Help a newbie

[Newbie Collection Agency]

Hi all...just getting started in this game. Got me a set of low end clubs a month ago and I'm enjoying hitting or rather trying to hit the ball. A few questions have come up. I went down to the Golfsmith and had a little session on the indoor swing thing and got set up with a Taylormade 580XD to replace the other driver. I would like to try a hybrid, but dont know much about what it will replace or where to use it. I was thinking the Taylormade rescue 3. Then wedges....is a 56* a good all around one to have? Thanks all....lessons soon to come...

[DDBowdoin]

hey pal... welcome to this great game! Considering clubs is a intense process... but an enjoyable one. The secret is to do the right thing the first time to avoid stress and wasting more money. The 580XD is a nice club, reduced in price to newer technology but still a club that get's the ball out there, make sure you take the time to get fitted for a proper shaft. Flex, flex point, tourque, weight... these are things that someone just cant help you with while hitting balls in a net, make sure you get fitted using a Launch Monitor. This computer will read your swing speed, ball speed, spin rates, distance, side spin etc etc etc... there is a small program called Hotsticks that is simply amazing, its a bit hard to find depending on where you live but what it does is takes your measurements using a "HotStick" club then with that information compiles a list of clubs that will fit your swing/game.

There are a huge number of manufacturers producing hybrids right now, so finding one comes down to hitting them and looking for that one that fits you. Dont get bogged down in brand names, if you go to a legit golf store (golfsmith or one of those respectable chains, or a local well stocked pro shop) then all the clubs are "good" it just comes down to feel, asthetics, price range... but get fitted! it will save you having to buy a new club

56 is definately a solid choice for a wedge, but personally you need to carry at least two wedges. whether it be a 56 and lob (60) or a 56 and a gap (52) you make the call depending on what you think you need

personally I carry all three, 56 for sand, 60 for nice flops from rough and the 52 for the yardage gap when a pitch is just too much

hope this helped brother, hit em' long and straight