order to upgrading clubs?

[hansmixer]

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on whether or not one should upgrade their set in any particular order. For example, should you start with the irons, then move to woods or wedges, etc?

I'm asking because I'm making improvements in my game and taking golf more seriously and want to upgrade my clubs. But, Mr. Wallet doesn't like paying for new clubs all at once :)

My plan is to slowly upgrade my clubs over a year or two, but would appreciate any suggestions on where to start. I've heard that you should start with the irons and then "build-out" from there with wedges, then driver, then woods (and hybrid if used). Any thoughts on that? Where does the putter fit in?

[cmarkmyers]

I have upgraded everything over the past few months, well almost everything. I started with adding hybrids, as my long irons were impossible to hit for me.

Then I replaced my woods which were pretty crappy.

Next I added a gap wedge to well, fill in the gap.

Then it was the driver as I wanted a high lofted one to better suit my swing speed and my lack of experience.

Finally I just got new irons. I got irons last as I really only hit my 6 - PW and I hated to spend money on a set with a 3,4, and 5 that I would probably not use.

Now I just need some new wedges. I would have done these much sooner as I use my SW around the green quite a bit, but it really isn't that bad. But now that I have a couple bucks put away for them I want two matching wedges that work well with my new irons. So I am in the process of determining what lofts to go for.

Oh, and of course I added a putter about every month, since we all know that all the 3 putting I have been doing is the result of the equipment and not the golfer :) I guess I could get a putter then the wedges...

Anywho, look at your game and ask yourself a few questions: Are there any clubs I never use, and if so are they not used because they are no good or because I struggle with them? Do I have any clubs that are sorely out of date technology wise? Am I using anything that really doesn't suit me (like blades instead of cavity backed irons or a 7.5 degree super stiff driver)? Can I get such a good deal on something that I can't pass it up?

So determine your needs and then rank them based on what will give you the greatest chance to improve your game. Maybe you can take all the aspects of the game (driving, putting, chipping, bunker play, short irons, etc.) and give yourself a value of 1 to 10. If it turns out your driving is great right now but you can't put worth a damn then the putter should of course be higher on your priority list.