Need help with what clubs to get...

[timastyle]

Hi All,

So I've decided to get some new clubs after 5 years of playing with TM RAC OS irons (stiff flex) with a Callaway Big Bertha II driver (Adilia Stiff Flex). I just recently got an R5 driver with the same shaft as BB II.

My swing speed for my driver was about 110 mph and my irons are about 90-95 mph.

I've gone to Golfsmith and tried out different irons and am planning on getting the Callaway X-22 Tour irons (4-PW).

Here are my questions:

1. Should I get hybrids? If so, which ones?
2. If I do get hybrids, is there really a need to get any woods?
3. I have a tendancy to slice my driver, but when I hit it well and straight, I can hit it over 300 yards. Would a 3 wood be a good choice to use for better control? Could the shaft be the issue or is it likely my swing?
4. I was thinking I would need a GW, but is a LW really worth it?

Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[timtim]

1) Yes. I would recommend getting some and trying them. Much easier to hit than long irons. Look at 20 degree and 23 degree to replace your 3 and 4 irons. I love mine. I also have a 26 degree to replace my 5 iron, because I have never had confidence with my 5 iron. Look at the new Adams Idea Pro Gold. They are number 1 on all the tours. 2) Yes. The guys I know who have a few hybrids also have a driver and a 3 wood. 3) If you hit driver that far, you need a 3 wood for the holes where the architect fools your friends into hitting driver when they should not be. Most courses have shorter par 4s and dogleg holes and holes with trouble where you need a 3 or 4 wood to get it out there in play and not risk getting into trouble. 4) I have both. Love my GW. Love my LW. My missing club is in the 5 wood/2 iron range. And I would rather have the GW and LW in my bag.

[Scottydoint]

I am trying to figure out my club selection too right now. I know I will be getting a lob wedge because of the large gap between my SW and PW. PW are basically made as 9 irons now with around 46* of loft. and my SW is 54*. I hit my 46* PW 145-148 right now and SW 115-120. I am thinking of getting a 50* wedge which is what a PW used to be at, but now is what you would call a gap wedge (50*-52*?) I can hit my woods very well. A wood will always go further than a hybrid of the same degree. I think you will have trouble hitting shots of different height with a hybrid. They only go high from my limited experience and you can't hit one under the wind with it. I am thinking of dropping the 5 wood because I don't use it very much at all. I hit the 5 wood about 235. I would have trouble on par 3's of 225-240 if I didn't have the 5, though. I just don't know which to drop, the 5W or the 3iron?

But anyways... I would get a 3W and either a 5W if you can hit it well or a 2 hybrid if you can't. LW is worth it to me.

[timtim]

I think that many people try to hit the LW too high like Phil M and don't pull it off and therefore see the LW as a difficult club or a trick club. I simply put the ball in the middle or a little forward of that and put a simple chipping stroke on the ball and let the loft of the club do the work.

The better I play the more I need the LW because the more often I am up around the green with sand between me and the flag, and my SW has way too much bounce to play the shot I want to play in that situation.

[timastyle]

I used to have a 5W before my clubs were stollen out of my garage. I just never bothered getting one again. Just got the driver and irons. I definately think I want to get a GW (52*) because I basically hit everything from 130 yards and in with a PW and some of the 90-70 yard shots are a pain to control with the PW and I don't have confidence in my SW (56*) to hit further than 70-80 yards.

I was actually looking at the Cobra 3W as a good choice as the 5W I used to have was a Cobra and I loved it.

What would you recommend as far as hybrids and wedges are concerned (manufacturer and model)?

[timtim]

Adams and Nickent for hybrids. Cleveland, Titleist, and Mizuno for wedges.

[timastyle]

One other question about my driver shaft...you think I may benefit from a X-stiff shaft given my clubhead speed and that I am slicing the ball?

[timastyle]

Thanks for the suggestions TimTim.

[timtim]

No. While some charts would put you into X, I don't think you are swinging fast enough for X, but it might be a good idea to look for an S shaft that is 70 or 75 grams, and has a torque in the low 3s.

Why don't you think about taking some lessons?

[timastyle]

That's on my to do list. I am going to start taking lessons. I have been playing for about 15 years off and on (more off than on though).

Another question...as I get the new irons now and have a driver and SW already, what order would you recommend me getting the clubs (i.e. 3 hybrid first, 3W, wedge?)?

[timtim]

3W, then lesson one, then lesson two. You have to have a go to club off the tee. You have to cure your slice.

Youtube: "Top 25 Golf Pro Lesson ARMS FALLING Down Plane"

[timastyle]

I hear ya. I think it's finally time that I take some lessons. I'm waiting to get a call back from the golf pro to book my first lesson.

An added question on the club shafts...how can I really tell what my best suit would be? I've gone to Golfsmith for a fitting, but they don't elaborate on things. Would you also recommend a 70 or 75 gram stiff shaft for the 3W?

[timtim]

You are starting to get on the border of what I know about. My driver is 60 grams, my 3 wood is 80 grams, my hybrids are 91 grams.

[timastyle]

So I just checked the spec on the shaft I have and it's 69 grams. A side note I want to clarify is that the driver is the only club I slice. My mid to short irons are straight and I have a power fade on long irons. Any thoughts?