Letting newbie golfers use your clubs

[tonyy]

Went to the range today to practice my chipping. Some friends were there and they never golf. One guy asked to used my Taylor Made R7 which I got last week and I said sure.

Big mistake.

After one, full forced swing, he managed to hit the head into the ground.

WTF.

Of course, I was a little ticked but I thought nothing more of it. Later, I looked at my driver and saw a dent or dimple on the bottom of the head. Is there any way a golf shop could fix this? I'm pretty anal about keeping my equipment clean and in good shape. I guess some people have no respect for other people's property.

Sorry, just had to rant.

[joshtpa]

How in the world did someone take a forceful swing on the ground and dent the club? I mean these clubs hit the ground thousands of times. U sure it wasnt there already?

[tonyy]

Nope. I know for a fact that it wasn't there because just this morning, I was cleaning my clubs. He took a couple swings after that, and there were ball marks underneath the head. I stopped watching and continued to hit my wedges while he was trying to hit the ball.

It's a little dimple or dent underneath the head..

[joshtpa]

Ball marks are normal. But even topping a ball would not product a dent. I just dont see how that is possible. But if you are so careful and particular about the clubs, why let people hit them? Just curious?

[tonyy]

Honestly, I don't really know how it got there. I know for a fact that it wasn't there this morning.

I let him use it because he asked to try it out. I didn't want to be a dick and say no. I figured he'd be a little extra careful since it didn't belong to him. That's what I tend to do when I'm using other people's stuff.

So, would a dent or something like that affect the functionality of the driver? I know I seem a little over the top about it, but I just got the dang thing a week ago. We all baby our new items when we first get it.

[joshtpa]

I dont know what kind of dent it is...Can you take a picture?

[bunkerputt]

Man Tonyy, I'm sorry to hear that. I've been to golfsmith and taken a look at the bottom of the demo drivers and I've seen a lot of them with dents on the underside of the face toward the hosel. I think a severely OTT swing where you top it is causing it. It didn't used to be a problem because people have been and will always be topping it. But with the oversized heads, structural integrity isn't the same except for on the face. I think you definitely should have politely said no to him. That's what I do unless it's a close friend and I value the friendship more than the club.

[meenman]

This is the one reason I was glad that I had to give up on the sumo 2 - everyone I played with felt the need to try it. Now maybe I should start bringing the hammer and praying that someone actually does break it.

[GaijinGolfer]

A golf shop MIGHT be able to pull the dent out like you would a dent in a car body, but thats not to say that the strugtural integrity of that part of the head hasnt been compromised.
All you can do is take it to a shop and see what they can do. If it cant be fixed, I think I would tell your friend that he/she owes you what the club is worth. He/she caused the damage and buying you a new club or paying you what it would cost to replace it would be the right thing to do. If said, "friend" refuses, well then I guess it shows you just what kind of a friend that person really is and you know to no longer associate with that person.

[mybloodinvt]

In response to the question posed by the OP, never, never, never. I've spent way too many years putting my bag together. Let the newbies go to Wal-Mart and get their own equipment. On a related line, I just got home from playing a quick nine after work and someone had really used the course to let loose some pent up aggression. Big ol' divots on the tees boxes and fairways, unreplaced or filled. I mean excavators couldn't move that much earth. They had even jammed the end of the flag into one of the greens and left a nice hole in the green. What is that? Why would someone do that?

[scooterguitar]

It sucks, but shit happens. I wouldn't be too mad at him, unless it affects the playability.
Just try to recall how it was when you were a beginner. Hitting those $300 drivers when you only had hit a few balls...for me, it was just awesome trying what the big boys used.

[Magnus]

Just like you have those close friends, you know the ones you ask to help you move - prob those 4 or people you fell comfortable asking........Thats about how many people I trust hitting my clubs. In retrospect, and for future reference, if they don't like the fact you say 'no', tell them to kiss your a$$. Oh, and sorry about your club - that does suck.

[tonyy]

Well, I went out this evening and got 9 holes in. The playability seems to be the same. I'm still gonna take it into the golf shop sometime this week to see if they can pull it.

Although it still works the same (so far) that little dent bugs the heck out of me.

[kekoa]

HELL NO. I play blades and there are sweet spot marks on all my irons. no way i want shanks or toe marks on my pretty titleist. Same goes for my driver and woods. I may let a noob hit a few putts w/ my putter, but thats it.

[Craig Mac]

My clubs don't stay new looking for very long. When I first get a club I probably wouldn't let anyone hit it, but after I scuff it up and get a sky mark or two on the driver/woods, be my guest....Well as long as they aren't too much of a hack.

[tonyy]

Yeah, of course scuffs and scratches are a given. I guess I just like to keep my stuff in good condition. OCD maybe? hahaha.

[CosmosMpower]

Most my friend are about the same level so it's not a big deal. Plus most of us don't have the newest $400 high dollar drivers etc.