Need advice on new set of clubs.

[shortstop20]

I'm starting to take my golf game more seriously this year(like I have enough time for another habit) and I'm looking to replace my Dunlop's that I bought from Wal-Mart 4-5 years ago.

I am 6' 2" tall, 170 pounds(skinny). Handicap is 28 or so right now but hopefully that will go down alot before the end of the year.

Do I need longer clubs because of my height. Would i benefit at all from getting custom fit clubs? I really don't like the idea of getting custom clubs to fix a slice or something like that. I would rather put forth the effort to correct my swing but I think I may benefit from clubs that are longer and maybe more upright, I don't know.

I don't even know where to start when choosing clubs. I wanna buy a whole new setup, Driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, 3-9 iron, PW, SW, LW, putter and bag. Had enough of the cheapo equipment and I'm ready for something new.

Do the woods with a larger clubhead really have a bigger sweet spot or help accuracy any? Which type of irons should I get, blade or ?????(can't think of the name of the other kind).

I saw a nice Ogio bag that I liked, any opinions on those?

I really know nothing about what to look for in golf equipment, like I said I'm just starting to take the game seriously.

Would like to spend $600 MAX on all this stuff if possible. Thinking about buying used clubs too but not sure.

[Razorhog]

My suggestion is to go get fitted. If you are taking the game more seriously, I believe it is a logical step. Also, read read read. Forums, magazines, books (Ben Hogan's Five Lessons is what I suggest) etc.

[eberryhill7]

I'm starting to take my golf game more seriously this year(like I have enough time for another habit)

First of all, at your height getting fit is absolutely a good idea. If you don't you will be fighting with your equipment instead of playing with it. The bad thing about that is that you are probably going to have a hard time getting fit for top of the line equipment for $600. You will probably have to spend about $1000.

Generally all drivers not have close to 460cc clubheads, and they do make a difference. The square ones are particularly forgiving. Irons are really your preference. There are several forums on here discussing the pros and cons of blades vs cavity backs. To sum it up, get blades if you want to be extremely punished for bad swings, and get incredible feel so you know what you did wrong, but get cavity backs if you want forgiveness on misshits, and a slightly dampened feel. I have an ogio grom bag and love it, but if you want to save some money this is the area to buy cheap. You can get very good bags for about $50 instead of the $160 an ogio costs. But overall just read up on everything you can find, and test clubs out to see what you like. Good luck.

[Double Bogey]

Eberryhill is correct... getting fitted is key. I did and it made all the difference. I also have the grom bag at is is worth the money... although with your budget, I would spend on the clubs and use whatever bag you have. You can add the bag later. Being a higher handicaper I would get a game improvement iron. Not so much of a super game improvement iron. I did that as well and could not be happier. I like to be somewhat punished for a bad swing, but not absolutely demoralized. Blades can make you want to run away from the game without a established swing. There are so many choices out there.

You can get fitted for clubs and then make your final decision. Try out as many clubs as possible. Personally I dont think you can go wrong with Callaway, Ping, Taylor Made, etc. They are the big ones for a reason. Your budget is going to be your biggest issue, although look for last years models. I know that the Callaway x-18s are still in some stores, and a super discount prices.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your decisions.

[shortstop20]

Razorhog,

Where can I find Hogan's Five Lessons?

eberryhill7,

I don't need top of the line equipment, I am perfectly fine with using clubs that are last years model.

I assume my setup before the shot is going to make some difference in how the clubs are fitted to me? In which case I better post my video of my setup and swing before I go get fitted so I can ensure I'm getting fitted with a correct pre-shot setup.

After reading the thread about the different types of irons I think I will go with the cavity backs, or maybe a cavity back-blade combo. I love the feeling of the blade's when I make a solid hit but being a high handicapper that doesn't happen a majority of the time. I've never hit a set of cavity backs though so I'll have to see what they're like.

Double Bogey,

What is the difference between a "game improvement iron" and "super game improvement iron"? A game improvement iron would be a cavity-blade combo of sort? And the super's would be pure cavity back?

Great info guys, Thanks.

[GOLFSALOT00]

go get fitted for a set of game improvement set of irons

[Double Bogey]

A super game improvement iron is going to have more offset than a game improvement iron. When you hit different sets you will be able to tell.

Super game improvement have larger heads in some cases, and to me they feel like hitting a ball with a shovel. The topline will be thicker as well. They are much more forgiving, but you will not be able to move the ball right or left. They allow for mishits, and help the ball go straight.

A super game improvement iron would be the Callaway Bertha Irons, or FT, Ping Rapture
A game improvement would be Callaway x20, Ping G10
Game improvement with some workability would be the Callaway X20 Tour, Ping i10
Lastly a forged would be the Callaway Tour, Ping s58

Hope this helps

[GOLFSALOT00]

A super game improvement iron is going to have more offset than a game improvement iron. When you hit different sets you will be able to tell.

this is right on,since you plan on lowering your handicap you might want to invest in a club with a little more workability.it might be a little hard to hit right now but it will save you money in the long run

[shortstop20]

I'm all for that. I agree that the game improvement irons would be best for me. I played 9 holes today and hit three buckets of balls at the driving range and I can definitly tell my ball striking is already getting better since I've been putting more time into my swing and practicing/playing.

Distance with my irons is getting better too.

5 iron - I've hit one or two shots almost 200 yards but that's a PERFECT, PERFECT hit for me(downhill at that so it probably plays about 185). Usually average 175 with carry on the 5 iron. Still need work with this club. Not quite comfortable with it yet.

Distances with carry.

6 iron - 155(on a good hit, need work with this club too)
The rest of these numbers are average hits for me.
7 iron - 145
8 iron - 135
9 iron - 125
PW - 115
SW - 105-110(I'm very confident with this club)

I made par on back to back holes today(345 yard Par 4 and 465 yard Par 5).
After reading some info about course strategy and playing to your strengths I applied that to the Par 5. I hit driver about 220 down the fairway(little bit downhill so I got some extra distance), 7 iron 150 yards, leaving me a 90 SW that I missed just left of the green. Played my short pitch shot from the thick rough, left it 8 foot short but made my par putt. Also made a 17 footer for par and a 6 footer for par today. My putting was good today. Had two triple bogeys that killed my round though. I know I'm getting better though. More confidence, more distance, more accuracy, smarter playing. This game is a blast when you're getting better and a nothing but a PITA when you aren't. LOL

Sorry for the long winded post.