haven't played in nearly 20 years). I got some Spaulding Executive clubs at a thrift store and scheduled a lesson at the course. After hitting a few balls, the instructor said my swing is "not too bad", but recommended I get a set of more senior friendly clubs if I'm serious about playing. I would rather practice and maybe play with the clubs I have to see how things go, and upgrade equipment later. If I get used to old style clubs, will it be hard changing to senior flex?

What do you shoot? I think we are assuming higher capper? Either, way, I am 58 and love my Cleveland HB3 irons, very forgiving and they also come in a Senior shaft. They are not made new any longer. But, you can find them new or used on Amazon or ebay.Surprisingly, they hold their value. They should be around 400 for 7 clubs.

Also, you might like the wilson d100 or d200 light weight driver.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • 2 weeks later...
Report from OP: Did a couple practice sessions on my own w/executive clubs. I get 70 yds with a well struck pw, nearly 100 with 7i. Tried a few with 3 wood off a tee, and maybe went 175 . Arm and thigh muscles were pretty sore after- guess gardening doesn't lead to golf fitness? I'm working in some exercise now. I wasn't finding a lot of left hand senior equipment on line, but found a set of Tour Edge HP25 on EBay. I called my instructor, and he felt that would be a good choice. They arrive next week. I'm looking forward to trying them out!
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Report from OP: Did a couple practice sessions on my own w/executive clubs. I get 70 yds with a well struck pw, nearly 100 with 7i. Tried a few with 3 wood off a tee, and maybe went 175 . Arm and thigh muscles were pretty sore after- guess gardening doesn't lead to golf fitness? I'm working in some exercise now. I wasn't finding a lot of left hand senior equipment on line, but found a set of Tour Edge HP25 on EBay. I called my instructor, and he felt that would be a good choice. They arrive next week. I'm looking forward to trying them out!

Man, you need to work on getting some club head speed. You should be able to get those yardages with a half swing. You have an instructor, so he (or she) should be able to work on that. Make sure you use you lower body with your swing. I'm guessing a lot of just arm swinging.

Driver.......Ping K15 9.5* stiff 3 wood.....Ping K15 16* stiff 5 wood.....Ping K15 19* stiff 4 Hybrid...Cleveland Gliderail 23* stiff 5 - PW......Pinhawk SL GW...........Tommy Armour 52* SW...........Tommy Armour 56* LW...........Tommy Armour 60* FW...........Diamond Tour 68* Putter.......Golfsmith Dyna Mite Ball..........Volvik Vista iV Green Bag..........Bennington Quiet Organizer Shoes.... ..Crocs

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Report from OP: Did a couple practice sessions on my own w/executive clubs. I get 70 yds with a well struck pw, nearly 100 with 7i. Tried a few with 3 wood off a tee, and maybe went 175 . Arm and thigh muscles were pretty sore after- guess gardening doesn't lead to golf fitness? I'm working in some exercise now. I wasn't finding a lot of left hand senior equipment on line, but found a set of Tour Edge HP25 on EBay. I called my instructor, and he felt that would be a good choice. They arrive next week. I'm looking forward to trying them out!

Good job getting a senior flex club.   It will be easier to hit, better on your hand/arm, and make golf more enjoyable.

RiCK

(Play it again, Sam)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 3165 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Popular Now

  • Posts

    • Day 76 - Pretty sore today, so I opted for putting over my Stack session. Primary focus was on starting line, as my putting has been pretty poor this year. 
    • Been a bit of delay in updates but I needed to come back east as my mom's health has taken a serious turn for the worse. In a 3 day span we learned she had a tumor to she has stage 4 cancer and stopped eating and drinking for the most part. She has had a rough 3 months but certainly didn't think we'd be at the point of setting up hospice for her. My mom was never into any sports really other than following the Red Sox because my dad was a big fan. She always cared about what we were involved in including asking about how golf went.  I have kept up with my 5 minutes of daily practice and will go to the gym here in NH tomorrow morning. Despite the somber nature of this trip my family has commented more than a few times about my weight loss so it's important to me to keep it up. I know my mom always wanted us happy in whatever we did so I'll continue with my fitness journey keeping that in mind. 
    • Day 109- Putting drills on a putting green for 20 minutes. 
    • Day 252: did a stack session. Did some slow rehearsal swings during breaks. 
    • Day 82: 3/18/24 Tried a Stack session but could not certify my warmup. Finished with indoor chips and putting. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...