Amateur help -- Equipment

[Peter Palindrome]

I, like so many others who have come to this forum with their shanked shots and silly questions, am new to the game of golf. I drove my first basket and played my first 9-hole course about two months ago, and have been bit by the bug ever since. I'm still working on the basics, my swing, &c.;, but I have been making relatively steady progress. I'm 21, and am willing to put in the necessary work to improve, and part of that is gettin' myself a solid set of clubs.

I just spent the last week or two doing my due diligence and searching out bargains online. The following is currently in the mail:

Ping Eye 2 Irons/Black Dot :: 2-SW ($240)
Adams Driver (1) and Fairway woods (3/5) (120$)
Odyssey Dual Force 2 Rossie putter (90)

What else do I need to complete my bag? This puts her at 14, but I'm also probably going to be the only guy out there without hybrids and the works. I know people caution new players not to buy clubs until they've committed to the game, but I only spent $150 or so more than the standard starter kits, and I think I got good value on just about everything.

Where would you upgrade first? Woods? Low irons? Any practical advice for breaking in a new bag of clubs?


Also, guess this thread functions as a sort of introduction too, so ..... hi.

[mcecki]

hello, you may want to substitute the 2 and 3 irons for hybrids as they are quite a bit easier to hit and get up in the air.

other than that, your choices sound great! good luck on your game!

[JSC924]

A 2-iron and a 5-wood is used for the same distance. It's redundant if you get both of them. And as a amateur (especially a beginner), I would recommend staying away from the 2-iron. Even Tiger Woods often substitutes his 2-iron for a 5-wood.

With the room for an extra club, I would suggest a gap wedge, sometimes called an approach wedge or many other names for it. It's a club between the pitching and sand wedge. Typical pitching wedges are 45-48 degrees of loft and the typical sand wedge is 56 degrees. Your gap wedge should fit right between those 2 in terms of loft. Check out the specs of the irons of your choice on the manufacture's web site.

I would also recommend you substitute your 3 and 4-iron for hybrids.

[bm303]

My only recommendation is to get rid of the 2, 3, and 4(if you want) and purchase hybrids. I find them much easier to hit on bad lies, and get the ball flying high quickly. Learn to hit your sand and pitching wedges around the green and then invest in a gap and lob wedge.

[Shindig]

What else do I need to complete my bag? This puts her at 14, but I'm also probably going to be the only guy out there without hybrids and the works. I know people caution new players not to buy clubs until they've committed to the game, but I only spent $150 or so more than the standard starter kits, and I think I got good value on just about everything.

What shafts are in the clubs? I see a lot of beginners frustrated by incorrect shafts in their clubs, and having trouble accordingly. I'm very glad a friend of mine forced me to get the right flex. I was adamant when I began that it couldn't matter to a beginner, but I was very wrong.

If the shafts are wrong, that would be the first upgrade.

[Peter Palindrome]

Thanks for the feedback guys

Shindig, the Ping's have the original ZZ lite steel shafts. The TightLies clubs have Adams SuperShaft Graphite shafts. The putter is new, so I suppose whatever the factory standard is.

I've read that it's dangerous to swap out the shafts on the Pings because the angle they'll drill it in at in the Pro Shop will never be as precise as the factory angle. Know anything about that?

[Shindig]

Thanks for the feedback guys

I don't know about swapping shafts in the Pings, but I did neglect a detail in asking about the shafts. What is the *flex* on them (and kick-point, if they list that)? Lite steel and Adams Graphite will be fine with the right flex.

[golf_junkie27]

With the money you have saved, I suggest you get fitted for your putter. Make sure it's the right length, right weight and adjust the lie, if need be. You're going to be making, roughly, 36 putts, per round. You want to make sure that your putter, fits, your stroke.

[Left Is Right]

Basically what everyone else said: Get the hybrids i am a 14 capper and i play with a 3h and 4h and i dont look back

[Dub]

Started playing in 1993 (my early twenties, also)....worked my way to a 12 handicap for a long while....quit playing for a few years and just now getting back into it. Self diagnostic and consistency being my goals at this moment.


My advice is to have someone...a professional....evaluate your set up and make sure that your clubs fit you.

This means, proper flex, lie angle and length.

Those PINGS are nice irons....and they can be adjusted by a clubfitter.

Swinging a shaft that is too stiff for you is gonna be the source of endless frustration. The proper flex is gonna allow you to hit those high and long 6 irons that will enhance your addiction to the game!!!

I haven't used a hybrid....but am considering one for a 2-iron replacement. I wouldn't dream of pulling my 3,4 or 5 iron out of the bag. Maybe I'm different than others. With you being 21 years old, I'd suggest learning to hit them. They can be real savers at times.

For instance, yesterday on a #8 par 5 at Jones Creek, Augusta, GA, my drive found trouble (woods). I used a closed down 4-iron and punched it out of the right woods and advanced it towards the hole picking up another 75 yards. This left me 205yards to the center of the well bunkered green. There was a stream in front of it, too. I had limbs from the right woods factoring in on the shot even though I was on the right side of the fairway. I settled down and put a great swing on my 3-iron...the ball came off low (beneath the limbs) and then rose...it settled down nicely on the green...leaving a 20 foot birdie putt. I could not have done this with hybrids...I don't believe.

There are many times when a 3-iron off the tee is just the thing on some tight driving par 4s and 5s.

Get those clubs checked out by a professional.....hopefully the same professional that you are going to get a series of lesson from....you are going for lessons aren't you???????!!!!!!!!!! Don't be a sucker and spend $$$ on clubs and balls but fail to spend the right money on lessons. You'll pick things up sooooo much better and avoid a lot of frustrations later when you have to unlearn a bad grip or some other fundamental set up flaw.

[Peter Palindrome]

edit :: double post

[Peter Palindrome]

How do I find out the flex? Is it written somewhere on the shafts? I can't find anything online.

I'll try out some hybrids at the pro shop next week, although I'll probably try out the low irons first and see how it goes.

I've read that the one iron is now obsolete. Has the two iron gone the same way?

Also, this thread has been incredibly helpful. Thanks everyone

[bm303]

For the most part the 2 iron is obsolete, and I haven't played with anyone that would consider putting one in their bag. I personally use a 3 wood, and start my irons at my 3 hybrid. I don't see the need to have a 2 iron, and would probably rather have a 5 wood. In my opinion, get the 3,4 hybrids and sell the 2,3,4 irons. You could probably get $50 for those three clubs and pick up some reasonably priced hybrids. I find that hybrids are really hard to mis hit, and even if I do I can still get the ball flying high and far. I will say though, it's very hard to punch a low line drive with hybrids, but thats what my 5 irons for.

[Guest]

hello, you may want to substitute the 2 and 3 irons for hybrids as they are quite a bit easier to hit and get up in the air.

I need some help as well. I would like to start playing and am looking for some used clubs. I play lefty so my choices are limited. I did find some Arnold Palmer PHD clubs (full set) with a bag included for $250. I know these clubs are probably 10-12 years old and was wondering if the price is reasonable.

[Dub]

How do I find out the flex? Is it written somewhere on the shafts? I can't find anything online.

There is usually a decal or graphics placed on the shaft just a few inches below the grip. Decal denotes brand/type/flex.

I've had one set of irons.....one.....that I added a 2-iron to. I later pulled it from the bag so I could play three wedges (PW, SW & LW). I wouldn't say it was obsolete, but for me it was mainly a "tee-only" club. Good luck with your game.

[Guest]

Im in a similiar boat and was curious myself as to what I should do. I just got some Callaway X-18 irons for basically nothing (havent had time to hit them that much yet) but I'm wondering whats my best route to make sure they fit me properly and that I'm not suffering in my progress b/c the clubs are too long/lie angle is off etc. Same for my R7 driver which i can hit straight as an arrow but I have to choke up near the bottom of the grip :) and i know that's killing my distance.

I really dont wanna cough up a bunch of money getting them adjusted and basically end up paying what i coulda paid for a brand new custom made set.

[weswilkes]

i have a question...i own a sumo 5900 today at the driving range i topped a ball and now have a nickel size dent on the bottom of the driver...will that affect the play/distance/control of the driver now..I wasnt to sure where to post this so im tryin the Amateur help? thanks in advance

Wes

[mellojoe]

...you are going for lessons aren't you???????!!!!!!!!!! Don't be a sucker and spend $$$ on clubs and balls but fail to spend the right money on lessons. You'll pick things up sooooo much better and avoid a lot of frustrations later when you have to unlearn a bad grip or some other fundamental set up flaw.

I want to echo this comment. Its amazing how much changed about my approach to the game of golf in one simple lesson. Istead of just gripping and swinging, I now have an actual grip and an actual stance. It has transformed me from being frustrated that I can't figure out this stupid game into someone who enjoys hitting golf balls.

Really. A real lesson made a huge difference.