When to get new clubs?

[Nick]

Hey guys, im new to the game of golf and actually haven't been out on a course yet. I have been going to the range for fun for about 8 years on and off and never really got deep into golfing. I have had some instruction from my uncle who is an avid golfer so my mechanics were actually pretty decent. I have read the little red book and now im reading hogans five lessons and i have to say that applying these things i have learned when at the range has made a huge difference. im hitting straight drives and accurate iron shots as well. Ill be going to my local course soon to start getting some actual course practice. The clubs i have are pretty cheep. Its one of those full sets you can buy from the sports authority or dicks or something like that. To be honest, the clubs are pretty decent, the irons feel solid and strike the ball pretty well, i have a new driver but the 3 and 5 woods are decent clubs as well. Just curious when should you consider upgrading from beginner clubs to a respectable set. I have a problem using junk products weather its golf, baseball, guitars, electronics, clothes, i have a problem using cheep stuff. Just wondering how long you all kept your beginner sets.

[$2 Nassau]

Tough question to answer since everyone is different. You just kind of "feel" when you are ready to upgrade, you may have tried out some other clubs and noticed that you hit the ball better, or you may have "game improvement" type clubs and then eventually notice they are actually starting to hurt your game. Just little things like that.

I know that doesn't really make sense but I think once you actually start playing you'll know what I mean.

A lot of people just buy new clubs for ha ha's. "Oops, had a bad day putting, better go buy a new putter"

[enduro]

Tough question to answer since everyone is different. You just kind of "feel" when you are ready to upgrade,..."

Yeah, I agree with that. I'd probably keep the clubs you're using right now. They're probably fine. Learn to swing and play a bit before you consider dropping a lot of cash on new clubs. I used Dunlop Tour Specials (circa 1990, JC Penny) and a 1994 Callaway Big Bertah Warbird driver for a couple years. Mainly because I was a pretty casual golfer who wasn't sure if he was going to really want to play the game for a long time. But eventually I started to improve, got more into it and deeper with it and others noticed too. So even my dad was suggesting it was time for new clubs, and he isn't a gear guy at all. He'll use his Tour Edges for the next 10 years and love it. And I felt it too. So I got a driver and 3-wood and irons this year.

[case31]

A lot of people just buy new clubs for ha ha's.

Or they buy the latest and greatest driver every year because they are promised 20 extra yards over their current driver. I know plenty of golfers that do this.

[prutkows]

When I was younger I bought new clubs very often because I always wanted to have the newest and "best" clubs (not to mention be seen by all my friends with the new club headcovers) but most of the clubs in my bag right now are i think 6-7 years old.

I think you really only need to replace your clubs when they no longer feel good to you. For instance, I'm going to be replacing my 5w and 3w because I've worked on my swing a lot and the regular flex and lightweight shafts on them result in me ballooning a lot of shots with them. I'm also considering replacing my irons with blades because i've been reading about them and i think i would benefit a bit from using them.

new clubs will not improve your game just because they have new technology... just find what fits your swing and your game, new or not.

[billy]

you said you havent been to an actual course yet...fair warning: playing golf on a course is MUCH more difficult than just smacking some balls at the range "off and on" for 8 years. Im not trying to discourage you whatsoever, but before you upgrade your clubs you should probably hit the course with your old ones, just to make sure you like the game as much as you think you do.

personally, i still use the same set of irons i started with (bought a used set of 845's when i started). they're pretty beat up, and i play without an 8 iron or pitching wedge because a couple of trees got in my way after a couple bad shots in my formative years, but ive been able to do ok with them. the way i look at it, when i do get around to buying a new set my score will become that much better. hopefully.

[prutkows]

you said you havent been to an actual course yet...fair warning: playing golf on a course is MUCH more difficult than just smacking some balls at the range "off and on" for 8 years. Im not trying to discourage you whatsoever, but before you upgrade your clubs you should probably hit the course with your old ones, just to make sure you like the game as much as you think you do.

Very true. There's a cone on the range I hit at thats about 158 yards away.. i can literally hit the cone once or twice every 10 tries and put it really close the other 8 or 9 times with a 7iron. Ask me to put it within 20 feet of the pin from 158 on a course and i'll maybe do it 2 or 3 times out of 10.

[Nick]

you said you havent been to an actual course yet...fair warning: playing golf on a course is MUCH more difficult than just smacking some balls at the range "off and on" for 8 years. Im not trying to discourage you whatsoever, but before you upgrade your clubs you should probably hit the course with your old ones, just to make sure you like the game as much as you think you do.

Absolutely, Im not currently thinking about getting new clubs, im just curious as to when most people will ditch the starter set and move on to the serious stuff. Ill deff. keep this set for at least this year after i get a good amount of beginner experience under my belt i might start to look around and see what kind of set i want to go with. whenever that time comes, i would be hesitant to throw some serious coin into a new set, i would probably go with a nice used set of irons and get more value for my money. I have a hard time with dropping five bills on a new set of irons when i can spend three on a nice used set. Thanks for all the info guys i appreciate the input!

[Sir Ryan]

Whenever they wear out to be honest... Gary Player saved the same putter for like 30 years? Crazy

[sp33d]

I agree with the feeling part. My old clubs treated me very well for a long time. But I out grew them as a player, I needed more of a players club rather than a game improvement.

But damn dude, get out and play the driving range sucks! ;)

[RubxQub]

Just started playing myself and I did the same thing you did.

Dick's Sporting Goods had a complete set of Walter Hagen clubs for $200. I bought them for two reasons:

1. The price was right
2. They were yellow (my favorite color)

My plan right now is to keep going to the range until my swing is consistent and I'm making good contact. I figure this will take me about a month, and then I'm off to the courses.

Looking at all the fancy clubs makes me drool a bit, but I figure I'll stick with these for a bit while I get used to the game and start my golfing career.

Glad I found this thread, as this was the first question I was looking for an answer to.