Tips regarding my current Clubs (Help!)

[Bauer]

Being the poor student I am I can't afford new clubs at this time, possibly within the next month or two but I couldn't really spend more than $300 and the only club that most likely wouldn't need replacing is my putter. I bought my current set of clubs, a set of Ping ISI's from my friends dad who is about 6' and I am 5'9". In my bag as of right now is: Ping ISI Titanium Driver 10° with a stiff shaft; Ping ISI 3-PW (minus the 5 I lost) with Cushin JZ Stiff shafts and a old no name sand wedge with apparently a 55° angle; Ping G5i Piper Putter.

The clubs are obvoiusly too long obviously, I choke up on them. I have no woods which hasn't really hindered me much, I hit my 3 Iron around 220 I think. I assume the stiff shafts might not be for me but I don't know what to look for exactly. Overall I feel like I play alright, averaging around a 44 for 9 holes better scores being 41 and worse 48 but rarely that high. What should I go for replacing first? How much am I looking out to get clubs that suit me? I assume that entails demoing etc? I've never done that so I have no idea how it works. I am winded trying to think of all the questions I have, a lot are probably self-explanatory but I'd really appreciate everyones thoughts.

[powerfader]

What "dot" are the irons? this link should give you an indication of whether the irons are suitable for you: http://www.usedping.co.uk/ping_dot_colour.html

Also you shouldn't really need to choke down on your clubs when playing a full shot; I'm 5'7 and I don't choke down. Look at Ian Woosnams swing, shorter players just adapt so that they have flatter swings.

[Bauer]

They are the black dots. I choke up because like I said I bought them from someone who is 6'0, possibly 6'2". Choking up has also helped me not hit it chunky either, and I am not choking up drastically.

[clearwaterms]

I would start with a few lessons. It sounds like you have some sound fundimentals. Shooting low to mid 40's is much better then a 20 handicap (assuming you are playing par 36's)

Reach out to your local pro and see if you can get a few lessons. As for which clubs need to be replaced, it depends on which part of your game is the weakest. do you struggle with driving? If so, consider a new driver. Do you struggle with the chipping and short shots? Consider some new wedges.

[Bauer]

I just put 20 handicap there because I didn't know what else to put and I didn't want to give myself too much credit. The course here is a par 35 with a par 4 that is rather long. I make good contact with the ball on my drives 99% of the time and the majority of that time is a fade/slice. I am either on the right side of the fairway or just a bit in the rough, and of course 20% of the time I hit it perfectly straight with a slight draw. I hit all my irons fine as long as I concentrate to not chunk it. My 3I and 4I I can slice if I don't concentrate trying to swing towards the target with the back of my lead hand (this has really helped make good contact and make a straight divot to hit the ball straight). I am comfortable hitting out of the sand and chipping. I need to take more of a divot with the ball I am not very consistent in my divots. My putting is my biggest concern, there are days where I won't have one single 2 putt, it is 1's and 2's all day long. Other days I am so uncomfortable to the point where I approach the ball to put and just stand there for a while and have to step back because of anxiety. As far as a local pro, I will inquire about the prices of lessons I suppose. How do I know what shafts I need? I don't think I have a very fast swing and I heard thats what stiff shafts are for. I suppose a video is needed eventually! Thanks so far guys!

[clearwaterms]

I just put 20 handicap there because I didn't know what else to put and I didn't want to give myself too much credit. The course here is a par 35 with a par 4 that is rather long. I make good contact with the ball on my drives 99% of the time and the majority of that time is a fade/slice. I am either on the right side of the fairway or just a bit in the rough, and of course 20% of the time I hit it perfectly straight with a slight draw. I hit all my irons fine as long as I concentrate to not chunk it. My 3I and 4I I can slice if I don't concentrate trying to swing towards the target with the back of my lead hand (this has really helped make good contact and make a straight divot to hit the ball straight). I am comfortable hitting out of the sand and chipping. I need to take more of a divot with the ball I am not very consistent in my divots. My putting is my biggest concern, there are days where I won't have one single 2 putt, it is 1's and 2's all day long. Other days I am so uncomfortable to the point where I approach the ball to put and just stand there for a while and have to step back because of anxiety. As far as a local pro, I will inquire about the prices of lessons I suppose. How do I know what shafts I need? I don't think I have a very fast swing and I heard thats what stiff shafts are for. I suppose a video is needed eventually! Thanks so far guys!

It sounds to me like you don't need new clubs. As for swing speed I would see if you can find a launch monitor at your local golf store and do some club demo's and see what the swing speed is.

As for shaft stiffness and shaft needs, that is truely a black art. You have to understand that there is no uniform standard for shaft flex from shaft manufacturer to shaft manufacturer. In some cases a stiff in a True Temper might be a regular in an Apollo, and a senior in some other shaft brand. If you really like the Ping irons, get to a launch monitor and see if you can determine your swing speed. Ping has an online static fitting that will tell you which shaft you need.

[Bauer]

Okay thanks a lot for the help clearwater. I really do like my irons if anything what I want to get is a new driver, woods, and a wedge to bridge the gap between my SW and my PW. What type of golf store would I be looking to go to? Any major golf store around a mall area I assume. Thanks again!

[clearwaterms]

Okay thanks a lot for the help clearwater. I really do like my irons if anything what I want to get is a new driver, woods, and a wedge to bridge the gap between my SW and my PW. What type of golf store would I be looking to go to? Any major golf store around a mall area I assume. Thanks again!

a golf galaxy or golfsmith might help giving you the option to try alot of clubs and most are pretty stress free. I also suggest looking for some demo days. Ping / Titleist / Mizuno / and most others will bring clubs to driving ranges / golf stores and allow you to hit different options, and often times will allow you to try different driver head / shaft combos.

[Dub]

220 with a 3 iron seems like you are mated up well with a stiff shaft....just my opinion.

[wedge player]

220 with a 3 iron seems like you are mated up well with a stiff shaft....just my opinion.

agreed +1