Recommend Me a Club Purchase

[aqua]

So I realize this is going to be a bit of a self-serving thread, but I'd love to get some advice on this...

Here is my current club configuration:
Driver : ERC II
Woods (3-5) : Burner (not sure what model, but they're not the most recent ones, as I would guess they're at least five years old)
Irons (3-PW) : MP-32
Wedge (60º): Tour Action 588 BeCu
Putter : DualForce 550

I had very little choice in how this set came together, as it was compiled mostly from clubs acquired from friends and family. This set seems acceptable for my purposes, but I do eventually want to upgrade it.

My question to you, dear Sand Trap community members, is what one purchase would you make to improve my club set most dramatically?

And one note...
I know the driver is non-conforming, and that's a bad thing. But at the moment I don't have the extra cash for a new one, so it stays for the foreseeable future.

[ks8829]

56 degree wedge to go along with the 60 degree

or

20-24 degree hybrid club to replace one of the long irons

[microcrayfish]

Yeah I'd say a 56 degree wedge too. Easier to hit and more versatile than a 60 degree in my opinion.

[uttexas]

I'd say 50-52 degree Gap Wedge. Your set goes from PW to 60 degrees. I'm guessing that you've learned how to hit the 60 out of the sand. Dave Peltz and others argue that the 60 degree is easier to hit out of bunkers (close to the green) than a typical sand wedge. You now need a club that fills the gap between your PW and 60 degree. Typically people hit their PW 110-130 yards and hit their 60 degree 60-100 yards. That is a huge gap. A 51 degree gap wedge would go about 90-120 yards and is very versitile around the greens. How many degrees is your PW?

If you could buy two clubs, I'd go GW and SW. If you could buy three clubs, I'd go GW, SW, and try out a hybrid.

Sorry for encouraging you.

PS Your handicap is listed at 24. Don't be afraid to look at forgiving forged GWs and SWs. You will love the feel of these forged clubs and they will help you learn to shape your short approaches. MacGregor, Mizuno, and Adams make forged clubs that are also forgiving.

[David in FL]

No doubt, with a 24 handicap, a hybrid will likely make the game a lot more fun. 20*-23*.

I'd also dump the 60* and get a 52* gap wedge and a 56* or 58* sand wedge.

[PiKapp23]

I would think, without a doubt, a hybrid to replace 3 and/or 4 irons would be the best choice. They are much much easier to hit than those long irons and can be used off tee, fairway or out ot rough. Lots of people even use them to chip with.

As others have also said, a gap wedge would probably be the next club that could help. Something around a 52* of loft. Your PW should have a loft around 47*. That is too much gap betwee it and 60* wedge. I am assuming you use the 60* as sanwdwedge, which would be difficult as a 60 can be difficult to use in most conditions and would probably have low 'bounce' which would make it a bad SW for most players. I have to agree with those that suggest 52* and 56*. The 52 is 'gap' wedge and 56 is sandwedge. Most of the time with wedges you want to try to keep 4-6* between them so that you'll be able to hit more distances with full swings.

But I still think hybrid is number one choice. Then GW, then SW.

[rjfan91]

Completely agree here.

rep +1

I'd say 50-52 degree Gap Wedge. Your set goes from PW to 60 degrees. I'm guessing that you've learned how to hit the 60 out of the sand. Dave Peltz and others argue that the 60 degree is easier to hit out of bunkers (close to the green) than a typical sand wedge. You now need a club that fills the gap between your PW and 60 degree. Typically people hit their PW 110-130 yards and hit their 60 degree 60-100 yards. That is a huge gap. A 51 degree gap wedge would go about 90-120 yards and is very versitile around the greens. How many degrees is your PW?

[I <3 Titleist]

19* Taylormade Rescue Mid Hybrid. Great golf club, unbelieveable value. I got mine for 49.95 *NEW* on Amazon.

[indacup]

I agree with the others....go with a wedge (54-56*)....or, you can have the 60* bent to 54-56* and buy a better driver or hybrid for under $100

[RocketSauce]

And one note...

i dont see anything wrong with you using that driver as long as you aren't playing in tournaments with it. if you aren't, then who cares if its legal or not? its a good driver!

[Stacey_E]

If you were buying just one club, I'd go with a 54* sandwedge. If you bought 2 wegdes, I'd say a 52* and 58* and drop the 60*. I'm all for hitting a LW regardless of handicap. But I've had that particular LW. If you can hit it that is great. I couldn't deal with it because I think it had about 3* of bounce. I could have never hit it out of the sand. But if you can, that is awesome.

Also, if you wanted you could pull that 47* PW (if it is stock) back to 48*-49* and just add a 54-56* SW. That would leave you more money to invest in a hybrid for the top of the set. If your irons are stock, the 3iron is 21* and the 4iron is 24*. You could probably drop them both for a 23* hybrid and be perfectly covered. If you go used, and aren't obsessed with ultra premium grooves, you could probably get a year old hybrid and wedge in the $100 range for both.

JMHO. Good luck!

[Smallville]

i dont see anything wrong with you using that driver as long as you aren't playing in tournaments with it. if you aren't, then who cares if its legal or not? its a good driver!

It doesn't bother me either. I almost bought a non conforming driver but decided not to. Nothing wrong with it if you aren't playing tournaments with it.

Nickent Hybrid. I have a 3DX 4 hybrid. I don't think it's possible to NOT get the ball airborne and straight with this club.

[Titleist Man]

How much do you have to spend?

[Range King]

+1 for a 56° Sand Wedge.

IMHO no need to replace the driver if you are on a tight budget.
If you are playing a tournament, use you 3 Wood off the tee.

[CosmosMpower]

Pick up some used stuff and you can probably snag a pair good wedges and hybrid for less than $100.

[Titleist Man]

If you have 100-150 get a wedge and a hybrid.

[cigarnut81]

Go to a competent clubmaker and allow him/her to fill your bag with a club that does something your other clubs do not do for you.

[bruce]

I'm with dumping the 60* and getting a 52* and a 56*,or if going the one club route dumping the 3 iron and getting a 25* hybrid.