New Driver, Putter & Bag

[Ogie]

New to the game and have a full set of clubs gifted to me by my father:

X-14 Callaway Irons
VFT Callaway 3 & 5 wood

Now I snapped ths shaft of the big bertha ERC so bought a new driver last night. I get the feeling I made the wrong choice. I bought a Taylormade R5 dual driver with a 9.5 degree and stiff shaft. Paid $100 new at Sports Authority. Feel like I should've bought a used club to see what I like first.

1st off, I have no idea what the differences in the degrees are.

Any advice on a driver for someone new to the game. Tere are too many to choose from. I don't want to spend more than $150 on a driver as even the most grandest driver in the world would still make no difference in my game.

2nd, the putter in the set given to me is older than me I think. I found a Ping Karsten B60 putter for $80 on craigslist yesterday and it caught my eye.

Lastly - The bag that I got with the set seems pretty heavy. I think it's a Callaway Hawkeye. Any advice for a lighter weight bag?

[ks8829]

I play the R5 TP driver with 450cc and its a great driver! you can't blame the equipment anymore, any lightweight 3.5 lb bag are good, I happen to play the Mizuno aerolite bag.

[Lange]

New to the game and have a full set of clubs gifted to me by my father:

The higher degree on teh driver the higher trojectory you will get, the lower the degree the lower trojectory. So if you find you hit your drives really high you should consider getting a lower degree driver like the 9.5 u just bought, and opposite for if you shoot a high ball. Being new to the game putter isn't to big of a deal, but if the putter is older then you then it definately wouldn't hurt to get a new one, this is probably the only club i would consider buying at a high price for a beginner as it does help and minimizes bounce etc. on the greens greatly. It helped me a ton. For a bag just anything light, with a decent amount of dividers so your clubs don't cling and clank. Having a big pocket or two as well helps greatly! If you find a bag just make sure you know you would be able to organize your stuff easily, otherwise don't bother with it.

[cfmgolf]

TM made a decent driver in the R5. Being a beginner, it is probably more a lack of consistency in your swing than the equipment. X-14's are very good and forgiving irons, the VFT fairway woods are also very good. I have a 5wood that i have really enjoyed for the past few years. (I took it out of the bag this year for a 2 iron hybrid, but it is due to the course that i play vs. the club). I would recommend spending the $150 on lessons which i think would serve you better in the long run.

Putter - you can find some very good ones on ebay. Odyssey 2ball is a very good putter that you should be able to find easily.

Light weight bags can be found most anywhere. Sun Mountain is a very good manufacturer and a brand i would highly recommend.

good luck

[oo77oo]

An important thing to look at when getting a driver is the loft. Most tour players use 9.5* and lower i think. That is because their swing speeds are usually a lot higher than most people. The slower swing speed you have the more loft on a driver you need so that you can get the ball in the air higher and it will give you more distance. That is why senior and junior woods have more loft than other woods so that they can get the ball in the air with their slower swing speeds and get more distance.

[Dub]

More loft on the driver is helpful.

Try a bunch of different putters.....there may be no "right" putter....just the "right now".

Lightweight bags are easy to come by.....look at TGW sale items. I saw a very nice looking Callaway for $75 on there....your choice of colors. I've enjoyed the one I have. My Dad played a round with me and bought one just like it. He's really enjoyed his as well. Light....well organized....easy deploying legs......stands fully upright, too, even with 14 clubs, 3 dozen balls, two water bottles, sunscreen, 100 tees, etc, etc.


Good luck.

The best money to be spent, though, may be on a couple of lessons.

[907golfer12]

More loft on the driver is helpful.

I would suggest trying out the Sun Mountain Superlight 3.5, it comes in a bunch of colors, it very light, and has lots of great features.

[Wisconsin Golfer]

I also think you should spend most of your money on a putter that feels really comfortable. Putting will make or break your score. Remember to have FUN. That is what it's all about.