What's wrong with taking a lesson from a teaching pro?

[joshtpa]

No, she's hot!

Equipment is always going to change. Heck look back 5 years ago. Square drivers? Heck, even hybrids were not really around. Just like swings evolve and change.

[JCDot33]

Equipment is always going to change.

Agreed! But I would like a set of clubs to last at least a year, maybe two ... no matter how I change my swing ...

[kc8kir]

Since when does civil mean "without humor"? I certainly think a good natured political joke can be interjected anywhere. Why limit the humor to the grill room board?

I apologize for offending you with that post.

[joshtpa]

Agreed! But I would like a set of clubs to last at least a year, maybe two ... no matter how I change my swing ...

That was my point. By getting fitted for clubs, a set will last you a year or two and then as your swing evolves, you can get refitted and see if new clubs are a necessity.

[JCDot33]

That was my point. By getting fitted for clubs, a set will last you a year or two and then as your swing evolves, you can get refitted and see if new clubs are a necessity.

And I was thinking in terms of the "newbie" who drops 15 strokes off their handicap in one season ... I wouldn't want to pay for a new set of clubs twice a year ...

[joshtpa]

I was basing my whole point on the OP who is a 14 handicap.

[M2R]

The lesson/equipment thing may be a catch 22 situation. I'm not far enough along in golf to say and I have never been fitted so I have no data on that either.

My experience was trying to learn to play the guitar with a $20 Sears instrument my parents got me. Why spend more money until you are sure you will actually succeed in playing? I struggled with that guitar for years with no real breakthrough. When I finally got some money of my own I bought an Ovation Custom Balladeer and for the first time my feeble attempts at fingering and phrasing were successful because of the light action and responsive top on that guitar. The catch, AFTER I had some time successfully executing the techniques and sort of burning them into my fingers and hands I could play that stiff necked Sears buzz box just fine. May not be relevant and I only submit it as food for thought as I'm still waiting for my AH HA! epiphany in golf.

[golferbro]

I'm waiting out on new clubs as well. My wife says that if I can consistently score under 85, I can get new clubs.

Is that fair? ;)

[mikelz]

I'm waiting out on new clubs as well. My wife says that if I can consistently score under 85, I can get new clubs.

I doubt it.

I have plenty of other pearls on the upside of divorce.

[srjorion]

From my personal experience I can tell you what worked for me. I have been playing off and on for over 20 years. I played High School golf and then had to take a break in college. After college I played a little but not as much as I had when I was younger. In the past seven years I have played a lot more and made a commitment to play more and get better.

Having 20 year old clubs and getting a pay raise due to a new job I decided new clubs were in my future. I decided to get some lessons, buy new clubs, and then continue the lessons.

There was a huge difference in what the fitting would have been if I had gotten new clubs before lessons and after. I had a very upright swing before, but after working

Based on my personal experience I highly recommend that people get lessons before getting new equipment simply because fitting for the new equipment will be greatly influenced by how your swing evolves from the lessons. That's just my opinion though.

[erova]

people also need to get GOOD lessons, too. Having some driving range donkey who just got back from collecting balls tell you to flex your knees and check your alignment before you hit is a bigger waste of a hundred bucks than a good sand wedge that your walmart set didn't come with so you have another club other than a pitching wedge to hit from inside 75 yards.

let's also remember there's a big difference in picking up a set of your dad's blades in the garage if he's 5'8 and plays to a 2, instead of you starting out with a cavity back game improvement iron when you stand 6'1.

[DJYoshi]

Agreed! But in the terms of COST ... it probably is a better idea than to get fitted, change your swing and that club that you just bought dosen't actually work for you anymore ...

I agree to a certain extent. I went from x-14's last year to mp-60's and my game improved DRAMATICALLY. I went from shooting in the 90's & hundreds to shooting mid - low 80's.

sure you can't buy a golf game 100%, but if you understand the swing basics & what does what when, I think you can buy your sticks at any point. So a dude that's just starting out is supposed to waste $ on getting a starter set then 3 months later he has to drop another $700 on a quality set? I've told my friends that have just started out: hit a bunch of a clubs, pick the one that feels best right now. when your SS increases and you groove your swing, you can change the shaft out. the clubhead's the clubhead. important, but i think the shaft makes even more of the difference..so i'd say i agree with you somewhat...but from a personal standpoint and experience of going from a fat cavity back to a 1/2 cb and getting infinite amounts better and more consistent, then i say you can get sticks anytime.

[case31]

I have read so many posts about "equipment I can buy to improve my game." I have read about what have to be some awful swings. What is wrong with taking lesson or two and developing a swing and then get equipment. Game improving golf clubs have a limit on just how much improvement can be made. Imagine how good you would be with a good swing and good equipment.

I agree. Back in my teenage years, I would play with my dad and his co-workers in their weekend game. One particular high-handicapper always had new equipment in the hopes that the new technology would improve his awful swing. All it did was make his drives that went 10 yards into the woods go 20 yards into the woods. As "serious" as he claimed to be about wanting to be a better golfer, he NEVER took lessons. The result: he continued to be a high-handicapper.

Many casual players are surprised when I tell them that in addition to playing 4-5 times a week, I take 3-4 lessons a year from a pro. For example, recently I noticed that I wasn't making as many putts as I usually do, but couldn't seem to fix it on the practice greens myself. I took a lesson, and the pro broke down my setup, my stroke, and most importantly, my strategy. When I played a round a few days later, I had 3-4 more one-putt greens than usual, and missed putts were all within easy tap-in range.

[erova]

I'm also surprised at how big of a deal people on this web site make buying equipment.

If I'm playing with a straight up hacker, I could care less what he has in his bag, if it's brand name primo stuff or knock offs.

Seems like a lot of people take the time to come to the Sand Trap, update their signatures with logos of clubs they use, be sure to tell us all the bounce of their gap wedge and which ball they'll only play if it's a southern tail wind, and then gripe that *other* people spend too much on equipment trying to fix their game.

never once has either a lesson or a club that I bought for myself made my playing partner better, so i don't understand the hoopla of people concerning themselves with others' business...

[wachesawgolfer]

What is your definition of "good equipment?'

[joshtpa]

I'm also surprised at how big of a deal people on this web site make buying equipment.

You are obviously not into golf equipment like the rest of us. We like the stuff as a hobby as well as whether or not it works better for us. I like to hear about reviews of what others have had to say about clubs that have come out. Surely you have hobbies. Nobody could be so self centered that listening to others opinions on a hobby topic dont matter at all. Could they be?

Similar to the way, I like wine. I love buying, drinking, and collecting it. Yet I cant try every wine made, so I love reading about others that have tried different wines and what their thoughts are about them. Does that make my palate better? No, but it is a hobby.

[NM Golf]

I asked one of the pros where I work about this. He is a trained clubfitter and suggested someone play for at least a season or more before you get fitted. The golf swing is produced through muscle memory and if you have not yet "grooved" any type of repeatable swing then a fitting is a total waste of time.

As to what clubs to buy, do whatever is within your budget. For a newbie, go get a starter set that won't set you back too much. Why go buy a nice set at $700 only to have to get all the lies and so forth changed or have to buy a completely new set in two years. Yes some people freakish people like myself change sets every two years or less, but really get real, the average golfer has no need nor money to change sets that often.

If someone gets into golf, plays some, gets some lessons, enjoys it and decides to get serious, then get fitted and buy some expensive sticks. If get fitted and buy expensive clubs right when you first take up the game you are really throwing your money away.

[The FORE Man567]

i dont think there is anything wrong with it