Where could I benefit most from new clubs?

[CarlJr]

I'd like to start playing again after not picking up a club for a few years. Here's what I have in my bag now;

Callaway Biggest Big Bertha 10 degree Driver
Callaway Big Bertha Warbird 3 Wood
(both have Proforce 65 shafts)
KZG EL-250 3-PW, AW and SW. They seem to be discontinued, but they look like generic mid-size cavity backs. If I remember correctly they're about an inch over standard length.

I'm just wondering where I might benefit most from new technology, etc. When I last played, I struggled most with the long irons and the 3 Wood.

I should also mention that I'm 6'5", so I'm not sure anything would fit me right off the rack.

[CG031]

Probably your driver. The latest technology the past few years has really helped a lot!

[BOMBINTHEDRIVER]

Probably your driver. The latest technology the past few years has really helped a lot!

While upgrading any part of your bag will help, the technology in drivers nowadays are far better than those of your Callaway driver's era.

[walfice]

You may see the biggest benefit by replacing your long irons with hybrids.

[titaniummd]

I'd like to start playing again after not picking up a club for a few years. Here's what I have in my bag now;

Your driver could up to the 460 cc realm unless you hit yours well. Replace your long irons with hybrids (at least the 3 iron). Golf balls have also improved. ...AND You don't have a putter!

[CarlJr]

My Ping putter is probably the only thing in my bag I really want to keep.

Just looking over some reviews, would the following drivers be worth putting on my short list to look at?

Ping G10
Cleveland Hibore XLS
Taylormade Burner
Nickent 4DX (never heard of this before, but they seem to be well reviewed)

[CarlJr]

You may see the biggest benefit by replacing your long irons with hybrids.

I think when I played last I started to see some "rescue clubs" in people's bags, I take it that's what a hybrid is? Is it meant to replace your 3 iron and 5 wood?

[GaijinGolfer]

What about wedges? Do you not have even so much as a sand wedge? Id say that if you are a 36 handicap, that youd benefit the most from better irons.
A set of game-improvement or super game-improvement irons would do a lot to lower your scores.

[CarlJr]

What about wedges? Do you not have even so much as a sand wedge? Id say that if you are a 36 handicap, that youd benefit the most from better irons.

I have wedges from the KZG set. So they match the rest of the set. I guess they're ok.

I don't know about the 36 handicap, I don't remember putting that on my profile. I haven't played in three years, so I wouldn't say I have a handicap. I'm playing Friday with some friends, so maybe I'll see where I stand after that.

[GaijinGolfer]

I don't know about the 36 handicap, I don't remember putting that on my profile. I haven't played in three years, so I wouldn't say I have a handicap. I'm playing Friday with some friends, so maybe I'll see where I stand after that.

Oh, I see. The way the forum software is set up, if you dont enter a handicap it automatically gives you a 36.

[Dub]

Simular in a couple of way:

6'5" also....have to wait on special order clubs....takes a while. Makes me really evaluate any stick changes carefully and only do so every few years.


Laid off the game a long while....a bit longer than your 3 years. It's been fun getting back into it.


Had to update some gear as well...here is the order I went in:

1. drooped 5 wood and went with a 1 hybrid....first hybrid club....sort of like the thing.
2. Updated my driver to the G10.....this club is perfect for me, I can't recomend it highly enough....when I even halfway do my part it delievers a good drive.
3. evaluated some of the current ball offerings and found one that I really like....the E5+.
4. Threw away my old shoes....discovered that Nike makes some awesome golf shoes.

Oh yeah.....last but not least I traded in some of my old clubs/putters/etc and picked up the one in my signature line. It will be the one I use when I need to "shock" my stroke to get things going well again on the greens....probably throw it in the bag every dozen rounds or so.

Putters have really come a long way, too. The Yes line is simply awesome, too.

[cfmgolf]

Driver technology in the past few years has outpaced most of the other clubs in the bag, and let's face it, this club is the most fun to hit (at least when hit well). Your list above is pretty good, but don't be afraid to look at Cobra and Nike also. Cobra makes a very forgiving club, but can be funny sounding. Nike has really come on strong in the past couple of years with some decent equipment.

Hybrids (aka rescue clubs) are also much better in the past 18 months. Taylor made makes a good one, but again there are quite a few that are in the same ballpark.

[titaniummd]

I think when I played last I started to see some "rescue clubs" in people's bags, I take it that's what a hybrid is? Is it meant to replace your 3 iron and 5 wood?

No. Hybrids replace long irons. Bobby Jones Hybrids feel great. I had already bought my hybrids, otherwise, I would have chosen the Bobby Jones.

The G10 and Hibore XL have had good reviews.

[CarlJr]

Well, I need to stop and get a glove today anyway, so I'll look around while I'm there. I think I might also get a new bag, I don't like mine at all. The Sun Mountain C-130 seems to be well reviewed, so I might check that out as well.

But as far as clubs, I'm going to start out with a new driver. I don't really like the aesthetics of the Nike and what I've heard about the sound of the Cobra turns me off a little. I think I'll start by looking at these three;

Ping G10
Cleveland Hibore XLS
Taylormade Burner

I think I could find all three used on ebay for around $500 and just get rid of the two I don't like.

Sound like a reasonable start?

[tjy355]

Well, I need to stop and get a glove today anyway, so I'll look around while I'm there. I think I might also get a new bag, I don't like mine at all. The Sun Mountain C-130 seems to be well reviewed, so I might check that out as well.

I agree, new driver is all really all you need. Personally, I don't like to spend $300 on a driver that will sell for $200 in 12 months time. Right now, the Burner and the Hibore XL are selling for $200 new. Both good choices.

On the other hand, with your height, you might benefit from a fitting. Ping will make it to your specs at no extra charge, but it will take a couple of weeks. Then, maybe look for a hybrid or two (aka "rescue" clubs) to replace the long irons.

[bm303]

I'd go with a used driver that you can find for under $100. Clubs in this range would be the r5 series, etc. Yes technology has changed, but I hit my r5 made in 2003 better than many other drivers made in 2007. Difference, yes. Large difference, no. Go with used/great condition clubs. Most importantly, be comfortable with your putter that you choose, and get some decent woods and a nice forgiving iron set. I personally think used woods are the way to go. I got my driver for $85 a year ago, in mint condition.