Recommendations on first "real" set of clubs

[wD 777]

Hi,

I've been playing golf much more often lately than I ever have before (from once every month or so maybe, to now consistently once a week)

I've been using the same clubs for years (Dunlop xti - don't ask, I think they were around 150 for the full set at target or something when i was in jr high lol - I'm 20 now)

So I'm looking to get a new set of irons. The max I want to spend is $399, and I have been looking at Taylormade R7's, Cleveland CG Golds, Nike Sumos, and possibly Taylormade Tour Burners (they are 429 on rockbottomgolf, and i'd only consider them if they sound like they are really worth the extra money)

Today I hit the sumo's and CG golds (sadly they were only in graphite at the store i went to) at my local shop at their simulator, and generally liked how the sumos felt over the CG golds. I also played 18 using my friends R7 draws, and noticed an improvement of the consistency of my shots, but i'm not sure i need draw irons (i felt like the weighting affected some of my short game shots, but that could have been mental)

I'm really just looking for some general advice about these clubs, and any other clubs at this price range. Also any comments from people with experience with any of these sets would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Will

[Danattherock]

I am a huge fan of Callaway Big Berthas for higher handicappers like myself. Great irons and I have had my set for years. Got them used (in "Like New") condition at the Callaway Preowned site. They looked brand new and unused. Great website to buy from in my experience. Lots of great iron sets available there.

[jeffrey r]

I was recently in the same boat as you, as I wanted to get more into golf and my old cheapie complete set wasn't cutting it anymore. There really are a ton of options out there, and you can kind of make yourself crazy. I ended up going with graphite Callaway Big Bertha '06 irons. These clubs are available generally in the $350-$450 range, in varying conditions of decent condition to like-new condition. I got mine for about $400 in like-new condition from callawaygolfpreowned off ebay.

Bottom line for me, after reading many reviews of different lines and manufacturers, the Big Berthas really have a great rep as a game improvement club. And amongst the various versions, the '06 hit the sweet spot for me as far as reputation, price, availability, etc. I ended up going with the Nike sumo squared for my woods and hybrids, and a Nike unitized putter (Tiempo for $99) to complete my first "real" set. At their current discounted prices, new and used, they seem like a great option.

In your case, there seem to be a lot of options available these days for great sets of irons in the $400 and under range, within Callaway and most of the other manufacturers. I am sure people here will have suggestions, but check the usual suspects online to get an idea of what is out there in your price range. Good luck.

[mdvaldosta]

I'm still a BIG fan of Ping Eye-2's, and a used set can be had for $200 on eBay. I also like the G10's for beginners. I think those Pings are, in almost all circumstances, the best club for a 20-30 handicapper. They're straight, forgiving, last a long time and don't cost a ton.

I'm not a fan of Callaways, but lots of people game them.

[Mallet]

I'm a big fan of the Callaway Fusion Wide Soles with/graphite shafts. I used a set of those for 2 years, and still have them as my backup set.

You can get relatively good prices on eBay or from the Callaway Preowened site.

[umpiremark]

I don't know you, so I do not want to judge ... however, your post says you are a 30 handicap ... my first piece of advice is two fold: One, go somewhere, where you can hit some of the clubs you're interested in, like a Golf Galaxy, perhaps. Pay the extra dough to get fitted for clubs, at least loft, lie and swingweight. Then find a matching set to those specs. Two, take a lesson or two; new clubs - expensive ones - won't fix what ails your swing.

Before laying out cash for a set that "looks good" find out what "feels good." And have someone look at your swing. That's my two cents ... good luck in your search.

[CarlSpackler]

I went with the Adams A2 OS several years ago since it was a progressive hybrid set. I hit 3-4 irons so poorly, I didn't want to buy a set and toss them for hybrids. Of course now I tempted to put the PW-7i from my old set back in since I hit them better than I do the Adams.

[sp33d]

I had a set of R7's early in the season, really liked them but didnt offer anything greater than the clubs I have currently (wilson fatshafts) they still lacked the feel that i wanted and workability. But their decent, great for the price. If you look around you can get the R7 Draw for 299 brand new.

[wD 777]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

The Callaway fusions and Ping G10's seems to be way out of my price range, so I can't really consider those.

I saw the Big Berta '08 irons at the shop yesterday, and didnt really look at them there because they were too expensive (but are 399 at rockbottom which is withing my range) but i did notice them for the weird long irons.

With all the love for callaway in this thread, I'm thinking about trying these out. Since I can't try out any of the '06 irons, what are the major differences between the two? Also the X-18R's are $369, what do you guys think of those?

Theres a Golfsmith up here in San Jose (never been to it) but i'm thinking of going tomorrow to maybe check some sets out.

Btw the 30 handicap is just a rough estimate. I usually hit 99-110 on 18

[HytrewQasdfg]

Keep to your $399 max, but don't run away from a higher advertised price.

Sales in the golf business are in the toilet right now. If you walk into a store with $400 in hand and say "I want that $500 set of irons" You have a good chance of getting them for $400.

No price is set in stone at the moment.

[Slice57]

Have you checked some of the used websites? 3balls.com always seems to update their used sets. Looks like there are some good deals too.

[wD 777]

I'm really considering the Big Bertha '08 irons. What's everybody's take on the i-brids? Would they work out for the long run when my game improves? I want clubs that i can play for a long time

[Danattherock]

Hybrids? Game improvement or crutch. Depends on you and your goals. If you plan to learn the game and improve steadily. Practicing, taking some lessons, and regularly playing, I would suggest not getting the hybrids. But to each his own. I think the hybrids are great for folks that don't play much, and don't play well. Letting the technology make the game easier is fine for many. But it just depends on what you want to do with your golf game.

[Danattherock]

Theres a Golfsmith up here in San Jose (never been to it) but i'm thinking of going tomorrow to maybe check some sets out.

I would be amazed if they did not have a few sets of pre-owned Callaway Big Bertha irons laying around somewhere. I use the gold set from 1994. My dads are 1996/1997 and they look identical. Not sure how much they have changed over the years, but it appears to be very little. Getting them fit to you would be most important. I don't think a higher handicapper on a budget could go wrong with the Big Berthas.

[DES NUTTZ]

use the regular r7's instead of the r7 draws

[wD 777]

Hybrids? Game improvement or crutch. Depends on you and your goals. If you plan to learn the game and improve steadily. Practicing, taking some lessons, and regularly playing, I would suggest not getting the hybrids. But to each his own. I think the hybrids are great for folks that don't play much, and don't play well. Letting the technology make the game easier is fine for many. But it just depends on what you want to do with your golf game.

I definitely plan on improving. The new Big Berthas have what they call "i-brids" which seem to be a sort of iron hybrid with a very wide sole.

I think i'm actually going to head out to golfsmith today since i have some time. I don't want to buy from a store knowing i can get the same clubs online for much cheaper (and without tax), but I do need to get them fitted. If i bought them online then took them in to get fitted, what would that cost?

[Danattherock]

I suspect the better you get, the less you will value the hybrids. For the same price, you can get the Big Berthas without the I-brids. If you are going to spend some time learning the game, I might suggest going this route. Below is a link.

http://www.tgw.com/customer/category...EGORY_ID=12326

[Danattherock]

If i bought them online then took them in to get fitted, what would that cost?

Not much. I found a nice area shop here in Pinehurst that will do a total fitting for irons for about $100. Heading there in a few weeks myself. Common charges are $10-15/club for length added or taken off, $5/club for loft/lie adjustments, and the cost of new grips. These numbers are on the higher side even if I had to guess. I am working on Cape Cod now and my home is Pinehurst. Both somewhat pricey areas. But this will give you an idea of cost. One thing to consider, if you buy the clubs in a shop, that doesn't mean they will adjust them for length, lie, and put new grips on for free. I suspect you will be paying the same for that service either way. There may be some exceptions, but don't count on it. Something for you to ask for sure. A smaller golf shop may do this. But then again, you may get a less than ideal fitting if they are doing the work out of pocket. May be best to get the clubs where ever, then pay someone to do a proper professional fitting. The more I think about it, the more strongly I would suggest this route.